|
ChairMaster posted:So I need a couple good lies for the questions "What's your worst quality?" and "What's the deal with the long gap in your employment history?" This advice won't change in case anyone in a similar place is wondering; if you are depressed, your problem isn't that you're unemployed. You can tweak an answer or two in order to fit situations you haven't actually experienced, but you can't pretend to be somewhere mentally that you simply can't be. I know, I know, if you just try hard enough because there's totally a bunch of people that bootstrapped through it. Seriously find a way to get help first, any way you can. You need to find some kind of empathy (btw, that doesn't mean "feeling bad for someone" it means being able to share someone's feelings, regardless what they are). Once you can understand how someone else can do and feel things other than what your gut reaction tells you to feel or do you will be able to walk through those ideas and talk to each step as though you've been there. You don't have to be able to feel and think like the people who you want to hire you, you have to be able to understand why they would feel and think the way they do. As is, anything I say would lead to setting you up for failure because you wouldn't be able to operate "off script" and answer on the fly digs for more information. Apply to somewhere that has lovely pay and lovely benefits, but where one just barely covers the other. Fast food, for example, is basically "My biggest weakness is that I work too hard!" interview territory. Put your whole paycheck towards health care and get a therapist, you're already unemployed, you won't be losing anything.
|
#
?
Jun 1, 2013 01:34
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 27, 2024 21:47 |
|
|
Just wanted to pop in to say thanks to FAN OF NICKELBACK, and the rest of the thread. I had an interview this past week, and I start a new job as a Software QA Specialist on Monday. After a month on unemployment, you have no idea how relieved I am. And even though this is a job I have never done before, and know little about, all the tips and advice in this thread helped me out a ton. For the first time in my big job search, I really sat down ahead of time and thought up good answers to the obvious questions I knew they'd ask, as well as some I thought they'd ask. They still threw a couple curveballs my way I wasn't expecting, but I obviously still wowed them. Thanks thread, and for those still looking/interviewing, please don't dismiss this thread or the advice, and keep your head up!
|
|
#
?
Jun 1, 2013 19:11
|
|
|
I found this thread at the perfect time! I got through the phone interview last week, and I have an in person interview in a few days. I've been in food service/retail for the last decade, and this is the first time an office has given me a chance at an interview. They said they were impressed with my witty cover letter and personal blurb, which probably shocked me more than anything as I really struggle with CVs. They admitted that they are extremely picky about who they even phone interview, and that over 400 people applied for the position I did. No pressure, right? I don't know how many others are in the interview process, though, and I refuse to let myself believe I'm the only special snowflake. They are a company that has a casual/nerdy/creative culture, so I'm not sure if I should expect more of the traditional interview questions or if I'm going to be thrown for a loop if the questions end up more personal. I'm obviously going to prepare as much as I can for the questions that many expect during interviews, but this place puts such a heavy emphasis on finding people that fit their unique style, I can't really prepare for that. I'm extremely confident that I would flourish at this job, it's just getting over my giant mountain of nerves. This is my first real chance at a Big Girl job (after so so many bad service jobs), at a company that I really admire and want to work at. My nerves come from being entirely too invested in the idea of working there, because it would mean so many things to me. Trying my best to chill out about it. Thanks so much for this thread, and I will be going through the old thread to prepare the best I can. My biggest worry is that they're going to probe about the gap in my work history, which is basically due to me making one bad decision to work at a place that was not guaranteed to be successful (and wasn't), and the second as just a desperate attempt to pay bills. They're not even on my resume because both lasted about 3 weeks before combusting. Ideally I will only have to explain that I left my long-term old job for an opportunity that didn't work out because of x/y, and I won't have to go into detail about anything else. Mondlicht fucked around with this message at 20:02 on Jun 2, 2013 |
|
#
?
Jun 2, 2013 19:44
|
|
|
Those sound like situations where you can be pretty honest. They'll appreciate that you're real with them. I once told an interviewer who asked why I was applying for a job that if freelance had still been going strong (this was after the last major financial crisis so it had dried up) that I wouldn't even be there interviewing. It was probably a counterintuitive thing to say and I'm not RECOMMENDING that anyone say something like that, but I could tell on his face that he appreciated the honesty rather than if I had blown smoke up his rear, and I did end up getting the job. In your case I wouldn't frame it as a "bad decision" but I think there are ways of discussing that that would be honest and would help your interview.
|
|
#
?
Jun 2, 2013 23:44
|
|
|
A 6 week gap? That could easily be a vacation you took with your savings. I lived willingly for a month on my savings from a retail job before seeking and starting a new job before. That is if you want to lie.
|
|
#
?
Jun 2, 2013 23:49
|
|
|
corkskroo posted:Those sound like situations where you can be pretty honest. They'll appreciate that you're real with them. I once told an interviewer who asked why I was applying for a job that if freelance had still been going strong (this was after the last major financial crisis so it had dried up) that I wouldn't even be there interviewing. It was probably a counterintuitive thing to say and I'm not RECOMMENDING that anyone say something like that, but I could tell on his face that he appreciated the honesty rather than if I had blown smoke up his rear, and I did end up getting the job. In your case I wouldn't frame it as a "bad decision" but I think there are ways of discussing that that would be honest and would help your interview. Yeah, I would absolutely prefer NOT to lie. I just need to think of ways to word my experiences truthfully without being negative about my ex-employers. Trying to be as vague as possible while not lying seems to be ideal, as far as I can tell. "I left [secure job] for an opportunity that ultimately was not a good fit." I don't have to say that they took my hours down from 40 to 10 and then fired me because they hired too many people. I'd prefer to not even mention the job I took after that, which also didn't last very long due to the owner yelling in my face for standing up for a coworker that he called derogatory names (I walked out). On paper, I left a secure job where I was appreciated for 3 years to go and hop between two awful jobs that treated me terribly. Two jobs that aren't even on my resume because of those experiences, so I feel like I've already lied by not having them on there.
|
|
#
?
Jun 3, 2013 04:14
|
|
|
Hey people take a risk on a start-up or a small business and it doesn't work out. That's why it's called a risk. If there was something about it that was attractive to you that speaks to your passion or your interests it can be a pretty compelling story, even if the business failed or contracted through no fault of your own.
|
|
#
?
Jun 4, 2013 02:31
|
|
|
Thanks for this thread! I found it the morning before my first phone interview with Xcel Energy. At that point I had 3 interviews with 3 separate companies all scheduled within the same week. The most helpful advice was to answer each question with a story of my experience. I learned the 5-point rubric and then impressed my interviewers by using specific examples, describing outcomes, and explaining what lessons I learned. One interviewer told me that I was the 2nd person out of 12 who actually used specific examples in my answers. As of today I have recieved job offers from all 3 companies I have interviewed with! I know the company I want to join, but I want to make sure the compensation is right. Now I'm looking for any information that could help me. I read the article on salary negotiations that was posted and it gave me the confidence to always negotiate. What can I do to prepare for salary negotiations?
|
|
#
?
Jun 5, 2013 10:17
|
|
|
Hey guys! I had an interview for a position last Friday, and I only had two days notice so I wasn't able to put all the advice in this thread to good use, but I thought it went generally okay. It's a step above an entry-level position at a company I have worked for previously (at an entry-level position), but I had to leave for a year for university. I applied anyway, because hey, who knows right? Anyway, I thought the interview went pretty well, not the most amazing I've ever had, but not the worst either. I was told I should hear on Tuesday, as the interviewer was away on Monday. And, well, it's Wednesday now, and I still haven't heard... As I said though, I wasn't really expecting to get it (and I'm trying to get my old job back, which should be easier), but it's still a little disappointing not to hear at all. My question is this: how soon should I be ringing to follow up, assuming I don't hear by the end of today?
|
|
#
?
Jun 5, 2013 14:57
|
|
|
One week from interview date. That is standard.
|
|
#
?
Jun 5, 2013 20:28
|
|
|
I've been waiting myself to hear back about my interview.  There will be a second round of interviews for those that make it, so all I can really do now is hope!It honestly didn't go that well, in my opinion. I tried my best to prepare, but it was basically my first real interview. An hour long, being passed off to multiple people. It was intense. All of my jobs I've gotten previously have basically been on the spot hires after a very brief and informal interview, so even if I don't get this job at least I have this as a frame of reference now.
|
|
#
?
Jun 7, 2013 18:00
|
|
|
Mondlicht posted:I've been waiting myself to hear back about my interview. Don't sweat it or over think it. Like you said, this can be a learning experience that you use in the future. I'll be conducting at least two interviews next week and hopefully one of those lucky suckers will have the pleasure of reporting to me! Hope they're getting good goony goon advice! 
|
|
#
?
Jun 7, 2013 23:11
|
|
|
How do you guys feel about all the tryhards that come through. I know I cant hold it against them because they are mostly doing what they think is the correct thing, but I want to know 'you' not the 'you' you faked up spending all night reading interviewing advice guides. So for further advice, all those canned answers sound like exactly that. The key is taking that advice and shaping it around your personality/skills and not being so on-the-nose with it.
|
|
#
?
Jun 8, 2013 00:08
|
|
|
Any advice on coffee shop interviews? This is for a large and established company for a slightly-above-entry-level software position, the person I'm interviewing with requested we meet at a nearby coffee shop instead of the office. Should I expect the same format as a typical in-office one-on-one interview, or is it likely they'll ask more oddball casual stuff like "What was your favorite vacation" and such? Should I dress exactly as I would for an in-office interview, or is there an expectation that I dress up a bit less (like lose the jacket keep the tie)? DanAdamKOF fucked around with this message at 22:01 on Jun 11, 2013 |
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2013 21:57
|
|
|
DanAdamKOF posted:Any advice on coffee shop interviews? This is for a large and established company for a slightly-above-entry-level software position, the person I'm interviewing with requested we meet at a nearby coffee shop instead of the office. I had an interview like this for a retail job. My experience was the questions were basically the same as in the backroom or whatever, the only thing is- since you are in an uncontrolled environment there are more chances of you doing something or encountering someone who screws you up. For example- my interviewer was a hiring manager- not an HR person - and she offered to buy me coffee, which I accepted- I had to be mindful of what I ordered so I went with a small simple whatever, not a $9 drinks. Let them order first and follow their lead. Next- it was in downtown Palo Alto and that Starbucks is SUPER busy with squatters so I had to be very careful. We lucked out and got a table but only barely. I was a little aggressive in grabbing one, which is a risk to take- but it worked to my advantage because that was the personality type she was hiring for. There is also volume issues if it is crowded.
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2013 22:34
|
|
|
ONEMANWOLFPACK posted:I had an interview like this for a retail job.
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2013 22:54
|
|
|
Can anyone tell me about their experience interviewing for new jobs while still at their old? I'm looking to jet from where I am now, but have no idea how to handle travel/scheduling for in-person interviews if/when it comes up. A big challenge is that I'm looking for positions outside of my current city.
|
|
#
?
Jun 13, 2013 15:04
|
|
|
Schedule it out far enough to use vacation? There has been one time I needed to get there ASAP and I had to have a "family emergency" over a Thursday and Friday in order to get in/out of state as needed. Just said a grandparent had a heart attack. No one hassled me about it. Sick days could work here too.
|
|
#
?
Jun 13, 2013 19:07
|
|
|
Just take leave. If pressed you can say you've got a meeting with your accountant or lawyer, the details are private, and it's the only time they have free in the immediate future. I don't like lying about being sick or family having issues because my overly compassionate boss inevitably follows up and I have to continue the lie. No one has ever asked me about a boring meeting with my accountant.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2013 05:22
|
|
|
Cirofren posted:Just take leave. If pressed you can say you've got a meeting with your accountant or lawyer, the details are private, and it's the only time they have free in the immediate future. If you have to travel out of state-and in my case 14 hours away out of state, you need more time to get there than "time with an accountant" gets you...
|
|
#
?
Jun 17, 2013 11:19
|
|
|
Dead Pressed posted:If you have to travel out of state-and in my case 14 hours away out of state, you need more time to get there than "time with an accountant" gets you... Pretty customary to be flown out the night before, interview, and fly back the next day. Or if for some reason that's not possible then interview on a Friday
|
|
#
?
Jun 17, 2013 11:34
|
|
|
No poo poo.  Not every company will fly you, and not every flight happens to fit outside work schedule. It's not ideal, but you have to do what you have to do to get off if your interested and they want you there in ASAP with no notice.
Dead Pressed fucked around with this message at 12:14 on Jun 17, 2013 |
|
#
?
Jun 17, 2013 11:48
|
|
|
I'm flying out of town this evening for an interview tomorrow morning. I just realized that I will be leaving the hotel, going to the interview, and then going to the airport to fly home. What am I supposed to do with my suitcase? Leave it with the receptionist?
|
|
#
?
Jun 18, 2013 17:19
|
|
|
No Butt Stuff posted:I'm flying out of town this evening for an interview tomorrow morning. I just realized that I will be leaving the hotel, going to the interview, and then going to the airport to fly home. What am I supposed to do with my suitcase? Leave it with the receptionist? Yes, I've done this several times. If that doesn't seem appropriate for the job, leave it at the front desk of the hotel and go back to retrieve it before going to the airport.
|
|
#
?
Jun 18, 2013 20:18
|
|
|
It's almost always OK to leave luggage, just be sure to smile and say please and thank you to the receptionist! This does matter.
|
|
#
?
Jun 20, 2013 15:42
|
|
|
I just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for all the great advice in this thread (I've never been very good with interviews). I just landed my first nursing job less than two weeks after getting licensed, after a single interview. HR and the senior manager that interviewed me both commended me on my "great interviewing skills"; looks like practicing questions and doing research really payed off. Nice.
|
|
#
?
Jun 20, 2013 16:45
|
|
|
Need a bit of advice. Didn't get the job I posted about previously (because of a lack of knowledge about the department), which is fine because I didn't really expect to get it. I've now applied for my previous job at the same company. After a little bit of hassle (basically they were confused about why I left, all sorted now after my old supervisor spoke to HR) I have a "very informal" interview. Any idea what I should expect? I'm still going in with my suit etc., unfortunately it's with someone who arrived after I left so I don't already have a relationship with her (though my friend who works there said she's very nice, I'll get along with her etc.), I'm just a little confused because they haven't requested that I fill out an application form, which they usually do of everyone, so I don't know what they're going to be asking.
|
|
#
?
Jun 21, 2013 15:12
|
|
|
I have worked in academia for the last 8 years, so this is primarily focused there, I have been in IT and part of search committees for execs, midlevel staff and taken part in faculty interviews as well, happy to share any experience I have. For my current job I had to do a presentation to the hiring committee, 30 minutes long, about my skills and why I would be a good fit for the position, which was pretty stressful. I'm no expert, but I've taken part in many interviews like this and have some basic advice., which I hope is helpful to someone.
I also worked on a committee that hired and worked with a search firm for about an 8 month search so I can share experiences with that if anyone is interested.
|
|
#
?
Jun 21, 2013 16:54
|
|
|
As someone who has interviewed a ton of people... Man.. if of the 50~ some odd people I've interviewed in the last 4 years followed even 5% of the recommendations in the OP it would have made my interviewing experience a lot better and easier. I recently got wrangled into a kind of ambush interview, something I'd never even thought of. Basically someone I knew recommended me to come meet with their colleagues for an unspecified reason which I agreed to because I wanted to catch up with an old friend, turns out it was an interview for a job with no title and completely nebulous job duties at a very strange company. I had very little time and was wearing my casual Friday work clothes. Needless to say I am almost positive I will not be getting that job. Moral of the story is pack your interview kit into your car with printed resumes and anything you need to pitch yourself because you never know when opportunity may strike.
|
|
#
?
Jun 21, 2013 23:43
|
|
|
Does anyone have any advice for someone going for their first interview? I've got one on Monday for a job I really want and I'm pretty nervous. I've been reading the person specification and thinking of good examples of how I meet each one, and I've done a couple of practise interviews as well. Basically I'm trying to come across as enthusiastic without seeming desperate. I'm worried they're going to think I'm too young (21), too inexperienced and too overqualified (I have a degree and the job doesn't require one), so I've been trying to think of ways to show that those things don't matter. But yeah, any advice would be much appreciated. Edit: Also, I wanted some feedback on some of the questions I've prepared for the interview.. - After a few years at this job, would I still be developing new skills and competencies? - Question about the person specification given that I wasn't told about at my tour. - I've read the strategic plan for the next 3 years of this service, how would [important part of their plan] impact the job and the way it developed? I'm not sure about the last one. I feel a bit like I would just be trying to show off the research I've done, but on the other hand I would genuinely like to know the answer. minema fucked around with this message at 00:02 on Jun 23, 2013 |
|
#
?
Jun 22, 2013 20:35
|
|
|
corkskroo posted:I have conducted some pretty awful interviews, I have to say. Some tips: Well... are you guys mean or not?
|
|
#
?
Jun 23, 2013 15:48
|
|
|
Just wanted to say thank you for this thread, it really helped me with a phone interview I had today. The question that was a real help was: "Taking what I've shared about myself into consideration, what don't I know about your company that makes you a good fit for me?" I didn't get an answer but it did lead the interviewer to say that there were no red flags that came up during the interview. Now I only hope that the hiring manager will grant me an in person interview, now I have to play the lovely waiting game for about a week until I hear back.
|
|
#
?
Jun 24, 2013 16:03
|
|
|
I know everyone else has given props to OP, but good lord those are the best interview tips I've ever seen. I've read countless online posts, newspaper articles, blogs, etc. on "how to ace your next interview", but none of that softball, sugar-coated crap beats the OP. Experience-based interview question: I had a recent interviewer that asked something along the lines of "tell me about a time where you worked with someone you did not get along with, and how you handled that." For an answer, I ended up stating that "I have trouble answering the question, as I get along with everyone that I've worked with." This is true, as all the companies I've worked for had small, tightly-knit groups of employees. I ended up getting the job, so I guess that answer was satisfactory for them, but I'm curious as to other takes on this question. After the interview I finally remembered a guy a couple years ago that would come 20 minutes late pretty much every day who smelled really bad, which was annoying, but he was fired quickly for the tardiness. an adult beverage fucked around with this message at 15:23 on Jun 27, 2013 |
|
#
?
Jun 27, 2013 15:14
|
|
|
For me, I just talk to the fact that most disagreements and conflicts aren't opinion issues, they're communication issues. I explain how I root cause, and then just tie it into whoever pissed me off most recently and how I recognize negative emotions towards a person as a need to relationship build and tell them about a time. I use it to show how I actively prevent conflict and proactively address situations. Yay I'm able to communicate how I'm beneficial to maintaining a positive team environment hire me.
|
|
#
?
Jun 27, 2013 18:19
|
|
|
^^I got the same question and answered it similarly. They seemed to like the answer quite a bit.an adult beverage posted:I know everyone else has given props to OP, but good lord those are the best interview tips I've ever seen. I've read countless online posts, newspaper articles, blogs, etc. on "how to ace your next interview", but none of that softball, sugar-coated crap beats the OP.
|
|
#
?
Jun 28, 2013 00:07
|
|
|
True story, don't give me or this thread credit. You got you interviews, and you aced it. In my experience it is equally as hard to get people to own successes as it is failures, but really own them all equally especially during yearly reviews. The fact is this is a buried thread more than one subfurm deep; you would be successful regardless because you were obviously seeking success out.
|
|
#
?
Jun 28, 2013 05:10
|
|
|
blah blah blah FoN. BLAH! Reading this and practicing the tips, as soon as I applied them I got offered a job that's a) outside of the loving defense industry and b) an excellent career move. Oh poo poo, and c) a 40% raise. I got my offer letter yesterday, now I'm dealing with my manager to nail down an effective start date since I don't want to put in my 2 weeks notice until the background check/drug screen clears. I know they WILL clear, but with as lucky as I feel right now, I could see some loving hiccup that takes forever to sort out and ugh. That, and I want two weeks after I finish this job so I can drive across the state to turn equipment in, then move my family the 600 miles we're going for the job. I'm saving every single receipt for deductions, boom.
|
|
#
?
Jun 28, 2013 19:36
|
|
|
So I'm kind of stuck in regards to the asking the interviewer questions aspect. The reason being is because my career field is in health care, specifically xray/radiology, and job descriptions tend to read more like the quick job description by the dept of labor and less like anything of substance to help me differentiate this position from others. This is an example of the entire job detail/description I see for postings:quote:Performs all radiographic procedures for assigned patients which creates a therapeutic environment for pediatric and adult patients and family. Carries out functions in a manner consistent with total quality care. Maintains a working knowledge of all radiographic equipment within the department. Performs all routine radiographic procedures and views. Prepares and/or administers contrast media, i.e., orally, IV, rectally. Provides radiation protection to patient, staff and self according to prescribed safety standards. Obviously this answers absolutely nothing about the job other than it's an xray job. So I find myself in a position where I have a lot of questions I want to know about the place (how many patients they get, what procedures they do, what equipment they use, how many techs, what specific depts do the techs work, etc). Is it bad form for me to have a lengthy list of questions to find out specifics of the position?
|
|
#
?
Jul 6, 2013 09:35
|
|
|
The rule I go by is "will the answer to this question cause me to either accept or turn down this job?" It sounds like some of your questions might be more geared to doing, not getting, the job. It's not a bad thing either way, necessarily, but questions can cause assumptions as to your knowledge and abilities--both good and bad. It can be a benefit to make sure you have a clear and tangible purpose past curiosity for job-related questions during an interview.
|
|
#
?
Jul 6, 2013 16:39
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 27, 2024 21:47 |
|
|
I want to ask a question in a 2nd round interview with a HR Manager and Senior Manager in a Japanese Investment Bank. Basically I want to feel out how they view the IT department as I know from experience that not having a positive view from senior management on the IT side of things makes for a pretty miserable life working there, how do you think it would be best to word this? At the moment I have something along the lines of "How do you envisage a typical day for someone in my position?"
|
|
#
?
Jul 18, 2013 21:53
|
|