Top 6 Common Personal Interview Questions (With Best Example Answer)

The thought of getting ready for a job interview can be quite daunting. However, being familiar with the types of questions you may be posed with may serve to ease the stress. Therefore, in this article, we shall discuss the most frequently asked questions during personal interview. Additionally, GetMedJob team has curated some sample answers on how best to respond to these questions during the personal interview round.

It is crucial to know how to deal with personal interview questions. Interviewers need these questions to reveal your character, level of motivation and company culture fit. Importantly, they also help interviewers determine whether you are suitable for the position on offer. If you understand what their concerns are, and if you work on the tasks and improve your weaknesses, you will make a good impression and be more likely to be employed in the position that you desire.

Key Takeaways from this article: 

• Recognize the most frequently asked personal interview questions. 

• Be able to use sample answers in order to respond appropriately. 

• Identify ways in which a candidate will be able to portray their personality, strengths, and suitability for the position. 

• Anticipate questions about reasons for looking for a job, plans for the further career and working approaches they plan to adopt. 

• Communicate your love and excitement about the position and opportunities offered.

Not every candidate or every employee would be a good fit for a given role and hence it is vital that such deep questions are posed in a job interview. The use of personal or sensitive questions during interview allows the interviewer to know you more as an individual and not just a resume. Personal questions will help identify your beliefs and how well you would integrate into the organization’s culture.

These questions are not only about what your possibilities are but also about why you want that job, what your career plans are, and what environment you want to work in. As a candidate you can be a step ahead of competition by taking Personality Assessment Test at GetMedJob. In addition there are different categories of Assessment Test like Selling Skills, Marketing Skills, Brand Management, Product/Technical Skills etc. that adds to your CVs visibility and increases chances of being shortlisted by 80% for personal interview by the prospective employer.

Why the personal questions are sked in an interview?

One is fully aware that skills and qualifications matter, but the prospective employer would like to know much more about the person. Personal interview questions can gauge certain personality characteristics and determine a candidate’s fit with the organisation and the position. Help employers forecast the employee’s development potential and success in the organization, within the framework of the present issue.

Personal information’s while interviewing applicants is relevant so as to understand more that is beyond resumes and cover letters. The interviewers are interested in how the candidate makes decisions, how he sorts out problems or deals with a difficult context. The answer partially indicates what the candidate believes are the core values of the company. and in this regard confirms one of the key prerequisites for success in such position.

“As much as you provide information to the interviewer, it will benefit you.” It applies to your potential for the position and organization. It is important to bear in mind that personal interview questions are not intended to corner you in aha moment. It’s a chance to show the interviewer your strengths, your principles, and your character.

Let’s start with the top 6 personal interview questions and example answers:

“Describe yourself?” OR “Tell me something about yourself?”

This question is indeed a question which one cannot fail to hear during an interview. This information will help the interviewer to understand you better. This is the time to give a summary of your work experience. The interviewer is least concerned to know about your parents, brother and sisters. Most of the candidates start with a reply as to where he/she was born, how many siblings and what they are doing! Remember, this is the time when you should start with your qualification and summarise your skills and professional experience.

Example Answer:

Yes sure! I hold a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceuticals and have worked with reputed pharmaceutical company(s) in the last 6 years of my professional journey. I have a team of 4 professional and enthusiastic Medical representatives to achieve the company objectives. During my professional stint so far I have established skills like Team Handling and Business Development.

Why Should we Hire you?

The interviewer asks this question to assess how good fit are you for the given role. Take it as an opportunity to show your professional skills with respect to the job role for which you have been called for the interview.

It would be best to do some research about the company’s business in the given geographical area including strengths and weaknesses that may boost or hamper business growth. Your objective as a candidate should be to sell yourself as the best person for the given job role.

Example Answer:

Started my career in the industry as a trainee and have scaled to the current position of Area Manager. I have covered geographical area of Delhi & NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh in my tenure for sales. Have promoted products (can mention specific product specialization) to appx. 2300 GPs and given a revenue growth of 25% to the current company. I am bringing in the combination of business development and leadership experience along with a track record of delivering results.

What is your Greatest Strength?

The interviewer intends to assess your core personality trait as any job role comes with challenges. Don’t try to give a fabricated answer which may lead you into trouble when asked for an example to establish it. Understand what your true strengths are in terms of Personality Trait (Adaptability, Team Building, Problem Solving etc.), Business Wisdom (Revenue growth, Geographical Coverage etc.) and Company Policies (Reporting compliance, Travel policy compliance etc.). Remember everyone has got some strengths, just try to find it. Do not use the terminology like Hard working, Loyal, Sincere etc. These are too basic and does not gel with the job role specifically.

Chose a strength that aligns with the job role and not the one which is insignificant for the given job role. Establish the strength with an example in your previous job assignments. Since the example is for a position of Area Manager – Sales, the strength should be related to business growth.

Example Answer:

My greatest strength are Adaptability and Analytical ability. In my current company X where I am working as Area Manager, I was given a new geographical territory of Eastern U.P. where the company had not been able to capture a reasonable market share inspite of all efforts in the past 3 years. I interacted with the retailers and distributors to understand the supply/logistics issues faced. Then I met some GPs who were key opinion leaders to understand their inclination towards leading brands of the company. I made a strategy and communicated with the team members with all details and brought them on the same page. It was executed and minute changes were applied when required. With all the team efforts and strict monitoring of implementation we could get a business growth of 2.5x in a span of last 2 years.

Note: Be prepared to answer further details if asked like: what exactly was the problem earlier and how did you solve it?

 

What is your Weakness? Or What are your Weaknesses?

A question that generally follows next to the question on your strengths. The interviewer aims to check your self-awareness on the areas of improvement and further if you have worked on those area to be better with time. Do keep in mind that you should not share a weakness that undermines your ability to perform the job.

Example Answer:

I have troubled delegating task and tend to overwork myself. However, I am aware of this weakness and am actively working to improve upon it. I now understand the importance of empowering my team members and have seen how this boosts productivity and morale of the team.

Why did you leave your last job?

 

This is the most tricky question! It becomes more difficult to answer if you have been a job hopper. The interviewer wants to know the reasons of your exits from previous job assignment(s) while ensuring you are neither a potential risk for the company nor going to use this job as a platform to hop on to another in the short term. Though honesty is important yet you would have to be smart in answering this question. Do not speak negative about all your pervious companies and blame them for your exit. Rather, try to use positive statements for your exits. Focus on professional reasons that highlight your desire for growth, new challenges and opportunities. If you were laid off, be straight forward in admitting so. Make sure that your answer should give a confidence to the interviewer that you are aligned with a long term career goal.

Example Answer:

I quit my last job as I felt that I had exhausted all growth opportunities. I had been given the same responsibilities though I wanted to have more challenging opportunities to learn as well as to prove my mettle in the area of business development. Since the job role in your organisation aligns with my career objectives, I am excited about this opportunity..

 

Note: If you are a job hopper, do not try to justify your exits for more than two previous jobs. Try to shift the discussion to the point that now you have been scouting for a job opportunity where you see your career goals are aligned with and therefore excited about this job.

 

Why do you want to work with us?

This question is to assess your understanding of the company. How well you have researched about the company including its market share, product, market growth and work culture and whether you can be a culture fit candidate or not. Do keep your answer specific to the company and avoid vague  and irrelevant replies.

Example Answer:

I want to work here because I am interested in your company’s innovative product and work culture. I have seen the business growth impact of your company in the last 5 years and would like to be part of well organised and motivated team. I am impressed with the employee growth and development in your company and it clearly aligns with my career goals as well. I would be happy to be a part of the dynamic team.

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FAQs:

Which personal interview questions are frequently asked? 

In most interviews, the employers will ask the interviewees a question such as ‘Tell us about yourself’ or ‘What is your greatest strength?’ and ‘What are your weaknesses?’. There might also be questions such as ‘What made you want to get this job?’ and ‘What do you see yourself doing in five years?’.

What is the relevance of posing personal questions in a job interview? 

The interviewers need to find out your character and the things you hold dear to your heart. They check whether you would comfortably fit into the company’s culture and the position. It is more than just your technical know-how and experience. 

What should I do in advance to answer personal interview questions in the best way? 

Let’s start with identifying your weaknesses and strengths. Work on always giving quite brief and straightforward answers. Get as much information as you can about the company and what they value. This allows you the opportunity to respond in a manner that demonstrates that you are in the correct place. 

How should I answer Tell me about yourself? 

Provide a short but captivating summary of your background experience and the skills that you possess. Show your enthusiasm and desire to undertake the role. Do not forget to highlight the aspects that place you as the best possible candidate. 

How can I present my strengths during the interview? 

Address the relevant points regarding your strengths in the area and provide supporting evidence. This validates for the prospective employer what your worth to them would be. Avoid generalizations and be forceful.

What is the best way to respond to the weakness question in an interview?

Try those aspects that you are currently struggling in. Describe how you plan to grow and develop. And showcase yourself as a person with awareness of their weaknesses.

How else can I express my interest in the position and prove my usability?

Make sure you know the company and the position you are applying for. Highlight your enthusiasm for the position you are applying for. Illustrate how your traits and attributes would help in the growth of the organization.

What other common personal interview questions should I be prepared to answer?

Questions about motives, decision making, management of self and others might also come up. Be prepared to orient on career path, tackle problems and questions of corporate fit.

What do they usually ask you regarding your personality and work style in an interview?

Emphasize on the traits that fit well with the role and the corporate culture. Illustrate the points with images that will demonstrate organizational benefits of the unique viewpoint. Position yourself and your work style in line with the corporation's key beliefs.