Posted on 04/16/2002 11:18:30 AM PDT by KantianBurke
This friday I've got an interview coming up for a job. As I'm right out of college and in need of employment I was wondering if any Freepers would be able to give me some do's and don't. Is there any one thing that'll get their attention? Anything I should do or say that would get me hired?
They'll remember you for that.
Remember to highlight your strengths and downplay your weaknesses. For instance, when interviewing for a position as a pilot, the direct answer of "No, I can't" is much weaker than an answer of "Well, I've seen pictures of airplanes, even though I've never actually flown in one."
Present a neat and clean appearance. Make sure your tinfoil suit is properly shined and that you wear your good canvas hightops - the ones with only two holes in the soles.
If the interview seems to be going badly despite this, don't hesitate to imply that you have photographs of your interviewer, caught in a compromising position. Everyone has something in their lives that they would prefer not to have made public, and if you are vague enough, you can persuade them that they're caught.
Good luck!
To add to this...be careful with this question. If one of the people interviewing is your future boss, they might feel threatened if one of your career goals is to become a manager in your field.
I'm a little older than you (40), but I've always found the best answer to be "I really love the kind of work(field) I'm in right now and frankly would be glad to work in it in any capacity."
DO NOT SUCK UP!!! We can spot that a mile away. Suckups are weasels that cant be trusted. I usually tell a really stupid joke. If they laugh like its the best thing they've ever heard, they fail. If they politely chuckle and segue into something else, they are still in contention.
Above all, I am looking for someone who CARES. Someone who puts themself into their job, and it MEANS something to do it well, not just a way to get paid. And if you are female interviewing with a male, DO NOT under any circumstances flirt or use your looks to try to influence the interviewer. All that says to me is "potential sexual harrassment problem".
° get a good night's sleep,Best wishes for success
° Don't eat foods that get you jittery/wired (ie coffee/donuts)
° Arrive Early
° Dress appropriately
° act professional (every job has some future advancement)
° eye contact, posture are important
° be articulate,
° Do some research on your future employer
° Ask questions regarding the company, its future (this is based on your prior research)...(don't start off with vacations/wages)
° Be prepared to tell the company what YOU can do for THEM (why is it advantageous to hire you)
° Be preared to tell why You want to work there
° be prepared to respond to questions of your goals for the next year, the next five years etc.
° be prepared to answer what you liked/disliked about your present/previous employment
° Do not exaggerate/lie regarding your qualifications/resume (companies are researching your submittals)
° be honest....sometimes "I do not know" ..MAY be the right answer, but be prepared to illustrate you know where one can research for the solution
° do not attempt to present yourself as something you're not
° Be prepared to have examples/accomplishments for every thing you state in your resume
° Be sure to thank them for their time and be courteous to all those you encounter. One never knows who has the deciding vote
° 2 rules to live by:1) Don't sweat the small stuff....
2) It's ALLLLLL small stuff....
Ask intelligent questions -- on the basis of your research -- about the organization. Make positive references to aspects of the organization, its mission, and activities that you have learned about, and weave these into what amounts to a statement of why you would like to work for the organization and why and how you feel you could contribute to its success.
Be mindful of "body language -- both yours and theirs. If necessary, get your hands on one or two good books on the subject and study them thoroughly. If possible, experience "practice" interviews at the hands of a friend who is perceptive, "forward," and possesses other qualities of a good actor. Videotape these "dry runs" and carefully review the tapes -- first when you are by yourself and later with those whose opinions and judgement you trust.
If possible and appropriate, carefully identify one or more of the organization's unmet needs and how you could contribute realistically to meeting it/them. But be careful with this one -- couch your words within a positive framework and go down this road only if you thoroughly and intelligently have "done your homework."
Sell the interviewer on the actual BENEFITS of adding you to the "family," and be ready to answer what successful salesmen refer to as "objections;" the interviewer may field these both to see how you think on your feet and to obtain accurate information re: your abilities and how well you will "fit" within the organization if you are hired.
Strike a balance between being a "private" professional and "getting personal" and allowing the interviewer to do so. This will enable you to address his/her actual concerns, if any, and a ploy that skillful interviewers often use. And remember: "never discuss politics, baseball, and religion."
Maintain eye contact, but not in an intensive manner. Aim your gaze at the point of the interviewer's jaw for about 50% of the time, into his/her eyes for 25%, and at the shoulders for the remainder of the time.
Never bad-mouth anyone, and keep your words on the positive side without being a "polyanna" or a "wienie." Start and end with a firm-but-not-too-firm handshake accompanied by a friendly gaze of low-too-medium intensity before, during, and shortly after the handshake.
Thank everyone you meet for their inviting you to meet with them -- and don't forget the secretary/administrative assistant/receptionist.
Having obtained beforehand the direct office addresses and correctly spelled (and pronounced)names of all those you will meet, carefully compose, write and send ASAP letters to all, thanking them again, highlighting/recalling significant topics/moments in each interview, and expressing sincerely and -- in specific terms as possible and appropriate -- why you hope to join the organization and how and why you would be an asset as a selectee (make mental notes during the interview and "transcribe" them as soon as possible after leaving the premises).
And, perhaps most important of all (when appropriate): after each interview and in each of your follow-up letters -- ASK FOR THE JOB.
I attest -- as one who has interviewed and been interviewed for various reasons well over a hundred times in environments ranging from companies large and small (privately-held, entrepreneurial/startup, national, and multi-national); the military; and other government agencies -- that, if you put into practice the foregoing, you will stand head and shoulders above the vast majority of your competitors for the job (or otherwise).
Good luck, and all the best....
The answer for one trick question that is always asked is "how do you see your self"? This had always stumped me until I realized this: One cannot properly see himself unless he is always standing at the mirror and this is a sign of vanity. I judge myself by the example of others for how I would like to be seen AND how not to be looked upon in an unfavorable manner. You look for what makes others appear strong and confident by their actions and to others for how not to act.
At one point of my life, an interviewer took out a can of Copenhagen and took a pinch. Feely good about the interview, I asked if I may have a pinch also. I declined the need for a spit cup.
I got the job for a location in a different city and during perparations for the move, I checked in with the local office that I would be working at. I found out that the person that had hired me had died two days prior and they had no record of my hiring for that office.
The point of this last part is, if you are hired for a location other than the office of the interview, get work orders of your hiring.
Remember that interviews are often as much about personality as about skills. They want to hire someone they will like working with so be likable and easy-going. If you are a nervous type, try your very best to relax. Really. If you are nervous, it will sometimes make them nervous.
Oh, and red "power ties" have generally worked pretty well for me.
Every company has problems. If they didn't, why are they looking to hire someone. If the interviewer claims they don't have any problems, that is a big red flag.
ASK FOR THE JOB!
ASK FOR THE JOB!
ASK FOR THE JOB!
Please, if you want the job by the end of the interview, ask for it. It is one of the most difficult things to do, but make sure you do it. And I don't like people that use the "when can I start?", technique, it's a little presumptuous, but you can honestly tell them why this job is so important to you and why you really want it. Stop just short of annoyance. If you are not a candidate for other reasons, it won't help you, its not magic. But if it is close between you and others of remotely similar credentials, you'll get it.
As hard as it is to believe when you desparately want to find a job, many of the other interviewees are just testing the water, and aren't really looking to change jobs. Headhunters and hiring managers hate to waste time with people who they don't know are serious about the job. Those people take forever to return calls, take forever to make a decision, and negotiate forever. If they think you are one of those people, it will hurt you.
Here's a caveat to do it right, though. If you go overboard talking about how much you want the job, when there is no way you could know enough about the job to make that decision, you'll sound desparate/foolish. So, hopefully the interviewer will tell you enough about the job during the interviewer so you can act like everything you learned just set you on fire. Just in case they don't tell you enough, however, be prepared with two or three strong questions that will tell you a lot about the job when they answer. And then at the end of the interview, you'll be able to tell them why this particular job/company is one you very much want.
It is unbelievable how often the question "Do you think he/she will take it?" comes out in discussions about selecting. Especially if there is the chance they might think you are overqualified, or that you are used to making more money. You would think that they would call and at least offer "Hey, would you take this job for $xxxx?" but usually they just say "I can't figure out why they would want this," and move on. I think that explains a lot of the interviews when people think they just nailed it solid, and yet never got a call.
Ask for the job again in your thank you note.
But if you do, don't look at it.
I currently live in the Silicon Valley, and companies won't hire you if you are way over-dressed. I figure if it is a casual t-shirt and jeans company, you at least wear dockers if you're a guy, and something equally appropriate for a girl.
I grew up in Texas, and I think in Texas most companies someone would wear a suit for most of those interviews.
But if you do, don't look at it.
……or eat it in front of anyone....put it in your pocket and save it for later.
Someone else mentioned this. Get to the interview early. You can hang out in your car if you are too early. When I was graduating from college, I had my first interview with one company. On the way to the interview, I was in a car accident. (It was not my fault. Someone hit me from behind while I was waiting at a red light.) I still made it to the interview on time.
If something happens and you do have to cancel the interview, make sure you call and reschedule. Also make sure it is a good excuse. My husband had to reschedule an interview with his current company. I think he had a good excuse. I had gone into labor with our first child.
Also, don't seem too eager for the job. You don't want to seem desparate. It's always good for them to think that there is the possibility that someone else has offered you a job.
You also might want to follow-up with a thank you note to the people that interview you.
There are very few 'secrets' to interviewing and that will help you distinguish yourself from the rest of the field.
Also be prepared with responses about previous work history and other activities, that comes up a lot. Know who you are talking to..like someone already said if there are a lot of women in the office frame pro family responses and activities. Predominantly male, tell them how ingenious/reliable you wereat your last job benefiting the company.
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