TOUGHEST INTERVIEW QUESTION – NEW COLLEGE GRAD SAMPLE
QUESTION NOTES
Question # 1 This apparently innocuous
question is posed to try and
“Tell me relax you at the beginning of
something an interview, but it often has
about the opposite effect.
yourself.” "The impulse is to rattle on
about your life, but the key is
to remember that every
question is an opportunity.
"Talk about achievements
and work experiences that
are relevant to the job. If
you are a recent graduate
and don't have any work
experience then talk about
the relevant skills you gained
at university such as
researching and analysing
information."
Question # 2 We all have our weaknesses;
even the interviewer has it.
“What are your When asked this question,
weaknesses?” don’t fret and more
importantly, please don’t say
that you don’t have any.
That would just give the
interviewer the impression
that you’re lying. Being
honest is good. You see, the
purpose of asking you this
question is for them not to
judge you but to see how
well you handle these
moments. They want to hear
the steps you took in order
to alleviate these problems of
yours. That will say a lot
about your work ethics.
Question # 3 – Fresh graduates should learn
“What is your not to expect too much.
expected salary?” Although you’re the batch
valedictorian or the MVP,
employers see you as any
other fresh graduates. You
just have a longer resume. In
this case, you have no right
to demand a high salary.
Study what kind of job you’re
applying for and do research
on how much fresh grads like
you earn. That way, you’ll
have a basis and you’ll be
able to figure out a range for
BAD ANSWER GOOD ANSWER
“I graduated four years "I am an Accounting major who is
ago from the University dependable, conscientious, accurate
of Michigan, with a and very detail
Bachelor’s in Biology – oriented. I am knowledgeable in
but I decided that wasn’t accounting processes particularly on
the right path for me. So accounts payable. I am also
I switched gears and got a consistent dean’s lister with a QPI
my first job, working in of 3.0. Worthy of note is
sales for a startup. Then that I completed AYALA's
I went on to work in Professional Employment Program
marketing for a law firm. facilitated LiveIt Global Services
After that, I took a few Management Institute’s, a
months off to travel. subsidiary of Ayala Corporation.
Finally, I came back and From the program, I learned critical
worked in marketing employment skills like Sales
again. And now, here I Delivery, Customer Service and
am, looking for a more Technical Support."
challenging marketing
role.”
"I work too hard. Besides “I have never been very
that, I think I do not comfortable with public speaking –
have other weaknesses." which as you know, can be a
hindrance to one's goal of having a
good career. Realising the
problem, I took it upon myself to
download audio books – lessons on
grammar and vocabulary building.
During my free time, I also
download videos from youtube of
very good Public Speakers. Just
recently, I hosted a small social
activity in our community and
there, I was able to test
what I know so far about my
lessons."
“I expect to get “I’m more interested in the role
Php20,000.00” itself than the pay. But of course, I
would expect to be paid the
appropriate range for this role
considering my background and the
skills I bring.”
 this question. Usually,
P12,000 to P20,000 is fine
but do your research!
Question # 4 – Usually, when fresh
“Why should we graduates or any other
hire you?” applicants for that matter,
are asked this questions,
they all give generic answers
such as, “I am versatile and I
am a hard worker” or “I am
willing to learn.” These may
be good answers but
everyone tends to use this to
the point that it’s becoming a
cliché. In order to avoid this,
you should think about your
distinct quality and work on
that. Employers want to hear
what sets you apart and
what you can contribute to
their company. Again, be
careful with words.
Question # 5 – When you're asked
(STAR) Describe behavior-based interview
a project for questions, you're asked to
which you faced describe situations in which
multiple you've displayed the skills,
deadlines, and abilities and personal traits
how you handled being sought for the position
it. you're applying for.
Questions may start with:
Tell me…
Describe the time when
you…
Questions that start with
"HOW" may also be
answered using the STAR
method.
“I’m the best candidate
for the role.”
“Well, working on
projects with many
different deadlines is
really hard – you know. I
remember before, my
group mates really got
angry at me for scolding
them for not doing their
task. But hey, I have to
be strict. I really hate it
when people do not
focus on the task at
hand, especially the
deadlines. There were
many times, I actually
worked alone rather than
suffer the headache.
“I have the RIGHT attitude to excel
in this position. I understand what
hard work means and what one
must do to ensure that to
ensure deliverables are met on time
as expected.
More so, during my senior year at
Jose Rizal University, I joined
AYALA’s Professional Employment
Program facilitated specifically by
LiveIt Global Services Management
Institute. Under the certification
program, I learned critical
employment skills such as Sales
Delivery, Customer Service and
Technical Support.
I understand companies hire for
both the applicant’s attitude and
skills, I believe I have both.”
SITUATION = Last fall I took the
initiative to apply for grants to fund
a professional speaker for a CLA
event. It's often difficult to get
grants for event funding, and it's
important to meet various grant
deadlines.
TASK = I researched grant options
and found several possibilities. Each
had a different deadline and
different window of time for which
the money could be used.
ACTION = The varying timelines
required me to create a small
database, which I organized by
grant deadlines, purposes, and the
windows of time they could be
used. I used this database to help
me apply for the appropriate grants
at the appropriate times.
RESULT = The primary grant came
through, but a smaller grant did
not. So I quickly helped find a
last-minute event sponsor, then
helped to update the PR materials
and budget accordingly. In the end,
the event was successful on
multiple levels. We expected about

Question # 6 – There’s really no right
Where do you answer to this question, but
see yourself in the interviewer wants to
five years? know that you’re
ambitious, career-oriented,
and committed to afuture
with the company. So instead
of sharing your dream
for early retirement, or trying
to be funny, give them an
answer that illustrates your
drive and commitment.
Question # 7 – While being a good listener is
How would your a great personality trait, your
friends describe employer probably doesn’t
you? care all that much. It’s
unlikely that they’re hiring
you to be a shoulder to cry
on. You’ll want to keep your
answer relevant to the job
you’re interviewingfor – and
as specific as possible. If you
can, insert an example.
50 students to attend and got 60.
Also, we were able to provide
honorariums to additional speakers.
So I feel this example highlights not
only my ability to meet multiple
deadlines, but also to be organized,
take initiative, and be flexible when
handling last-minute problems and
changes.
“Relaxing on a beach in “In five years I’d like to have an
Maui,” or “Doing your even better understanding of this
job.” industry. Also, I really love working
with people. Ultimately, I’d like to
be in some type of managerial role
at this company, where I can
use my people skillsand
industry knowledge to benefit the
people working for me, and the
company as a whole. I know to get
there I need to work hard. So, I am
willing to learn and unlearn to get
there.”
"I’m a really good “My friends would probably say that
listener.” I’m extremely persistent – I’ve
never been afraid to keep going
back until I get what I want. When
I entered AYALA’s Professional
Employment Program, I really had a
hard time at first. A good number of
my peers were executing the skills
required for the simulation
correctly, while I was having
trouble. There were a couple of
times I felt embarrassed because I
cannot do it but with persistence
and strategy, I learned to catch up
and eventually execute the skill
too. I managed such a change by
not just being persistent but also
asking for people’s help and
strategically looking for my
Instructor’s available time to have a
coaching session. I have always
believed that anyone can be an
achiever. One just needs to be
persistent for improvement and
change."