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TCS HR/MR Interview Questions & Tips
Cracking
Interview is not like cracking the code of the Human genome.
It is much simpler...and more
personal
It all begins with understanding your own
self ...
It is important to have a clearer
understanding of the process, expectations by analyzing expected
situations/scenarios /questions.
Since the primary purpose of any
Personal Interview is to find out how a candidate manages/conducts himself in
the interaction, it is important to present ideas clearly, confidently and imaginatively.
Points to remember:
Points to remember:
1.
Interview is not just a Question-answer session,
rather an interaction to find out how a candidate is suitable /fit for an
expected job/role.
2. It’s more or, less an interactive process. Hence, one must enjoy conversation.
2. It’s more or, less an interactive process. Hence, one must enjoy conversation.
2.
Make interview process personalised by focusing on
the achievements, activities, responsibilities, strengths etc.
3.
Response is more desirable than an answer.
4.
Learn how to be our natural self, rather than being
looked as a Programmed Robot.
Find below ideas/techniques/suggestions that are meant to be just inputs .
Find below ideas/techniques/suggestions that are meant to be just inputs .
Remember,
there is no answer that is the best or worst.
Answer
on your own, by analyzing the question and keeping in view the expectation of
the Interviewer.
Showcase
that little’ Extra thing’ that makes you different from others.
Your
responses must reflect your uniqueness, personal beliefs, focus,passion,
values and hence, avoid giving stereotyped answers.
The following questions
along with the tips are simply guidance material to bring you clarity, focus
and ease while preparing for an interview.
Do n’t focus just on questions. Rather, focus on showcasing your skills, demonstrating your strengths and displaying your Attitude.
Do n’t focus just on questions. Rather, focus on showcasing your skills, demonstrating your strengths and displaying your Attitude.
1. Tell me about yourself/introduce
yourself
Tips:
·
Always begin with your name and present
status/designation (In your case it should be your name and present year and
place of your study)
·
If the Interviewer already has addressed by your
name, then skip your name.
·
Then, talk about your academic credentials,
including your achievements(Your marks/grades/courses/certification)
·
Moving on, mention your co-curricular and extra-
curricular accomplishments (Projects/paper presentations or
publications/Internship etc.)
·
Then, talk about your strengths, followed by
hobbies/interests
·
Clearly say your vision/ambition(Keep it restricted
to Software sector, preferably with TCS)
·
And, finally close by saying that with the above
skillset and accomplishments you think you are suitable for the Job
Points
to remember:
·
Don’t mention your weaknesses unless you are
specifically asked.
·
Minimize references to personal details (family,siblings
etc.)
·
You must always try to be different from the others
2. Your
favourite subject (Expected
in TR /HR)
Tips:
·
Always answer spontaneously, without any delay.
·
Name a subject of your interest and say why
it is relevant or its’ place in your Engineering discipline or in general.
·
Be analytical while answering this one.
·
You could refer to its interesting nature or scope
for further studies/ research/application or any other reason that may
demonstrate your ability to analyze, see future opportunities and your research
interest/aptitude etc.
3. Why IT/software Industry?
Tips:
Mention
reasons such as huge opportunities, challenging jobs, fast growing sector
·
Say that, It is the largest employer in service
sector
·
Say that, It offers a wide spectrum of technology
platforms to work on,
·
Focus on a new , exciting sector/platform of your
choice that has growth potential
·
That, it does not make any distinction between an
IT graduate and a non-IT graduate
·
That you have the required skillsets to match the
requirements, including Programming
·
For Non IT/CSE students, add that your
specialisation in your respective engineering disciplines could add value,
specifically to related projects/areas/services.
4. Are u ready to work anywhere or any
specific place you would love to work?
Tips:
·
Give a categorically positive answer that you have
no specific place in mind, any place will do...
·
Rather say that right now, your focus is on
getting an opportunity to work in reputed company like TCS.
·
If the Interviewer insists that you name any place
of work, do so by choosing a place away from your present place or your state.
Choose a place outside your state. By doing so, you may be able showcase your
risk-taking ability, that you love facing challenges, that you would like to
work with people from unfamiliar cultures, languages and habits.
5. Your plans for Higher studies?
Tips:
·
Say that you are open to higher studies to be able
to do better as a software professional, but quickly add that only if TCS
permits to do so while still working.
·
This will demonstrate your willingness to learn
·
Say that you would like to go for higher study to
gain knowledge about newer technologies, any challenging course, related to
software field...
·
Don’t say that you would like to a course in
fashion design or Law or music.
.
6. Tell me about your project?
Tips:
·
You could start with the title of the project;
mention the broad area and most importantly why you made it your project.
·
Then, mention the platform /technology used
·
Mention the objective/purpose
·
You could then talk about the results/findings or
intended applications (preferably in realtime)
·
May also include your experiences including
challenges,hurdles, or learning opportunities
7. What are your future plans?
Tips:
·
Always say that you want to be software
professional, strictly not any other job.
·
Mention any specific area of interest/ technology
platform on which you want to work (choose an area that might be
relevant/available @ TCS)
·
Say that you would like to go for positions within
the organization with independent responsibilities or, Leadership roles.
·
Anything that sounds achievable and credible (Don’t
announce grandiose plans)
·
Be tactful, not truthful
·
You may have your real plans for the future, But it
is not the right time to discuss about that.
·
Even if the Interviewer insists that you are good
and suggests you to look beyond software, say a polite thanks for complimenting
you, but say firmly that it’s only TCS that you are looking at.
8. Why do you want to join TCS?
Tips:
·
Say that it’s the biggest employer, huge portfolio
of service areas, exciting projects, world-wide presence,
·
That it provides opportunities for aspirants from
all places, urban or rural
·
That it has presence in many sectors, multiple
technology areas, mention one or two new technology platforms like Cloud,
Digital space, Mobile computing or, Big Data etc...
·
That it rewards meritocracy and allows employees
equal opportunities for growth.
·
Most importantly , mention any project /Technology
/sector in TCS that you are interested to work in and why ?
9. What is the most challenging thing you
achieved till today?
Tips:
·
Sound credible, believable.
·
Mention a real life incident that is related to
your professional area, that is in fact a learning experience.
·
Say why it was challenging and how did you face
it.(Here you need to analyze and find out skills/qualities that you might have
used in tackling the situation)
10. Where can we see you in 5 years?
Tips:
·
Say that you would preferably be in a more
professionally challenging assignment, such as as a Team lead or a Project
leader or on an abroad assignment within TCS
·
Say one that is achievable, measurable and
credible.
·
Never exaggerate or mention unrealistic goals
11. Are u aware of the bond?
Tips:
·
Say yes, and that you have no objection to it.
·
If they ask you why you sign this, say that an
opportunity to be a part of a reputed company like TCS is good enough a reason
for signing up the bond.
·
And that you believe that TCS is going to provide
you the best possible professional growth opportunities.
12. What
about salary?
Tips:
·
Say that you have knowledge of the fact that you
are entitled to a fixed, pre-determined pay and one that you find acceptable
and attractive.
·
Quote the exact figure as is indicated in the
notification from Placement cell.
·
In addition, say that right now your focus is on
the job and to get an opportunity to be a part of TCS family.
13. Would
you like to be manager or a Leader
Tips:
·
May say that you would like to be both. Because, as
a manager you will get opportunity to control a group or a set of entities
to accomplish a goal while as a Leader you can influence, motivate, and enable
others to contribute towards organizational success.
·
Say that managers can display leadership
qualities. Conversely, leaders can be good managers.
Below
find some qualities of leaders and managers
Attributes
of a Leader:
1. Studies,
and develops ideas and principles
2. Innovates
3. Resourceful and looks for solutions to problems
4. Empathetic with a focus on people
5. Inspires trust among stakeholders
6. Understands the big picture
7. Superior listening skills
8. Courageously challenges the state of affairs, and asks why and what can be improved
9. Looks for opportunities to develop strengths
10. Develops a following
2. Innovates
3. Resourceful and looks for solutions to problems
4. Empathetic with a focus on people
5. Inspires trust among stakeholders
6. Understands the big picture
7. Superior listening skills
8. Courageously challenges the state of affairs, and asks why and what can be improved
9. Looks for opportunities to develop strengths
10. Develops a following
Attributes of
a Manager:
1. Administrates
2. Accepts the status quo
3. Pragmatic in accepting trends and events, but goes no further
4. Focus is on control, structure and systems
5. Has a linear perspective – only follows what’s at the end of her/his nose
6. Asks a limited set of questions – just how or when?
7. Acts like a chameleon or imitator of other managers
8. Perceives threats
9. Minimizes weaknesses
10. Manages subordinates but has few, if any, devotee
2. Accepts the status quo
3. Pragmatic in accepting trends and events, but goes no further
4. Focus is on control, structure and systems
5. Has a linear perspective – only follows what’s at the end of her/his nose
6. Asks a limited set of questions – just how or when?
7. Acts like a chameleon or imitator of other managers
8. Perceives threats
9. Minimizes weaknesses
10. Manages subordinates but has few, if any, devotee
14. Would
you prefer to be a Team player or a Team Lead
Tips:
·
Always say both. But one after the other.
·
Means, say that you want to be a team player first,
learn to know the team and the expectations of others, know the required
interpersonal skills and then readily accept leadership position as and when
offered.
·
Tell that you believe that a good team player
would make a better leader.
15. Qualities
you like or dislike in others
Tips:
·
Always focus on qualities of traits, do not
Individuals.
·
You may mention general dislikes such as lethargy,
cunningness, being untrustworthy, betrayal,, lack of mannerisms, lack of team
play etc. in others,
·
In case of likes, mention qualities that reflect
your honest expectation in others like, simplicity, helping nature,
friendliness, time management, sincerity, empathy etc.
16. The
best compliment and the worst criticism
·
Regarding compliment say anything from a real life
situation,preferably about a quality you demonstrated.
·
Be modest while saying your compliment, don't sound
pompous(don't brag/boast)
·
Don't sound cynical.always say how you handled the
criticism.
17. Tell
me about the biggest mistake you have made in your life?
Tips:
·
Admit a mistake , say that you have made one
·
Admit something as a mistake from a real life
incident, mostly from a professional point of view(may be related to a skill/
certification/ activity)
·
never say that the mistake relates to your choice
of course(In your case, Engineering or your Branch)Take some specific situation
and analyze and bring out the mistakes.
·
The Interviewer is trying to find out if you have
learnt from your past mistakes or not and if so , how have you corrected them
.so give out steps you have taken to rectify the mistake as well as not
repeating those.
·
Simply, they want to assess your ability
/willingness to learn
18. The
biggest challenge you have ever faced so far?
·
This question is intended to test your ability face
situations with confidence and strength of character and conviction (belief)
·
Describe a specific technical/interpersonal
challenge you faced and how did you overcame it
·
Don't make generalized statements, but choose
specific activity/area/issue.
·
Don't make direct reference to anybody and don't
sound negative.just raise an issue that was challenging and not easy
handling.say nevertheless you tried and handled it positively ,without any ill
feeelings.
·
Always use practical and believable steps while
justifying how you handled the challenge
19. About your weakness?
·
Always admit that you have one. But try to put a
positive spin onto the weakness by picking up ones that are actually somewhat
positive qualities.
Example:
·
I am so particular about details that during an
activity/function that I organize along with my friends, I end up demanding a
lot from them, that puts lots of pressure on my friends.
·
That I am too straight forward ,that puts me in
awkward situations during group interactions. I must learn to diplomatic.
·
While organizing functions /any event, I get so
much involved that I neglect other activities including food ,rest and family .
·
That I am so much involved in my work that I
neglect my friends and family.
However, the above examples are
indicative of positive things being branded and projected skillfully as
weaknesses, allowing the candidate the chance of not revealing too much about
his weak areas.
20. What
is your dream job?
·
Stick to the area for which you have applied
(in your case Software or IT, if TCS)
·
Say with some degree of passion that so and
so is your dream job. That you want to be part of a reputed company such as the
company we are being I interviewed for(TCS).
·
But do not go overboard or sound flattering. Simply
say that you are honest. Then be little analytical and find out reasons to
support your preference.
·
You may say growth opportunities- to be in
leadership positions where a you can make a lot of change to others lives,
·
You may want to work in a challenging work
environment with more responsibilities
·
Be very clear about your long term thinking before
answering this question
21. Do you want to ask the
Interviewer a question?
Sample questions could be like the following:
·
Sir, what about opportunities for higher education
while in TCS.
·
What does TCS actually expect from its
newly-joining freshers??
·
What actually happens during the training?and after
the training??
·
How about overseas assignments?
·
About career progress and growth
Whatever be your question, it must reflect a genuine interest for TCS that you need to show and your sincerity and eagerness to be a part of it.
Also, It must demonstrate your willingness to learn and know new things.
22. YOU ARE FROM
MECHANICAL/ECE/EEE/EIE. WHY SHOULD WE TAKE YOU IN OUR COMPANY THAT IS AN IT
ONE?
·
Always say that you deserve to be there as
You have fulfil the desired requirements in terms of skills-both technical and
Interpersonal.
·
say that you have basic programming skills, logical
thinking, analytical skills, problem solving skills etc. to prove your point.
·
Then, say that because of your core background, you
will bring added value to your work as TCS is involved in offering IT consulting
services to many sectors/areas like manufacturing,electronics,telecom,power
etc.
·
Again, if you know that TCS is involved in any
project or area or platform (from your core branch) you may mention so and
justify.
Important :All the above
ideas are just for helping you prepare better and not be directly . Try to be
as natural as possible in your responses in the Interviews
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