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]

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]

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.