How Java Developer should answer “Introduce yourself or tell me about yourself” interview question.Hi! Welcome to my blog.

Today I am going to tell you about the most popular interview question and how to answer it effectively.

“Introduce yourself or tell me about yourself”

Just memorize the following steps to answer it.

Step 1:  Start with your NameStep 2. “Your designation” with Company NameStep 3. Total years of experience with all the skills set.Step 4. Responsibility (Role)Step 4. Strength.Step 6. Domain in which you have worked or working.Step 7. List the entire Project Client name.Let’s put it all together.

Example: This is just an example that you can modify according to your need. I am “John”Working as a “Sr. Consultant” with “XYZ company name” at “NewYork”.

I have 5 Years of experience  in Core Java/J2EE,Hibernate, Spring Framework, Design Pattern,Apache Tomcat,Websphere,Oracle, JavaScript ,Ajax, Log4j,XML,VisualVM and Maven etc.

My responsibility includes design and development of user interface using Java/J2EEtechnologies, providing technical support and knowledge transfer to my co-workers.

I have a good knowledge in Mobile Web application development.

I have worked in different domain like Banking, CRM, Insurance and Retail domain.

I have  worked for some of the clients like Samsung, Nokia, Sony, ICICI, HSBC andBarclays etc.

After this brief introduction you should ask the interviewer “Is there anything else you want to know”.Now if the interviewer asks you about something that he/she may be interested to know  like your qualification, your family background etc., then you can answer it accordingly.

There could be some other good ways to answer this question.Please feel free to give your valuable suggestions.

1. Be honest and don't bluffAnswer what you know, confidently. If you have been asked a question that you don't know, Start by telling "I am not sure, but I think It is .....". Never tell a wrong answer confidently. 

2. Be ready to write Code

3. Get ready to explain about your project

Write down 3-4 lines that will explain the project in high level.Once you have explained about the business needs then you will be asked about the technical architecture of the project. You have to be prepared with a architecture diagram that shows how the interaction of components in your project. It don't have to be in any specific UML format, but make sure you can explain stuff relating to the diagram you have drawn. For example if you are working in a web application show how the data is flow from UI to DB. You can show different layers involved, technologies used etc.. The most important part is you should be clear in your mind about what you are currently working on.4. Convert arguments to conversationEven if you know that that person is wrong do not argue and try to continue the conversation saying "Ok, But I am not so sure if that is correct, I will check that out". 5. Tell about your best achievementit is important to describe it in such a way that interviewer feels that you have did something extraordinary there. So, prepare a believable story on how your abilities helped you complete that task. It is important to prepare this because it takes time to dig your memory and find situations.Do you have any questions for me?

5 Questions Great Job Candidates Ask

Be honest. Raise your hand if you feel the part of the job interview where you ask the candidate, "Do you have any questions for me?" is almost always a waste of time.

Thought so.

The problem is most candidates don't actually care about your answers; they just hope to make themselves look good by asking "smart" questions. To them, what they ask is more important than how you answer.

Great candidates ask questions they want answered because they're evaluating you, your company--and whether they really want to work for you.

Here are five questions great candidates ask:

What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 to 90 days?

What are the common attributes of your top performers?

What are a few things that really drive results for the company?

What do employees do in their spare time?

Top 10 Tips for face to face technical Interview

These are top 10 things we need to take care during face to face technical interview. Very few people are master in this and with these basic skills they clear the technical interviews very easily. First thing we need to understand that the interviewer are most of time are not prepared for very specific questions so they look for basic things, which can be your confidence, your dressing or your attitude in interview. These soft skills can be improved with practice.

1) Practice Good Nonverbal Communication

        It's about demonstrating confidence: standing straight, making eye contact and connecting with a good, firm handshake. That first impression can be a great beginning -- or quick ending -- to your interview.

 2) Dress for the Job or Company     Today's casual dress codes do not give you permission to dress as "they" do when you interview. It is important to look professional and well-groomed. Whether you wear a suit or something less formal depends on the company culture and the position you are seeking. If possible, call to find out about the company dress code before the interview.

3) Listen    From the very beginning of the interview, your interviewer is giving you information, either directly or indirectly. If you are not hearing it, you are missing a major opportunity. Good communication skills include listening and letting the person know you heard what he said. Observe your interviewer, and match that style and pace.

4) Don't Talk Too Much     Telling the interviewer more than he needs to know could be a fatal mistake. When you have not prepared ahead of time, you may tend to ramble, sometimes talking yourself right out of the job. Prepare for the interview by reading through the job posting, matching your skills with the position's requirements and relating only that information.

 5) Don't Be Too Familiar      The interview is a professional meeting to talk business. This is not about making a new friend. Your level of familiarity should mimic the interviewer's demeanour. It is important to bring energy and enthusiasm to the interview and to ask questions, but do not overstep your place as a candidate looking for a job.

6) Use Appropriate Technical Language    It's a given that you should use technical language during the interview. Be aware of any inappropriate slang words or references to age, race, religion, politics or sexual orientation -- these topics could send you out the door very quickly.

 7) Show Attitude     Attitude plays a key role in your interview success. There is a fine balance between confidence, professionalism and modesty. Even if you're putting on a performance to demonstrate your ability, overconfidence is as bad, if not worse, as being too reserved.

 8)Take Care to Answer the Questions    When an interviewer asks for an example of a time when you did something, he is seeking a sample of your past behaviour. If you fail to relate a specific example, you not only don't answer the question, but you also miss an opportunity to prove your ability and talk about your skills.

 9) Ask QuestionsWhen asked if they have any questions, most candidates answer, "No." Wrong answer. It is extremely important to ask questions to demonstrate an interest in what goes on in the company. Asking questions also gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. The best questions come from listening to what is asked during the interview and asking for additional information.

 10) Don't show Desperation

When you interview with the "please, please hire me" approach, you appear desperate and less confident. Maintain the three C's during the interview: cool, calm and confident. You know you can do the job; make sure the interviewer believes you can, too.

General Questions  

1. Tell us about yourself?Keep your answer very simple and brief. Don't prolong by telling your family history and schooling. Be brief and focus more on your skills initiatives and adaptability.

2. Why should we hire you?Because I have all the attributes that this role requires. Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities. You need to be confident while replying and no vague answers.

3. Why are you looking for a change? or Why do you want to leave your company?Be positive while answering. You want to work with a company where you can make a long term career. Where you can use your skills and learn new skills. Be honest if there was any retrenchment in the previous company e.g. Our Department was consolidated or eliminated.

4. What are your strengths?Your strengths should relate to the company and job opening. I have a proven track record as an achiever.Positive attitude, good sense of humour, good communication skills, dedicated, team player, willingness to walk the extramile to achieve excellence etc.   Your answer should highlight the qualities that will help you succeed in this particular job. (Back up each point with something specific). Give examples and quantify how your strengths benefited your previous employers. You should also demonstrate reliability, and the ability to stick with a difficult task yet change courses rapidly when required.

5. What are your weaknesses?Never say you do not have any weak points. Try not to reveal your personal characteristics. I often get impatient with others sloppy work.The best “weaknesses” are disguised as strengths, such as “I dislike not being challenged at work”. Another good approach is to mention a weakness that is irrelevant for the job or one that can be overcome with training. Try to keep these to one weakness, explaining why you think it is a weakness and what you are doing to overcome the problem – a well thought out strategy you have developed to deal with the issue will turn this potentially tricky question into a positive.One common variation on this question is to ask about any problems or failures you’ve encountered in previous positions. In describing problems, pick ones you’ve solved and describe how you overcame it. Show yourself to be a good team player by crediting co-workers for all their

contributions. To distance yourself from failure, pick one that occurred earlier in your career when you were still learning. Don’t blame others – simply explain how you analysed your mistake and learned from it.

6. What challenges did you face in your previous jobs?Getting things planned and done on time within the budget. Quote any example that you have experienced.

7. How will you motivate your team?Bottom line is do it show it and inspire. Involve all the members in the ongoing development and progress of the company. Communicate and interact with the team members. They want regular updates on their personal performance. Keep them updated.Celebrate individual and team performance. Catch people doing something right and focus on recognising excellent performance.Set challenging goals. Team will work hard to accomplish them. Believe in your people. Majority of them want to perform.Motivate employes for the next level. Consistent and transparent with the team. Let the members know why doing an assigned task is important to you the Organisation and them.Set the example for others to follow.

8. “What’s the worst problem you’ve ever faced?”Here the interviewer is offering you the two ways to trip yourself up: First of all, the question doesn’t confine itself to the workplace, so there is temptation to reveal a personal problem. Don’t! Restrict yourself to employment matters only. Second, you are being asked to reveal a weakness or error again. You must have a good response ready for this question, one which shows how well you reacted when everything depended on it.Always show a problem you have solved and concentrate your answer on the solution not the problem.

9. “How would you describe a typical day in your current job?”You are eager to look good but don’t make the common mistake of exaggerating your current position. Mentioning some of the routine tasks in your day adds realism to your description and show that you don’t neglect important details such as paperwork. Put yourself in the interviewer’s place as your answer. When you’ve been doing a job for years it becomes second nature to you, and you must be aware of all the tasks you undertake. You should spend a few days making notes of your activities at work to regain an outsider’s perspective. Try to show that you make good use of your time, that you plan before you begin your work and that you review your achievements at the end of it