Personal Interview Questions and Answers for 2025

Mention your professional goals and how you are actively working towards accomplishing them. Describe how in recent times you have worked to level with your aspirations and your modus operandi.

Example: “I have been driven by my goals. To date, I have worked towards achieving them in every possible way I can. I have attended workshops and taken courses that will give me an edge over my peers. My professional goal is to have a name for myself in this industry. Also, to have financial independence. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most creative minds in this industry and I have learnt from their experiences. I have seen how people have risen from nowhere and have carved a niche for themselves. I yearn to be a man full of experiences.”

This question is about your limits and boundaries. If I were to rephrase this question, it would be much effort are you willing to put in to get a job done right. Do you have the attitude to accomplish a task in the right manner or do you have the play-along attitude when it comes to tackling problems.

Example: “I remember that once during my internship at a Mumbai-based startup during the financial year-end, the accounts department faced issues and therefore a lot of people resigned leaving it understaffed. I remember this being a topic of great concern to the founders as we could face legal action. I remember getting my friends who were CAs on board and sorting the task out.

Since I had introduced the guy, I had additional responsibilities of making sure things worked smoothly. I would come early by an hour minimum and leave after locking the door. I would sit with the IT team to discuss our current projects and then later with the Accounts section to help them with everything they needed. Any numbers, paper, stamp, anything, they named it, and I got them. I worked hard to deliver the best. Let's just say that we aced it.”

This question is related to how you wish you got along with your peers and seniors. Your peers and friends speak of you as an individual. The way your manager interacts with you shows how much they entrust you.

Example: “How your manager manages you reflects your professional relationship with them. If they overlook each and everything you do, maybe you need to get a few things right. If they are not bothered at all, you need to rethink. If I were to be managed, I would prefer a relationship with open dialogue from both ends that enables a good flow. I would not like to be micromanaged, but it should be such that I could approach my manager when in need and both of us would collectively work to find a solution.”

This question is a regular feature in personal Interview Questions, be ready to tackle it. Failure is the first step towards success. Someone has rightly said so. Until you fail, you will not understand the importance of success. One can never contemplate the possible outcomes a situation may have.

Example: “It was during a project we had to do for an international client. The project was huge, and the stakes were large. I remember being nervous because it was my first tryst with an international project, and I was put on the team within 4 months of my joining. I remember grossly evaluating some factors that backfired at the worst time. I had failed and I witnessed one of the lowest lows of my life. I sulked about it for quite some time because my mistake got me kicked out of a path-breaking project. I remember being called by my team lead and manager. They discussed in detail my mistake and how I could correct it from next time onwards. I was relieved but also, I had to prove my mettle.”

It is normal to lose your temper sometimes. It happens at times and is unavoidable. What can be done after losing your cool on something or someone is to pause for a second and re-analyze the situation. Look for ways you would have approached the situation with less heat and try executing the same in your demeanour in the future.

Example: Once, I asked for some help from a colleague. We were in the middle of completing a project that had a tight deadline. My colleague promised to help with the project, and I believed him. It happened so that because I was depending on him, I didn't bother to actively look for solutions for myself. In the end I was left flabbergasted as he didn’t help me owing to personal commitments.

This question is a reflection of your confidence. The answer should reiterate the reason why you're sitting in front of highly acclaimed panellists who are interviewing you to make you a part of their company.

Example: “When it comes to me, I am very much self-aware of what I do and why I do it. It has come after emphasizing a lot on self-actualisation. I know what I bring to the table, and I am confident about myself. I believe in my methodology. I cannot speak for others, but I can vouch for myself. I believe and therefore, I am.”

Change is the only constant in life. Changes can be pleasant too. We have this common notion to associate change with uneasiness and discomfort but not all changes are like that. Even if they seem to like it in the beginning, their outcomes could be hugely positive in the long run.

Example: “During the inception of my career, I used to dread changes. I felt that with the advent of anything new, I would tumble. For a very long time, I carried this feeling of incompetence in me when it came to drift and changes. I used to borderline dread it. It was during one of the self-help workshops that I attended that they emphasised a lot about why change is imperative and what we can do to make it less daunting.

At the end of the workshop, I was left wanting more. I knew that there was a time when I could accept change as a part of life and therefore, I followed up with the coach even after the workshops were over. After an extensive programme, I emerged undefeated. I knew I had reinvented myself and that now I was invincible as I had accepted my biggest pet peeve at that time.”

We all have heard, “desperate time requires desperate measures. Sometimes we are so engrossed in completing a target within a deadline that we might overlook the moral aspect of it. These are the moments that require us to reflect. If only we could pause, think and reflect, we would not be making mistakes or decisions we later regret.

Example: “Once I saw a colleague of mine doing something that could be potentially unethical. He confided in me that due to a shortage of time and some mismanagement, he lost precious time and in no way will be able to finish the project in the given time frame. I tried talking to him about how his ways were wrong and more importantly, how he is putting a glorious career in danger. To my surprise, my pep talk rallied some thoughts in his mind, and he went ahead to the project manager to own up to his mistake.”

Time travel is something most of us wish for it to happen. We see it as a way to redo certain things and improvise our future. However, we all know that it’s not possible. But what is life without a little daydreaming?

Example: “If allowed to time travel, I would change so many things. Had I thought and perceived several things differently, I would be in a different place altogether but it’s your experiences that make you. I would have applied to my dream university, UC San Diego for a master's programme. I would have taken the opportunity to work at the first placement offer I got.

Most importantly, I would have spent a little longer at my first job. This is one regret I have. I had great mentors, and an amazing work environment and I was in a good position in one of the most important verticals. I was making good money too. But after a year, I left my job because all my peers from college were doing the same. They were leaving their existing companies for a better pay scale without taking into account the other factors. I followed suit and did the same. It took me almost a year to adjust to a highly competitive environment and fine-tune the skills required there.”

Nobody likes to criticize but if no one is criticized, how will we improve? Admitting that you're wrong is the first step to self-acceptance. It's only human to commit a mistake. What gives you an edge is accepting it and working towards making it better.

Example: “Initially, whenever I would receive criticism, I would let it get to me. I didn't know how I could make the situation better with the feedback I have been given. As time passed by, I realised the importance of constructive criticism. I felt its importance when a mentor of mine sat me down and talked to me about my response to his feedback. He explained to me why he said what he said and how I should look at it and t. I took his advice out of respect but rather I'd say I opened doors to a new wave of self-consciousness.”

The definition of success is different for all individuals. For some, it may be having a stable job and a handsome salary. For some, it may be the feeling of buying things without looking at price tags and for some, just enough to get by. Success is subjective for everyone. 

Example: “I would define success as peace of mind. When you don't feel the need to constantly check your mental health, you're doing fine in the professional sphere, you have a loving family to go back to. Showing up every day without the fear of what today might turn out to be is success in the simplest terms. When you've finally resigned from all the mere worries of life and are happy eternally is when you're successful.”

This question is here to check your self-confidence. If you're appearing for an interview with anyone, you are expected to show them that you're here to get the job. It should show how you've been prepping for this day and how sharp your skills are. Make yourself look like a fine investment in the company.

Example: “I think that my experiences and professional background so far are coherent with the nature of the job. Apart from coming from a background in IT, I have taken a keen interest in domains such as blockchain, and marketing. I am always on the hunt for new things to learn and upgrade my understanding to be in sync with the methodologies today.”

This question wants to enlighten the interviewer's mind about your experiences so far in the journey. It wants to bring to attention your takeaway from your experiences and how they have moulded you. Did you ponder over life incidents or just let it go? The answer to this question will speak a lot about you as an individual.

Example: “My experiences so far have shaped me as an individual today. Both my experiences, on the personal as well as the professional front, have helped me understand my surroundings better, improvise at work and have taught me the importance of several virtues and principles.”

This question stresses qualities that you'd like to possess. It could be prowess, admiration, or strength. We often look up to people who wish to become or find a common ground with them. Superheroes are characters that are a strong part of your upbringing. You may even feel a connection with a character you have grown up watching. This is a part of personality based interview questions and answers.

Example: “My favourite superhero is Iron Man. He is a man of wit, power, and acumen and represents teamwork. Also, I think he is a reliable shoulder for his friends. I have spent a good part of my heater years around the MCU and I feel Iron Man is the one I resonate with the most.”

The prime focus of this question is your literary interests. It also concentrates on reading as a hobby. Reading is a habit of individuals who are looking for a method to climb their vertical. Nowadays a lot of people of entrepreneurial interest write about their experiences and journey via books, blogs or columns. Tell about your favourite novel, blog, or column and why it is so. This is one of the interesting personal interview questions that are a reflection of your personality. This is a part of personality based interview questions and answers.

Example: “My favourite novel to date is the adapted version of Chanakyaneeti. Written by Chanakya, an ancient Indian polymath who was active as a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor. He is traditionally identified as Kauṭilya or Vishnugupta, who authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra. Chanakyaneeti is a collection of aphorisms collected from a lot of shastras. Written in the 3rd century, its concepts can also be applied in the 21st century. It is highly advisable to read and follow Chanakyaneeti if you wish for a better quality of life. Any problem can be tackled by following the principles of this book which has been adapted into Greek, German, and Mandarin languages.”

This question is regarding the monetary compensation you're expecting from this job. You have to be smart while answering this, not too desperate, and not too uninformed. State a pay you think is standard and let the negotiation follow. 

Example:  I'm expecting somewhere between ABC to XYZ. Given that the standard pay in this category is DEF, I feel that I am qualified enough to receive in that range. I have an intense experience in this domain that has helped me climb ladders and I wish to take it higher from here. For that, this platform will provide me with this opportunity. And if I make it today, I will be utterly grateful.

A must-know for anyone heading into a personal interview, this question is frequently asked in personal Interview Questions. You can answer this question by stating what a tough call for you is honestly to make. We all sometimes have to make decisions we don’t wish to take. It could be both on personal and professional fronts but most times, there are repercussions involved.

Example: “I find decisions involving close aides difficult. There was a time during my first job, where to cut costs, the accounts department had to lay off a few people. Since I was closely involved with the finance department of the organization, they asked me who works the least. I was speechless and for days couldn’t come up with an answer. I had developed a camaraderie with my colleagues and was fond of every single one of them. I couldn’t just give a name knowing very well the repercussions it was bound to have. I requested some time and thought of a solution. After much thinking, I proposed to club people in teams and then observe their performance. If it remains poor, I will give them a name. To my sheer surprise, it worked very well. My organization adopted this policy for the future. Even after I had left the organization, they would follow this whenever anyone had trouble tackling workload and targets.”

This question is a reflection of how fast you can get things done. While working at an international organization, you're expected to have certain standards and ethics when it comes to working.

Example: “I am fast at analyzing potential issues in a pitch or project. I can quickly do a round-up of what exactly this project demands from me. I like sticking to my timelines and not waiting until the last moment to get work done. I follow timetables and I like for my team to work at almost the same pace. I keep track of the progress of my peers so that I can help them align as well.”

This question is about how much hard work, and willingness to put effort you have. There are times when work can be demanding, and you might have to spend extra hours and effort in getting things right. Sometimes your boss will ask you to do an extra job or take an extra file for review. Such things might bother you at times. You should learn how to strive for a positive work-life balance.

Example: “I am someone who values time. The amount of time I spend on my professional front should be in sync with the amount of time I take to rewire myself. I believe in experiences. I would rather work for 14 hours a day for a week and then take a two-day trip or trek somewhere. I highly believe that your experience is what truly defines you. “

This question is a reflection of what your peers think of you. Do they think you're easy to work with and have positive energy in the team or do they think negatively of you in terms of the impact you create? It is also a representation of how much of a team player you are. This is a part of interview questions that reveal character.

Example: “If you ask my peers from my first job, they will give some negative adjectives such as lacking time management and perplexed. If you ask them to define me when I leave my job, they will define me as the most hard-working, professional, friendly, and approachable guy. I have grown a kit in my professional relationships and commitments. I take it very seriously to form solid foundations when it comes to my career. If you ask my peers from my last job, they will tell you I am a man with a plan, sticks to deadlines, and is highly committed to whatever job he has.”