Great interviews & Experience
- I've had a couple great interviews (I felt they went well and even the interviewers said that they were good interviews), but the clincher of why I am still unemployed is that I don't have enough experience. I am a recent graduate. So hopefully I will get a job soon, irregardless of the painful catch-22.
- —Guest Perplexed
YaWnInG
- I got to an interview location an hour in advance and sat in my car. It was a sunny day and I wanted to take a nap beforehand. But because I didn't want to oversleep, I fought it and stayed awake. But when I had the tour, I had yawned a few times, even though I was fighting it. It was hot and stuffy and science says that it's your brain taking in oxygen to cool off, but to others it means boredom or sleepiness. I had an interview today in another location, I was trying NOT to yawn, so I had a funny face at times. So get enough sleep.
- —Guest beating myself up 2 weeks later after
Don't Get Too Personal
- "Had seemingly great interview in big city, asked for some advice about where to move to. A friendly conversation leads to the question of whether I would live alone or with a roommate. Don't answer like I did: Don't say you would "tolerate" a roommate or anything like that. Sure it's a personal decision, but one of the interviewers response was "way to be a teamplayer" That was not my intent."
- —Guest regretting
Tearing Up
- I was explaining that I could now spend time advancing my career because my special needs daughter was done with high school and I stared to tear up. Job interviews are certainly the most unnatural emotional settigns and most people must keep all layers of emtions in check. Do you think I automatically blew the interview because of those couple of tears?
- —Guest Lora
Know the Process!
- Search online for past applicant experiences. I recently went to one of those multiple visit interviews and did everything right on the first two. Always smiled, attentive and had proper posture. I aced the written tests and computer aptitude work. I had no idea it would take three hours on what I would later find out was an impossible project. After four hours the face to face interview with supervisor came and I flunked horribly. According to my web search the whole point was simply a stress and stamina test. WT*
- —Guest never bounced back
Ace the Interview
- When you're job-hunting, you dntieifely need to ace the interview. 1. Match your accessories to the corporate personality. Specifically, elaborate nails may give the impression that you don't spend a lot of time at the keyboard, noisy jewelry may detract from your answers, and expensive jewelry may give the impression that your salary requirements will be on the high side. 2. Don't chew gum. 3. If you're seated in the room when the interviewer walks in, stand up to introduce yourself. Have a strong handshake. Smile. 4. Work your research into your answers. "I read on your website that you.." or "The paper reported that the company is ..., what did you think of that article?" 5. Questions should focus on the job, not the benefits. I like "Please tell me what happened to the last three people who held this position?" because you learn whether this position is a love em and leave em one or one where people get promoted. Also, where do projects come from?, What was one of the most interesting projects you've worked on recently? What are you excited about working on next? As an applicant, I've told many an interviewer that I'm interviewing them just as much as they're interviewing me. When they ask if I have any questions, I pull out a written list. Never fails to impress. Can't wait to read others' suggestions too.
- —Guest LxVkoZPdWhuKYvaFQz
Know who's at the table
- Really excited to be interviewing again since it was 6 weeks after my last one. The interview went along well, good roundtable of questions from the group. I went on to answer them all and had not yet realized what was everyone's position in the company. Turns out the guy sitting right next to me was "THE" supervisor. I definitely would have answered their questions differently if I knew who I was talking too. Cannot believe I made this mistake. WORD OF ADVICE: doesn't matter how long it has been since your last interview. Always know ahead of time who you are interviewing with so you have a better idea of how to direct your answers.
- —Guest Guest
Interview Mistakes I Made
- *verbal ticks like constantly using the word "um" *possible schedule conflict with current employer (I work two seasonal jobs) *being my own worst enemy--people really pick up on that! *fidgeting *being overdressed *overqualified (job started out with pay that's less than what I make at my current employers) *applying for the job for the wrong reason
- —Guest hrc20052012
Prepare a Better Answer
- Don't know if I got the job yet, but I can guess: when the interviewers asked me why they should hire me, my mind went blank and all I could say was, "because I REALLY want this job!"
- —Guest Sage
Really ... the best!
- I have had a couple of interviews that turned out badly - one was my mistake, the other is still a head-scratcher. First, I interviewed with a school district for the Superintendent's job. The board president asked me "What would you do if we asked you to do something illegal or unethical?" I had just come from a position where this was an issue so I responded, "I wouldn't even tolerate it. I would turn you in to the authorities the next day!" Of course, I didn't get the job. In another superintendent's interview in East Texas I had the best interview of my life, nailing every question and issue raised. I was thorough but not too verbose. I received a phone call from the search consultant later. He said, "The board said you were the most articulate, most intelligent, best informed and most capable candidate they've met. Unfortunately, they just don't think you fit their school district." Whaaa??! No wonder they had an unacceptable high school at the time.
- —TTURealityChecker
Erm... Don't have one?
- Always... ALWAYS have a question to show you are interested in the job
- —Guest Chris
Being Too Positive
- Avoid being over positive about yourself. It may raise questions to to the interviewer. Admit genuine mistakes.
- —Guest zacchaeus
How Not to Impress the Interviewer
- One of the funniest interviews, looking back, that I ever conducted when I was a hiring manager involved an applicant for a top level finance position who started taking off his shirt to show me the scars from a boating accident he was in. He wanted to show me why he had been out of a work. It wasn't funny then. I couldn't imagine why he was starting to get undressed in my office. Years later though, it still makes my list of the top interview mistakes I've seen. The young woman in the really short dress that impressed all the men in the office comes to mind, as well. She looked like she was dressed for a night on the town, not a job interview. In a similar interviewing situation, a woman, dressed in a cocktail dress and chewing gum while interviewing for a job at a college didn't make a good impression the person who interviewed her.
- —Guest fon elvis
Bad Timing
- For my first interview I went in half an hour early, then had to wait an additional half hour because my interview had been moved. When the interviewer came out to get me I was on my phone, my mind went blank when she started asking me questions and I had to ask her for examples (I've never joined clubs, worked, or volunteered, so i could only come up with lame answers like "when I was younger I had to go to my parents and persuade them on my troubles") lol; yeah, that went over well. Not to mention other workers kept coming in the room and interrupting. Then I set my phone alarm for the wrong date and called back a day before I was told and she was in a meeting, the next time I called and she was with another manager but she took the call anyway and was real brisk, telling me there were no positions open and she would keep me updated, and hung up while I was still talking. I was too nervous about being on time for everything that I over-did it I guess.
- —Guest Untimely
Interviews are Not Ideal
- Many people who give advice about how to behave in interviews are very professional and experienced. In most of the cases, those give the conditions of "Ideal" interview. However, do not expect all the interviews you attend to go as you have planned or read on the web. Depending on which part of the world you are in, you can find many examples of this. Sometimes your "Interviewer" is late! Others may not be taking notes on your answers. You may also find a member in the panel that is asking stupid questions. Alright...these might be extreme cases; however, other less extreme cases may exist.
- —Guest Samer
