Likely Interview Questions For Fresh Graduates

Tell me about yourself.
Since this is often the opening question in an interview, be extra careful that you don't run off at the mouth. Keep your answer to a minute or two at most. Cover four topics: early years, education, work history, and recent career experience. Emphasize this last subject. Remember that this is likely to be a warm-up question. Don't waste your best points on it.

How would you describe yourself?

Sample excellent response:
My background to date has been centered on preparing myself to become the very best financial consultant I can become. Let me tell you specifically how I've prepared myself. I am a graduate of finance and accounting from _________ University. My past experiences have been in retail and higher education. Both aspects have prepared me well for this career.

Where do you want to be five years from now?

The trap all entry-level professionals make is to say, 'In management', because they think that shows drive and ambition. It has become such a trite answer, though, that it immediately generates a string of questions that most applicants can't answer: What is the definition of management? What is a manager's prime responsibility? A manager in what area?

Your safest answer identifies you with the profession into which you are trying to break, and shows you have your feet on the ground. 'My plans are that I want to be ahead. To do that I must be able to channel my energies and expertise into those areas my industry and employer need. In five years or so, I hope to have become a thorough professional with a clear understanding of the company, the industry and where the biggest challenges, and therefore opportunities, lie. By that time, my goals for the future should be sharply defined.' An answer like that will set you far apart from your contemporaries

Describe a situation where you found yourself dealing with someone who didn't like you. How did you handle it?

Sample excellent response:
When I first began working at Accenture, I was the youngest member of the staff. An older woman really knew the ropes of the place. When I first got there she barely acknowledged my presence, and through word of mouth I discovered that she thought that I was too young to successfully fulfil my duties because I was so inexperienced. She assumed I was immature. I did my job and took every opportunity to make a good impression. I was a very diligent worker and behaved in a highly professional manner at all times, learning quickly the best way to do things. After about two weeks of the silent treatment from her, she came up to me and told me how impressed she was with me. She told me that I had done an excellent job and was the fastest learner that she had ever seen. She apologized to me for ignoring me and took me under her wing and shared what she knew with me.