JOB INTERVIEW

[yaktamer]

Interviewed for a job today and felt I could have done much better. I have a good gig now, so if I don't make the cut it's not the end of the world. Just wish I had thought through the answers a little better. I think the biggest mistake I made was not thinking about WHY a particular question was being asked. At least I didn't do what a former colleague of mine did by ending with, "Oh, and that thing about the sheep? They never proved that."

[Faulkner]

I conduct new hire candidate interviews all the time. I typically use the open ended question method that I was taught in several HR classes I've taken. Basically, with open ended questions the interviewer is trying to get the interviewee to open up and have a conversation . . . just talk.

[S&W45Colt]

Don't sweat it, give to the Lord. If it's his will you'll get it, if not, it did not matter if your interview was perfection.

You of course are welcome to differ in your opinion, it's America.

[Bkreutz]

Man I'm glad the "job interview" thing is over for me (both sides of the equation). Now I have the Alfred E Neuman approach to life. . . What, me worry!

[gunblade]

Fun things to do at job interviews:

If you are balding, excuse yourself in the middle of the interview and come back a few minutes later wearing a wig.

Ask if you can be paid in cash as you are trying to lay low right now.

When asked if you have any questions, say "Yes, what is this microsoft word everyone keeps talkiing about?"

Show up a few minutes late and apologize by saying "I could have sworn you said San Francisco (if you are in San Francisco, use the name of another city.)

Tell the interviewer that "I think you'll find I'm a real team player, as long as no one touches my hair."

If asked about travel say, "it's not that I'm unwilling to travel, it's just this whole statute of limitations thing."

And finally, "can we put this on speakerphone? My lawyer wants to be involved."

[peterthefish]

I try to get through to the interview stage on at least one job opportunity a year (even if I don't want the job !). I've only changed companies once in 12 years. But the practice pays off - being good at interviewing can be worth more than being good at the job!

[franzas]

Originally Posted by Faulkner

open up and have a conversation . . . just talk.

If you can't carry on a normal conversation with those at the company, how the hell are you supposed to work there?

When I was interviewing for my internship, I had to interview with 3 people; 2 engineers and the HR rep. This was the the first "real interview" I'd been on. The first guy I met with gave me the best advice in regards to interviewing. Backstory- I don't let emotions (did I just use that word?) interfere with my life and I don't get nervous or scared. I'll admit, with this being my first time and all I was tense, a little shaky and had too little deodorant. So the first interview I was focused on not making any ***** comments and I was so focused I was literally on the edge of my seat. So the best advice I got and was:

Relax. Sit back in your seat
Stop trying so hard.
Just talk to me. (him)

[BigBill]

I lost my job due to recessions and cut backs I liked going to interviews. I interviewed them the sametime they interviewed me to see if I wanted to work there. It was very interesting to see the different ways they manufactured stuff and did different things too. Don't forget I learned different ways of doing things and I got an education on every job. When I or we leave a job the education leaves with us. I banked the new knowledge over and over. I applied the different education I received from every past job to the new job in someway. After a while we find our skills are finely honed.

Every time I lost what I thought was a good job I found the next job a better one. Keep the faith, never give up.

[wb4ky]

I like the sheep thing......

[old bear]

"Oh, and that thing about the sheep? They never proved that."

[yaktamer]

Originally Posted by Faulkner

I conduct new hire candidate interviews all the time. I typically use the open ended question method that I was taught in several HR classes I've taken. Basically, with open ended questions the interviewer is trying to get the interviewee to open up and have a conversation . . . just talk.

The conversation thing is great, but the interview just wasn't structured in a way that really lent itself to that. Overly structured, no coloring outside the lines type of deal. Now that I think about it, maybe I should have thrown in the line about the sheep, just for fun.

[LVSteve]

This thread reminds me that I have not been interviewed for a job since 1996, and even then I was the only candidate. The last two changes of employer were on the basis of "when you're done with them/their contract is up, come work for us".

[yaktamer]

UPDATE: Apparently it wasn't as bad as I thought, or everybody else was worse. I just found out I made the next cut.

[WhiteLightning02]

Sawwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeet !!!

[Straightshooter2]

You never know. What I thought was the best interview I ever did for an internal transfer to a different department and city, I didn't get the job. What I thought was the worst interview I ever did was for a management position where I worked...I got the job. It was an interview with a supervisor and a manager from the office. I had worked all night then hung around for another hour before it started and since I worked midnight shift, neither one of them knew me. The supervisor later told me the were saying who is this guy before I came in and blew them away. He said it was the best interview he had seen and yet I thought it was lousy. So don't give up hope.

CW

[FishingPilot]

I've interviewed a lot of people and have given jobs to some of the less technically qualified people simply because of their demeanor and personality. Anyone can gain book smarts. It's how you apply it that interests me. You don't need to know everything, just know where to find the answer or how to ask the question. Also, how you will fit in with the rest of the workforce is a MAJOR issue as well. A lot can be learned from a simple 30-45 min conversation when you let THEM talk.

[Bodhisatva]

I interview candidates all the time. The main thing I am looking for is passion and enthusiasm. I will overlook a "thin" resume if I feel that the candidate has the passion and drive to learn and grow within the company. Oh, and turn off your damned phone before you walk in. Had one candidate that got and sent texts throughout the interview. Needless to say, she wasn't selected.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Interviewed a lot of folks over the years. A lot depends on the job you're interviewing for... but the guy doing the interview understands most folks are nervous. Eye contact, no BS, be prepared but don't sound rehearsed. And you have to convince the interviewer that you actually want that job. If ya got the underlying qualifications all the psychobabble HR dreams up to ask an applicant don't mean squat.

[BigBill]

My son failed badly at the interview. Got the job and the owner of the company loves my kid. He made him a project manager. My kids luckily have my work ethics to give it 110%. They gave the kid a chance but he was recommended by another engineer. Now he's a white collared engineer. I guided my son through trade school, then through college trying to show him the way. He has two degrees one in mechanical eng. The other in automated manufacturing. In the beginning he just wanted to be a draftsman.(CAD)

So sometimes the interview score doesn't matter?

[BUFF]

"And, Mr. BUFF, what, then, would be your greatest weakness?"

"My honesty."

"Well, I don't think honesty is a weakness."

"And I don't give a #*%@ what you think."

I didn't get the job.

[NeoBuckeye]

Hang in there, you are on to the next round!
I work in a technical field, and have sat in on a few interviews.
I can look past the lack of technical knowledge, but want to see the ability to learn. The product tech knowledge can be taught.
A buzz word is "soft skills", how you respond and interact with people.

[Berserker]

I hate the generic name a time questions. I have to wonder if people just don't know how to interview.

[Robotech]

I've been on both sides of the desk quite a few times. When interviewing technology candidates, since at the time you couldn't get the needed skills except with the company, I looked for other characteristics, such has basic skills, how they thought and approached problem solving, but more importantly, personality and how well I thought they'd fit into the company culture. Every one I approved and was eventually hired met or exceeded my expectations.

With the downturn starting in 2001, I've been on the wrong side of the desk too many times, and it's been fascinating to see the interviewing techniques different companies use, from no technique at all, to playing psychological games, and even handwriting analysis. While already familiar with the techniques and the types of questions, I've still gotten caught where I could have given a MUCH better example if I'd had a few more moments to think about it.

I'm in the middle of a search again as my last company wasn't getting enough contracts to keep me busy, converted me from direct hire to contract, and hasn't had anything for me since last Summer.

The big problem I face now is that I'm an "experienced" worker. The usual feedback I get is that I'm "over qualified", but I've gotten reports back from recruiting/staffing companies that I came across as "too competent", to the point that some of the people interviewing me were actually afraid that I knew more than they did and represented a threat. (Well, as a polymath, I actually can do virtually any job in many of these technology companies... ) I've been told by various "experts" that I need to "dial it back", but others tell me I need to highlight all of my skills, experience, and accomplishments. I do try to adjust how I come across depending on the interviewer, but the group interviews, where you're facing several people at the same time from different areas and backgrounds, are the most difficult. It's hard to hit the right "tone" with everybody at once.

Anyway, if anyone knows of a company in need of an engineering/technology Sr. engineer/manager/exec., MBA/BSEE, with a background in: automation/robotics/manufacturing/alternative energy/solar power/ advanced battery development/electric-hybrid vehicles, or nearly any other technology, please point them in my direction. And this is only a partial list... I can pretty much guarantee that you're familiar with at least some of my work, though you won't find my name on it.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

Originally Posted by yaktamer

"Oh, and that thing about the sheep? They never proved that."

I am sure that made an impression.

[gregintenn]

I hate job interviews. I've been working at the same place for 21 years. Last year, they decided to restructure, and everyone in the office had to reapply and interview for a job just like we were new. I lucked out and got a big raise and promotion out of the deal.

Once, when I was straight out of high school, I went for an interview for a journeyman tool maker position with a German company. I was sitting at a table surrounded by people who couldn't speak coherent English. Their sense of humor was the only thing worse than their broken English. I never understood anything they asked, and thankfully, they didn't understand most of what I said. No dice on that job.

I also remember going for an interview for a draftsman job at our local electric company. They wanted you to have a minimum two year college degree, which I didn't have, and the job paid $8 per hour. Good luck with that! After learning that, I knew I didn't want it, I decided to have some fun with the guy doing the interview. He wasn't amused when I told him I wouldn't work for an arrogant, condescending, overbearing supervisor. Evidently this hit close to home with him, and the interview was cut short. The other guys sitting in the interview really seemed to enjoy it.

Sorry for the rambling, and good luck with getting the job.

[hangnoose]

When real young I would do 2 diff seasonal jobs & collect unemployment in between. they would sometimes send me on interviews for jobs I wouldn't want, as I be working again soon. Some tips: don't shower/ shave/ do laundry for a while, use some whiskey as after shave, If you can find some dog poo, step in it, show up late and say sorry I really tied one on last night. My last few interviews I did have for jobs I wanted, I broke out my old dress shoes I rarely wore. It seems the rubber/plastic soles got all dry rot. Walking back to the receptionists desk to hand in the application I noticed a trail of rubber debris to where I was sitting. My soles were almost totally gone with my socks touching the floor. I had to finish the interview and go to another, NOBODY noticed, people can be pretty oblivious. I trim my own hair. before my last interview for a director of nursing job, that I did get, the safety end came off the trimmer and I made a pass from my neck to the top of my head, that left a 1 1/4" strip down to the bare skin. At the end of the interview when told I got the job, I had to ask "didn't you notice this, or are you just being polite?"

[george minze]

Originally Posted by old bear

Baaaaa, Baaaaa !!!!!

[LoadedRound]

Originally Posted by peterthefish

I try to get through to the interview stage on at least one job opportunity a year (even if I don't want the job !). I've only changed companies once in 12 years. But the practice pays off - being good at interviewing can be worth more than being good at the job!

This is the heart of the matter. Why would any of us expect to be great at something we hadn't done in 10 years? Interviewing for a job is just like anything else. The more you've done it, the better you tend to be at it.

Try to make it as conversational as possible. Most interviewers are not having any more fun than you are and are quite happy to let you lead that conversation.

[LoadedRound]

Originally Posted by wb4ky

I like the sheep thing......

Don't say that.....they're suspicious enough of us Kentuckians already