One cannot deny the fact that interviews are tricky and make us nervous, no matter how many interviews you face one could never know the expected questions.
Gone are the days when organizations used to follow the traditional interview procedure. Now they have unexpected questions for candidates.
Many a time, interviewers give candidates a vague question like-
‘How many stairs did you climb to reach the interview place? ’,
‘How will you sell my laptop for me? ’, and so on.
Questions like this test the wit and creativity of the person.
Another question of such kind is ‘what is your happiest moment‘, though the question sounds easy to answer it does make candidates confused if he or she is unprepared.
Happiest Moments in Life:
Life is never a peaceful journey, it is a mixture of both happiness and sorrow. And we usually experience certain emotions which become life long memories, it can be a happy or sad one. But there are few special memories that we like to cherish especially happy ones.
Such memories are so special that we love to think about it most of the time.
As per research was done by Online insurance company Beagle Street on a few life experts aged 70+, the happiness that loving relationships give in life is much stronger than any material gains.
Let us have look at a few top happiest moments in life:
- Meeting your life partner for the first time
- Wedding day
- First kiss with your dream partner
- First child
- Having a new home
- Second child
- Your child’s first words
- Your child’s first steps
- Grandchildren
- Retirement day
The open-ended questions are your opportunity to shine and impress the interviewer, it gives you a chance to demonstrate your skills and portray yourself as the apt candidate for the position.
So will you let this golden chance slip away from you by answering this question casually?
I suppose, Not.
Let’s look at how one can answer these questions perfectly.
1) Why is the Question ’Happiest Moment of Your Life’ Ask the Candidates?
One might wonder why is this question asked. Candidates expect straight forward questions about their qualifications, work experience, accomplishments, and skills.
Very often they well prepared to face questions on these topics. But organizations looking for something beyond the work experience.
They want to evaluate the person as a whole say his personality, behavior, passions, likes, and dislikes. Organizations look for the following things while interviewing:
- Job fit: Can he do it?
- Capability: Will he do it and does he have the capability to do the tasks mentioned in his job description
- Personality fit/ emotional Intelligence: Do his behavior and personality match the requirement of the job
- Cultural Fit: Is he a good fit for the culture of the company.
For gaining this large information, the interviewer needs to ask questions which will brood deeper and get them greater insights into the person.
The question-‘ What is your happiest moment’ help interviewer gather the following information:
- Ability to handle the sudden confusing question – and to test how quick-witted the person is
- Ability to present the situation
- Things that make the candidate happy, and to know about his motivations
- To know about candidate’s passion
- Overall personality
One would have never thought that the simple question can reveal so much information.
As it is revealing many important aspects, it is necessary to prepare for this answer well.
Unless you want to mumble something silly, which has no such positive impact?
2) Which Moment can one Describe in the Answer?
A person has several happy moments in life.
When this question asked, many childhood memories come rushing to mind.
Several moments’ like- parents praising us for good grades, getting a scholarship, winning basketball match, graduating successfully, getting the first job, getting the first salary, getting married, the birth of the first child.
All such instances can say as the happiest moments in life.
But do you think answering in one line, can benefit you in any sort?
You will not satisfied with the answer and neither will the interviewer be happy. So the question remains, which incident to speak about and how.
Candidates can elaborate on the accomplishment they already mentioned on the resume. One can also speak of a topic totally out of the resume and take the interviewer by surprise.
Very often taking something not mentioned on resume grabs the attention of the interviewer. Because that’s exactly the thing he seeks.
3) Tips to Answer the Question What Is Your Happiest Moment in Life:
- Best way to answer is as follows:
- Describe it?
- Why do you regard it as the happiest moment?
- How did it affect your life?
- Understand the psychology of the interviewer – try to sense the tone and the things an interviewer is expecting you to say
- It advised not to try too hard to test the psychology of the interviewer as you make it appear to give the too obvious and unnatural answer.
- Try to avoid social issues as an answer to the question
- Choose the situation which can make you look good, which will highlight your qualities and the instance which made you happy.
- Do not talk about the situation of childhood, as your present life can be dull and boring
- Talk on a recent and profound moment that became the happiest moment for life.
4) Top 12 Pieces of Advice to Live a Happier Life:
We humans have become so robotic that we just are completing our life rather than living it. If we start living every moment of our life then we will easily be able to lead a happy life. This also helps you build good memories that will be with you forever.
- Pick your friends wisely
- Have a good work-life balance
- Always give priority to family and friends
- Do not stress yourself too much
- LIVE the moment
- Never be jealous of seeing others
- Do not compare yourself with others
- Love the work you do
- Something which has worth never comes easy
- Alway faith in yourself
- Prioritize things
- Do not try to take people who care for you granted
Top Five Biggest Regrets:
Regreting at present thinking about the past is just a waste of time. It is better to learn from your experiences and never repeat them. Also if it is irreparable then you can advise it to others of not making the same mistake, by sharing your experience.
- Getting married at a young age
- Getting divorced (depends)
- Not exploring the world
- Not taking proper education
- Opting the wrong career choice
5) Few Sample Answers:
Let us discuss different answers, which can give and the impact it can have.
1. Passing the exam
As discussed earlier, we should not speak of a situation of ages ago, so passing an exam instance cannot suit an individual with 5- 10 years of experience, this instance is suitable for a person searching for his first job and is fresh out of college student.
Answer:
I was waiting for my IT engineering results, I was not having high hopes as I fell ill during my exams. I was suffering from high fever and could hardly study much before exams.
My mother worried about my health and my results, but my father who has always taught me to be disciplined and prepared had faith that I would pass with flying colors.
And he was not wrong, I never believe in last-minute studies and use to revise the lessons the day it was taught. I practiced the difficult programs of Java language, as I use to find it difficult to grasp.
To my surprise, my father was right, I passed with flying colors. And my parents felt proud of me. The Subject which I felt is difficult I scored a distinction in it.
Seeing my efforts being paid off well and looking at my parent’s happiness, I was completely happy. I consider that as one of the happiest and best moments in life.
In my professional life too, I think being disciplined and being prepared for the crisis will help me a lot. My father taught me a valuable lesson, which if followed will prove to a real gem of life’
Impact:
One can use the strategy of describing this answer in ‘ Situation- Task- action- Result’ form.
Do not ramble a lot, make sure you finish the answer in a minute or two.
2. Getting the First Salary:
This situation can be suitable for people with 0-2 years of experience. For candidates with high experience, this would not be suitable. Describing some notable accomplishments will be ideal.
Answer :
Till the college starts, I had a vacation of a few months. Instead of just relaxing, I thought to do something useful that vacation. Luckily I got a task of my interest and a good opportunity to put my skills to use.
Since childhood, I was fond of designing and computer graphics. My curiosity leads me to learn a few lessons from the internet and I acquired pretty decent skills in Photoshop and illustrator.
I got a freelance job, which has a responsibility to design the company logo and the company website. Also, I was very excited and worked with vigor. I got feedback that is very creative and apt in understanding the requirement and giving results on time.
They did not expect such a good job from an undergrad. I was in seventh heaven to get positive feedback and was one of my happiest moment, it made me motivated. I learned that self-learning is the best way to learn and I have continued the same throughout my graduation.
Hence if I compare myself to my batchmates I am having ample skills that make me proud and confident about myself.
Impact:
He also mentioned the good reviews he got from freelance jobs. And lastly, as he said he learning on his own during the graduation gives the impression that the candidate has an immense desire to learn.
One should describe the incidents in short and should not come off as a show-off and an overconfident person.
3. Getting married to the person I love:
Getting married is a life-changing event, not all stories are fairy tales, many couples face several challenges and hurdles and finally, they are together. Though it is a personal thing, it cannot be termed inappropriate to answer. The best way to describe can be as follows.
Answer:
Even with the long-distance, we made things work. We use to work overtime save money and travel to visit each other. The short time we had together was very precious. It was very difficult to stay apart but we knew to focus on studies and getting a good job is also important.
A post we got jobs, the struggles did not end, and our parents not very happy with our union and disappointed due to our religious beliefs and financial status. But luckily love conquered as we convinced them together for long 2 years.
Our parents realized our strong bond and hence got us married. Getting married surpassing so many struggles felt wonderful and that I consider the happiest moment of my life. I always get things which I set my heart on, and letting goes Eric was not on the list.
Impact:
But if the interviewer is a bit casual and relaxed then describing this instance can surely have a positive impact. You are portraying that you are a hard worker, have focus and can handle many challenges. This quality necessarily required in fast-paced organizations.
4. Owing to a house:
Another life-changing and happy event one has in life is owning a house. It can surely describe in a way that impresses the interviewer. Let’s see how.
Answer:
We were not financially well off. It was a struggle for a large family of six to live in a small two-room apartment. But the struggle made me stronger and I was determined to study harder, work harder and give my family the home they deserve.
Nothing deterred my spirits and I worked hard for 8 years, I started working young at the age of 20. And with 8 years of hard work, I can proudly say that I own a 2 story large home for my family.
I never saw my parents that happy, they were in happy tears and appreciated my hard work and blessed me. This incident was one of the best moments of my life.
Impact:
This incident portrays, that the candidate is a hard worker and strived a lot to get his dream. An interviewer who is looking for an ambitious person will surely be impressed with this answer.
Conclusion:
So here we saw in detail how to answer this tricky question and the impact it can have. One should not aim to make up stories to impress the interviewer but should work upon the way to present the instance in a precise and ideal way.
Be genuine and answer in confidence and you will surely ace up answering this question. I am eager to know what other happy moments you all readers have faced in your life. It would be fun to share, isn’t it? Awaiting useful inputs and great stories.
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