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Job Interview Pointers

PJLaurPJLaur Posts: 78
edited August 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
Give me any and all advice you have for going in for a job interview. I want to knock their socks off!
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • riffrandallriffrandall Posts: 685
    These are the things I usually look for in a candidate right off the bat (some may be obvious, but you'd be surprised):
    - bring extra copies of your resume, like 10 extra. Even if you know for a fact that everyone has a copy. Offer the copy to everyone you speak with.
    - bring something to write on, like a pad in a leather binder, not a note pad.
    - bring a decent pen (not a $500 waterman, but a clean pen that hasn't been chewed up)

    - take control of the interview from the start. Don't wait for a question. Point out something on your resume that YOU want to talk about. Such as: "you can't tell from my resume but I have always had a passion for teaching history" also point out something you did in your last job that will help you in this job.
    - ask if your interviewer minds if you take a few notes before you start writing stuff down. Always write something, even if it's just a few key words.
    - come prepared with a few basic questions to ask when you're asked "so do you have any questions for me." Good ones are- why is the job open, what do you think are the biggest advantages of the job/ working here
    - keep it positive. Say "and" not "but."
    - send a thank you within 24 hours, email is fine but if you talk to more than one person don't just cut and paste the same email over and over. They WILL compare them.

    Above all remember that interviews are just conversations. It's as much about you deciding if you like them as it is them deciding if they like you.
    "If you're looking for someone to pull you out of that ditch, you're out of luck."
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,637
    PJLaur wrote:
    Give me any and all advice you have for going in for a job interview. I want to knock their socks off!

    I'm not sure this is the group you want to ask!! :D

    P.S. riffrandall had some good advice. As a rule of thumb, the higher the post count the less valuable the advice :p.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • HOOKERHOOKER Posts: 1,443
    keep your hands out of your pants.
    Nice to know you.
  • orig_long redorig_long red Posts: 2,029
    make sure you say "ask" and not "aks".
    Jam out with your clam out.
  • HOOKERHOOKER Posts: 1,443
    long red wrote:
    make sure you say "ask" and not "aks".

    HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaa
    Nice to know you.
  • PJLaurPJLaur Posts: 78
    long red wrote:
    make sure you say "ask" and not "aks".

    LOL
  • PJLaurPJLaur Posts: 78
    riffrandall wrote:
    These are the things I usually look for in a candidate right off the bat (some may be obvious, but you'd be surprised):
    - bring extra copies of your resume, like 10 extra. Even if you know for a fact that everyone has a copy. Offer the copy to everyone you speak with.
    - bring something to write on, like a pad in a leather binder, not a note pad.
    - bring a decent pen (not a $500 waterman, but a clean pen that hasn't been chewed up)

    - take control of the interview from the start. Don't wait for a question. Point out something on your resume that YOU want to talk about. Such as: "you can't tell from my resume but I have always had a passion for teaching history" also point out something you did in your last job that will help you in this job.
    - ask if your interviewer minds if you take a few notes before you start writing stuff down. Always write something, even if it's just a few key words.
    - come prepared with a few basic questions to ask when you're asked "so do you have any questions for me." Good ones are- why is the job open, what do you think are the biggest advantages of the job/ working here
    - keep it positive. Say "and" not "but."
    - send a thank you within 24 hours, email is fine but if you talk to more than one person don't just cut and paste the same email over and over. They WILL compare them.

    Above all remember that interviews are just conversations. It's as much about you deciding if you like them as it is them deciding if they like you.

    Good Advice. Thank you!
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,637
    long red wrote:
    make sure you say "ask" and not "aks".

    Let me axe you a question... :p
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • kcherubkcherub Posts: 961
    Most of us post from work, so I might agree that we aren't the best group to ask...

    Although, I am technically not an "employee." What kind of job are you applying for?
    I still want you all to "take care"--I am just damn tired of typing it.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/kcherub#p/a/u/0/N-UQprRqSwo
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    I bet if you forcefully removed someones socks or "knocked them off" they would be pissed as hell at you...

    They would probably call the police...
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • Who PrincessWho Princess out here in the fields Posts: 7,305
    riffrandall had some excellent suggestions. I've been on both sides of the process. My 2 cents:

    Keep things upbeat and positive. Even if your last job was a living hell find something good to say about it. Nobody likes to hear from a complainer.

    Think of contributions you've made at different jobs. Did you accomplish something that nobody else did? Was your work group able to finish ahead of schedule or under budget because of something you did? If you've ever gotten an award this is the time to mention it but even if it wasn't something formal, any kind of positive recognition on the job can be important.

    If you're asked about mistakes you've made or problems you've had, find a way to turn them into something positive too. Show how you learned from the mistake and you'll never do that again. Or maybe you were part of a team that couldn't get along and you learned valuable things about putting differences aside to get the work done.

    I know I'm using the word "positive" a lot but it really does make a difference when people are talking to applicants all day long. The people who are pleasant and prepared really stand out.

    At the same time, you want to be yourself. And it's OK to be a little nervous! Interviewers expect that.

    Good luck! I'm looking for a job too. :)
    "The stars are all connected to the brain."
  • mbangel10mbangel10 Posts: 548
    A good tip is to not over talk. I just sat through an interview where the candidate would not directly answer the question, and would give a round a bout answer that went on forever. I noticed that she started to contradict herself.

    Basically, I let her ramble on but I was becoming less and less interested as she spoke. She basically talked herself out of the position.

    Keep your answers clear, concise, and to the point. Don't over talk yourself.

    I hope that helps!
    Pitt 98, Pitt 00, Cleveland 03, Pitt 03, State College 03, Toledo 04, Toronto 05, Pitt 05, Cleveland 06, Pitt 06 & Chicago 07, Chicago 1&2 09, Philly 2,3,4 09, Cleveland 10, Columbus 10, Alpine Valley 1& 2 11
  • LikeAnOceanLikeAnOcean Posts: 7,718
    Ask lots of questions. I always go into an interview expecting to be doing the interviewing. Look at it as you are interviewing them to see if you want the position. They love that stuff. Makes you look smart.
  • DanimalDanimal Posts: 2,000
    Always have your balls hanging out of your pants. Remember to ask the interviewer "Is my belt buckle too shiny?"
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    Always end the interview with the phrase "thanks fucker" and laugh jovially as you walk out....
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • in_hiding79in_hiding79 Posts: 4,315
    HOOKER wrote:
    keep your hands out of your pants.


    Well that is no fun!! ;)
    And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...,"
    "What a stupid lamb."
    "What a sick, masochistic lion."
  • OffHeGoes29OffHeGoes29 Posts: 1,240
    just tell them "you're here for the gang bang" when you walk in.....
    BRING BACK THE WHALE
  • PJLaurPJLaur Posts: 78
    OffHeGoes29 wrote:
    just tell them "you're here for the gang bang" when you walk in.....

    hardy har har
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