TCS Recruitment Guru for Freshers

Database Concepts Quiz

2011-12-20T10:31:00.002+05:30

1. Which of following represent logical storage of data?
Option :
a. Table
b. View
c. None.
d. Index
Ans: b

2. Which SQL statement is used to extract data from a database?
option:
a. SELECT
b. EXTRACT
c. OPEN
d. GET
Ans: a

3. With SQL, how can you return all the records from a table named "Persons" sorted descending by "FirstName"?
Options:
a. SELECT * FROM Persons SORT 'FirstName' DESC
b. SELECT * FROM Persons SORT BY 'FirstName' DESC
c. SELECT * FROM Persons ORDER BY FirstName DESC
d. None of the above
e. SELECT * FROM Persons ORDER FirstName DESC

Ans: c

4. With SQL, how can you return the number of records in the "Persons" table?
Options:
a. SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Persons
b. SELECT COLUMNS(*) FROM Persons
c. None of the above
d. SELECT COLUMNS() FROM Persons
e. SELECT COUNT() FROM Persons
Ans : a
5. How can you change "Hansen" into "Nilsen" in the "LastName" column in the Persons table?
Options:
a. UPDATE Persons SET LastName='Hansen' INTO LastName='Nilsen'
b. MODIFY Persons SET LastName='Nilsen' WHERE LastName='Hansen'
c. MODIFY Persons SET LastName='Hansen' INTO LastName='Nilsen
d. UPDATE Persons SET LastName='Nilsen' WHERE LastName='Hansen'
Ans: d

Communication Quiz (VOCABULARY) in TCS ASPIRE

2011-12-04T07:22:00.000+05:30

Each project will have a set of predefined deliverableswhich have to be submitted according to timelines. If thetimelines are not met, the net result is a slippage. Alldeliverablesshould be stored in a document repository. Resources are deployed in projects but the actual work will start when they are allocated specific tasks. Resources should anticipatechanges to the requirements and should have proper response to the enquiries made by the customer. The tasks should be carried out as per the priority and issues should be tracked as per the severityattached to the issue. There should be proper mentoring of the junior associates and the outputs of the associates should be consistent in quality standards and should containreliableinformation. There should be proper monitoring of progress of the deliverables and each deliverable has to go through a strict review process. Defects are logged during the review and various metrices are collected as part of the review process. During the course of project delivery, the project manager should ensure proper utilization of resources and there should be a collaborative effort amongst all team members. A good PM should be a good strategistand must be a/an mentorto all associates. All team members are expected to achieve thetargets set for them. Based on the targets, there will be a/anappraisal at the end of each year.

Unix Assignment2- Solutions

2011-11-25T11:07:00.001+05:30

UNIX

1. Create a tree structure named ‘training’ in which there are 3 subdirectories – ‘level 1’,’ level2’ and ‘cep’. Each one is again further divided into 3. The ‘level 1’ is divided into ‘sdp’, ‘re’ and ‘se’. From the subdirectory ‘se’ how can one reach the home directory in one step and also how to navigate to the subdirectory ‘sdp’ in one step? Give the commands, which do the above actions?

Ans : To navigate from 'se' to home directory,in one step,the command is : cd

To navigate from 'se' to 'sdp',in one step,the command is : cd ../b

2. How will you copy a directory structure dir1 to dir2 ? (with all the subdirectories)

Ans : cp –R dir1 dir2

3. How can you find out if you have the permission to send a message?

Ans : ls -l ( To check access permissions)

4. Find the space occupied ( in Bytes) by the /home directory including all its subdirectories.

Ans : du -s -b

5. What is the command for printing the current time in 24-hour format?

Ans : date +%T

6. What is the command for printing the year, month, and date with a horizontal tab between the fields?

Ans : date +%Y%t%B%t%e

7. Create the following files: chapa, chapb, chapc, chapd, chape, chapA, chapB, chapC, chapD, chapE, chap01, chap02, chap03, chap04, chap05, chap11, chap12, chap13, chap14, and chap15.

Ans :The general syntax is :

cat > filename

Type the contents of file

Press Ctrl+D

cat > chapa

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapb

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapc

Type the contents of file

Cat > chapd

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chape

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapA

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapB

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapC

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapD

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chapE

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap01

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap02

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap03

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap04

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap05

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap11

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap12

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap13

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat > chap14

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

Cat> chap15

Type the contents of file

Ctrl+D

8. With reference to question 7, What is the command for listing all files ending in small letters?

Ans : find –name “*[a-z].*”

9. With reference to question 7, What is the command for listing all files ending in capitals?

Ans : find –name “*[A-Z].*”

10. With reference to question 7, What is the command for listing all files whose last but one character is 0?

Ans : find –name “*0?.*”

11. With reference to question 7, What is the command for listing all files which end in small letters but not ‘a’ and ‘c’?

Ans: find –name “*[b d-z].*”

12. In an organisation one wants to know how many programmers are there. The employee data is stored in a file called ‘personnel’ with one record per employee. Every record has field for designation. How can grep be used for this purpose?

Ans : grep -c "programmers" personnel

13. In the organisation mentioned in question 12 how can sed be used to print only the records of all employees who are programmers.

Ans : sed -n /programmers/p personnel

14. In the organisation mentioned in question 12 how can sed be used to change the designation ‘programmer’ to ‘software professional’ every where in the ‘personnel’ file

Ans : sed 's/programmer/software professional/g' personnel

15. Find out about the sleep command and start five jobs in the background, each one sleeping for 10 minutes.

Ans :sleep 10m & sleep 10m & sleep 10m & sleep 10m & sleep 10m &

16. How do you get the status of all the processes running on the system? i.e. using what option?

Ans : ps -e

Unix Assignment1- Solutions

2011-11-25T11:03:00.001+05:30

UNIX ASSIGNMENT

Question 1: Write a command to list all the files inside a folder i.e. if there is a folder inside a folder then it should list all files inside the sub-folder which is inside the folder to be listed.

Answer 1: ls –R

Question 2: Search all the files which contains a particular string, say “include” within a folder.

Answer 2: for i in *.*; do grep -l include $i; done

Question 3: Rename all the files within a folder with suffix “Unix_” i.e. suppose a folder has two files a.txt and b.pdf than they both should be renamed from a single command to Unix_a.txt and Unix_b.pdf

Answer 3: for i in *.*; do mv $i Unix_$i; done ;

Question 4: Rename all files within a folder with the first word of their content(remember all the files should be text files. For example if a.txt contains “Unix is an OS” in its first line then a.txt should be renamed to Unix.txt

Answer 4 : for i in *.txt; do j= "$(head -1 $i | cut -f1-d" ").txt"; mv "$i" "$j"; done

Question 5 : Suppose you have a C project in a folder called “project”, it contains .c and .h files, it also contains some other .txt files and .pdf files. Write a Linux command that will count the number of lines of your text files. That means total line count of every file. (remember you have to count the lines in .txt files only)

Answer 5 : wc -l *.txt

Question 6 : Rename all files which contain the sub-string 'foo', replacing it with 'bar' within a given folder.

Answer 6 :for i in ./*foo*; do mv "$i" "${i//foo/bar}";done

Question 7 : Show the most commonly used commands from “history”. [hint: remember the history command, use cut, and sort it.

Answer 7 : history |cut -f6- -d" " | sort

TCS ASPIRE Communication Assignment for group 6,7 and 8

2011-11-23T13:07:00.000+05:30

Remember the basic rules of writing.
Use proper punctuations.
Watch out for the spelling &
Use CAPITAL LETTERS wherever appropriate!

1. I returned back from my home on 2'o clock at Wednesday.
I returned from my home at 2'o clock on Wednesday.

2. Myself Divya, I am coming from Chennai.
I am Divya and I come from Chennai.

3. We all of us visited many places last year.
We visited many places last year
.
4. I have earned many friends in my college here.
I have made many friends in my college.

5. English is been spoken across the world.
English is spoken across the world.

6. When I was in my tenth class,I use to go to play cricket.
When I was in the tenth standard, I used to play cricket.

7. Most directors do not mind to give chance to new actors.
Most directors do not mind giving a chance to new actors.

8. If I were a Prime Minister of this country,I changed the education systems first.
If I were the Prime Minister of this country, I would have changed the education system.

9. The best part I liked about the movie were the action scenes.
The best part I liked about the movie was the action scenes.

10. My most saddest moment was when I did not got through the interview.
My saddest moment is when I did not get through the interview.

11. In the schools the English should be taught by qualified teachers.
In schools, English should be taught by qualified teachers.

12. After our discussion,I am understanding you better now.
After our discussion, I understand you better.

13. He can be able to sing very well.
He can sing very well.

14. We are having many beautiful beaches in city.
We have many beautiful beaches in the city.

15. An interesting incident happened with me in starting.
In the beginning, an interesting incident happened to me.

16. I went to library to get as many informations as possible.
I went to a library to get as much information as possible.

17. I can't cope up with a lot of stress.
I can't cope with a lot of stress.

18. I'm not speaking to nobody in this class.
I'm not speaking to anybody in this class.

19. In this days youth are addicted at social networking.
In these days the youth are addicted to social networking.

20. Its a big relief that I did not screw up my lab exams.
It's a big relief that I did not make a mess of my lab exams.

TCS Salary Hike April 2012 – An Estimate

2011-11-22T12:12:00.005+05:30

This study has been prepared on the famous Newton’s Algorithm - Newton–Raphson Method along with Linear Interpolation, Current IT Market Scenario and Macro Level Challenges which IT Companies normally suffer with.

The study takes into consideration that most of us would be placed in Band B or Band C. As, people hardly get Band A in TCS with 3 Years Experience. The study fails for Band D because TCS has an unusual process of decreasing the salary rather than increasing it. So by means if you happen to have a Band D (unfortunately) your experience would have increased with a negative hike in salary. It’s weird but TRUE.

The graphs and tables below show a comparative study of estimated salary hike in April 2012 across different TCS Bands for people having 3 Years Experience:

Ø Moving from Band B to Band B

Description	Salary (Lakhs)	Band	%Hike
Joined TCS	3.15	C	7.93
Hike After Recession	3.40	C	17.64
Apr’10	4.00	B	18
Apr’11	4.72	B	13
Apr’12	5.33

The analysis found that there would be an estimated salary %Hike of around 13% with final salary falling around 5.33 Lpa.

Ø Moving from Band C to Band C

Description	Salary (Lakhs)	Band	%Hike
Joined TCS	3.15	C	7.93
Hike After Recession	3.40	C	17.64
Apr’10	4.00	C	8.75
Apr’11	4.35	C	11.44
Apr’12	4.84

The analysis found that there would be an estimated salary %Hike of around 11.44% with final salary falling around 4.84 Lpa.

And finally the Blockbuster:

Ø Moving from Band C to Band B

Description	Salary (Lakhs)	Band	%Hike
Joined TCS	3.15	C	7.93
Hike After Recession	3.40	C	17.64
Apr’10	4.00	C	8.75
Apr’11	4.35	C	22.52
Apr’12	5.33

A whooping estimated salary %Hike of around 22.52% with final salary falling around 5.33 Lpa. Even the graph has Skyrocketed.

Please note this is a salary estimate and has to be kept in the bracket of ± 2% Deviation. So if you happen to get a salary hike in TCS more than the ones which are mentioned above than that’s Great!! What needs to be seen is Can an Organization with 2.4 Lakhs (as on Q2-11) Workforce keep its Employees Happy??

If by any means the salary hike is less than what is mentioned above then start preparing your resumes, get those posted on job portals or get yourselves a reference for a company because you are not getting the correct price of the invaluable talent you carry.

In the end, I happen to remember the Royal Stag tagline It's Your Life Make It Large.

Please feel free to drop in your valuable comments. The highly anticipated post Realizing Your Potential While Experiencing Uncertainty would be out soon.

Online Shopping Portal -Case Study -Solutions

2011-11-20T11:40:00.005+05:30

After learning all the technologies within the first 4 weeks, participants are expected to develop the below given casestudy in week 5.

Scenario: Online Shopping Portal

XYZ.com wants to create an online shopping portal for managing its registered customers and their shopping.

The customers need to register themselves first before they do shopping using the shopping portal. However, everyone, whether registered or not, can view the various products along with the prices listed in the portal.

The registered customers, after logging in, are allowed to place order for one or more products from the products listed in the portal. Once the order is placed, the customer gets a reference order number and the order status should be “order in process”.

The customers can track their order using the given reference number.

The management of XYZ.com should be able to modify the order status of a particular reference order number to “shipped” once the products are shipped to the shipping address entered by the customer at the time of placing the order.

Can you help XYZ.com to realize their dream of having an online shopping portal?

Steps to be followed

Create the interface for the XYZ.com shopping portal using HTML/XHTML and CSS.
Implement the client side validations using JavaScript.
Create the tables using MySQL.
Implement the functionality using the server side scripting language, PHP.
Integrate all the above tasks and make the XYZ.com shopping portal functional.

Note: Please zip your casestudy files and upload it here. You can submit only one file.

Solution

Download The Zip file Here Download

Proud to be a TCSer

2011-11-16T14:11:00.001+05:30

Proud to be a TCSer

Ø You will feel proud that you are a part of an organization that brought India among top global business countries.

Ø Will feel respect that other person will have it for you once you say that “You are working for TCS “

Ø Power of signature, which has hardly any significance few months back but can now fetch Lakhs from any bank.

Ø Power of Official email ID -> It is said that whenever you send mail from TCS email id you are not representing yourself, you are also representing TCS. so once it is misused and sent to client , it may terminate the project and can cause loss for TCS ,in terms of million of dollars.

Ø Feeling that life is not all about getting pass in ILP,but u will feel life is all bout going one step forward every time.

Ø Lastly, you will feel its a perfect time to share your responsibility in a family where ours parent has invested Lakhs and that too with such a love n patience n suffering. Now its our turn to make them happy!

· One of the most appreciative work of TCS is that, they have the collaboration with book24*7.com.Every possible book of every category is available in e-book format and is totally free for TCSers and non TCSers have to pay a minimum of 400$ per category of the book , to become the member of this site. The book24*7 site has a very good user interface which will make you to learn more and more. You can access it , once you join the TCS

· There are 3 kinds of people in TCS.

1. One who believes in buttering. They may get good performance rating and better variable pay. But buttering will not ensure on site project, no matter how much u do !

2. Getting on site project is totally performance oriented.

3. One who think that as they get into TCS, so with this every responsibility is over. So they stay at same post and will only be promoted on basis of experience but not merit.

4. One who has a habit of continuous learning but sadly only 10-15 % falls into this category. But for them TCS has such a variety of opportunity one can’t even imagine of…

· No matter how intelligent or how dumb you are …! The only thing matters in ILP is the average performance of your batch (i.e.,) around 30 – 40 and based on which the stream is allocated to the whole batch.

· Nothing will happen even if you fail in Exams during ILP. All you need to have is positive attitude and a proper behavior. Your ILP days will be extended and they set up less than 35 / 100 to take retest. TCS thinks thrice before throwing a TCSer out !

· Those who are not interested in some specific stream , suppose Java and got Java as a stream can change his project other than Java after ILP , provided other project is there or wait for project on bench and join as soon as possible

· If any one wish to do higher studies after two years, TCS will give you leave for two years without pay, with One year bond and No Sponsorship.

TCS has 20 holiday resorts in India, almost at all famous hill stations and few in South East Asian Countries. Charges are as low as Rs.200 per day in India and around Rs.1100 outside India. One can book it any time.

· TCS has Insurance tie up with Medical Assistance, India Group. It covers complete medical expenses.Rs.50,000 for general treatment and upto 5 Lakhs / Year for majors. It includes cashless treatment at Aiims,Fortis,Gangaram,Escort. Rs.2000 is charged from an employee per year and Rs.6000 for parent, which is optional.

· Common training is conducted in classroom & labs, whereas in stream training you will be provided with cubicles. Each consist of 4 members

· There are project assignments given and there will be regular team meetings, conference & so !

· There is no Pre – ILP test conducted but there are three tests during training, EC1, EC2 and EC3. Each test is conducted in a interval of 10 days!

· TCS has tie up with Indian Airlines! When you are coming back from abroad, you are allowed to bring 25% extra with respect to other passengers.

· Getting foreign project is almost every one’s dream! If you are put up in a project abroad, you will be given free lodging, food + your actual salary, every month.

· TCS has a policy , “If you clear all IT (Income Tax) Certification , we will pay you full amount”

· ILP is 55 working days for the year 2010.

· From a TCSer: Please make your profiles in Linkedin . Came to know the importance of this site from HR.Now every company started to search your profile in LinkedIn. They see your networking strengths and how many recommendations you have @ work. Promotions in thae company are concerned with these things only!*Linkedin is the only social networking site which we can access from TCS .

· TCS has a site Ultimatix and all study materials can be accessed online only

· Laptops are allowed only in Hostel , restricted in Office

· From HR Head, Chennai ILP: First day for Fresher @ TCS … Majority came with parents and siblings. It seems TCS turned like a Kindergarten School but that shows even their parents feel PROUD and don’t want to miss to see you entering into TCS first time!

· Every year TCS Celebrates a Family Day where each employee can bring up to four family members and make them visit the whole TCS Campus and their cubicle where they use to work. At this particular day free transport service and free food is provided by the company plus a picnic organized by company at some theme park or a similar place. Everything is free of cost!

· After one year in TCS , you can take leave up to one continuous year but you will not get paid by TCS during this time but you will remain as TCS employee!

· TCS has started posting Job Openings in it’s internal portal for it’s employee to show their talent. There are 2000 + vacancies in UK and Europe. If u have capability for TCS Project any where in the world you can apply for it and you will be shifted. ** Applicable after One Year , since you have joined TCS

(Source : TCS 2010 FB Group.Special thanks to Aditya Shandilya)

Designations and Pay scales in TCS after ILP(Salary after ILP)

2011-11-15T21:31:00.007+05:30

You join as an Assistant System Engineer- Trainee. After an year of working, you are an Assistant System Engineer (Training is over!!!). This is called the confirmation process and it happens in the first year. After becoming an Assistant System Engineer you will get a salary hike which will depend on your first year performance rating. The amount will be varying from batch to batch. For example, people who joined in 2006 had their salary incremented from 2.2lpa (lacs per annum) to 3.88lpa (nearly doubled). After 20 months from date of joining, there will be another salary increment which will also be based on your rating. After the completion of two years at TCS, based on the performance you will be put into 5 performance bands. Band A(Top Performers), Band B(Good Performers),Band C,Band D and Band E(Poor performers). A-band people will be getting around 5lpa,B-band 4.5lpa,C-band 4lpa, and D-band Around 3.75lpa. People in E-band (the most hopelessly low performers get this or if you manage to put up a fight with your boss and his boss) get a reduction in their salary as their variable pay will be removed.

TCS, Wipro, Infosys, HCL, Cognizant mull 10-15% salary hike this year

2011-11-15T11:23:00.001+05:30

The salary increment season has just started. And techies have something to look forward to. In contrast to the salary cuts and the single-digit hikes during the slowdown years, increments this year are expected to be in double digits for most.

The rise in demand for IT globally and rising customer confidence have substantially increased the demand for people. A quick check done by TOI found that average increments would be in the 12% to 15% range. People in specialized areas, like the product space, are expected to get up to 20% or more.

Fresher salaries/stipends are already up by 10% to 15% compared to last year. Hires from premier educational institutions have seen 15% to 20% increases this year. Recruiters say the country's top tech firms - TCS, Wipro, Infosys, HCL and Cognizant – are considering a 10% to 15% average hike this year. A senior official at Infosys said the company is looking at a pay hike in June and that it should be in the range of 10% to 12%.

Wipro has just started its appraisal process. An email to employees on Wednesday said the process would be completed by May. Increments are expected to be announced in June-July , and will be effective June 1. Sources in the company said increments would be in the 12-15 % range, against 8-12 % last year.

C Mahalingam, senior V-P and HR head in Symphony Services, said the situation had improved significantly for IT companies. "Markets are warming up. Customer rates are improving . There is also tension in the talent demand-supply scenario. All these will have a positive impact on increments this year,'' he said.

Roy Joseph, head of HR in the technology product development and sourcing of Mahindra & Mahindra, said that with the economy rebounding quicker that expected , there is additional pressure on retaining the best talent. "There is limited supply of quality talent. That means a scramble for good people. Ultimately, what prompts good talent to remain where they are is the remuneration.''

Mahalingam said that people with 3-8 years of experience have become particularly hot property. That's because business has increased rapidly and has not given enough time for companies to train freshers to deal with these orders. However,increments will remain lower than what they were in the years immediately preceding the global recession. Companies are cautious about the global economic outlook.

Quiz on Web Technology- Answers

2011-11-14T07:50:00.003+05:30

Web Technology Quiz

1.What is the correct syntax of the declaration which defines the XML version?
Option: a. < ? xml version="1.0" ? >
b. < xml version="1.0" />
c. < xml version="1.0"? />
d. None of the above
e. < ? xml version="1.0" ? />
Ans: a

2.What is the correct syntax for referring to an external script called "xxx.js"?
option: a. None
b. < script type="text/javascript" name="xxx.js" >
c. < script type="text/javascript" href="xxx.js" >
d. < script type="text/javascript" src="xxx.js" >
ans: d

3. What is the correct HTML for referring to an external style sheet?
option : a. < stylesheet>mystyle.css
b. None of the above
c. < style src="mystyle.css" />
d. < link ="stylesheet" type=text/css/script href="mystyle.css" >
e. < link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="mystyle.css" />
Ans: e

4. What can you use to replace like with hate in I like Eminem?
Option : a. preg_replace("/like/", "/hate/", "I like Eminem")
b. preg_replace("hate", "like", "I like Eminem")
c. preg_replace("/like/", "hate", "I like Eminem")
d. None of the above
e. preg_replace("like", "hate", "I like Eminem")
ans: e

5. What are the genral syntax for inline image?
Option: a. None of the above
b. img=file
c. img src=file
d. src=image
e. image src=file
Ans: c

TCS ILP Helpful Facts

2011-11-13T12:41:00.001+05:30

Once you are assigned to join a particular Initial Learning Programme (ILP), we shall not be in a position to entertain any requests for change of either the Training location or the dates.

TCSL will not be responsible for the travel arrangements to the Training Centre. Also, the travel expenses will NOT be reimbursed by TCSL.

You will be provided accommodation during your training period.Please note that you will NOT be paid House Rent Allowance (HRA) for your training period.

You have to carry the Originals of all the documents at the Training Centre

Food is available at subsidized rates and expenses towards the same have to be borne by you (the trainees).

TCS ensures that you are intimated of the ILP Joining date at least 20 days in advance

The ILP center mentioned in your Joining Letter is non-negotiable and The ILP dates cannot be rescheduled

The duration of the ILP is nine weeks.

Trainees are given time off after the ILP training and there is a relocation gap of maximum 4 days.
The trainees have to take care of their own travel arrangements. The Second A/C train fare from the ILP Training centre to the respective base branch shall be reimbursed by TCS .

Original as well as the attested documents should be carried to the ILP Centre.The documents can be attested by anyone of the following authorities:
1) Manager of a nationalized bank where the candidate holds an account
2) District Collector of the district in which the candidate resides
3) Gazetted Officers
4) Tehsildar of the village

You can bring Course Completion Certificate issued by the Head or Director in case you do not have the Provisional Certificate. However, this is a temporary arrangement and the Provisional Certificate should be submitted before the completion of the ILP.

You will need to use a Rs. 100 stamp paper ( 100*1 or 50*2 or 20*5) for Service Agreement. The stamp paper has to be purchased in the name of the trainee.

The duration of the Service Agreement is of two years. The agreement has to be signed by only one surety. A Surety can either be an individual who is an Income Tax payee/ possesses landed property.
In case the surety is an Income tax payee, then the Original or attested photocopy of LATEST Form 16else Form 2 D/ IT Returns

If You are not able to arrange a Surety then Submit a Fixed Deposit 'Assigned to Tata Consultancy Services Ltd' in the trainee's name, for an amount of Rs. 50,000/- deposited in any of the nationalized banks.

A birth certificate is a mandatory document. Incase of non availability of the same, trainees are requested to apply for it. As a temporary arrangement trainees may produce anaffidavit on a Rs. 20/-
Stamp paper containing their name, place and date of birth in English . The trainee will have to translate the certificate in English and make an affidavit of the English document.

TCS appraisal process for 2011 trainees / freshers

2011-11-13T12:16:00.000+05:30

This article is based on the past few years practice as shared by trainees. TCS may change the processes, but this article will give you an idea of the appraisal process through out the IT industry. More or less it is the appraisal process followed in all IT companies like WIPRO, CTS ( Cognizant) , INFOSYS and others
All the associates in TCS are rated on a scale of 0-5, 5 being the highest. your rating generally comes up to 3 decimal places which are rounded off to nearest integer e.g. if your rating is 3.499, it would be considered as 3 and if its 3.500 or 3.501,it would be considered as 4.

In first year, you are quarterly rated, i.e. your performance would be evaluated every 3 months by your immediate supervisor (project leader). Suppose if u join TCS in Oct 2011 at Coimbatore ILP, then your first quarter would be OCT-DEC '11. It has nothing to do with Financial Quarters. So, don't combine the two. You'll get a rating in ILP but it is generally not taken into account when you join a project. Your project leader would rate u according to your performance in his project in every forthcoming quarter. After u complete 1 year, you'll have 4 ratings with u (one from every quarter).

Ideally, as per the guidelines, your confirmation rating should be a weighted average of your quarterly ratings. But in reality, it does not happen in most of the companies. The management has a curve and they follow a process popularly known as Bell Curve. According to that curve, you'll get your confirmation rating. After confirmation, you'll be rated half yearly (H1- Apr to Sept and H2 - Oct to Mar).If u are confirmed in Oct'12, then you'll be facing H2 directly without having your H1 appraisal cycle.
The Bell Curve Factor

Bell Curve: - Suppose there are 100 associates in a particular account in which say 10 projects are in progress. In every project, there are 10 associates and one of them is a project leader (PL). Over every 2-3 projects, there is a Project Manager (PM). And over all Project Managers, there is an account manager (AM). And over account managers, there is Group Leader (GL).

In the mentioned process, GL gives guidelines to all the AMs regarding the ratings to be distributed in their respective accounts. This is transferred to PM and ultimately to PL levels. Suppose, according to guidelines, out of 10 associates in every project, 2 can get a rating of 5, 3 to be given a rating of 4, 4 to be given a rating of 3 and 1 has to be given a rating of 2. This is how it is distributed. Now, PL - PM have to identify who should be put into which slot. This whole process is known as Curve Fitting wherein PMs and PLs are fitting you at a particular location of the curve given by the GL.

There is a difference of around 1100 bugs per month between any two ratings. That means, if you have got a rating of 4, then probably you might get around 3.LPA as your package after confirmation and if you have a rating of 3, you might get 3.76 LPA and so on.

TCS's performance appraisal system is supported by an online system called the Human Resource Management System- an Oracle Developer based tool. The system individual right from his biographical details to his projects performance. An employee's performance history at the click of a button and this accurately maintained for all employees! Right from his entry, an employee in TCS get formal performance feedback once very two months till such time that he is confirmed after which the performance feedback is provided twice every year on a formal basis. TCS however widely encourages informal feedback discussions between Project Leaders and Team Members and this concept has found an overwhelming appeal among the people.

TCS conducts two appraisals:
1. At the end of the year
2. At the end of a project.

Appraisals are based on Balanced Scorecard, which tracks the achievement of employees on the basis of targets at four levels —
financial
customer
internal
learning and growth

The financial perspective quantifies the employee’s contribution in terms of revenue growth, cost reduction, improved asset utilization and so on; The customer perspective looks at the differentiating value proposition offered by the employee; the internal perspective refers to the employee’s contribution in creating and sustaining value; the learning and growth are self-explanatory. The weightage given to each attribute is based on the function the employee performs. Based on their individual achievements, employees are rated on a scale of one to five (five = “superstar”). If employees get a low rating (less than two) in two consecutive
appraisals, the warning flags go up.

“If the poor performer continues getting low scores then the exit option may be considered”

Over the years TCS has found the pattern that leads to the maximum decline in performance — boredom. If employees work for more than two years on the same project, typically either their performance dips or they leave the organization.

To avoid that, TCS shuffles its employees between projects every 18 months or so.

“Performance drops if motivation drops”

At the heart of an employee's satisfaction lies the fact that his performance is being appreciated and recognized. TCS's performance management system has metamorphosed into one that emphasizes objectivity and a system that mandates performance evaluation against pre-determined criteria.

What deserve special mention is the active participation of the senior management in the determination of guidelines for the performance appraisal process. The process ensure buy in of the employees since the guidelines for the rating system and its conversion into money terms is not unilaterally decided by HR but is a consensus of a cross functional team with representation from all levels.

Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd. Salary Range by Job

2011-11-12T07:53:00.001+05:30

[-]	Sr. Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer (135)


Salary	Rs 340,737 - Rs 838,250
Bonus	Rs 5,000 - Rs 150,000
Commission	Rs 1,606 - Rs 587,387
Profit Disbursement	Rs 4,348 - Rs 158,965
Total Pay	Rs 360,582 - Rs 884,324

[-]	Software Engineer (98)


Salary	Rs 178,793 - Rs 627,002
Bonus	Rs 2,061 - Rs 254,466
Commission	Rs 462.64 - Rs 75,845
Profit Disbursement	Rs 1,296 - Rs 82,549
Total Pay	Rs 213,759 - Rs 639,533

[-]	Systems Engineer, IT (68)


Salary	Rs 236,283 - Rs 457,742
Bonus	Rs 983 - Rs 43,200
Profit Disbursement	Rs 1,437 - Rs 98,784
Total Pay	Rs 255,910 - Rs 457,742

[-]	Software Developer (64)


Salary	Rs 251,324 - Rs 517,003
Bonus	Rs 102.94 - Rs 101,367
Profit Disbursement	Rs 1,202 - Rs 156,130
Total Pay	Rs 253,122 - Rs 547,447

TCS bags $2.2 bn deal from UK based pension firm Friends Life

2011-11-11T09:39:00.000+05:30

MUMBAI/BANGALORE: Tata Consultancy Services won its second-biggest outsourcing contract worth $2.2 billion on Wednesday from UKbased pension firm Friends Life, providing positive forecast for India's technology sector complaining of shrinking contracts and delays in decision making by top customers.

The contract, TCS' secondbiggest deal after the company won $2.8 billion order in 2008 from Citigroup, is based on a model wherein the company will be paid for each insurance transaction and will add another 3.2 million policies to the existing Diligenta platform owned by its UK subsidiary.

"According to our records, this is the largest private sector deal in the UK at least since 2005," said Ed Thomas, an analyst with UK-based outsourcing advisory Ovum. "And that it comes from the insurance sector that has been depressed since the beginning of the slowdown in 2008 makes it even more important."

With this contract, TCS will now manage some eight million policies in UK using the same platform, increasing the company's share of revenues earned without having to hire additional staff. Around 1,900 staff of Friends Life will get transferred to TCS' payroll as part of this transaction.

Domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal, estimates that revenues of Diligenta will increase by 86% from Rs772 crore in fiscal 2011 to Rs1,444 crore in fiscal 2013. As part of the deal, Diligenta will take on board about 1,900 employees of Friends Life, taking the subsidiary's total UK headcount to about 3,700.

"The deal implies $146 million incremental revenues on an annual basis. However contribution to earnings per share could be lower as Diligenta currently operates at a profit before tax of 3%," the Motilal Oswal note said. "Profit margins for Diligenta would improve with increasing volumes on the platform but margins are unlikely to be inline with the company average."

Shares of TCS rose 1.8% on the Bombay Stock Exchange to close at Rs1,123 on Wednesday after the afternoon announcement of the UK deal.

UK-based insurer Friends Life, which awarded the contract to TCS, is the second independent client that TCS' UK subsidiary Diligenta is signing on since its inception in 2006 following TCS' acquisition of insurance back-end operations of UK's Pearl Group – now Phoenix Group – in October 2005 of that year for an undisclosed sum.

"Our strong presence in the insurance segment, track record and the early investments in building products and platforms have contributed to this win," TCS chief executive N Chandrasekaran said in a statement on Wednesday, in an apparent reference to Pearl Group transaction of 2005 and the subsequent formation of Diligenta.

Newsweek’s Green Rankings 2011 global 500 list ,TCS ranked 7th

2011-11-10T20:47:00.002+05:30

Know Your TCS -Week 5 Activity: Quiz Answers

2011-11-09T13:35:00.004+05:30

Know Your TCS - Quiz Answers:

* Which service area generated the maximum revenue ?.

a. BPO
b. IT IS
c. ADM
d. Consulting

Ans: ADM

*How many ISU are there in TCS ?

	a. 12
	b. 14
	c. 11
	d. 10
	e. 13 Ans:12

*Which of the following is not an ISU?

	a. Telecom
	b. BFSI
	c. IT IS
	d. Retail Ans:IT IS

*which geography gives the maximum revenue for TCS ?

	a. North America
	b. India
	c. Asia Pacific
	d. Africa Ans:North America

*what is TCS revenue in FY 2010 in USD Billions ?

	a. 10
	b. 6.3
	c. 6.8
	d. 7.5 Ans:6.3

TCS ASPIRE PRESCRIBED TEXT BOOK PDF

2011-11-02T07:41:00.002+05:30

TCS Aspire Prescribed textbook PDF

Essentials of Programming Languages by Daniel P. Friedman, Mitchell Wand. 3rd ed. MIT Press, c2008.

Download Here

TCS Pre ILP Assignment1- Solutions ZIP file

2011-11-01T11:37:00.004+05:30

TCS Aspire Pre ILP Assignment Solutions
Basics Of Programming Assignment1 Solutions Download Here

TCS Pre ILP Assignment1- Solutions(contd)

2011-11-01T11:30:00.002+05:30

Question 2
Greatest common divisor
Calculate the greatest common divisor of two positive numbers a and b.
gcd(a,b) is recursively defined as
gcd(a,b) = a if a =b
gcd(a,b) = gcd(a-b, b) if a >b
gcd(a,b) = gcd(a, b-a) if b > a
Program:

import java.io.*;
import java.util.Scanner;
class program2
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Scanner sr= new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.println("Enter The number a");
int a=sr.nextInt();
System.out.println("Enter The number b");
int b=sr.nextInt();
int gcd;
if(a==b)
gcd=a;
else if(a>b)
gcd=findgcd(a-b,b);
else
gcd=findgcd(b,b-a);
System.out.println("The greatest common divisor of numbers " + a + " and " + b + " is " + gcd);
}
public static int findgcd(int c,int d)
{
if (d == 0)
return c;
return findgcd(d, c % d);
}
}

Improve the understandability of the below given code:
class Problem1
{
int[] a;
int nElems;
public ArrayBub(int max)
{
a = new int[max];
}
public void insert(int value)
{
a[nElems] = value;
nElems++;
}
public void Sort()
{
int out, in;
for(out=nElems-1; out>1; out--)
for(in=0; in a[in+1] )
swap(in, in+1); }
public void swap(int one, int two)
{
long temp = a[one];
a[one] = a[two];
a[two] = temp;
}

The above code explains bubble sorting implementation.
Bubble sort is also known as exchange sort. Bubble sort is a simplest sorting algorithm. In bubble sort algorithm array is traversed from 0 to the length-1 index of the array and compared one element to the next element and swap values in between if the next element is less than the previous element. In other words, bubble sorting algorithm compare two values and put the largest value at largest index. The algorithm follows the same steps repeatedly until the values of array is sorted. In worst-case the complexity of bubble sort is O(n2) and in best-case the complexity of bubble sort is O(n).

Say we have an array unsorted a[0],a[1],a[2]................ a[n-1] and a[n] as input. Then the following steps are followed by bubble sort algorithm
to sort the values of an array.
1.Compare a[0] and a[1] .
2.If a[0]>a[1] then Swap a[0] and a[1].
3.Take next a[1] and a[2].
4.Comapre these values.
5.If a[1]>a[2] then swap a[1] and a[2]
...............................................................
................................................................
at last compare a[n-1] and a[n]. If a[n-1]>a[n] then swap a[n-1] and a[n]. As we see the highest value is reached at nth position. At next iteration leave nth value. Then apply the same steps repeatedly on a[0],a[1],a[2]................ a[n-1] elements repeatedly until the values of array is sorted.

So in the above code we obtain:

step 1: we initialise number of elements and an array.

step 2:we initialise max for a value and then set a varialble say a= maximum.

step3: we accept the value for the elements.

step4: we set two variables out and in and we compare a[0] with a[1] and if a[0] > a[1] then swap them. As we see the highest value is reached at nth position. At next iteration leave nth value. Then apply the same steps repeatedly on a[0],a[1],a[2]................ a[n-1] elements repeatedly until the values of array is sorted.

TCS Pre ILP Assignment1- Solutions

2011-11-01T11:26:00.001+05:30

Question 1

Search for a name

Write a program to accept an array of names and a name and check whether the

name is present in the array. Return the count of occurrence. Use the following

array as input

{“Dave”, “Ann”, “George”, “Sam”, “Ted”, “Gag”, “Saj”, “Agati”, “Mary”, “Sam”,

“Ayan”, “Dev”, “Kity”, “Meery”, “Smith”, “Johnson”, “Bill”, “Williams”, “Jones”,

“Brown”, “Davis”, “Miller”, “Wilson”, “Moore”, “Taylor, “Anderson”, “Thomas”,

“Jackson”}

Program:

import java.io.*;

import java.util.Scanner;

class program1

{

public static void main(String args[])

{

String[] names={“Dave”, “Ann”, “George”, “Sam”, “Ted”, “Gag”, “Saj”, “Agati”, “Mary”, “Sam”, “Ayan”, “Dev”, “Kity”, “Meery”, “Smith”, “Johnson”, “Bill”, “Williams”, “Jones”, “Brown”, “Davis”, “Miller”, “Wilson”, “Moore”, “Taylor, “Anderson”, “Thomas”, “Jackson”};

Scanner sr= new Scanner(System.in);

System.out.println("Enter a name to check");

String name=sr.nextLine();

int count=0;

for(int i=0;i

{

if(names[i].equals(name))

count++;

}

if(count!=0)

System.out.println("The Number of occurance of the Name is " + count );

else

System.out.println("Word not Found");

}

Improve the understandability of the below given code:

import java.util.*;

class problem3

{

int[] numArray = new int[10];

public static void incrementElements (int[] integerArray)

{

int arraylen = integerArray.length;

for (int i = 0; i < arraylen; i ++)

{

System.out.println(integerArray[i]);

}

for (int i = 0; i < arraylen; i ++)

{

integerArray[i] = integerArray[i] + 10;

}

for (int i=0; i < arraylen; i ++)

{

System.out.println(integerArray[i]);

}

CODE DESCRIPTION:

The code defines that when any element of the integer array is occurred then it is printed first and after that it's incremented by 10 and then the resultant array is printed, the same code is being defined in the component classes of java.util.*-The Component class is the abstract super class of the nonmenu-related Abstract Window Toolkit components. Class Component can also be extended directly to create a lightweight component. A lightweight component is a component that is not associated with a native opaque window. The code is predefined in the package and when ever we want to execute any application which wants the code...den without writing the whole code we can directly import the package and execute that application. Here if we explain the code step by step, we can see that an array named numarray is assigned containing 10 elements, which defines the size of the array;

int num[]array=new int[10];

Next the array length is calculated using integerArray.length, and next using for loop we set a loop from 0 to the obtained length of the array

for (int i = 0; i < arraylen; i ++)

Next the present integer value is incremented, by a value of 10 and then the control passes to the next element in the array.

next we have the display the resulted array using the final code:

for (int i=0; i < arraylen; i ++)

{

System.out.println(integerArray[i]);

}

General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions 6

2011-10-26T08:10:00.001+05:30

Question 51 What are your goals?

TRAPS: Not having any…or having only vague generalities, not highly specific goals.

BEST ANSWER: Many executives in a position to hire you are strong believers in goal-setting. (It’s one of the reason they’ve achieved so much). They like to hire in kind.

If you’re vague about your career and personal goals, it could be a big turnoff to may people you will encounter in your job search.
Be ready to discuss your goals for each major area of your life: career, personal development and learning, family, physical (health), community service and (if your interviewer is clearly a religious person) you could briefly and generally allude to your spiritual goals (showing you are a well-rounded individual with your values in the right order).
Be prepared to describe each goal in terms of specific milestones you wish to accomplish along the way, time periods you’re allotting for accomplishment, why the goal is important to you, and the specific steps you’re taking to bring it about. But do this concisely, as you never want to talk more than two minutes straight before letting your interviewer back into the conversation.

Question 52 What do you for when you hire people?

TRAPS: Being unprepared for the question.
BEST ANSWER: Speak your own thoughts here, but for the best answer weave them around the three most important qualifications for any position.

1. Can the person do the work (qualifications)?

2. Will the person do the work (motivation)?

3. Will the person fit in (“our kind of team player”)?

Question 53 Sell me this stapler…(this pencil…this clock…or some other object on interviewer’s desk).

TRAPS: Some interviewers, especially business owners and hard-changing executives in marketing-driven companies, feel that good salesmanship is essential for any key position and ask for an instant demonstration of your skill. Be ready.
BEST ANSWER: Of course, you already know the most important secret of all great salesmanship – “find out what people want, then show them how to get it.”
If your interviewer picks up his stapler and asks, “sell this to me,” you are going to demonstrate this proven master principle. Here’s how:
“Well, a good salesman must know both his product and his prospect before he sells anything. If I were selling this, I’d first get to know everything I could about it, all its features and benefits.”
“Then, if my goal were to sell it you, I would do some research on how you might use a fine stapler like this. The best way to do that is by asking some questions. May I ask you a few questions?”
Then ask a few questions such as, “Just out of curiosity, if you didn’t already have a stapler like this, why would you want one? And in addition to that? Any other reason? Anything else?”
“And would you want such a stapler to be reliable?...Hold a good supply of staples?” (Ask more questions that point to the features this stapler has.)
Once you’ve asked these questions, make your presentation citing all the features and benefits of this stapler and why it’s exactly what the interviewer just told you he’s looking for.
Then close with, “Just out of curiosity, what would you consider a reasonable price for a quality stapler like this…a stapler you could have right now and would (then repeat all the problems the stapler would solve for him)? Whatever he says, (unless it’s zero), say, “Okay, we’ve got a deal.”
NOTE: If your interviewer tests you by fighting every step of the way, denying that he even wants such an item, don’t fight him. Take the product away from him by saying, “Mr. Prospect, I’m delighted you’ve told me right upfront that there’s no way you’d ever want this stapler. As you well know, the first rule of the most productive salespeople in any field is to meet the needs of people who really need and want our products, and it just wastes everyone’s time if we try to force it on those who don’t. And I certainly wouldn’t want to waste your time. But we sell many items. Is there any product on this desk you would very much like to own…just one item?” When he points something out, repeat the process above. If he knows anything about selling, he may give you a standing ovation.

Question 54 “The Salary Question” – How much money do you want?

TRAPS: May also be phrases as, “What salary are you worth?”…or, “How much are you making now?” This is your most important negotiation. Handle it wrong and you can blow the job offer or go to work at far less than you might have gotten.

BEST ANSWER: For maximum salary negotiating power, remember these five guidelines:

1. Never bring up salary. Let the interviewer do it first. Good salespeople sell their products thoroughly before talking price. So should you. Make the interviewer want you first, and your bargaining position will be much stronger.

2. If your interviewer raises the salary question too early, before you’ve had a chance to create desire for your qualifications, postpone the question, saying something like, “Money is important to me, but is not my main concern. Opportunity and growth are far more important. What I’d rather do, if you don’t mind, is explore if I’m right for the position, and then talk about money. Would that be okay?”

3. The #1 rule of any negotiation is: the side with more information wins. After you’ve done a thorough job of selling the interviewer and it’s time to talk salary, the secret is to get the employer talking about what he’s willing to pay before you reveal what you’re willing to accept. So, when asked about salary, respond by asking, “I’m sure the company has already established a salary range for this position. Could you tell me what that is?” Or, “I want an income commensurate with my ability and qualifications. I trust you’ll be fair with me. What does the position pay?” Or, more simply, “What does this position pay?”

4. Know beforehand what you’d accept. To know what’s reasonable, research the job market and this position for any relevant salary information. Remember that most executives look for a 20-25%$ pay boost when they switch jobs. If you’re grossly underpaid, you may want more.

5. Never lie about what you currently make, but feel free to include the estimated cost of all your fringes, which could well tack on 25-50% more to your present “cash-only” salary.

Question 55 The Illegal Question

TRAPS: Illegal questions include any regarding your age…number and ages of your children or other dependents…marital status…maiden name…religion…political affiliation…ancestry…national origin…birthplace…naturalization of your parents, spouse or children…diseases…disabilities…clubs…or spouse’s occupation…unless any of the above are directly related to your performance of the job. You can’t even be asked about arrests, though you can be asked about convictions.
BEST ANSWER: Under the ever-present threat of lawsuits, most interviewers are well aware of these taboos. Yet you may encounter, usually on a second or third interview, a senior executive who doesn’t interview much and forgets he can’t ask such questions.
You can handle an illegal question in several ways. First, you can assert your legal right not to answer. But this will frighten or embarrass your interviewer and destroy any rapport you had.
Second, you could swallow your concerns over privacy and answer the question straight forwardly if you feel the answer could help you. For example, your interviewer, a devout Baptist, recognizes you from church and mentions it. Here, you could gain by talking about your church.
Third, if you don’t want your privacy invaded, you can diplomatically answer the concern behind the question without answering the question itself.
Example: If you are over 50 and are asked, “How old are you?” you can answer with a friendly,smiling question of your own on whether there’s a concern that your age my affect your performance. Follow this up by reassuring the interviewer that there’s nothing in this job you can’t do and, in fact, your age and experience are the most important advantages you offer the employer for the following reasons…
Another example: If asked, “Do you plan to have children?” you could answer, “I am wholeheartedly dedicated to my career“, perhaps adding, “I have no plans regarding children.” (You needn’t fear you’ve pledged eternal childlessness. You have every right to change your plans later. Get the job first and then enjoy all your options.)
Most importantly, remember that illegal questions arise from fear that you won’t perform well. The best answer of all is to get the job and perform brilliantly. All concerns and fears will then varnish, replaced by respect and appreciation for your work.

Question 56 The “Secret” Illegal Question

TRAPS: Much more frequent than the Illegal question (see Question 55) is the secret illegal question. It’s secret because it’s asked only in the interviewer’s mind. Since it’s not even expressed to you, you have no way to respond to it, and it can there be most damaging.
Example: You’re physically challenged, or a single mother returning to your professional career, or over 50, or a member of an ethnic minority, or fit any of a dozen other categories that do not strictly conform to the majority in a given company.
Your interviewer wonders, “Is this person really able to handle the job?”…”Is he or she a ‘good fit’ at a place like ours?”…”Will the chemistry ever be right with someone like this?” But the interviewer never raises such questions because they’re illegal. So what can you do?
BEST ANSWER: Remember that just because the interviewer doesn’t ask an illegal question doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it. More than likely, he is going to come up with his own answer. So you might as well help him out.
How? Well, you obviously can’t respond to an illegal question if he hasn’t even asked. This may well offend him. And there’s always the chance he wasn’t even concerned about the issue until you brought it up, and only then begins to wonder.
So you can’t address “secret” illegal questions head-on. But what you can do is make sure there’s enough counterbalancing information to more than reassure him that there’s no problem in the area he may be doubtful about.
For example, let’s say you’re a sales rep who had polio as a child and you need a cane to walk. You know your condition has never impeded your performance, yet you’re concerned that your interviewer may secretly be wondering about your stamina or ability to travel. Well, make sure that you hit these abilities very hard, leaving no doubt about your capacity to handle them well.
So, too, if you’re in any different from what passes for “normal”. Make sure, without in any way seeming defensive about yourself that you mention strengths, accomplishments, preferences and affiliations that strongly counterbalance any unspoken concern your interviewer may have.

Question 57 What was the toughest part of your last job?

TRAPS: This is slightly different from the question raised earlier, “What’s the most difficult part of being a (job title…)” because this asks what you personally have found most difficult in your last position. This question is more difficult to redefine into something positive. Your interviewer will assume that whatever you found toughest may give you a problem in your new position.
BEST ANSWER: State that there was nothing in your prior position that you found overly difficult, and let your answer go at that. If pressed to expand your answer, you could describe the aspects of the position you enjoyed more than others, making sure that you express maximum enjoyment for those tasks most important to the open position, and you enjoyed least those tasks that are unimportant to the position at hand.

Question 58 How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?

TRAPS: Seems like an obvious enough question. Yet many executives, unprepared for it, fumble the ball.
BEST ANSWER: Give a well-accepted definition of success that leads right into your own stellar collection of achievements.
Example: “The best definition I’ve come across is that success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”
“As to how I would measure up to that definition, I would consider myself both successful and fortunate…”(Then summarize your career goals and how your achievements have indeed represented a progressive path toward realization of your goals.)

Question 59 “The Opinion Question” – What do you think about …Abortion…The President…The Death Penalty…(or any other controversial subject)?

TRAPS: Obviously, these and other “opinion” questions should never be asked. Sometimes they come up over a combination dinner/interview when the interviewer has had a drink or two, is feeling relaxed, and is spouting off about something that bugged him in today’s news. If you give your opinion and it’s the opposite of his, you won’t change his opinions, but you could easily lose the job offer.
BEST ANSWER: In all of these instances, just remember the tale about student and the wise old rabbi. The scene is a seminary, where an overly serious student is pressing the rabbi to answer the ultimate questions of suffering, life and death. But no matter how hard he presses, the wise old rabbi will only answer each difficult question with a question of his own.
In exasperation, the seminary student demands, “Why, rabbi, do you always answer a question with another question?” To which the rabbi responds, “And why not?”
If you are ever uncomfortable with any question, asking a question in return is the greatest escape hatch ever invented. It throws the onus back on the other person, sidetracks the discussion from going into an area of risk to you, and gives you time to think of your answer or, even better, your next question!
In response to any of the “opinion” questions cited above, merely responding, “Why do you ask?”will usually be enough to dissipate any pressure to give your opinion. But if your interviewer again presses you for an opinion, you can ask another question.
Or you could assert a generality that almost everyone would agree with. For example, if your interviewer is complaining about politicians then suddenly turns to you and asks if you’re a Republican or Democrat, you could respond by saying, “Actually, I’m finding it hard to find any politicians I like these days.”
(Of course, your best question of all may be whether you want to work for someone opinionated.)

Question 60 If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?

TRAPS: Your totally honest response might be, “Hell, no, are you serious?” That might be so, but any answer which shows you as fleeing work if given the chance could make you seem lazy. On the other hand, if you answer, “Oh, I’d want to keep doing exactly what I am doing, only doing it for your firm,” you could easily inspire your interviewer to silently mutter to himself, “Yeah, sure. Gimme a break.”
BEST ANSWER: This type of question is aimed at getting at your bedrock attitude about work and how you feel about what you do. Your best answer will focus on your positive feelings.
Example: “After I floated down from cloud nine, I think I would still hold my basic belief that achievement and purposeful work are essential to a happy, productive life. After all, if money alone bought happiness, then all rich people would be all happy, and that’s not true.
“I love the work I do, and I think I’d always want to be involved in my career in some fashion. Winning the lottery would make it more fun because it would mean having more flexibility, more options...who knows?”
“Of course, since I can’t count on winning, I’d just as soon create my own destiny by sticking with what’s worked for me, meaning good old reliable hard work and a desire to achieve. I think those qualities have built many more fortunes that all the lotteries put together.”

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Question 41 You’ve been with your firm a long time. Won’t it be hard switching to a new company?

TRAPS: Your interviewer is worried that this old dog will find it hard to learn new tricks.
BEST ANSWER: To overcome this objection, you must point to the many ways you have grown and adapted to changing conditions at your present firm. It has not been a static situation. Highlight the different responsibilities you’ve held, the wide array of new situations you’ve faced and conquered.
As a result, you’ve learned to adapt quickly to whatever is thrown at you, and you thrive on the stimulation of new challenges.
To further assure the interviewer, describe the similarities between the new position and your prior one. Explain that you should be quite comfortable working there, since their needs and your skills make a perfect match.

Question 42 May I contact your present employer for a reference?

TRAPS: If you’re trying to keep your job search private, this is the last thing you want. But if you don’t cooperate, won’t you seem as if you’re trying to hide something?
BEST ANSWER: Express your concern that you’d like to keep your job search private, but that in time, it will be perfectly okay.
Example: “My present employer is not aware of my job search and, for obvious reasons; I’d prefer to keep it that way. I’d be most appreciative if we kept our discussion confidential right now. Of course, when we both agree the time is right, then by all means you should contact them. I’m very proud of my record there.

Question 43 Give me an example of your creativity (analytical skill…managing ability, etc.)

TRAPS: The worst offense here is simply being unprepared. Your hesitation may seem as if you’re having a hard time remembering the last time you were creative, analytical, etc.
BEST ANSWER: Remember from Question 2 that you should commit to memory a list of your greatest and most recent achievements, ever ready on the tip of your tongue.
If you have such a list, it’s easy to present any of your achievements in light of the quality the interviewer is asking about. For example, the smashing success you orchestrated at last year’s trade show could be used as an example of creativity, or analytical ability, or your ability to manage.

Question 44 Where could you use some improvement?

TRAPS: Another tricky way to get you to admit weaknesses. Don’t fall for it.
BEST ANSWER: Keep this answer, like all your answers, positive. A good way to answer this question is to identify a cutting-edge branch of your profession (one that’s not essential to your employer’s needs) as an area you’re very excited about and want to explore more fully over the next six months.

Question 45 What do you worry about?

TRAPS: Admit to worrying and you could sound like a loser. Saying you never worry doesn’t sound credible.
BEST ANSWER: Redefine the word ‘worry’ so that it does not reflect negatively on you.
Example: “I wouldn’t call it worry, but I am a strongly goal-oriented person. So I keep turning over in my mind anything that seems to be keeping me from achieving those goals, until I find a solution. That’s part of my tenacity, I suppose.”

Question 46 How many hours a week do you normally work?

TRAPS: You don’t want to give a specific number. Make it to low, and you may not measure up. Too high, and you’ll forever feel guilty about sneaking out the door at 5:15.
BEST ANSWER: If you are in fact a workaholic and you sense this company would like that: Say you are a confirmed workaholic, that you often work nights and weekends. Your family accepts this because it makes you fulfilled.
If you are not a workaholic: Say you have always worked hard and put in long hours. It goes with the territory. It one sense, it’s hard to keep track of the hours because your work is a labor of love, you enjoy nothing more than solving problems. So you’re almost always thinking about your work, including times when you’re home, while shaving in the morning, while commuting, etc.

Question 47 What’s the most difficult part of being a (job title)?

TRAPS: Unless you phrase your answer properly, your interviewer may conclude that whatever you identify as “difficult” is where you are weak.
BEST ANSWER: First, redefine “difficult” to be “challenging” which is more positive. Then, identify an area everyone in your profession considers challenging and in which you excel. Describe the process you follow that enables you to get splendid results…and be specific about those results.
Example: “I think every sales manager finds it challenging to motivate the troops in a recession. But that’s probably the strongest test of a top sales manager. I feel this is one area where I excel.”
“When I see the first sign that sales may slip or that sales force motivation is flagging because of a downturn in the economy, here’s the plan I put into action immediately…” (followed by a description of each step in the process…and most importantly, the exceptional results you’ve achieved.).

Question 48 The “Hypothetical Problem”

TRAPS: Sometimes an interviewer will describe a difficult situation and ask, “How would you handle this?” Since it is virtually impossible to have all the facts in front of you from such a short presentation, don’t fall into the trap of trying to solve this problem and giving your verdict on the spot. It will make your decision-making process seem woefully inadequate.
BEST ANSWER: Instead, describe the rational, methodical process you would follow in analyzing this problem, who you would consult with, generating possible solutions, choosing the best course of action, and monitoring the results.
Remember, in all such, “What would you do?” questions, always describe your process or working methods, and you’ll never go wrong.

Question 49 What was the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?

TRAPS: Being unprepared or citing an example from so early in your life that it doesn’t score many points for you at this stage of your career.
BEST ANSWER: This is an easy question if you’re prepared. Have a recent example ready that demonstrates either:

1. A quality most important to the job at hand; or

2. A quality that is always in demand, such as leadership, initiative, managerial skill, persuasiveness, courage, persistence, intelligence, etc.

Question 50 Have you consider starting your own business?

TRAPS: If you say “yes” and elaborate enthusiastically, you could be perceived as a loose cannon in a larger company, too entrepreneurial to make a good team player…or someone who had to settle for the corporate life because you couldn’t make a go of your own business.
Also too much enthusiasm in answering “yes” could rouse the paranoia of a small company indicating that you may plan to go out on your own soon, perhaps taking some key accounts or trade secrets with you.
On the other hand, if you answer “no, never” you could be perceived as a security-minded drone who never dreamed a big dream.
BEST ANSWER: Again it’s best to:

1. Gauge this company’s corporate culture before answering and…

2. Be honest (which doesn’t mean you have to vividly share your fantasy of the franchise or bed-and-breakfast you someday plan to open).

In general, if the corporate culture is that of a large, formal, military-style structure, minimize any indication that you’d love to have your own business. You might say, “Oh, I may have given it a thought once or twice, but my whole career has been in larger organizations. That’s where I have excelled and where I want to be.”
If the corporate culture is closer to the free-wheeling, everybody’s-a-deal-maker variety, then emphasize that in a firm like this, you can virtually get the best of all worlds, the excitement of seeing your own ideas and plans take shape…combined with the resources and stability of a well-established organization. Sounds like the perfect environment to you.
In any case, no matter what the corporate culture, be sure to indicate that any desires about running your own show are part of your past, not your present or future.
The last thing you want to project is an image of either a dreamer who failed and is now settling for the corporate cocoon…or the restless maverick who will fly out the door with key accounts, contacts and trade secrets under his arms just as soon as his bankroll has gotten rebuilt.
Always remember: Match what you want with what the position offers. The more information you’ve uncovered about the position, the more believable you can make your case.

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Question 31 What changes would you make if you came on board?

TRAPS: Watch out! This question can derail your candidacy faster than a bomb on the tracks – and just as you are about to be hired.
Reason: No matter how bright you are, you cannot know the right actions to take in a position before you settle in and get to know the operation’s strengths, weaknesses key people, financial condition, methods of operation, etc. If you lunge at this temptingly baited question, you will probably be seen as someone who shoots from the hip.
Moreover, no matter how comfortable you may feel with your interviewer, you are still an outsider. No one, including your interviewer, likes to think that a know-it-all outsider is going to come in, turn the place upside down and with sweeping, grand gestures, promptly demonstrate what jerks everybody’s been for years.
BEST ANSWER: You, of course, will want to take a good hard look at everything the company is doing before making any recommendations.
Example: “Well, I wouldn’t be a very good doctor if I gave my diagnosis before the examination. Should you hire me, as I hope you will, I’d want to take a good hard look at everything you’re doing and understand why it’s being done that way. I’d like to have in-depth meetings with you and the other key people to get a deeper grasp of what you feel you’re doing right and what could be improved.
“From what you’ve told me so far, the areas of greatest concern to you are…” (name them. Then do two things. First, ask if these are in fact his major concerns. If so then reaffirm how your experience in meeting similar needs elsewhere might prove very helpful).

Question 32 I’m concerned that you don’t have as much experience as we’d like in…

TRAPS: This could be a make-or-break question. The interviewer mostly likes what he sees, but has doubts over one key area. If you can assure him on this point, the job may be yours.
BEST ANSWER: This question is related to “The Fatal Flaw” (Question 18), but here the concern is not that you are totally missing some qualifications, such as CPA certification, but rather that your experience is light in one area.
Before going into any interview, try to identify the weakest aspects of your candidacy from this company’s point of view. Then prepare the best answer you possible can to shore up your defenses.
To get past this question with flying colors, you are going to rely on your master strategy ofuncovering the employer’s greatest wants and needs and then matching them with your strengths. Since you already know how to do this from Question 1, you are in a much stronger position.
More specifically, when the interviewer poses as objection like this, you should…

1. Agree on the importance of this qualification.

2. Explain that your strength may be indeed be greater than your resume indicates because…

3. When this strength is added to your other strengths, it’s really your combination of qualifications that’s most important.

Then review the areas of your greatest strengths that match up most favorably with the company’s most urgently-felt wants and needs.
This is powerful way to handle this question for two reasons. First, you’re giving your interviewer more ammunition in the area of his concern. But more importantly, you’re shifting his focus awayfrom this one, isolated area and putting it on the unique combination of strengths you offer, strengths which tie in perfectly with his greatest wants.

Question 33 How do you feel about working nights and weekends?

TRAPS: Blurt out “no way, Jose” and you can kiss the job offer goodbye. But what if you have a family and want to work a reasonably normal schedule? Is there a way to get both the job and the schedule you want?
BEST ANSWER: First, if you’re a confirmed workaholic, this question is a softball lob. Whack it out of the park on the first swing by saying this kind of schedule is just your style. Add that your family understands it. Indeed, they’re happy for you, as they know you get your greatest satisfaction from your work.
If however, you prefer a more balanced lifestyle, answer this question with another: “What’s the norm for your best people here?”
If the hours still sound unrealistic for you, ask, “Do you have any top people who perform exceptionally for you, but who also have families and like to get home in time to see them at night?” Chances are this company does, and this associates you with this other “top-performers-who-leave-not-later-than-six” group.
Depending on the answer, be honest about how you would fit into the picture. If all those extra hours make you uncomfortable, say so, but phrase your response positively.
Example: “I love my work and do it exceptionally well. I think the results speak for themselves, especially in …(mention your two or three qualifications of greater interest to the employer. Remember, this is what he wants most, not a workaholic with weak credentials). Not only would I bring these qualities, but I’ve built my whole career on working not just hard, but smart. I think you’ll find me one of the most productive people here.
I do have a family who likes to see me after work and on weekends. They add balance and richness to my life, which in turn helps me be happy and productive at work. If I could handle some of the extra work at home in the evenings or on weekends, that would be ideal. You’d be getting a person of exceptional productivity who meets your needs with strong credentials. And I’d be able to handle some of the heavy workload at home where I can be under the same roof as my family. Everybody would win.”

Question 34 Are you willing to relocate or travel?

TRAPS: Answer with a flat “no” and you may slam the door shut on this opportunity. But what if you’d really prefer not to relocate or travel, yet wouldn’t want to lose the job offer over it?
BEST ANSWER: First find out where you may have to relocate and how much travel may be involved. Then respond to the question.
If there’s no problem, say so enthusiastically.
If you do have a reservation, there are two schools of thought on how to handle it.
One advises you to keep your options open and your reservations to yourself in the early going, by saying, “no problem”. You strategy here is to get the best offer you can, then make a judgment whether it’s worth it to you to relocate or travel.
Also, by the time the offer comes through, you may have other offers and can make a more informed decision. Why kill of this opportunity before it has chance to blossom into something really special? And if you’re a little more desperate three months from now, you might wish you hadn’t slammed the door on relocating or traveling.
The second way to handle this question is to voice a reservation, but assert that you’d be open to relocating (or traveling) for the right opportunity.
The answering strategy you choose depends on how eager you are for the job. If you want to take no chances, choose the first approach.
If you want to play a little harder-to-get in hopes of generating a more enticing offer, choose the second.

Question 35 Do you have the stomach to fire people? Have you had experience firing many people?

TRAPS: This “innocent” question could be a trap door which sends you down a chute and lands you in a heap of dust outside the front door. Why? Because its real intent is not just to see if you’ve got the stomach to fire, but also to uncover poor judgment in hiring which has caused you to fire so many. Also, if you fire so often, you could be a tyrant.
So don’t rise to the bait by boasting how many you’ve fired, unless you’ve prepared to explain why it was beyond your control, and not the result of your poor hiring procedures or foul temperament.
BEST ANSWER: Describe the rational and sensible management process you follow in both hiring and firing.
Example: “My whole management approach is to hire the best people I can find, train them thoroughly and well, get them excited and proud to be part of our team, and then work with them to achieve our goals together. If you do all of that right, especially hiring the right people, I’ve found you don’t have to fire very often.
“So with me, firing is a last resort. But when it’s got to be done, it’s got to be done, and the faster and cleaner, the better. A poor employee can wreak terrible damage in undermining the morale of an entire team of good people. When there’s no other way, I’ve found it’s better for all concerned to act decisively in getting rid of offenders who won’t change their ways.”

Question 36 Why have you had so many jobs?

TRAPS: Your interviewer fears you may leave this position quickly, as you have others. He’s concerned you may be unstable, or a “problem person” who can’t get along with others.
BEST ANSWER: First, before you even get to the interview stage, you should try to minimize your image as job hopper. If there are several entries on your resume of less than one year, consider eliminating the less important ones. Perhaps you can specify the time you spent at previous positions in rounded years not in months and years.
Example: Instead of showing three positions this way:
6/1982 – 3/1983, Position A;
4/1983 – 12/1983, Position B;
1/1984 – 8/1987, Position C;
…it would be better to show simply:
1982 – 1983, Position A;
1984 – 1987 Position C.
In other words, you would drop Position B altogether. Notice what a difference this makes in reducing your image as a job hopper.
Once in front of the interviewer and this question comes up, you must try to reassure him. Describe each position as part of an overall pattern of growth and career destination.
Be careful not to blame other people for your frequent changes. But you can and should attribute certain changes to conditions beyond your control.
Example: Thanks to an upcoming merger, you wanted to avoid an ensuing bloodbath, so you made a good, upward career move before your department came under the axe of the new owners.
If possible, also show that your job changes were more frequent in your younger days, while you were establishing yourself, rounding out your skills and looking for the right career path. At this stage in your career, you’re certainly much more interested in the best long-term opportunity.
You might also cite the job(s) where you stayed the longest and describe that this type of situation is what you’re looking for now.

Question 37 What do you see as the proper role/mission of…
…a good (job title you’re seeking);
…a good manager;
…an executive in serving the community;
…a leading company in our industry; etc.

TRAPS: These and other “proper role” questions are designed to test your understanding of your place in the bigger picture of your department, company, community and profession….as well as the proper role each of these entities should play in its bigger picture.
The question is most frequently asked by the most thoughtful individuals and companies…or by those concerned that you’re coming from a place with a radically different corporate culture (such as from a big government bureaucracy to an aggressive small company).
The most frequent mistake executives make in answering is simply not being prepared (seeming as if they’ve never giving any of this a though.)…or in phrasing an answer best suited to their priororganization’s culture instead of the hiring company’s.
BEST ANSWER: Think of the most essential ingredients of success for each category above – your job title, your role as manager, your firm’s role, etc.
Identify at least three but no more than six qualities you feel are most important to success in each role. Then commit your response to memory.
Here, again, the more information you’ve already drawn out about the greatest wants and needs of the interviewer, and the more homework you’ve done to identify the culture of the firm, the more on-target your answer will be.

Question 38 What would you say to your boss if he’s crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?

TRAPS: This is another question that pits two values, in this case loyalty and honesty, against one another.
BEST ANSWER: Remember the rule stated earlier: In any conflict between values, always choose integrity.
Example: I believe that when evaluating anything, it’s important to emphasize the positive. What do I like about this idea?”
“Then, if you have reservations, I certainly want to point them out, as specifically, objectively and factually as I can.”
“After all, the most important thing I owe my boss is honesty. If he can’t count on me for that, then everything else I may do or say could be questionable in his eyes.”
“But I also want to express my thoughts in a constructive way. So my goal in this case would be to see if my boss and I could make his idea even stronger and more appealing, so that it effectively overcomes any initial reservation I or others may have about it.”
“Of course, if he overrules me and says, ‘no, let’s do it my way,’ then I owe him my full and enthusiastic support to make it work as best it can.”

Question 39 How could you have improved your career progress?

TRAPS: This is another variation on the question, “If you could, how would you live your life over?” Remember, you’re not going to fall for any such invitations to rewrite person history. You can’t win if you do.
BEST ANSWER: You’re generally quite happy with your career progress. Maybe, if you had known something earlier in life (impossible to know at the time, such as the booming growth in a branch in your industry…or the corporate downsizing that would phase out your last job), you might have moved in a certain direction sooner.
But all things considered, you take responsibility for where you are, how you’ve gotten there, where you are going…and you harbor no regrets.

Question 40 What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department?

TRAPS: This question and other hypothetical ones test your sense of human relations and how you might handle office politics.
BEST ANSWER: Try to gauge the political style of the firm and be guided accordingly. In general, fall back on universal principles of effective human relations – which in the end, embody the way you would like to be treated in a similar circumstance.
Example: “Good human relations would call for me to go directly to the person and explain the situation, to try to enlist his help in a constructive, positive solution. If I sensed resistance, I would be as persuasive as I know how to explain the benefits we can all gain from working together, and the problems we, the company and our customers will experience if we don’t.”
POSSIBLE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: And what would you do if he still did not change his ways?
ANSWER: “One thing I wouldn’t do is let the problem slide, because it would only get worse and overlooking it would set a bad precedent. I would try again and again and again, in whatever way I could, to solve the problem, involving wider and wider circles of people, both above and below the offending executive and including my own boss if necessary, so that everyone involved can see the rewards for teamwork and the drawbacks of non-cooperation.”
“I might add that I’ve never yet come across a situation that couldn’t be resolved by harnessing others in a determined, constructive effort.”

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Question 20 On confidential matters…

TRAPS: When an interviewer presses you to reveal confidential information about a present or former employer, you may feel it’s a no-win situation. If you cooperate, you could be judged untrustworthy. If you don’t, you may irritate the interviewer and seem obstinate, uncooperative or overly suspicious.
BEST ANSWER: Your interviewer may press you for this information for two reasons.
First, many companies use interviews to research the competition. It’s a perfect set-up. Here in their own lair, is an insider from the enemy camp who can reveal prized information on the competition’s plans, research, financial condition, etc.
Second, the company may be testing your integrity to see if you can be cajoled or bullied into revealing confidential data.
What to do? The answer here is easy. Never reveal anything truly confidential about a present or former employer. By all means, explain your reticence diplomatically. For example, “I certainly want to be as open as I can about that. But I also wish to respect the rights of those who have trusted me with their most sensitive information, just as you would hope to be able to trust any of your key people when talking with a competitor…”
And certainly you can allude to your finest achievements in specific ways that don’t reveal the combination to the company safe.
But be guided by the golden rule. If you were the owner of your present company, would you feel it ethically wrong for the information to be given to your competitors? If so, steadfastly refuse to reveal it.
Remember that this question pits your desire to be cooperative against your integrity. Faced with any such choice, always choose integrity. It is a far more valuable commodity than whatever information the company may pry from you. Moreover, once you surrender the information, your stock goes down. They will surely lose respect for you.
One President we know always presses candidates unmercifully for confidential information. If he doesn’t get it, he grows visibly annoyed, relentlessly inquisitive, It’s all an act. He couldn’t care less about the information. This is his way of testing the candidate’s moral fiber. Only those who hold fast are hired.

Question 21 Would you lie for the company?

TRAPS: This another question that pits two values against one another, in this case loyalty against integrity.
BEST ANSWER: Try to avoid choosing between two values, giving a positive statement which covers all bases instead.
Example: “I would never do anything to hurt the company..”
If aggressively pressed to choose between two competing values, always choose personal integrity. It is the most prized of all values.

Question 22 Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?

TRAPS: This question is usually asked to uncover any life-influencing mistakes, regrets, disappointments or problems that may continue to affect your personality and performance.
You do not want to give the interviewer anything negative to remember you by, such as some great personal or career disappointment, even long ago, that you wish could have been avoided.
Nor do you wish to give any answer which may hint that your whole heart and soul will not be in your work.
BEST ANSWER: Indicate that you are a happy, fulfilled, optimistic person and that, in general, you wouldn’t change a thing.
Example: “It’s been a good life, rich in learning and experience, and the best it yet to come. Every experience in life is a lesson it its own way. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Question 23 Could you have done better in your last job?

TRAPS: This is no time for true confessions of major or even minor problems.
BEST ANSWER: Again never be negative.
Example: “I suppose with the benefit of hindsight you can always find things to do better, of course, but off the top of my head, I can’t think of anything of major consequence.”
(If more explanation seems necessary)
Describer a situation that didn’t suffer because of you but from external conditions beyond your control.
For example, describe the disappointment you felt with a test campaign, new product launch, merger, etc., which looked promising at first, but led to underwhelming results. “I wish we could have known at the start what we later found out (about the economy turning, the marketplace changing, etc.), but since we couldn’t, we just had to go for it. And we did learn from it…”

Question 24 Can you work under pressure?

TRAPS: An easy question, but you want to make your answer believable.
BEST ANSWER: Absolutely…(then prove it with a vivid example or two of a goal or project accomplished under severe pressure.)

Question 25 What makes you angry?

TRAPS: You don’t want to come across either as a hothead or a wimp.
BEST ANSWER: Give an answer that’s suited to both your personality and the management style of the firm. Here, the homework you’ve done about the company and its style can help in your choice of words.
Examples: If you are a reserved person and/or the corporate culture is coolly professional:
“I’m an even-tempered and positive person by nature, and I believe this helps me a great deal in keeping my department running smoothly, harmoniously and with a genuine esprit de corps. I believe in communicating clearly what’s expected, getting people’s commitment to those goals, and then following up continuously to check progress.”
“If anyone or anything is going off track, I want to know about it early. If, after that kind of open communication and follow up, someone isn’t getting the job done, I’ll want to know why. If there’s no good reason, then I’ll get impatient and angry…and take appropriate steps from there. But if you hire good people, motivate them to strive for excellence and then follow up constantly, it almost never gets to that state.”
If you are feisty by nature and/or the position calls for a tough straw boss.
“You know what makes me angry? People who (the fill in the blanks with the most objectionable traits for this type of position)…people who don’t pull their own weight, who are negative, people who lie…etc.”

Question 26 Why aren’t you earning more money at this stage of your career?

TRAPS: You don’t want to give the impression that money is not important to you, yet you want to explain why your salary may be a little below industry standards.
BEST ANSWER: You like to make money, but other factors are even more important.
Example: “Making money is very important to me, and one reason I’m here is because I’m looking to make more. Throughout my career, what’s been even more important to me is doing work I really like to do at the kind of company I like and respect.
(Then be prepared to be specific about what your ideal position and company would be like, matching them as closely as possible to the opportunity at hand.

Question 27 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

TRAPS: The two traps here are unpreparedness and irrelevance. If you grope for an answer, it seems you’ve never been inspired. If you ramble about your high school basketball coach, you’ve wasted an opportunity to present qualities of great value to the company.
BEST ANSWER: Have a few heroes in mind, from your mental “Board of Directors” – Leaders in your industry, from history or anyone else who has been your mentor.
Be prepared to give examples of how their words, actions or teachings have helped inspire your achievements. As always, prepare an answer which highlights qualities that would be highly valuable in the position you are seeking.

Question 28 What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?

TRAPS: Giving an unprepared or irrelevant answer.

BEST ANSWER: Be prepared with a good example, explaining why the decision was difficult…the process you followed in reaching it…the courageous or effective way you carried it out…and the beneficial results.

Question 29 Tell me about the most boring job you’ve ever had.

TRAPS: You give a very memorable description of a very boring job. Result? You become associated with this boring job in the interviewer’s mind.
BEST ANSWER: You have never allowed yourself to grow bored with a job and you can’t understand it when others let themselves fall into that rut.
Example: “Perhaps I’ve been fortunate, but that I’ve never found myself bored with any job I have ever held. I’ve always enjoyed hard work. As with actors who feel there are no small parts, I also believe that in every company or department there are exciting challenges and intriguing problems crying out for energetic and enthusiastic solutions. If you’re bored, it’s probably because you’re not challenging yourself to tackle those problems right under your nose.”

Question 30 Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position?

TRAPS: If you’ve had a problem, you can’t lie. You could easily be found out. Yet admitting an attendance problem could raise many flags.
BEST ANSWER: If you have had no problem, emphasize your excellent and consistent attendance record throughout your career.
Also describe how important you believe such consistent attendance is for a key executive…why it’s up to you to set an example of dedication…and why there’s just no substitute for being there with your people to keep the operation running smoothly, answer questions and handle problems and crises as they arise.
If you do have a past attendance problem, you want to minimize it, making it clear that it was an exceptional circumstance and that it’s cause has been corrected.
To do this, give the same answer as above but preface it with something like, “Other that being out last year (or whenever) because of (your reason, which is now in the past), I have never had a problem and have enjoyed an excellent attendance record throughout my career. Furthermore, I believe, consistent attendance is important because…” (Pick up the rest of the answer as outlined above.).

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General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions 6

Question 51 What are your goals?

Question 52 What do you for when you hire people?

Question 53 Sell me this stapler…(this pencil…this clock…or some other object on interviewer’s desk).

Question 54 “The Salary Question” – How much money do you want?

Question 55 The Illegal Question

Question 56 The “Secret” Illegal Question

Question 57 What was the toughest part of your last job?

Question 58 How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?

Question 59 “The Opinion Question” – What do you think about …Abortion…The President…The Death Penalty…(or any other controversial subject)?

Question 60 If you won $10 million lottery, would you still work?

General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions 5

Question 41 You’ve been with your firm a long time. Won’t it be hard switching to a new company?

Question 42 May I contact your present employer for a reference?

Question 43 Give me an example of your creativity (analytical skill…managing ability, etc.)

Question 44 Where could you use some improvement?

Question 45 What do you worry about?

Question 46 How many hours a week do you normally work?

Question 47 What’s the most difficult part of being a (job title)?

Question 48 The “Hypothetical Problem”

Question 49 What was the toughest challenge you’ve ever faced?

Question 50 Have you consider starting your own business?

General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions 4

Question 31 What changes would you make if you came on board?

Question 32 I’m concerned that you don’t have as much experience as we’d like in…

Question 33 How do you feel about working nights and weekends?

Question 34 Are you willing to relocate or travel?

Question 35 Do you have the stomach to fire people? Have you had experience firing many people?

Question 36 Why have you had so many jobs?

Question 37 What do you see as the proper role/mission of……a good (job title you’re seeking);…a good manager;…an executive in serving the community;…a leading company in our industry; etc.

Question 38 What would you say to your boss if he’s crazy about an idea, but you think it stinks?

Question 39 How could you have improved your career progress?

Question 40 What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department?

General Guidelines in Answering Interview Questions 3

Question 20 On confidential matters…

Question 21 Would you lie for the company?

Question 22 Looking back, what would you do differently in your life?

Question 23 Could you have done better in your last job?

Question 24 Can you work under pressure?

Question 25 What makes you angry?

Question 26 Why aren’t you earning more money at this stage of your career?

Question 27 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

Question 28 What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?

Question 29 Tell me about the most boring job you’ve ever had.

Question 30 Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position?

Question 37 What do you see as the proper role/mission of…
…a good (job title you’re seeking);
…a good manager;
…an executive in serving the community;
…a leading company in our industry; etc.