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5 BASIC NON TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND HOW TO ANSWER THEM
5 BASIC NON TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND HOW TO ANSWER THEM

May 10, 2021

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Companies want to know as much as they can about the people they consider as potential hires. That’s why interviews are usually the most important part of any company’s selection process. They’re often the first in-person interaction that recruiters have with prospects. No wonder they’re so exhaustive. From hardcore technical questions to general chit-chat, interviews are predominantly a mixed bag. What makes the stakes even higher for interviewees is that all questions in an interview are important. You can be bang-on with every technical question that the interviewers throw at you and screw the pooch with non-technical questions, or vice-versa. The outcome in both cases will likely be a rejection. So, it is important to prepare for both. Given the varying nature of jobs, it is difficult to lay down a set of rules for answering technical questions. But, non-technical questions are common to interviews for all roles. 

 

That’s why PERSOLKELLY has come up with 5 basic non-technical questions that almost every interviewee encounters. Here’s how you should answer them:-   

 

Q1. Tell me something about yourself

 

Recruiters often ask this question early-on during interviews. Think of it as an ice-breaker that makes it easier to dive into deeper queries. So, answer accordingly. A great framework to use here is the present-past-future model. Start your answer by detailing what you do currently. Then, talk about the journey leading up to your present position. Lastly, paint a broad outline of what you hope to achieve in your future. Remember not to run around in circles here. Keep your statements succinct and professional. It’s obviously better to inject personality and passion into your answer. But, make sure not to overdo it. The best thing to do is to read the room and match its vibe.  

 

Q2. What are your career goals? OR Where do you see yourself 5/10 years from now? 

 

This is often a very elusive question for interviewees. After all, you can only have a well-constructed estimate of what your life will be like in a decade. However, understanding the motivation behind this question will make it easy to answer. When recruiters ask you about your five or ten-year plans, they’re most interested in knowing two things:

 
 

  • Will you stick around with the company in the long-run? 

  • Do your long-term ambitions align with what the company offers? 

 

Once you understand these motivations, answering your long-term plans becomes a bit easier. Instead of giving a detailed breakdown of your every move for the foreseeable future, all you need to do is assuage the recruiter’s fears. Make it known that you’re interviewing for a role that you want to fill for a significant time. Also, paint a realistic picture of what your growth within the company will look like. Don’t make innuendos about being on the other side of the table or owing the company in due-time. 

 

With that being said, there’s no one right response here. Yet again, you’ll have to gauge your audience and play your cards accordingly. 

 

Q3. Why are you looking for a job change?

 

This question is essentially designed to weed out red flags from your past employment. The interviewer wants to know if you’re going about your career with a plan or hap hazardously hopping from job-to-job. The answer to this question may also signal whether you’re a team player or not. So, the best bet here is to lead with positives. Explain how you’ve enjoyed working in your current job, but need a newer environment that better aligns with your long-term objectives. Don’t harp on about how annoying your co-workers or superiors are. Stick with a no-drama response, highlighting why the place you’re interviewing for makes sense for your career’s growth. 

 

Q4. Do you think you can fit in our company?

 

The best way to answer this question is to know a bit about the company’s culture beforehand. That becomes a lot easier if you establish inroads long before entering the interview. However, you can still tackle this question well even when you’re a stranger to the interviewers. Nowadays, most companies sprinkle bits and pieces about their culture on their website. A business organisation’s social media handles are also a good representation of its personality. So, research those sources well. However, don’t try to fake being a culture-fit for the company you’re interviewing for. Doing so will only cause problems in the long-run even if you end up getting the job. 

 

Q5. Do you want to ask something?

 

Interviews exist because a resume can only tell so much about a person. However, the inverse is also true. Before joining a company, you can’t have a holistic view of what it's like to work there. You can only form a well-informed idea about a possible future if you do your research right. That’s why you shouldn’t hold back when interviewers give you the chance to question them. Instead of leading with fear, operate with genuine curiosity. Ask interviewers about the management style of the company. Ask them what part of their job brings them joy. Enquire more about the day-to-day responsibilities linked with the role you’re interviewing for. But, make sure you keep things chill, especially if you’re in a first-round interview. Never try to probe into your interviewer’s personal life or use humour inappropriate for professional settings. As a rule of thumb, don’t ask questions that you won’t be comfortable answering. 

 

Conclusion

 

Though there’s no such thing as being too prepared for an interview, the five non-technical questions laid above are a good place to start with. So, prepare them well, and venture beyond if time is on your side. 

 

This article was originally published on PERSOLKELLY blog here 


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