Interview tips

[Flashpoint]

When they ask you for areas of where you need "improvement" (i.e tell us something bad about yourself), take one of your strengths, and overemphasize it:

I am a workaholic, and tend to expect the same behaviour from those around me.

I have a great deal of attention for details, and sometimes I am too much of a perfectionist.

You will be far better off using a strength as one of your weaknesses than someone who comes in and says "I leave everything until the last minute because I procrastinate", or "I have trouble meeting deadlines".

Also, just try to be yourself. If you are faking it, they are going to know. Be confident, but not arrogant. It's a fine line. Indicate that you know what you want, and what you want to do, but don't endlessly pontificate on your accomplishments.

Finally, keep in mind that whomever speaks the most in an interview is generally the person who feels the interview went the best - so DON'T RAMBLE!

Good luck.

[ken0042]

How loyal could you be if you are ready to ditch your current employer? Also would a new employer be worried you might be too loyal to your current employer and want to go back in 3 months?

Just playing Devil's Advocate here.

[snappyk]

Just go in with an open mind and pretend that the job is already yours, show confidence.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by fotze

Anyone have any interview tips? I haven't done an interview for over 9 years and I wasn't that good at that time either. The situation is different, I had not much to offer back then and was hoping for whatever I could get coming out of school. The jobs were less plentiful back then.

It is not an HR type of interview, but just to "meet" with the guy I would be working for. I got it from a recommendation from a colleague.

How 'confident' should one be? Do I picture them naked or is that technique uselful for giving a speech?

If you can practise interviewing with a friend or Family member. Get them to ask generic questions.

Make sure you research the Company go into the interview prepared.

[ken0042]

I still say you should get yourself a pizza delivered to you during the interview. Say that you are the type of guy who gets things done.

That way; even if you don't get the job, you still get the pizza.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

fotze, here's a few tips:

1 - open body language, don't fold your arms, keep a smile and eye contact.

2 - be positive but don't lie, interviewers often hate the "I'm a workaholic" answer to your faults, actually tell them your faults and how you think working for them would improve them.

3 - watch their body langauge, if it's closed, try and make them comfortable


this is gonna sound stupid but, pick up a book on dating. The theory of going on a first date, and job interview are almost identical (only one pays you and the other wants to bumpity bump you).

As for the picture them naked idea, I don't think that even works when giving a speech, I'd say probably a bad idea (especially if it's an ugly dude, hot chick interviewing you, we'll I'd reccomend picturing her naked even if you're not on a job interview)

I'm trying to pick my brain for some other really helpful tips, throw in tidbits about the company etc in questions.

This might sound stupid as well but alot of how well you do deals with the interviewer, if they ask open vs closed questions, how well they use transitions between them.

Also have a few stock answers ready for:

- tell us a little about yourself (I hate this one)
- what are your strengths?
- what are your weaknesses?
- what experiance do you have?
- why did you apply for this position?


If I think of anything else I'll post it

[firebug]

This sounds like an 'informational interview' rather than a 'job-interview'.

If so, what you need to do is interview him/her.

Have questions prepared related to:
-industry trends
-corporate positioning in the marketplace
-strengths and weaknesses of competitors
-skills that have made them successful in their career
-skills they see are lacking in their subordinates
-skills they wish they had more of
-work/life balance

They will not be trying to figure out if you have the skills, but rather if you have the right personality to fit in.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Also have a few stock answers ready for:

OK, here's another (this time I'm being serious)

"Is there anything you'd like to know about our company" or "Do you have any questions about what we do?"

Even if you ask something that you know the answer to, it shows you have a genuine interest in the company.

[Regulator75]

Watch your err, umms, huh and hmmms.
Nothing worse than someone who doesn't communicate properly in an interview. Take small pauses instead of stammering or saying ummmmmm.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by firebug

This sounds like an 'informational interview' rather than a 'job-interview'.

If so, what you need to do is interview him/her.

Have questions prepared related to:
-industry trends
-corporate positioning in the marketplace
-strengths and weaknesses of competitors
-skills that have made them successful in their career
-skills they see are lacking in their subordinates
-skills they wish they had more of
-work/life balance

They will not be trying to figure out if you have the skills, but rather if you have the right personality to fit in.

IMO this is exactly the direction to take. Only thing I'd add is be as specific as possible in the questions or rather make him get as specific as possible.

[Cheese]

ASK a LOT of questions...and make sure you ask what is important to you.
Work hours, how are bonuses structured and what are they generally.
What would your Job Description be.

Heres some links...take questions you need for yourself or what you consider to be important to yourself.

http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/interview/AskQues.htm

http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/in...l/aa051903.htm

http://interview.monster.com/archives/attheinterview/

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interv...viewquest2.htm


Good luck...and dont be afraid to ask them the same HARD questions they ask you. If they dont answer a question or have a hard time dealing with a tough question, maybe they arent prepared enough to hire someone as talented as you?

[JiriHrdina]

The key is mindset.

Think of it this way. Companies NEED good people very badly right now, particularly in this job market. If you are good and what you do then approach it as you interviewing the company as much as them interviewing you. They need you as much as you need them, if not more. That doesn't mean that you should be arrogant, but it does mean that you should treat it like any business meeting where the two sides are attempting to assess whether or not a fit exists between the two parties.

Think of it as not an interview, but just as a business meeting.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The key is mindset.

Think of it this way. Companies NEED good people very badly right now, particularly in this job market. If you are good and what you do then approach it as you interviewing the company as much as them interviewing you. They need you as much as you need them, if not more. That doesn't mean that you should be arrogant, but it does mean that you should treat it like any business meeting where the two sides are attempting to assess whether or not a fit exists between the two parties.

Think of it as not an interview, but just as a business meeting.

Exactly Jiri....it is hard for younger people to take that direction, but MUCH older guys like the Fotz should have LOTS of experience along with his age and time in business.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Think of it as not an interview, but just as a business meeting.

i agree ... as someone who hires and fires, dont be intimidated either. in fact, part of my process in the interview is determining if we are a good fit for you. i hate turnover, so even if you are a blue chipper, if i dont think we are the company or have the job that will keep you, i most likely wont hire you.

finally, dont tell the interviewer you left your last job because "some jew bought the company". i kid you not, this was a response i got to the question "why did you leave XYZ company".

[hah]

Don't tell him you spend most of your day on CP.com, and that is why your boss is mad at you.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by hah

Don't tell him you spend most of your day on CP.com, and that is why your boss is mad at you.

And for god's sake don't mention your user name on CP fotze.

[Ayrahb]

You already got some good advice, but here is some more (without knowing any specifics, of course):

-- Focus on what YOU can do for them, not the other way around. Deep down, none of us really care how we can accomodate others, epecially in business (please, no flaming/thread hijacking over the second statement).

-- Try to learn a little more about the interviewer beforehand (without being creepy). Maybe your colleague knows this person well, ask him/her. Do you have things in common? Golf? School? Both Newfies? Try to use that during the initial small talk. Don't force it, though.

-- Show genuine interest in what the interviewer has to say.

-- If this turns into an real job interview, be ready to answer behavioral questions. People can freeze up when they expect traditional questions, but hear "Tell me about the time..." or "Give me an example...". Once I asked an interviewee to tell me about a difficult situation at work/school and she told me about her long-distance relationship.

-- Be ready to answer about your salary expectations. I hate it, but people ask it quite often.

-- If this is not the person who makes hiring decisions, try to arrange a meeting with someone who is.

-- What is the company's dress code (unofficial, if they don't have an official one)? The interviewer's personal dressing style? Match it, but try not to come in overdressed.

That's all I can think of right now. As someone said, employers are having a hard time finding good help and you should remember that.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Ayrahb

-- If this turns into an real job interview, be ready to answer behavioral questions. People can freeze up when they expect traditional questions, but hear "Tell me about the time..." or "Give me an example...". Once I asked an interviewee to tell me about a difficult situation at work/school and she told me about her long-distance relationship.

I must be lucky...first Ive only had 5 jobs in my life and one was my own business.....but I dont recall answering "behavioural quuestions"?
Trying to think of what purpose they'd serve to Engineering?
Stuff like...what would you do if your pen leaked ink onto your shirt pocket?
Sheesh...thats easy...wear a pocket protector!

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by fotze

I'm thinking of stying clear of bonuses and benefits type questions. Focusing on the job and what I can do for them, yadda yadda, not how it could benefit myself. Does it look bad to avoid the talk of money and things I would get? I wouldn't think so....

What if a beef about the current place would be something that in all likelihood the interviewer would agree with and feel more strongly than myself about.

All questions should be asked...unless you know that its going to be a 3 or 4 interview process.
If its is the latter then save some questions for later, however if this is it then you need to know what the benefits are, wages, holidays (And dont take anything less than 3 weeks)!.

[habernac]

Smithers: What would each of you say is your worst quality?
Man 1: Well, I <am> a workaholic.
Man 2: I push myself too hard.
Homer: Well, it takes me a long time to learn anything,
I'm kind of a goof-off...
Smithers: Okay, that'll do.
Homer: ... a little stuff starts disappearing from the workplace...
Smithers: That's enough!