Knowing the answers is half the battle won.

1. Tell me about yourself
Restrict your answer to a minute or two. Cover your education and work history, and emphasise your recent career experience.

2. What do you know about us?
You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. Show that you have done some research, but do not act as if you know everything about the place.

3. Why do you want to work for us?
You can say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved in, and that it is doing them in ways that greatly interest you.

4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list your career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with a history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems and use your experience and energy to solve them.

5. What do you expect to be doing in this role?
Think in terms of responsibilities and accountability. Make sure that you really do understand what the position involves. If you are not certain, ask the interviewer; he may answer the question for you.

6. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution?
Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to pull your own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could expect to know the organisation and its needs well enough to make a major contribution.

7. Do you think you are over-qualified or too experienced?
Emphasise your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organisation, and say that you assume that if you perform well in this job, new opportunities will open up for you.

Mention that a strong company needs strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so well-qualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment.

8. What is your management style?
Possible styles include:
- Task-oriented: "I enjoy problem-solving, choosing a solution and implementing it";
- Results-oriented: "Every management decision I make is determined by how it will affect the bottom line";
- Paternalistic: "I'm committed to taking care of my subordinates and pointing them in the right direction."
- Participative: "I prefer an open-door method of managing, and getting things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility."

9. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?
Be brief and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision. Do not mention personality conflicts.

10. What do you think of your boss?
Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms at some point in the future.

When you are well-prepared to field tough questions, you will not only give thoughtful answers but will seem calm and self-assured - qualities that the interviewer will give you extra points for.

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper (24 Jan 2009)

Every time I get out of the car, I get an electric shock when I touch the driver's door. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

This is usually caused by a build-up of static electricity generated by your clothes rubbing against your car seat fabric. It is rare in a humid place such as Singapore, but it can happen.

Certain types of fabric cause more static electricity than others.

To avoid it, keep your hand on the metal doorframe as you are getting out, until you are fully out of the car. You may also hold your metal car key in your hand to let the electricity discharge through the keys.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

When I switch on the air-con in my two-year-old Korean car, water drips onto the floor of the front passenger seat. Although my mechanic blew compressed air through the evaporator drain to clear any clogs, the problem still persists. What could be wrong?

As water condensation from the humid air outside passes through the air-con system's evaporator core, which is within the dashboard, water drips off the evaporator to the bottom of the plastic evaporator housing. The water droplets then exit via the evaporator drainage tube.

Your problem is due to a leakage of moisture-rich air around the evaporator core. The air thus delivers condensation further into the ductwork, which is not designed to drain off the condensed liquid, leading to water dripping onto the floor.

To repair this, you have to remove the evaporator and reposition or replace the evaporator seal. This is to ensure that all incoming air passes through the cooling fins of the evaporator core, leaving no pathway for air to bypass the core and reach the ductwork.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

My car and tyres are in good condition, yet the car's rear end feels "loose" when I drive over humps. Could the rear stabiliser bar be damaged?

It is unlikely that the stabiliser bar is the cause of the problem, as its function is to stabilise your car during cornering.

The fault is likely to be worn rear-shock absorbers. You could also check your car's suspension joints and bushings for damage or wear.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

Why do most modern cars use disc brakes instead of drum brakes?

Disc brakes are safer than drum brakes, especially for stability when driving in wet weather.

Generally, when drum brakes get wet, they require far longer stopping distances than disc brakes.

And if one of the front brakes is wet when you brake, the vehicle tends to veer to one side.

Disc brakes, however, are costlier than drum brakes. Which is why rear brakes in most budget cars are still drums.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

Whenever I start my car, it makes a loud squealing noise that stops after a while.

I had the air-conditioning belt checked and, as it wasn't worn, the workshop put some belt dressing on it.

Although the squealing sound stopped for a while, it is back now and is worse than before. What should I do?

It is likely that your car's air-conditioning belt needs to be replaced.

Once it begins to make squealing noises and the side of the belt is glazed, no adjustment or treatment can stop the noise.

Also, check the air-con belt pulley surface for excessive wear.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

Every time I drive over a bump, I hear banging and knocking sounds from my car's front suspension. Why is this so?

This is most likely caused by the rubber bushes at the top of the front suspension mounts. When they are worn out, the top of the suspension knocks against the inside of the suspension strut tower. You will need to have them replaced.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper