28 Gulf Job Interview Questions and Answers.

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly what interview questions the recruiter would ask you at your next job interview?

Here we are providing you with a list of the 28 Gulf Job Interview Questions and Answers. This article is very helpful for job seekers or any professionals who are residing in the gulf or planning to move to the gulf countries. And this article has been tailored with the knowledge of HR professionals working in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and other countries.

While we do not recommend that you have a script-based answer to every interview question (please do not have it). But what we recommend you is to spend time getting comfortable with the questions that may come up during an interview. What a Gulf recruiter is looking for in your answers, and what it takes to show that you are the right man or woman for the job.

Look at this list as an aid to preparation before your job interview and these are not final answers tailored to you.

Gulf Job Interview Questions and Answers:

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

This question seems so simple that many choose not to be prepared for it. But it is actually an extremely important Question. Here’s the thing: Do not tell about all the jobs you have had or your whole life story. Instead, summarize the merits that show that you are the right person for the job. Start with 2-3 specific achievements or experiences that you want the interviewer to know about, then summarize it by talking about how these previous experiences have led you to this specific role.

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2. Where did you hear about the position?

Another seemingly harmless interview question used correctly gives you the perfect opportunity to stand out and show how committed you are to the company. For example, if you heard about the job through a friend or a business associate, tell them who it was and why you became so obsessed with the job. If you found the job through an event or article, tell us about it. Even if you found the position on Anygulfjobs.com, it is now possible to share exactly what made you attracted to this particular job.

3. What do you know about the company?

All candidates can read and analyze a company’s “About Us” page. So when an interviewer asks this question, they are not necessarily looking to find out if you understand the company’s vision, but rather that you identify with it. Start by showing that you understand the company’s objectives by using a few keywords and phrases from the website, but then you should do it personally. Say “I identify with this goal because…”, or “I truly believe in this vision because…”, and share a personal example or two.

4. Why do you want this job?

A company always wants to hire people who are passionate about their job, and therefore you should have a good answer as to why you want this particular job. (And if you do not have it? Then you should apply for other jobs.) First, you should find a few points that make the role perfect for you (for example, “I love customer service because I love the continuous interaction with other people and the joy I get by helping others solve a problem ”), and then tell why you love the company (for example,“ I have always had a passion for school, and I think you do a really good job that I want to be a part of of”).

Also Read:- 25 Tips for a Winning Resume

5. Why should we hire you?

This interview question is direct (and pretty scary!), But if you get this question you are in luck. There is no better arena where you can sell yourself to the recruiter. Your task is to adapt your answer so that it addresses three issues: that you can not only do the job, you can deliver good results; you want to fit in with the team and the culture; and that you are the best candidate for the job.  

6. What are your biggest professional strengths?

We recommend that your answer accurately (share your real strengths, not those you think the interviewer will hear), relevant (choose the strengths that are specific to this particular position), and specific (instead of “get along well with others” you say for example, “is good at convincing” or “builds strong relationships”). Then you should follow up with an example that shows how you have used these qualities in your previous work.

7. What are your weaknesses?

In addition to looking for potential pitfalls, by asking this question, the interviewer wants to find out how good your self-awareness is and how honest you are. So it is not relevant to answer “I can not meet deadlines even if my life is at stake” or “Nothing! I’m perfect! ” Find a balance through finding out what it is you have challenges with, but which you are also working to improve. For example, you may not be comfortable speaking in front of a large audience, but you have recently taken on the responsibility of holding meetings to become more comfortable with the situation.  

8. What is your biggest achievement?

Nothing says “consider me” better than a long list of incredible achievements in previous jobs, so do not be afraid to answer this question! A good way to respond is to use the STAR method: Situation or Task – Tell about a situation and a task you had to complete to give interviews background information (for example “In my previous job as a junior analyst, it was my task to lead the invoicing work” ), but spend most of your time telling what you did (Action) and what you achieved (Result). For example, you could say “In the course of a month, I got the streamlined process, which saved 10 working hours in the months and reduced incorrect invoicing by 25%”.

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9. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you have had in the workplace and how you handled it.

By asking this question, “the interviewer wants to get an idea of ​​how you handle conflicts. Everyone can seem nice and accommodating during a job interview. But what if you get hired and Birgit in accounting starts to get on your nerves? ” says Skillings. Here you will also want to use the STAR method to focus on how you handled the situation in a productive and professional way, ideally with a good ending by, for example, reaching an agreement or compromise.

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

If you are asked this question, be sure to be specific and honest about your future goals, but you must also consider this: A recruiter wants to know if you a) have set realistic expectations for your career, b) if you have ambitions ( that this is not the first time you have considered the question), and c) whether the position corresponds to your goals and ambitions. The best thing you can do is make a realistic assessment of what opportunities this position offers you, and respond accordingly. And if the position does not automatically lead you to what you want? It is perfectly fine to say that you do not know what the future holds, but that you see this job as an important experience on the road to making the right decisions about the future.

11. What is your dream job?

This is also a question that should reveal whether the job matches your career goals. You will definitely get a smile if you answer “football professional”, but it is better to talk about your goals and ambitions and how this job will bring you closer to these.  

12. Have you applied for any other jobs?

There are many reasons why a company asks this question, from finding out who they are competing against to wondering if you are really dedicated to the position you are applying for. “The best thing is to often say that you are looking for several different opportunities within the company’s business,”. “It can be useful to mention that the common denominator of all the jobs you apply for is that you will have the opportunity to add specific qualities and abilities you possess. For example, you could say that “I am applying for more positions among IT consulting companies where I can analyze clients’ needs and transfer these to the topic of development to find new solutions to technological challenges.”

13. Why are you quitting your current job?

This is tough, but you can be sure the question comes up. Be sure to be positive – you have nothing to gain from being critical of your former bosses. Instead, you should present it so that it shows that you are ready for new challenges and that the job you are currently applying for is better for you than your previous or current jobs. For example, you could say “I have a strong desire to be involved in product development from start to finish, and I know I have an opportunity for this here”. And if you got fired? Saying it straight out without gossip: “I was unfortunately fired” is a perfectly fine answer.

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14. Why were you fired?

OK, if you got the much tougher follow-up question of why you were fired (and the truth is not something you want to share), it’s best to be honest anyway (the job market is pretty narrow). But this does not necessarily mean that you do not get the job. Tell how you have grown, and how you now approach work and life as a result. It is even better if you also manage to direct your new experiences and insights to strengths in the new job.

15. What are you looking for in a new job?

Hint: Preferably the same things that this job offers. Be specific.

16. Which work environment do you enjoy the most?

Hint: Preferably one that is similar to the work environment at the company you are applying to. Be specific.

17. What type of leader are you?

The best leaders are clear but flexible, and that’s exactly what you want to convey in your answer. (Think of something like “Since every situation and every employee needs a different strategic approach, I tend to approach my employees as a coach…”) Then you should share a few of your best moments as a leader, such as when Your team grew from five to 15, or when you coached an employee who aspired to become the bestseller in the company.

Also Read:- How to talk to your boss if you’re underperforming

18. Can you give an example of a time when you exercised good leadership?

Depending on what is important for the role, you will choose an example that shows your qualities as a project manager (completed a project from start to finish, kept a lot of balls in the air), or one that shows how you experienced and effectively set the direction for a large team. And remember: “The best stories include enough details to be both believable and memorable”, according to Skilling. “Show how you managed this situation and how it represents your leadership experience and further potential.”

19. Can you give an example of a time when you disagreed with a decision made at work?

Everyone disagrees with their boss at one time or another, but by asking this question the interviewer wants to find out if you can disagree in a productive and professional way. “You do not want to tell the story of the time you disagreed with anything, but you just let it go because your boss was an asshole,” said Peggy McKee of Career Confidential. “Tell about when your actions constituted a positive change in the situation. Whether it was work-related or led to a more efficient and productive collaboration in the workplace.”

20. How would your boss and your colleagues describe you?

Here you have to be honest (remember that the verdict you get the job, the recruiter will call your former bosses and employees!). Then you must try to bring out strengths and qualities that you have not mentioned earlier in the interview, such as that you have a good work ethic or that you often help others who need it.

21. Why do you have a hole in your CV?

If you have been out of work for a while, you need to be honest about what you were doing in the meantime (and hopefully there are a bunch of volunteer work and other self-development projects where you spent the time learning something new). Then you should steer the conversation into how you want to carry out the work and contribute to the organization: “I decided to take a break during that period, but today I am completely ready to contribute to the organization in the following ways”.  

22. Can you explain why you changed careers?

Do not be put off by this question – just take a breath and explain to the interviewer why you have made the career choices you have made. It is all the more important to give a few examples of how your previous experiences can strengthen this new role. They do not have to be directly transferable, and in fact it can be more impressive when a candidate can gain seemingly irrelevant experience to seem relevant to a role.

23. How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?

“Choose an answer that shows that you can face a stressful situation in a productive and positive way, and that you do not let anything stop you from reaching your goals,” says McKee. A good practice is to talk about how to deal with stress (making the world’s best to-do list, stopping to take 10 deep breaths), and then talk about once you handled a stressful situation without a problem.

24. What salary do you expect to receive?

Rule number 1 before answering this question is to have researched what you should get paid using tax rates or services like Glassdoor. You will probably be able to find an estimate, and we recommend that you request the highest amount in your estimate – depending on your experience, education, and knowledge. Then you should let the interviewer know that you are flexible. It is important to convey both that your qualities are highly valued, but that you are also willing to negotiate to get the job.

25. What do you do in your spare time?

The reason why this question is asked is to “see if the candidate will fit into the culture and give it the opportunity to show off their own personality”, says the experienced recruiter Mitch Fortner. “In other words; If someone asks you what your interests are outside of work, it is perfectly OK to open up and tell what really engages you. (Still, try to keep it fairly professional – to say you like to have a beer at the local bar on Saturday nights is fine, but it’s not fair to say you don’t like Mondays because you’re always drunk.

26. How many tennis balls can you fit in a limousine?

1,000? 10,000? 100,000? Seriously?

Yes, seriously, you can get riddles like this, especially when applying for analytical jobs. But you must remember that the interviewer does not necessarily want an exact answer. Also he wants to make sure that you understand what you are asked, and that you can find a systematic and logical way to answer. So here it is just to take a breath and start with the calculations. (Yes, it’s okay to ask if you can borrow a pen and paper!)

27. Are you planning to have children?

Questions about family status, gender (“How would you like to lead a team consisting only of men”), nationality (“Where were you born?”), Religion or age are illegal, but they are still asked (and quite often). Of course, there is not always a negative afterthought behind the questions – the interviewer may just want to find something to talk about – yet you should turn any questions about your privacy (and anything else you think is inappropriate) back to the job you are applying for. To answer this question, say, “You know, I’m not quite there yet. But I’m very interested in what career opportunities you have in this company. Can you tell me more about that? ”

28. Do you have any questions for us?

You probably already know that an interview is not only the recruiter’s opportunity to grill you – it’s also your opportunity to find out if the job is right for you. What do you need to know about the position? The company? The department? The team?

You will go through a lot of this during the interview, so it is a good idea to have a few less common questions ready for this round. We especially like questions that are aimed at interviews (“What do you like best about working here?”) Or the company’s growth (“What can you tell me about the company’s product development or plans for further growth?)

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