Live Classes: Upskill your knowledge Now!

Chat Now

Published - Tue, 06 Dec 2022

 Software Testing Interview Questions

Software Testing Interview Questions

A list of mostly asked software testing interview questions or QTP interview questions and answers are given below.

1) What is the PDCA cycle and where testing fits in?

There are four steps in a normal software development process. In short, these steps are referred to as PDCA.

Software Testing Interview Questions

PDCA stands for Plan, Do, Check, Act.

  • Plan: It defines the goal and the plan for achieving that goal.
  • Do/ Execute: It depends on the plan strategy decided during the planning stage. It is done according to this phase.
  • Check: This is the testing part of the software development phase. It is used to ensure that we are moving according to plan and getting the desired result.
  • Act: This step is used to solve if there any issue has occurred during the check cycle. It takes appropriate action accordingly and revises the plan again.

The developers do the "planning and building" of the project while testers do the "check" part of the project.


2) What is the difference between the white box, black box, and gray box testing?

Black box Testing: The strategy of black box testing is based on requirements and specification. It requires no need of knowledge of internal path, structure or implementation of the software being tested.

White box Testing: White box testing is based on internal paths, code structure, and implementation of the software being tested. It requires a full and detail programming skill.

Gray box Testing: This is another type of testing in which we look into the box which is being tested, It is done only to understand how it has been implemented. After that, we close the box and use the black box testing.

Following are the differences among white box, black box, and gray box testing are:

Black box testingGray box testingWhite box testing
Black box testing does not need the implementation knowledge of a program.Gray box testing knows the limited knowledge of an internal program.In white box testing, implementation details of a program are fully required.
It has a low granularity.It has a medium granularity.It has a high granularity.
It is also known as opaque box testing, closed box testing, input-output testing, data-driven testing, behavioral testing and functional testing.It is also known as translucent testing.It is also known as glass box testing, clear box testing.
It is a user acceptance testing, i.e., it is done by end users.It is also a user acceptance testing.Testers and programmers mainly do it.
Test cases are made by the functional specifications as internal details are not known.Test cases are made by the internal details of a program.Test cases are made by the internal details of a program.

3)What are the advantages of designing tests early in the life cycle?

Designing tests early in the life cycle prevent defects from being in the main code.


4) What are the types of defects?

There are three types of defects: Wrong, missing, and extra.

Wrong: These defects are occurred due to requirements have been implemented incorrectly.

Missing: It is used to specify the missing things, i.e., a specification was not implemented, or the requirement of the customer was not appropriately noted.

Extra: This is an extra facility incorporated into the product that was not given by the end customer. It is always a variance from the specification but may be an attribute that was desired by the customer. However, it is considered as a defect because of the variance from the user requirements.


5) What is exploratory testing?

Simultaneous test design and execution against an application is called exploratory testing. In this testing, the tester uses his domain knowledge and testing experience to predict where and under what conditions the system might behave unexpectedly.


6) When should exploratory testing be performed?

Exploratory testing is performed as a final check before the software is released. It is a complementary activity to automated regression testing.


7) What are the advantages of designing tests early in the life cycle?

It helps you to prevent defects in the code.


8) Tell me about the risk-based testing.

The risk-based testing is a testing strategy that is based on prioritizing tests by risks. It is based on a detailed risk analysis approach which categorizes the risks by their priority. Highest priority risks are resolved first.


9) What is acceptance testing?

Acceptance testing is done to enable a user/customer to determine whether to accept a software product. It also validates whether the software follows a set of agreed acceptance criteria. In this level, the system is tested for the user acceptability.

Software Testing Interview Questions

Types of acceptance testing are:

  1. User acceptance testing: It is also known as end-user testing. This type of testing is performed after the product is tested by the testers. The user acceptance testing is testing performed concerning the user needs, requirements, and business processes to determine whether the system satisfies the acceptance criteria or not.
  2. Operational acceptance testing: An operational acceptance testing is performed before the product is released in the market. But, it is performed after the user acceptance testing.
  3. Contract and regulation acceptance testing: In the case of contract acceptance testing, the system is tested against certain criteria and the criteria are made in a contract. In the case of regulation acceptance testing, the software application is checked whether it meets the government regulations or not.
  4. Alpha and beta testing: Alpha testing is performed in the development environment before it is released to the customer. Input is taken from the alpha testers, and then the developer fixes the bug to improve the quality of a product. Unlike alpha testing, beta testing is performed in the customer environment. Customer performs the testing and provides the feedback, which is then implemented to improve the quality of a product.

10) What is accessibility testing?

Accessibility testing is used to verify whether a software product is accessible to the people having disabilities (deaf, blind, mentally disabled etc.).


11) What is Adhoc testing?

Ad-hoc testing is a testing phase where the tester tries to 'break' the system by randomly trying the system's functionality.


12) What is Agile testing?

Agile testing is a testing practice that uses agile methodologies i.e. follow test-first design paradigm.


13) What is API (Application Programming Interface)?

Application Programming Interface is a formalized set of software calls and routines that can be referenced by an application program to access supporting system or network services.


14) What do you mean by automated testing?

Testing by using software tools which execute test without manual intervention is known as automated testing. Automated testing can be used in GUI, performance, API, etc.


15) What is Bottom-up testing?

The Bottom-up testing is a testing approach which follows integration testing where the lowest level components are tested first, after that the higher level components are tested. The process is repeated until the testing of the top-level component.


16) What is Baseline Testing?

In Baseline testing, a set of tests is run to capture performance information. Baseline testing improves the performance and capabilities of the application by using the information collected and make the changes in the application. Baseline compares the present performance of the application with its previous performance.


17) What is Benchmark Testing?

Benchmarking testing is the process of comparing application performance with respect to the industry standard given by some other organization.

It is a standard testing which specifies where our application stands with respect to others.


18) Which types are testing are important for web testing?

There are two types of testing which are very important for web testing:

  • Performance testing: Performance testing is a testing technique in which quality attributes of a system are measured such as responsiveness, speed under different load conditions and scalability. The performance testing describes which attributes need to be improved before the product is released in the market.
  • Security testing: Security testing is a testing technique which determines that the data and resources be saved from the intruders.

19) What is the difference between web application and desktop application in the scenario of testing?

The difference between a web application and desktop application is that a web application is open to the world with potentially many users accessing the application simultaneously at various times, so load testing and stress testing are important. Web applications are also prone to all forms of attacks, mostly DDOS, so security testing is also very important in the case of web applications.


20) What is the difference between verification and validation?

Difference between verification and validation:

VerificationValidation
Verification is Static Testing.Validation is Dynamic Testing.
Verification occurs before Validation.Validation occurs after Verification.
Verification evaluates plans, document, requirements and specification.Validation evaluates products.
In verification, inputs are the checklist, issues list, walkthroughs, and inspection.Invalidation testing, the actual product is tested.
Verification output is a set of document, plans, specification and requirement documents.Invalidation actual product is output.

21) What is the difference between Retesting and Regression Testing?

A list of differences between Retesting and Regression Testing:

RegressionRetesting
Regression is a type of software testing that checks the code change does not affect the current features and functions of an application.Retesting is the process of testing that checks the test cases which were failed in the final execution.
The main purpose of regression testing is that the changes made to the code should not affect the existing functionalities.Retesting is applied on the defect fixes.
Defect verification is not an element of Regression testing.Defect verification is an element of regression testing.
Automation can be performed for regression testing while manual testing could be expensive and time-consuming.Automation cannot be performed for Retesting.
Regression testing is also known as generic testing.Retesting is also known as planned testing.
Regression testing concern with executing test cases that was passed in earlier builds. Retesting concern with executing those test cases that are failed earlier.Regression testing can be performed in parallel with the retesting. Priority of retesting is higher than the regression testing.

22) What is the difference between preventative and reactive approaches to testing?

Preventative tests are designed earlier, and reactive tests are designed after the software has been produced.


23) What is the purpose of exit criteria?

The exit criteria are used to define the completion of the test level.


24) Why is the decision table testing used?

A decision table consists of inputs in a column with the outputs in the same column but below the inputs.

The decision table testing is used for testing systems for which the specification takes the form of rules or cause-effect combination. The reminders you get in the table explore combinations of inputs to define the output produced.


25) What is alpha and beta testing?

These are the key differences between alpha and beta testing:

No.Alpha TestingBeta Testing
1)It is always done by developers at the software development site.It is always performed by customers at their site.
2)It is also performed by Independent testing teamIt is not be performed by Independent testing team
3)It is not open to the market and public.It is open to the market and public.
4)It is always performed in a virtual environment.It is always performed in a real-time environment.
5)It is used for software applications and projects.It is used for software products.
6)It follows the category of both white box testing and Black Box Testing.It is only the kind of Black Box Testing.
7)It is not known by any other name.It is also known as field testing.

26) What is Random/Monkey Testing?

Random testing is also known as monkey testing. In this testing, data is generated randomly often using a tool. The data is generated either using a tool or some automated mechanism.

Random testing has some limitations:

  • Most of the random tests are redundant and unrealistic.
  • It needs more time to analyze results.
  • It is not possible to recreate the test if you do not record what data was used for testing.

27) What is the negative and positive testing?

Negative Testing: When you put an invalid input and receive errors is known as negative testing.

Positive Testing: When you put in the valid input and expect some actions that are completed according to the specification is known as positive testing.


28) What is the benefit of test independence?

Test independence is very useful because it avoids author bias in defining effective tests.


29) What is the boundary value analysis/testing?

In boundary value analysis/testing, we only test the exact boundaries rather than hitting in the middle. For example: If there is a bank application where you can withdraw a maximum of 25000 and a minimum of 100. So in boundary value testing we only test above the max and below the max. This covers all scenarios.

The following figure shows the boundary value testing for the above-discussed bank application.TC1 and TC2 are sufficient to test all conditions for the bank. TC3 and TC4 are duplicate/redundant test cases which do not add any value to the testing. So by applying proper boundary value fundamentals, we can avoid duplicate test cases, which do not add value to the testing.


30) How would you test the login feature of a web application?

There are many ways to test the login feature of a web application:

  • Sign in with valid login, Close browser and reopen and see whether you are still logged in or not.
  • Sign in, then log out and then go back to the login page to see if you are truly logged out.
  • Log in, then go back to the same page, do you see the login screen again?
  • Session management is important. You must focus on how do we keep track of logged in users, is it via cookies or web sessions?
  • Sign in from one browser, open another browser to see if you need to sign in again?
  • Log in, change the password, and then log out, then see if you can log in again with the old password.

31) What are the types of performance testing?

Performance testing: Performance testing is a testing technique which determines the performance of the system such as speed, scalability, and stability under various load conditions. The product undergoes the performance testing before it gets live in the market.

Types of software testing are:

Software Testing Interview Questions

1. Load testing:

  • Load testing is a testing technique in which system is tested with an increasing load until it reaches the threshold value.

Note: An increasing load means the increasing the number of users.

  • The main purpose of load testing is to check the response time of the system with an increasing amount of load.
  • Load testing is non-functional testing means that the only non-functional requirements are tested.
  • Load testing is performed to make sure that the system can withstand a heavy load

2. Stress testing:

  • Stress testing is a testing technique to check the system when hardware resources are not enough such as CPU, memory, disk space, etc.
  • In case of stress testing, software is tested when the system is loaded with the number of processes and the hardware resources are less.
  • The main purpose of stress testing is to check the failure of the system and to determine how to recover from this failure is known as recoverability.
  • Stress testing is non-functional testing means that the only non-functional requirements are tested.

3. Spike testing:

  • Spike testing is a subset of load testing. This type of testing checks the instability of the application when the load is varied.
  • There are different cases to be considered during testing:
    • The first case is not to allow the number of users so that the system will not suffer heavy load.
    • The second case is to provide warnings to the extra joiners, and this would slow down the response time.

4. Endurance testing:

  • Endurance testing is a subset of load testing. This type of testing checks the behavior of the system.
  • Endurance testing is non-functional testing means that the only non-functional requirements are tested.
  • Endurance testing is also known as Soak testing.
  • Endurance testing checks the issues such as memory leak. A memory leak occurs when the program does not release its allocated memory after its use. Sometimes the application does not release its memory even after its use and this unusable memory cause memory leak. This causes an issue when the application runs for a long duration.
  • Some of the main issues that are viewed during this testing are:
    • Memory leaks occurred due to an application.
    • Memory leaks occurred due to a database connection.
    • Memory leaks occurred due to a third party software.

5. Volume testing:

  • Volume testing is a testing technique in which the system is tested when the volume of data is increased.
  • Volume testing is also known as flood testing.
  • Volume testing is non-functional testing means that the only non-functional requirements are tested.
  • For example: If we want to apply the volume testing then we need to expand the database size, i.e., adding more data into the database table and then perform the test.

6. Scalability testing

  • Scalability testing is a testing technique that ensures that the system works well in proportion to the growing demands of the end users.
  • Following are the attributes checked during this testing:
    • Response time
    • Throughput
    • Number of users required for performance test
    • Threshold load
    • CPU usage
    • Memory usage
    • Network usage

32) What is the difference between functional and non-functional testing?

Basis of comparisonFunctional testingNon-functional testing
DescriptionFunctional testing is a testing technique which checks that function of the application works under the requirement specification.Non-functional testing checks all the non-functional aspects such as performance, usability, reliability, etc.
ExecutionFunctional testing is implemented before non-functional testing.Non-functional testing is performed after functional testing.
Focus areaIt depends on the customer requirements.It depends on the customer expectations.
RequirementFunctional requirements can be easily defined.Non-functional requirements cannot be easily defined.
Manual testingFunctional testing can be performed by manual testing.Non-functional testing cannot be performed by manual testing.
Testing typesFollowing are the types of functional testing:
  • Unit testing
  • Acceptance testing
  • Integration testing
  • System testing
Following are the types of non-functional testing:
  • Performance testing
  • Load testing
  • Stress testing
  • Volume testing
  • Security testing
  • Installation testing
  • Recovery testing

33) What is the difference between static and dynamic testing?

Static testingDynamic testing
Static testing is a white box testing technique which is done at the initial stage of the software development lifecycle.Dynamic testing is a testing process which is done at the later stage of the software development lifecycle.
Static testing is performed before the code deployment.Dynamic testing is performed after the code deployment.
It is implemented at the verification stage.It is implemented at the validation stage.
Execution of code is not done during this type of testing.Execution of code is necessary for the dynamic testing.
In the case of static testing, the checklist is made for the testing process.In the case of dynamic testing, test cases are executed.

34) What is the difference between negative and positive testing?

Positive testingNegative testing
Positive testing means testing the application by providing valid data.Negative testing means testing the application by providing the invalid data.
In case of positive testing, tester always checks the application for a valid set of values.In the case of negative testing, tester always checks the application for the invalid set of values.
Positive testing is done by considering the positive point of view for example: checking the first name field by providing the value such as "Akshay".Negative testing is done by considering the negative point of view for example: checking the first name field by providing the value such as "Akshay123".
It verifies the known set of test conditions.It verifies the unknown set of conditions.
The positive testing checks the behavior of the system by providing the valid set of data.The negative testing tests the behavior of the system by providing the invalid set of data.
The main purpose of the positive testing is to prove that the project works well according to the customer requirements.The main purpose of the negative testing is to break the project by providing the invalid set of data.
The positive testing tries to prove that the project meets all the customer requirements.The negative testing tries to prove that the project does not meet all the customer requirements.

35) What are the different models available in SDLC?

There are various models available in software testing, which are the following:

  • Waterfall model
  • Spiral Model
  • Prototype model
  • Verification and validation model
  • Hybrid model
  • Agile model
  • Rational unified process model[RUP]
  • Rapid Application development [RAD]

36) List out the difference between smoke testing and sanity testing and dry run testing?

Following are the differences between smoke, sanity, and dry run testing:

Smoke testingSanity testingDry-run testing
It is shallow, wide and scripted testing.It is narrow and deep and unscripted testingA dry run testing is a process where the effects of a possible failure are internally mitigated.
When the builds come, we will write the automation script and execute the scripts. So it will perform automatically.It will perform manually.For Example, An aerospace company may conduct a Dry run of a takeoff using a new aircraft and a runway before the first test flight.
It will take all the essential features and perform high-level testing.It will take some significant features and perform in-depth testing.

37) How do we test a web application? What are the types of tests we perform on the web application?

To test any web application such as Yahoo, Gmail, and so on, we will perform the following testing:

  • Functional testing
  • Integration testing
  • System testing
  • Performance testing
  • Compatibility testing ( test the application on the various operating systems, multiple browsers, and different version)
  • Usability testing ( check whether it is user friendly)
  • Ad-hoc testing
  • Accessibility testing
  • Smoke testing
  • Regression testing
  • Security testing
  • Globalization testing ( only if it is developed in different languages)

38) Why do we need to perform compatibility testing?

We might have developed the software in one platform, and the chances are there that users might use it in the different platforms. Hence, it could be possible that they may encounter some bugs and stop using the application, and the business might get affected. Therefore, we will perform one round of Compatibility testing.


39) How many test cases we can write in a day?

We can tell anywhere between 2-5 test cases.

  • First test case → 1st day, 2nd day.
  • Second test case → 3rd day, 4th day.
  • Forth test case → 5th day.
  • 9-10 test cases → 19th day.

Primarily, we use to write 2-5 test cases, but in future stages we write around 6-7 because, at that time, we have the better product knowledge, we start re-using the test cases, and the experience on the product.


40) How many test cases can we review per day?

It would be around 7 test cases we write so that we can review 7*3=21 test cases. And we can say that 25-30 test case per day.


41) How many test cases can we run in a day?

We can run around 30-55 test cases per day.

Note: For these types of questions (39-41), always remember the ratio: x test cases we can write, 3x test cases we can review, and 5x test cases we can execute per day.


42) Does the customer get a 100% bug-free product?

  1. The testing team is not good
  2. Developers are super
  3. Product is old
  4. All of the above

The correct answer is testing team is not good because sometimes the fundamentals of software testing define that no product has zero bugs.


43) How to track the bug manually and with the help of automation?

We can track the bug manually as:

  • Identify the bug.
  • Make sure that it is not duplicate (that is, check it in bug repository).
  • Prepare a bug report.
  • Store it in bug repository.
  • Send it to the development team.
  • Manage the bug life cycle (i.e., keep modifying the status).

Software Testing Interview Questions

Tracking the bug with the help of automation i.e., bug tracking tool:

We have various bug tracking tools available in the market, such as:

  • Jira
  • Bugzilla
  • Mantis
  • Telelogic
  • Rational Clear Quest
  • Bug_track
  • Quality center ( it is a test management tool, a part of it is used to track the bugs)

Note: Here, we have two categories of tools:

A product based: In the product based companies, they will use only one bug tracking tool.

Service-based: In service-based companies, they have many projects of different customers, and every project will have different bug tracking tools.


44) Why does an application have bugs?

The software can have a bug for the following reasons:

  • Software complexity
  • Programming errors
  • If no communications are happening between the customer and the company, i.e., an application should or should not perform according to the software's needs.
  • Modification in requirements
  • Time pressure.

45) When we perform testing?

We will perform testing whenever we need to check all requirements are executed correctly or not, and to make sure that we are delivering the right quality product.


46) When do we stop the testing?

We can stop testing whenever we have the following:

  • Once the functionality of the application is stable.
  • When the time is less, then we test the necessary features, and we stop it.
  • The client's budget.
  • When the essential feature itself is not working correctly.

47) For which and all types of testing do we write test cases?

We can write test cases for the following types of testing:

Different types of testingTest cases
Smoke testingIn this, we will write only standard features; thus, we can pull out some test cases that have all the necessary functions. Therefore, we do not have to write a test case for smoke testing.
Functional/unit testingYes, we write the test case for unit testing.
Integration testingYes, we write the test case for integration testing.
System testingYes, we write the test case for system testing.
Acceptance testingYes, but here the customer may write the test case.
Compatibility testingIn this, we don't have to write the test case because the same test cases as above are used for testing on different platforms.
Adhoc testingWe don't write the test case for the Adhoc testing because there are some random scenarios or the ideas, which we used at the time of Adhoc time. Though, if we identify the critical bug, then we convert that scenario into a test case.
Performance testingWe might not write the test cases because we will perform this testing with the help of performance tools.
Usability testingIn this, we use the regular checklist; therefore, we don't write the test case because here we are only testing the look and feel of the application.
Accessibility testingIn accessibility testing, we also use the checklist.
Reliability testingHere, we don't write the manual test cases as we are using the automation tool to perform reliability testing.
Regression testingYes, we write the test cases for functional, integration, and system testing.
Recovery testingYes, we write the test cases for recovery testing, and also check how the product recovers from the crash.
Security testingYes, we write the test case for security testing.
Globalization testing:
Localization testing
Internationalization testing
Yes, we write the test case for L10N testing.
Yes, we write the test case for I18N testing.

48) What is the difference between the traceability matrix and the test case review process?

Traceability matrixTest case review
In this, we will make sure that each requirement has got at least one test case.In this, we will check whether all the scenarios are covered for the particular requirements.

49) What is the difference between use case and test case?

Following are the significant differences between the use case and the test case:

Test caseUse Case
It is a document describing the input, action, and expected response to control whether the application is working fine based on the customer requirements.It is a detailed description of Customer Requirements.
It is derived from test scenarios, Use cases, and the SRS.It is derived from BRS/SRS.
While developing test cases, we can also identify loopholes in the specifications.A business analyst or QA Lead prepares it.

50) How to test a pen?

We can perform both manual and automation testing. First, we will see how we perform manual testing:

Different types of testingScenario
Smoke testingChecks that basic functionality is written or not.
Functional/unit testingCheck that the Refill, pen body, pen cap, and pen size as per the requirement.
Integration testingCombine pen and cap and integrate other different sizes and see whether they work fine.
Compatibility testingVarious surfaces, multiple environments, weather conditions, and keep it in oven and then write, keep it in the freezer and write, try and write on water.
Adhoc testingThrow the pen down and start writing, keep it vertically up and write, write on the wall.
Performance testingTest the writing speed of the pen.
Usability testingCheck whether the pen is user friendly or not, whether we can write it for more extended periods smoothly.
Accessibility testingHandicapped people use them.
Reliability testingDrop it down and write, and continuously write and see whether it leaks or not
Recovery testingThrow it down and write.
Globalization testing
Localization testing
Price should be standard, expiry date format.
Internationalize testingCheck whether the print on the pen is as per the country language.

Now, we will see how we perform automation testing on a pen:

Software Testing Interview Questions

For this take a roller, now put some sheets of paper on the roller, then connects the pen to the motor and switch on the motor. The pen starts writing on the paper. Once the pen has stopped writing, now observe the number of lines that it has written on each page, length of each track, and multiplying all this, so we can get for how many kilometers the pen can write.


Comments (0)

Search
Popular categories
Latest blogs
General Aptitude
General Aptitude
What is General Aptitude?An exam called general aptitude is used to evaluate an applicant’s aptitude. To address challenging and intricate situations, logic is used in the process. It is an excellent method for determining a person’s degree of intelligence. Determining whether the applicant is mentally fit for the position they are applying for is a solid strategy.Regardless of the level of experience a candidate has, a general aptitude test enables the recruiter to gauge how well the candidate can carry out a task.Because of this, practically all tests, including those for the UPSC, Gate, and job recruiting, include general aptitude questions. To assist all types of students, a large range of general aptitude books are readily available on the market.What are the different types of general aptitude tests?A candidate’s aptitude and intellect can be assessed using the broad category of general aptitude, which covers a wide range of topics. These assessments aid in determining a candidate’s capacity for logic, language, and decision-making. Let’s examine the several general aptitude test categories that are mentioned as follows:Verbal AbilityAbility to Analyzenumerical aptitudespatial awarenessDifferent general aptitude syllabi are used for exams like Gate, UPSC, CSIR, Law, etc.Structure of Aptitude TestThe next step is to comprehend how the general aptitude test is structured. Depending on the type of exam, it often consists of multiple-choice questions and answers organised into various sections. However, the test’s format remains the same and is as follows:Multiple-choice questions are present in every segment.The assignment may include contain mathematical calculations or true-false questions.The inquiry is designed to gather data as rapidly as possible and offer accurate responses.Additionally, it evaluates the candidate’s capacity for time management.Additionally, many competitive tests feature negative markings that emphasise a candidate’s decision-making under pressure.Tips to ace the Aptitude TestCandidates who are taking their general aptitude tests can benefit from some tried-and-true advice. They include some of the following:An aptitude test can be passed with practise. Your chances of passing the exam increase as you practise more.Knowing everything there is to know about the test format beforehand is the second time-saving tip.If you take a practise test, which will help you identify your strong or time-consuming area, pay closer attention.In these tests, time management is crucial, so use caution.Prior to the exam, remain calm.Before the exam, eat well and get enough sleep.Spend as little time as possible on any one question. If you feel trapped, change to a different one.Exam guidelines should be carefully readPractice Questions on General AptitudeSince we went through an array of important topics for General Aptitude above, it is also important to practice these concepts as much as possible. To help you brush up your basics of General aptitude, we have created a diversified list of questions on this section that you must practice.Q1. For instance, if 20 workers are working on 8 hours to finish a particular work process in 21 days, then how many hours are going to take for 48 workers to finish the same task in 7 days?A.12B. 20C. 10D. 15Answer: 10 Q2. If a wholesaler is earning a profit amount of 12% in selling books with 10% of discount on the printed price. What would be the ratio of cost price which is printed in the book?A. 45:56B. 50: 61C. 99:125D. None of theseAnswers: 45:56Q3. Let’s say it takes 8 hours to finish 600 kilometers of the trip. Say we will complete 120 kilometers by train and the remaining journey by car. However, it will take an extra 20 minutes by train and the remaining by car. What would be the ratio of the speed of the train to that of the car?A. 3:5B. 3:4C. 4:3D. 4:5Answer: B Q4. What is the value of m3+n3 + 3mn if m+n is equal to 1?A. 0B. 1C. 2D. 3Answer: 1Q5. Let’s assume subject 1 and subject 2 can work on a project for 12 consecutive days. However, subject 1 can complete the work in 30 days. How long it will take for the subject 2 to finish the project?A:  18 daysB:  20 daysC: 15 daysD: 22 daysAnswer: 20 DaysExploring General Aptitude Questions? Check Out Our Exclusive GK Quiz!Q6. What is known as a point equidistant which is vertices of a triangle?A. IncentreB. CircumcentreC. OrthocentreD. CentroidAnswer: CircumcentreQ7. What is the sum of the factors of 4b2c2 – (b2 + c2 – a2) 2?A. a+b+cB. 2 (a+b+c)C. 0D. 1Answer: 2(a+b+c)While practising these General Aptitude questions, you must also explore Quantitative Aptitude!Q8: What is the role of boys in the school if 60% of the students in a particular school are boys and 812 girls?A. 1128B. 1218C. 1821D. 1281Answer: 1218 Q9. Suppose cos4θ – sin4θ = 1/3, then what is the value of tan2θ?A. 1/2B. 1/3C. 1/4D. 1/5Answer: 1/2 Q10:  What could be the value of tan80° tan10° + sin270° + sin20° is  tan80° tan10° + sin270° + sin20°?A. 0B. 1C. 2D. √3/2Answer: 2Recommended Read: Reasoning QuestionsFAQsIs the general aptitude test unbiased?Yes, these exams are created to provide each candidate taking them a fair advantage.How do I get ready for an all-purpose aptitude test?The most important thing is to obtain the exam’s syllabus and then study in accordance with it.Is it appropriate to take a practise exam to get ready for an aptitude test?Absolutely, practise is essential to ace the aptitude test. Several online study portals offer practise exams for a specific exam to assist you with the same.What are the types of aptitude?Some of the types of aptitude are mentioned belowLogical aptitude.Physical aptitude.Mechanical aptitude.Spatial aptitude.STEM aptitude.Linguistic aptitude.Organisational aptitude.What is an example of a general aptitude test?The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) can be taken as a general aptitude test.Hence, we hope that this blog has helped you understand what general aptitude is about as well as some essential topics and questions under this section. If you are planning for a competitive exam like GMAT, SAT, GRE or IELTS, and need expert guidance, sign up for an e-meeting with our Leverage Edu mentors and we will assist you throughout your exam preparation, equipping you with study essentials as well as exam day tips to help you soar through your chosen test with flying colours!

Fri, 16 Jun 2023

LabCorp Interview Questions & Answers:
LabCorp Interview Questions & Answers:
1. What type of people do you not work well with?Be very careful answering this question as most organization employ professionals with an array of personalities and characteristics. You don't want to give the impression that you're going to have problems working with anyone currently employed at the organization. If you through out anything trivial you're going to look like a whiner. Only disloyalty to the organization or lawbreaking should be on your list of personal characteristics of people you can't work with.2. How did you hear about the position At LabCorp?Another seemingly innocuous interview question, this is actually a perfect opportunity to stand out and show your passion for and connection to the company and for job At LabCorp. For example, if you found out about the gig through a friend or professional contact, name drop that person, then share why you were so excited about it. If you discovered the company through an event or article, share that. Even if you found the listing through a random job board, share what, specifically, caught your eye about the role.3. Your client is upset with you for a mistake you made, how do you react?Acknowledge their pain - empathize with them. Then apologize and offer a solution to fix the mistake.4. How well do you know our company?Well, a developed company that is gradually building their reputation in the competitive world.5. Tell me why do you want this job At LabCorp?Bad Answer: No solid answer, answers that don't align with what the job actually offers, or uninspired answers that show your position is just another of the many jobs they're applying for.Good answer: The candidate has clear reasons for wanting the job that show enthusiasm for the work and the position, and knowledge about the company and job.6. Tell me about a problem that you've solved in a unique or unusual way. What was the outcome? Were you happy or satisfied with it?In this question the interviewer is basically looking for a real life example of how you used creativity to solve a problem.7. What can you offer me that another person can't?This is when you talk about your record of getting things done. Go into specifics from your resume and portfolio; show an employer your value and how you'd be an asset.You have to say, “I'm the best person for the job At LabCorp. I know there are other candidates who could fill this position, but my passion for excellence sets me apart from the pack. I am committed to always producing the best results. For example…”8. What education or training have you had that makes you fit for this profession At LabCorp?This would be the first question asked in any interview. Therefore, it is important that you give a proper reply to the question regarding your education. You should have all the documents and certificates pertaining to your education and/or training, although time may not allow the interviewer to review all of them.9. If you were given more initiatives than you could handle, what would you do?First prioritize the important activities that impact the business most. Then discuss the issue of having too many initiatives with the boss so that it can be offloaded. Work harder to get the initiatives done.10. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far and why?Be proud of your achievement, discuss the results, and explain why you feel most proud of this one. Was it the extra work? Was it the leadership you exhibited? Was it the impact it had?Download Interview PDF 11. What is your dream job?There is almost no good answer to this question, so don't be specific. If you tell the interviewer that the job you're applying for with his/her company is the perfect job you may loose credibility if you don't sound believable (which you probably won't if you're not telling the truth.) If you give the interviewer some other job the interviewer may get concerned that you'll get dissatisfied with the position if you're hired. Again, don't be specific. A good response could be, “A job where my work ethic and abilities are recognized and I can make a meaningful difference to the organization.”12. Are you currently looking at other job opportunities?Just answer this question honestly. Sometime an employer wants to know if there are other companies you're considering so that they can determine how serious you are about the industry, they're company and find out if you're in demand. Don't spend a lot of time on this question; just try to stay focused on the job you're interviewing for.13. Why do you want this job At LabCorp?This question typically follows on from the previous one. Here is where your research will come in handy. You may want to say that you want to work for a company that is Global Guideline, (market leader, innovator, provides a vital service, whatever it may be). Put some thought into this beforehand, be specific, and link the company's values and mission statement to your own goals and career plans.14. What did you dislike about your old job?Try to avoid any pin point , like never say “I did not like my manager or I did not like environment or I did not like team” Never use negative terminology. Try to keep focus on every thing was good At LabCorp , I just wanted to make change for proper growth.15. If you were hiring a person for this job At LabCorp, what would you look for?Discuss qualities you possess required to successfully complete the job duties.16. If the company you worked for was doing something unethical or illegal, what would you do?Report it to the leaders within the company. True leaders understand business ethics are important to the company's longevity17. Tell me a difficult situation you have overcome in the workplace?Conflict resolution, problem solving, communication and coping under pressure are transferable skills desired by many employers At LabCorp.Answering this question right can help you demonstrate all of these traits.☛ Use real-life examples from your previous roles that you are comfortable explaining☛ Choose an example that demonstrates the role you played in resolving the situation clearly☛ Remain professional at all times – you need to demonstrate that you can keep a cool head and know how to communicate with people18. Tell us something about yourself?Bad Answer: Candidates who ramble on about themselves without regard for information that will actually help the interviewer make a decision, or candidates who actually provide information showing they are unfit for the job.Good answer: An answer that gives the interviewer a glimpse of the candidate's personality, without veering away from providing information that relates to the job. Answers should be positive, and not generic.19. How do you handle confidentiality in your work?Often, interviewers will ask questions to find out the level of technical knowledge At LabCorp that a candidate has concerning the duties of a care assistant. In a question such as this, there is an opportunity to demonstrate professional knowledge and awareness. The confidentiality of a person's medical records is an important factor for a care assistant to bear in mind.20. What are you looking for in a new position At LabCorp?I've been honing my skills At LabCorp for a few years now and, first and foremost, I'm looking for a position where I can continue to exercise those skills. Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.21. What motivates you at the work place?Keep your answer simple, direct and positive. Some good answers may be the ability to achieve, recognition or challenging assignments.22. Can you describe your ideal boss/supervisor?During the interview At LabCorp process employers will want to find out how you respond to supervision. They want to know whether you have any problems with authority, If you can work well as part of a group (see previous question) and if you take instructions well etc.Never ever ever, criticize a past supervisor or boss. This is a red flag for airlines and your prospective employer will likely assume you are a difficult employee, unable to work in a team or take intruction and side with your former employer.23. Why are you leaving last job?Although this would seem like a simple question, it can easily become tricky. You shouldn't mention salary being a factor at this point At LabCorp. If you're currently employed, your response can focus on developing and expanding your career and even yourself. If you're current employer is downsizing, remain positive and brief. If your employer fired you, prepare a solid reason. Under no circumstance should you discuss any drama or negativity, always remain positive.24. What motivates you?I've always been motivated by the challenge – in my last role, I was responsible for training our new recruits and having a 100% success rate in passing scores. I know that this job is very fast-paced and I'm more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.25. Tell me about a time when you had to use your presentation skills to influence someone's opinion At LabCorp?Example stories could be a class project, an internal meeting presentation, or a customer facing presentation.Download Interview PDF 26. How do you handle conflicts with people you supervise?At first place, you try to avoid conflicts if you can. But once it happens and there's no way to avoid it, you try to understand the point of view of the other person and find the solution good for everyone. But you always keep the authority of your position.27. Why should I hire you At LabCorp?To close the deal on a job offer, you MUST be prepared with a concise summary of the top reasons to choose you. Even if your interviewer doesn't ask one of these question in so many words, you should have an answer prepared and be looking for ways to communicate your top reasons throughout the interview process.28. How have you shown yourself to be a leader?Think about a time where you've rallied a group of people around a cause / idea / initiative and successfully implemented it. It could be a small or large project but the key is you want to demonstrate how you were able to lead others to work for a common cause.29. How do you deal with conflict in the workplace At LabCorp?When people work together, conflict is often unavoidable because of differences in work goals and personal styles. Follow these guidelines for handling conflict in the workplace.☛ 1. Talk with the other person.☛ 2. Focus on behavior and events, not on personalities.☛ 3. Listen carefully.☛ 4. Identify points of agreement and disagreement.☛ 5. Prioritize the areas of conflict.☛ 6. Develop a plan to work on each conflict.☛ 7. Follow through on your plan.☛ 8. Build on your success.30. What have you done to reduce costs, increase revenue, or save time?Even if your only experience is an internship, you have likely created or streamlined a process that has contributed to the earning potential or efficiency of the practice. Choose at least one suitable example and explain how you got the idea, how you implemented the plan, and the benefits to the practice.31. How do you feel about giving back to the community?Describe your charitable activities to showcase that community work is important to you. If you haven't done one yet, go to www.globalguideline.com - charitable work is a great way to learn about other people and it's an important part of society - GET INVOLVED!32. What can you tell me about team work as part of the job At LabCorp?There is usually a team of staff nurses working in cooperation with each other. A team of nurses has to get along well and coordinate their actions, usually by dividing their responsibilities into sectors or specific activities. They help each other perform tasks requiring more than one person.33. What is your perception of taking on risk?You answer depends on the type of company you're interviewing for. If it's a start up, you need to be much more open to taking on risk. If it's a more established company, calculated risks to increase / improve the business or minimal risks would typically be more in line.34. How would your former employer describe you?In all likelihood, the interviewer will actually speak with your former employer so honesty is key. Answer as confidently and positively as possible and list all of the positive things your past employer would recognize about you. Do not make the mistake of simply saying you are responsible, organized, and dependable. Instead, include traits that are directly related to your work as a medical assistant, such as the ability to handle stressful situations and difficult patients, the way you kept meticulous records, and more.35. Describe your academic achievements?Think of a time where you really stood out and shined within college. It could be a leadership role in a project, it could be your great grades that demonstrate your intelligence and discipline, it could be the fact that you double majored. Where have you shined?36. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?What your interviewer is really trying to do with this question-beyond identifying any major red flags-is to gauge your self-awareness and honesty. So, “I can't meet a deadline to save my life At LabCorp” is not an option-but neither is “Nothing! I'm perfect!” Strike a balance by thinking of something that you struggle with but that you're working to improve. For example, maybe you've never been strong at public speaking, but you've recently volunteered to run meetings to help you be more comfortable when addressing a crowd.37. What do you feel you deserve to be paid?Do your research before answering this question - first, consider what the market average is for this job. You can find that by searching on Google (title followed by salary) and globalguideline.com and other websites. Then, consider this - based on your work experience and previous results, are you above average, if yes, by what % increase from your pay today from your perspective? Also - make sure if you aim high you can back it up with facts and your previous results so that you can make a strong case.38. Did you get on well with your last manager?A dreaded question for many! When answering this question never give a negative answer. “I did not get on with my manager” or “The management did not run the business well” will show you in a negative light and reduce your chance of a job offer. Answer the question positively, emphasizing that you have been looking for a career progression. Start by telling the interviewer what you gained from your last job At LabCorp39. Do you have the ability to articulate a vision and to get others involved to carry it out?If yes, then share an example of how you've done so at work or college. If not, then discuss how you would do so. Example: "I would first understand the goals of the staff members and then I would align those to the goals of the project / company. Then I would articulate the vision of that alignment and ask them to participate. From there, we would delegate tasks among the team and then follow up on a date and time to ensure follow through on the tasks. Lastly, we would review the results together."40. What differentiates this company from other competitors?Be positive and nice about their competitors but also discuss how they are better than them and why they are the best choice for the customer. For example: "Company XYZ has a good product, but I truly believe your company has a 3-5 year vision for your customer that aligns to their business needs."Download Interview PDF 41. Tell me an occasion when you needed to persuade someone to do something?Interpersonal relationships are a very important part of being a successful care assistant. This question is seeking a solid example of how you have used powers of persuasion to achieve a positive outcome in a professional task or situation. The answer should include specific details.42. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you At LabCorp?One of my greatest strengths, and that I am a diligent worker... I care about the work getting done.. I am always willing to help others in the team.. Being patient helps me not jump to conclusions... Patience helps me stay calm when I have to work under pressure.. Being a diligent worker.. It ensures that the team has the same goals in accomplishing certain things.43. Explain me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work At LabCorp, and how you dealt with it?In asking this interview question, your interviewer wants to get a sense of how you will respond to conflict. Anyone can seem nice and pleasant in a job interview, but what will happen if you're hired?. Again, you'll want to use the S-T-A-R method, being sure to focus on how you handled the situation professionally and productively, and ideally closing with a happy ending, like how you came to a resolution or compromise.44. Why are you interested in this type of job At LabCorp?You're looking for someone who enjoys working with the elderly, or a caring, sociable, and nurturing person.45. What is the most important lesson / skill you've learned from school?Think of lessons learned in extra curricular activities, in clubs, in classes that had a profound impact on your personal development. For example, I had to lead a team of 5 people on a school project and learned to get people with drastically different personalities to work together as a team to achieve our objective.46. What is it about this position At LabCorp that attracts you the most?Use your knowledge of the job description to demonstrate how you are a suitable match for the role.47. How important is a positive attitude to you?Incredibly important. I believe a positive attitude is the foundation of being successful - it's contagious in the workplace, with our customers, and ultimately it's the difference maker.48. Why should we select you not others?Here you need to give strong reasons to your interviewer to select you not others. Sell yourself to your interviewer in interview in every possible best way. You may say like I think I am really qualified for the position. I am a hard worker and a fast learner, and though I may not have all of the qualifications that you need, I know I can learn the job and do it well.”49. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?Seemingly random personality-test type questions like these come up in interviews generally because hiring managers want to see how you can think on your feet. There's no wrong answer here, but you'll immediately gain bonus points if your answer helps you share your strengths or personality or connect with the hiring manager. Pro tip: Come up with a stalling tactic to buy yourself some thinking time, such as saying, “Now, that is a great question. I think I would have to say… ”50. What is your biggest regret to date and why?Describe honestly the regretful action / situation you were in but then discuss how you proactively fixed / improved it and how that helped you to improve as a person/worker.51. Describe to me the position At LabCorp you're applying for?This is a “homework” question, too, but it also gives some clues as to the perspective the person brings to the table. The best preparation you can do is to read the job description and repeat it to yourself in your own words so that you can do this smoothly at the interview.52. What was the most important task you ever had?There are two common answers to this question that do little to impress recruiters:☛ ‘I got a 2.1'☛ ‘I passed my driving test'No matter how proud you are of these achievements, they don't say anything exciting about you. When you're going for a graduate job, having a degree is hardly going to make you stand out from the crowd and neither is having a driving licence, which is a requirement of many jobs.53. How would you observe the level of motivation of your subordinates?Choosing the right metrics and comparing productivity of everyone on daily basis is a good answer, doesn't matter in which company you apply for a supervisory role.54. Do you have good computer skills?It is becoming increasingly important for medical assistants to be knowledgeable about computers. If you are a long-time computer user with experience with different software applications, mention it. It is also a good idea to mention any other computer skills you have, such as a high typing rate, website creation, and more.55. Where do you see yourself professionally five years from now At LabCorp?Demonstrate both loyalty and ambition in the answer to this question. After sharing your personal ambition, it may be a good time to ask the interviewer if your ambitions match those of the company.Download Interview PDF 56. Give me an example of an emergency situation that you faced. How did you handle it?There was a time when one of my employers faced the quitting of a manager in another country. I was asked to go fill in for him while they found a replacement and stay to train that person. I would be at least 30 days. I quickly accepted because I knew that my department couldn't function without me.57. How have you changed in the last five years?All in a nutshell. But I think I've attained a level of personal comfort in many ways and although I will change even more in the next 5-6 years I'm content with the past 6 and what has come of them.58. Explain an idea that you have had and have then implemented in practice?Often an interview guide will outline the so-called ‘STAR' approach for answering such questions; Structure the answer as a situation, task, action, and result: what the context was, what you needed to achieve, what you did, and what the outcome was as a result of your actions.59. Why should the we hire you as this position At LabCorp?This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself. This is why you need to be utterly familiar with the job description as well as the company culture. Remember though, it's best to back them up with actual examples of say, how you are a good team player.60. What is your desired salary At LabCorp?Bad Answer: Candidates who are unable to answer the question, or give an answer that is far above market. Shows that they have not done research on the market rate, or have unreasonable expectations.Good answer: A number or range that falls within the market rate and matches their level of mastery of skills required to do the job.61. Why do you want to work At LabCorp for this organisation?Being unfamiliar with the organisation will spoil your chances with 75% of interviewers, according to one survey, so take this chance to show you have done your preparation and know the company inside and out. You will now have the chance to demonstrate that you've done your research, so reply mentioning all the positive things you have found out about the organisation and its sector etc. This means you'll have an enjoyable work environment and stability of employment etc – everything that brings out the best in you.62. Explain me about your experience working in this field At LabCorp?I am dedicated, hardworking and great team player for the common goal of the company I work with. I am fast learner and quickly adopt to fast pace and dynamic area. I am well organized, detail oriented and punctual person.63. What would your first 30, 60, or 90 days look like in this role At LabCorp?Start by explaining what you'd need to do to get ramped up. What information would you need? What parts of the company would you need to familiarize yourself with? What other employees would you want to sit down with? Next, choose a couple of areas where you think you can make meaningful contributions right away. (e.g., “I think a great starter project would be diving into your email marketing campaigns and setting up a tracking system for them.”) Sure, if you get the job, you (or your new employer) might decide there's a better starting place, but having an answer prepared will show the interviewer where you can add immediate impact-and that you're excited to get started.64. What do you think is your greatest weakness?Don't say anything that could eliminate you from consideration for the job. For instance, "I'm slow in adapting to change" is not a wise answer, since change is par for the course in most work environments. Avoid calling attention to any weakness that's one of the critical qualities the hiring manager is looking for. And don't try the old "I'm a workaholic," or "I'm a perfectionist.65. Tell me something about your family background?First, always feel proud while discussing about your family background. Just simple share the details with the things that how they influenced you to work in an airline field.66. Are you planning to continue your studies and training At LabCorp?If asked about plans for continued education, companies typically look for applicants to tie independent goals with the aims of the employer. Interviewers consistently want to see motivation to learn and improve. Continuing education shows such desires, especially when potentials display interests in academia potentially benefiting the company.Answering in terms of “I plan on continuing my studies in the technology field,” when offered a question from a technology firm makes sense. Tailor answers about continued studies specific to desired job fields. Show interest in the industry and a desire to work long-term in said industry. Keep answers short and to the point, avoiding diatribes causing candidates to appear insincere.67. Describe a typical work week for this position At LabCorp?Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position At LabCorp you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.68. What type of work environment do you prefer?Ideally one that's similar to the environment of the company you're applying to. Be specific.69. How would you rate your communication and interpersonal skills for this job At LabCorp?These are important for support workers. But they differ from the communication skills of a CEO or a desktop support technician. Communication must be adapted to the special ways and needs of the clients. Workers must be able to not only understand and help their clients, but must project empathy and be a warm, humane presence in their lives.70. Do you have any questions for me?Good interview questions to ask interviewers at the end of the job interview include questions on the company growth or expansion, questions on personal development and training and questions on company values, staff retention and company achievements.Download Interview PDF 71. How would you motivate your team members to produce the best possible results?Trying to create competitive atmosphere, trying to motivate the team as a whole, organizing team building activities, building good relationships amongst people.72. How do you act when you encounter competition?This question is designed to see if you can rise the occasion. You want to discuss how you are the type to battle competition strongly and then you need to cite an example if possible of your past work experience where you were able to do so.73. What would you like to have accomplished by the end of your career?Think of 3 major achievements that you'd like to accomplish in your job when all is said and done - and think BIG. You want to show you expect to be a major contributor at the company. It could be creating a revolutionary new product, it could be implementing a new effective way of marketing, etc.74. What do you think we could do better or differently?This is a common one at startups. Hiring managers want to know that you not only have some background on the company, but that you're able to think critically about it and come to the table with new ideas. So, come with new ideas! What new features would you love to see? How could the company increase conversions? How could customer service be improved? You don't need to have the company's four-year strategy figured out, but do share your thoughts, and more importantly, show how your interests and expertise would lend themselves to the job.75. What features of your previous jobs have you disliked?It's easy to talk about what you liked about your job in an interview, but you need to be careful when responding to questions about the downsides of your last position. When you're asked at a job interview about what you didn't like about your previous job, try not to be too negative. You don't want the interviewer to think that you'll speak negatively about this job or the company should you eventually decide to move on after they have hired you.76. How would your friends describe you?My friends would probably say that I'm extremely persistent – I've never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn't take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said "yes" – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it's just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.77. Do you think you have enough experience At LabCorp?If you do not have the experience they need, you need to show the employer that you have the skills, qualities and knowledge that will make you equal to people with experience but not necessary the skills. It is also good to add how quick you can pick up the routine of a new job role.

Fri, 16 Jun 2023

HOW TO RESPOND TO BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS?
HOW TO RESPOND TO BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS?
A large part of what makes job interviews nerve-wracking is that you don’t know what you’re going to be asked. While you can’t know the exact question list before an interview, there are some common types of questions that interviewers often ask that you can prepare to answer, and one of these is behavioral interview questions.We’ll cover how to answer behavioral interview questions and give you some example questions and answers as well as explain what behavioral interview questions are and why interviewers ask them.HOW TO ANSWER BEHAVIORAL JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONSLike with all interview questions, there is a right and a wrong answer — the issue with behavioral questions is that this answer can be much more difficult to figure out than with traditional interviews.While it is, as we said before, more difficult to game behavioral interview questions than traditional ones, there is still a chance that you can figure out how to answer a question correctly based on the way it’s asked.The interviewer isn’t trying to trick good people into giving “bad answers” — but they are trying to trick people with poor judgment into revealing themselves early on.In this vein, here are some big things to keep in mind if you find yourself in a behavioral job interview:Highlight your skills. Think about the sort of skills you need to demonstrate in order to be successful at the job you hope to do. These skills are typically more general than they are specific — things like leadership skills, the ability to work with a team, brilliant decision-making, the advanced use of an industry technique etc.When you’re constructing your answer, think about how to portray your actions in such a way that shows off those skills.Tell a story. Remember that you’re telling a story and that ultimately, how you tell that story matters most of all. Try to make your story flow as naturally as possible — don’t overload the interviewer with unnecessary details, or alternately, forget too many details for the story to make sense.They need to understand your answer in order to parse out your behavior. They can’t do that if they can’t understand the story you just told them — in addition to which, they might just find that a person who can’t tell a simple story is just too annoying to work with.Use the STAR method. If you’re really having trouble telling your story, remember that good old STAR method:Situation. Start by giving context. Briefly explain the time, place, and relevant characters in your story.Task. Next, tell the interviewer your role in the story, whether it was a task assigned to you or some initiative you took on your own.Action. Now comes the juicy stuff; let the hiring manager know what actions you took in response to the situation and your task. Interviewers are interested in how and why you did something just as much as what you did, so spell out your thought process when possible.This is where you showcase your skills, so try to think of actions that align well with the job you’re applying for.Result. Finally, explain the end result of your actions. Your focus should always be on what value you contributed to the company, not bragging about your personal accomplishments.Note that while the result should always be positive, some behavioral interview questions specifically ask about negative situations. In these cases, finish by discussing what you learned from the experience or how the project could have been improved.EXAMPLE BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSEssentially, a behavioral interview means being asked a bunch of open-ended questions which all have the built-in expectation that your answer will be in the form of a story.These questions are difficult to answer correctly specifically because the so-called “correct” answers are much more likely to vary compared to traditional interview questions, whose correct answers are typically more obvious and are often implied.Behavioral interviewers are likely to ask more follow-up questions than normal, while giving less of themselves away. They want to hear you talk and react to every opportunity they give you, because the more you talk, the more you reveal about yourself and your work habits.And that’s okay. The takeaway here shouldn’t be that “the hiring manager wants to trick me into talking, so I should say as little as possible.”The real trick with this kind of question is to use the opportunities you’re given to speak very carefully — don’t waste time on details that make you look bad, for example, unless those details are necessary to show how you later improved.In addition to these general techniques interviewers might use on you, here are some common questions you might be asked during a behavioral interview:Q: Tell me about a time when you had to take a leadership role on a team project.A: As a consultant at XYZ Inc., I worked with both the product and marketing teams. When the head of the marketing team suddenly quit, I was asked to step up and manage that deparment while they looked for her replacement. We were in the midst of a big social media campaign, so I quickly called toghether the marketing team and was updated on the specifics of the project.By delegating appropriately and taking over the high-level communications with affiliates, we were able to get the project out on time and under budget. After that, my boss stopped looking for a replacement and asked if I’d like to head the marketing team full time.Q: Can you share an example of a time when you disagreed with a superior?A: In my last role at ABC Corp., my manager wanted to cut costs by outsourcing some of our projects to remote contractors. I understood that it saved money, but some of those projects were client-facing, and we hadn’t developed a robust vetting process to make sure that the contractors’ work was consistent and high-quality. I brought my concerns to him, and he understood why I was worried.He explained that cost-cutting was still important, but was willing to compromise by keeping some important projects in-house. Additionally, he accepted my suggestion of using a system of checks to ensure quality and rapidly remove contractors who weren’t performing as well. Ultimately, costs were cut by over 15% and the quality of those projects didn’t suffer as a result.Q: Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure.A: My job as lead editor for The Daily Scratch was always fast-paced, but when we upgraded our software and printing hardware nearly simultaneously, the pressure got turned up to 11. I was assigned with training staff on the new software in addition to my normal responsibilities. When we were unable to print over a long weekend while the new printing hardware was being set up, I wrote and recorded a full tutorial that answered the most frequently asked questions I’d been receiving over the previous week.With a staff of 20 writers, this really cut down on the need for one-on-one conversations and tutorials. While management was worried we wouldn’t be able to have the writers working at full capacity the following week, the tutorial was so effective that everyone got right on track without skipping a beat.Q: Can you describe a time when you had to motivate an employee?A: When I was the sales manager at Nice Company, we had a big hiring push that added six sales reps to my team in a matter of weeks. One worker in that bunch was working a sales job for the first time ever, and she had an aversion to cold calls. While her email correspondence had fantastic results, her overall numbers were suffering because she was neglecting her call targets.I sat down with her and explained that she should try to incorporate her winning writing skills into her cold calls. I suggested following her normal process for writing an email to cold calls; research the company and target and craft a message that suits them perfectly. She jumped at the idea and starting writing scripts that day. Within a couple of weeks, she was confidently making cold calls and had above-average numbers across the board.Q: Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work.A: When I landed my first internship, I was eager to stand out by going the extra mile. I was a little too ambitious, though — I took on too many assignments and offered help to too many coworkers to possibly juggle everything. When I was late with at least one task every week, my coworkers were understandably upset with me.After that experience, I created a tracking system that took into account how long each task would realistically take. This method really helped me never make promises I couldn’t keep. After that first month, I never handed in an assignment late again.MORE BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONSWhat have you done in the past to prevent a situation from becoming too stressful for you or your colleagues to handle?Tell me about a situation in which you have had to adjust to changes over which you had no control. How did you handle it?What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision? Why?When have you had to deal with an irate customer? What did you do? How did the situation end up?Have you ever had to “sell” an idea to your co-workers? How did you do it?When have you brought an innovative idea into your team? How was it received?Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without all the information you needed. How did you handle it?Tell me about a professional goal that you set that you did not reach. How did it make you feel?Give an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with. How/why was this person difficult? How did you handle it? How did the relationship progress?Tell me about a project that you planned. How did your organize and schedule the tasks? Tell me about your action plan.WHAT ARE BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS?Behavioral interview questions are questions about how you’ve dealt with work situations in the past and seek to understand your character, motivations, and skills. The idea behind behavioral interview questions is that you’ll reveal how you’ll behave in the future based on your actions in the past.Unlike traditional interview questions, a hiring manager or recruiter is looking for concrete examples of various situations you’ve been in at work. As such, the best way to prepare for any and all behavioral interview questions is to have an expansive set of stories ready for your interview.A hiring manager is never going to come right out and tell you — before, during, or after the fact — whether or not your interview with them is traditional or behavioral.That’s because the difference between the two is more related to philosophy than it is necessarily technique.Often, an employer won’t even know themselves that the interview they’re conducting is behavioral rather than traditional — the deciding factors are the questions that they decide to ask, and where the interview’s focus settles on.In a nutshell, traditional interviews are focused on the future, while behavioral interviews are focused on the past.In a traditional interview, you’re asked a series of questions where you’re expected to talk about yourself and your personal qualities.Interviews in this vein tend to ask questions that are sort of psychological traps — oftentimes the facts of your answer matter less than the way you refer to and frame those facts.Moreover, if you find that you’re able to understand the underlying thing an interviewer is trying to learn about you by asking you a certain question, you might even find you’re able to game the system of the traditional interview a little bit by framing your answer in a particular way.Behavioral interviews are harder to game, because instead of asking about how you might deal with a particular situation, they focus on situations you’ve already encountered.In a behavioral interview, you probably won’t find yourself being asked about your strengths. Instead, you’ll be asked about specific problems you encountered, and you’ll have to give detailed answers about how you dealt with that problem, your thought process for coming up with your solution, and the results of implementing that solution

Fri, 16 Jun 2023

All blogs