Essential Post Graduate Interview Questions & Answers:
1. What are the skills needed for post graduation?
A postgraduate research student needs good powers of analysis to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant, computing skills to be able to use word-processing packages for writing up, the internet for research and statistical packages to process results. They need to be autonomous to work without supervision for much of the time, to have commitment to keep going when problems arise and problem solving to resolve these problems. They need written communication skills to write up their results. Below is the sort of the evidence you could give at interview to demonstrate that you had these skills:
☛ Writing a report on a course placement
☛ Computer Using the Internet to find information for an extended essay.
☛ Commitment duke of XYZ gold award.
☛ Autonomy planning: A student tutoring project.
☛ Solving problems: customer service work in a call center.
☛ Analyzing playing chess or poker.
2. Tell me in which area are you more competent reading or in writing?
You need not be specific in your answer. Just start your answer by saying that you are comfortable with the language as a whole. An interest for learning a new language has made you consistent in both of these skills. Then you can provide facts about your reading and writing speed? talk yourself up by mentioning academic achievements in each. This will help you in supporting your answer.
Yes, having knowledge about the culture of a community is as essential as perfection in the language it speaks. It helps in conveying the ideas of the speaker in a more effective manner. The parties involved in communication will be more comfortable if the translator is familiar with their style, culture and background. When interviewing for jobs involving languages you must convey your understanding of being culturally aware.
4. Suppose if you had a choice, which law would you like to change and why?
This question is seeking to try and find out about your personality and your judicial views as well as basic legislative knowledge. The law that you answer with may also let the interviewer know about what sort of law that you are interested in. A good choice could be a law that is in the news a lot at the moment, this will show that you are up to date with current legal issues. Try not to pick a law that is too controversial or charged as this could lead the interviewer to have a bad opinion of you.
5. Tell me what benefit will your academic career bring to this role?
This is a typical question which you will be asked when applying for a role that does not fit in directly with your academic career. The best way to approach a question like this is to highlight skills that you have gained that the employer will be interested in. Good ones for this role would be good communication skills, analytical skills, writing skills and presentation skills all of which are transferable from your academic career.
6. Tell me how would you deal with a difficult supplier?
A good approach would be to first give an example of when a supplier might be difficult before saying how you will deal with it. Then give an example of when you have done this in the past to confirm the point, even if not with a supplier but an instance of conflict in the workplace which you resolved. Key aspects of good communication skills when in a difficult situation are to be firm, honest and empathetic but remain assertive.
Do not take more work than you believe you can do. Explain the situation when you are letting somebody down, and explain that you would rather not let them down by accepting work that you did not have time to complete. Once you have said you will do something it is normally a good idea to follow through and do it. This answer will show to an interviewer that you have integrity and the confidence to use your communication skills.
Let the client know that you are inexperienced and then do your best to advise them using the resources that you have available to you. Do not advise on anything you are really unsure about as you may be liable, an unsatisfied client would be preferable to a misinformed client. Give the client relevant contact details and reassure them that a colleague will be able to assist them fully very soon.
9. Tell me did you spent anytime living abroad using your language skills?
Most applicants will have a good example of a long term stay abroad, if not you will have to make the most of any experience that you do have. Key points to bring out from your trip abroad are; show how you have used your language skills independently, try and use an example of when you have used your language skills in a working environment, and a social environment, and in a stressful situation. If you studied abroad highlight the importance of using your language skills in an academic environment. Each of these could be important in a career in languages.
10. Describe an example of worked to a target?
With this question its best to give something that's non academic as that's the immediate thing that every graduate would think of. Work experience or something social at university would be best to refer to and try and think of a time when you exceeded expectation, not just met what was required. Examples could be in sport such as a target you set to be picked for a certain position or even for captain. Maybe it was to run for a certain post in a society with a plan to be promoted each year that you kept to. Remember, your interviewer will only look to dig deeper so try to cover as much detail as possible by being very specific, especially if it's a financial example as this will really impress. Assess yourself as to whether it was difficult to achieve were you the best in comparison to other people? If so, let them know.
https://InterviewQuestionsAnswers.ORG.