How to Formulate Questions
The correctness and appropriateness of the answers that we get depends on the strength and correctness of the question itself. An insufficient response is elicited from a weakly constructed question. Before you even scrutinize the answers that were given, evaluate first the character of the question. Formulating questions the proper way is what generates an adequate answer.
The first step in formulating questions is to assess the level of importance of the basic question words “who,” “where,” “when,” “what,” “how,” and “why.” The first four are classified as informational since these questions generally gather factual information or knowledge such as “What is the goal for this activity?” or “Who are responsible in spearheading the event?” The last two question words belong to the analytical category since these questions require a higher level of thinking and a deeper means of understanding a concept.
The next step is to know how to prioritize within each category. A good basis to easily apply this is through the concept of Bloom’s taxonomy where the level of questions is organized from the lower order to the higher order of questioning.
Focus on the very important elements which can be used as the keywords in your question. Then, explore the different connections, precedents, implications, and causations of the question.
In asking questions that require analytical approach, consider gathering a few factors instead of focusing on just one. Always ask “why” as a way to make the response more deductive and specific.
Types of Interview Questions
Questioning Toolkit
Apart from the many kinds of questions mentioned above, there are other types of questions that we can add to our questioning toolkit.
Essential questions are asked to probe the real meaning of the issues that confront us. These questions make us realize our purpose in life and define the realities of living. At times, we tend toask questions that are not totally significant or applicable to what is being talked about. These are called irrelevant questions. For inquiries that seem to go beyond human understanding and exploration, they are referred to as unanswerable questions.
Inventive questions are asked out of the need to find out more about an incomplete satisfaction to knowledge or learning something new. Sometimes, we become challenged or provoked with some questions being asked. We refer to them as provocative questions and this type is closely similar to irreverent questions which can be offensive or rude and aggressive at some point.
General Types of Questions
Probably, all sorts of questions can be broadly classified into open ended and closed ended questions as these are the basic ways of formulating questions. Open ended questions invite a speaker to tell more about what is being asked or talked about while closed ended questions are asked to gather specific information and for verification. Some closed ended questions are also called specific questions which are used to collect or confirm basic facts.
For a deeper exploration of an issue or a subject matter, we ask probing questions that can either be open or closed type and relevant only to the topic. In order to gain creative answers from situational issues, hypothetical questions are used.
Reflective questions are intended to contemplate on what the speaker has said or felt and also to check for understanding. Leading questions, from the term itself, are used to lead us to agree or disagree with thespeaker without thinking of personal opinions. This is best used for persuasion and making quick decisions.
Socratic Type of Questioning
The famous Socrates is well known for contributing knowledge in the aspect of questioning. To date, educators have been benefiting from Socratic manner of asking questions. There are five basic types of Socratic questions and these are factual, convergent, divergent, evaluative, and combination.
Factual questions require answers based on factual knowledge. Answers for this type are straightforward which are either right or wrong. Convergent questions utilize a person’s comprehension, analysis, and the ability to put answers into application.
Divergent questions allow us to exercise creativity in our answers and think out of the box. As answers to this type may be subjective, correctness is subjective as well depending on logic and rational reasoning. Evaluative type involves a higher level of cognitive function such as decision making or drawing out judgment. Lastly, combination questions are a mixture of the other four types.
Core Java Interview Questions
- Why the container does not support multiple layout managers
- Which class is the super class for all classes in java.lang package?
- What are differences between Enumeration, ArrayList, Hashtable and Collections and
- How many JVM could be run on an operating system. if only one then what is the logical reason.
- What is JVM Heap Size? How does it affect the performance of the Application?
- We know that Object class is super class of every class & a class extends only one class. so How is it possible to a class to extend other than Object class?
- What is difference between string and stringtokenizer?
- How can you load DLL files when your java class is loading first time ?
- If two overloaded methods are - test(Object xyz) and test(Customer cust) [Assume Customer is a class with member name of type String]. Now if we call test(null), which method will be called? why?
- When are you using arraylist and linkedlist?
- When are you using hashmap and hashtable?
- Can we have run() method directly without start() method in threads?
- How to use JNI in Java? What are Struts and Jini? How to apply native code in Java?
- Can we have run() method directly without start() method in threads?
- How to use JNI in java? and what are Struts and jini?and how to apply native code in java?
- Strings are immutable.But String s="Hello"; String s1=s+"World"; S.O.P(s1); means printing "HelloWorld". How ?
- What is the difference between classpath and path variable?
- If we have two public classes in a single java file, How I have to give the name of the particular java file and How I can compile it?
- Is there any difference between Execution Engine and the JIT in java?
- How single threaded model works after implementation in class, basically architecture point of view?
C# interview questions
- What’s the advantage of using System.Text.StringBuilder over System.String? StringBuilder is more efficient in the cases, where a lot of manipulation is done to the text. Strings are immutable, so each time it’s being operated on, a new instance is created.
- Can you store multiple data types in System.Array? No.
- What’s the difference between the System.Array.CopyTo() and System.Array.Clone()? The first one performs a deep copy of the array, the second one is shallow.
- How can you overload a method? Different parameter data types, different number of parameters, different order of parameters.
- If a base class has a bunch of overloaded constructors, and an inherited class has another bunch of overloaded constructors, can you enforce a call from an inherited constructor to an arbitrary base constructor? Yes, just place a colon, and then keyword base (parameter list to invoke the appropriate constructor) in the overloaded constructor definition inside the inherited class.
- What’s the difference between System.String and System.StringBuilder classes? System.String is immutable; System.StringBuilder was designed with the purpose of having a mutable string where a variety of operations can be performed.
- What’s a delegate? A delegate object encapsulates a reference to a method. In C++ they were referred to as function pointers.
- What’s a multicast delegate? It’s a delegate that points to and eventually fires off several methods.
More: http://tipsinterview.com/doc/Csharp_Interview_Questions.doc
Interview, Why did you leave your last job
(This is not an opening to speak badly of your former employer. There is almost always a way of wording the explanation so that you do not sound like a "problem employee" and your former employer does not sound like an undesirable company.) As unfair as it may seem, there is almost no time when you should say something bad about your former employer. You can talk about the lack of potential for upward mobility, the fact that your job responsibilities changed to the point that it no longer fit into your career plan, your need to move to be closer to your aging parents, the need to reduce travel time, your need for a more challenging job, or anything else that does not get into personalities or other conflicts. If you were fired for cause, you may want to be up front about it, explain the circumstances and accept responsibility for your actions. Practice your answers to this question with someone who has interview experience. However, don't lie. If you can't say anything positive about your former employer, don't say anything. It could come back to haunt you.
Top 10 IMPORTANT INTERVIEW TIPS:
- Don't be Afraid to Think Before You Speak. Use silence and intentional pause to your advantage. Time is occasionally needed to think and to reflect. The interviewer will respect you for taking a questions seriously enough to give it a moment or two of consideration before answering.
- Emphasize What You Can Do For The Organization. This means emphasizing your transferable skills. However, be careful not to reveal trade secrets from a previous employer. Employers are concerned most with what you can do for them. Focus on your ability to tackle new situations, your communication skills, interpersonal abilities, analytical thinking talents, and other skills developed while in college or in previous positions.
- Don't Be Embarrassed by Nervousness. Interviewers are human, and they often become nervous, too. In fact, nervousness is a good sign - it shows that you are taking the interview seriously. Avoid nervous mannerisms such as tapping your fingers, feet, playing with pens, etc.
- NEVER Speak Badly about a Former Employer. If there were problems with previous experiences, try to put your answers in the positive rather than the negative. If you slight a former employer, the interviewer may assume that you will someday do the same to him or her.
- Watch Your Grammar and Your Manners. Employers are interested in candidates who can express themselves properly. Even if you have to slow down to correct yourself -- do it! Use slang expressions very sparingly. If your knowledge of rules of etiquette are rusty, take a "refresher course" from a knowledgeable friend.
- Body language is powerful! Good eye contact, a warm, natural smile and a firm handshake can help you overcome nervousness, develop a personal rapport and present a confident image.
- Don't Play Comedian or Try to Entertain the Interviewer. It is important to be personable, but do not overdo it.
- Don't Exaggerate or Lie. You might be tempted to embellish your achievements in the interview, but it will come back to haunt you on the job!
- Be Careful With the Closing. Do not linger. End quickly and courteously. Thank your interviewer for the interview. Smile.
- Be Yourself! You do not want to get hired on the basis of something you are not. You want to be hired for who you are!
3 Important Interview Tips
1. End strongly. Finish the interview by quickly summarizing how you can deliver solutions to their problems. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you. Sincerely express your interest in the position and ask what the next step will be. Request the interviewer's business card.
2. Thoroughly read and analyze the official job description. Visit the company's Web site or ask the recruiter/hiring manager to provide you with this information. Identify key skills and determine whether or not you meet the job requirements.
3. Carefully research the company. Learn as much as you can about your prospective employer's business model. Visit its Web site and read their mission statement and/or company philosophy. Identify main products, services and functions. Speak to employees, vendors or other contacts with inside knowledge. Acquire strategic information that will enable you to speak knowledgeably and offer valuable insight during your interview.
