Interview tomorrow..

Grissle · 17 May 2010 at 12:36

Have an interview tomorrow for a great new job in systems development/analysis, I'm particularly bricking it as I know I'm really suited to the job and could do it well and it would be a fantastic opportunity for me. I'd hate to screw up my interview and not be able to project this properly.

I'm trying to cover my bases in terms of interview questions. The technical questions I can do fine, I know the systems inside out, I know the job inside out.

The ones I'm not looking forward to are the trip up questions, a prime example is "What are your weaknesses?". I know a common response is to say something like I'm a perfectionist, you know, a weakness that's not really a weakness. I don't really like the approach though and it seems very tired and cliché, does anyone have any alternative approaches to answering?

Does anyone else here work in systems development that has experience with private sector interview questions? Also any techniques just to do well in the interview would be greatly appreciated.

mame · 17 May 2010 at 12:45

"Why do you want to work here?"

"What do you know about this company?"

DannyDan · 17 May 2010 at 12:53

Grissle said:
The ones I'm not looking forward to are the trip up questions, a prime example is "What are your weaknesses?". I know a common response is to say something like I'm a perfectionist, you know, a weakness that's not really a weakness. I don't really like the approach though and it seems very tired and cliché, does anyone have any alternative approaches to answering?

I'd just be honest. Tell them what you really consider to be your weaknesses, and

a) tell them how you overcome the weakness so it doesn't affect the quality of your work

b) if possible, try to put a positive slant on it and mention how the "weakness" has been useful in some situations

Duke · 17 May 2010 at 12:55

Have some questions to ask them as well. It should be two way.

Smit · 17 May 2010 at 13:10

Think about ways you can relate your experience to the role you are applying for, I'm sure that there must be quite a few connections (even if they aren't obvious)

Conscript · 17 May 2010 at 13:26

Duke said:
Have some questions to ask them as well. It should be two way.

This. They have called you in for an interview because they are interested in having you work for their company. They will want someone to fill this role as much as you want to fill it yourself, so don't be afraid to put them on the backfoot a little and prove that they can supply a job role that you want to occupy. It also shows that you are genuinely interested in the job if you can show that you have questions about it that you want answering.

I also hate the "What are your weaknesses?" question. I tend to say that I have been described as very assertive, because although it can be seen as arrogance, it can also be taken as a sign that I am not afraid to speak my mind when challenged.