Job Interviews, how do you prepare?

[ZombieFan]

Just have questions ready and relax, that's it really. More often than not, people interviewing you is very impressed with themselves due to the position of power they hold over you and subsequently just LOVE to here themselves speak. Every interview I've ever had or witnessed this was the case. Keep them talking by asking pointed questions about the company and let them share their wisdom with you. They'll love you for that and you'll probably end up walking away with the job.

Make it a conversation and not a Q & A.

While I agree with the 'conversation over Q & A' bit, I can't agree with the first bit since I've had to interview people myself in the past

It might be a bit late now, but if you got the interview through an employment agency then ask them what will be expected of you in the interview. The agency will have talked with the employer about what type of person they are looking for and the tone of the interview and should be able to give you some pretty useful information.

Also remember that this isn't a one-way thing. The company wants to employ someone and there isn't any reason why it shouldn't be you. They have invited you along because you have on paper the skills they need.

For my current job, one of my questions was 'What do you like best about working here?'. I think it knocked by boss back a bit at the time, but I think it shows that you care that the job, company and work-style is going to suit you, which is very important.

Apart from that... be polite

 

[Scrutinize]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'll give that guide a read.

has anybody been asked in an interview if their current employer is aware they are looking for other work/roles?

I'm not sure which would be the most favourable way to answer that? Obviously my current employer isn't aware but don't want to make myself out to look like a sneaky mo' fo'. I guess it's just a given and probably won't be asked?

Yes I have - I said no they are not aware and I expected them (the potential new employer) to maintain confidentiality and not request references unless I was offered the job (which I was).

I also got asked what my biggest weakness was - I told them a roast beef dinner and chocolate cake and also that this is a loaded question and not very constructive. I got this job and the director who interviews me remains a good friend although I no longer work there

 

[regulus]

While I agree with the 'conversation over Q & A' bit, I can't agree with the first bit since I've had to interview people myself in the past

Don't worry, that was very tongue in cheek by me but not necessarily untrue in most cases.

When I interview someone I try and speak as little as possible whilst nudging the applicant to keep talking. I don't always really care about their technical abilities for the position or lack of past experience as that can all be fixed given enough time.

What I do look for is;

Are you going to be a pain in the ass along the line?
Can I trust you?
Would your presence in my team/the company make my life easier or complicate it?
Are you a Mr/Ms Know It All? (this especially is something I look out for)

I might have it wrong but at least my past hires (apart from one) are still at the company and called friends now.

 

[Oynas]

For interview preparation I plan the following:

- The Ice Breaker
-- Tell me about yourself (make sure you prepare this well, don't dive into personal life, focus on education and previous employment)

Agreed! I've done many interviews in the past and it is amazing the number of people that cannot answer this effectively. I once had a guy that tried to detail every single job he'd had in great depth. He pretty much blew the interview by that point.

 

[Supercow]

My current hit ratio for job interview/offer made is 6/6.

I attribute this to the fact that I know my CV inside out and have a mental picture in my head how I will tell my "story". It's hard for my to verbalise (or .. erm.. type?) what this means, but I'll try my best.

I tend to write my CV in a "fortune teller" kind of way. I use key words and some industry buzzwords without being overly specific and I let the interviewer read into that what they want. When I am selected to go for an interview, I build a story in my head, where I walk through my CV, starting at the earliest relevant role, to the most recent relevant role - highlighting along the way the things I think are most relevant to the role I am applying for.
Talk about achievements and so forth and be very specific about those.

This way, the interviewer would have built this picture in his/her head about me before I got to the interview and then come interview time, I align their story with mine. To do that, you have done all the right steps - have a look online and find out what they do.

Not all companies' websites are all that informative (even if it’s a well known company, it’s not always clear how the role you are interviewing for fits in), so I'm honest sometimes right in the beginning of the interview and I say something along the lines of "I had a look online and did some research about what it is you do, but I have to be honest - I'm not entirely certain what that is"

Hope that made any sort of sense?

Apart from all the “experience type stuff” – be amiable and try to have fun, interviews aren’t the harrowing experience as people make it out to be. Try and find that human side of the interviewer and hone in on it. I personally don’t take interviews too seriously and have sworn a few times during one – though this is obviously not a recommendation, but I was able to read the interviewer and the situation enough to let rip.

edit: another thing I've forgotten. You do the talking, don't let the interviewer drag everything out of you.
Ask questions when the interviewer introduces the company to you ( this will help you possibly adjust your "story" in your head a bit... while they explain to you, you try and dig out of your "story" similar experience and relate that back to them)

 

[Django x2]

I usually just get to know the company a bit by doing research. Nothing major. The most beneficial thing to review is not who they are or what they do, but their strategy and where they want to be. Focus on that and how you would help them get there.

I would say "be yourself" but it depends on who you are. I know a friend who has had more jobs than I've had women, and let me tell you, that's a lot of women

When he says "oh, I didn't get it because I'm over qualified", I lol. Why would a company not employ you because you're overqualified? They'd love to pay smaller salaries to get a job done. It's more that he just doesn't come across well in interviews, can appear like he knows better than everyone else. To be fair, they probably look at his CV, see that he's had 8 jobs in the last 8 years and realise the problem is probably with him.

Be (not overly) confident and remember, an interview is a two way converstaion, both sides ask questions.

 

[sammyboi]

When he says "oh, I didn't get it because I'm over qualified", I lol. Why would a company not employ you because you're overqualified?

I recently interviewed about 12 candidates to take a role in my team at work, and rejected a few for this exact reason. I wouldn't know about your friends experience, but it's entirely possible to not employ a candidate because they're over qualified - in my case two of the candidates has lost their jobs in the current economic problems which had both been roles more senior than mine, and this post was to be my assistant. It wouldn't be right for the team dynamic for someone much older and more experienced than me to report to me, and in all likelihood as soon as the market picked up they'd be off like a shot to something more suited to their experience level. So believe me, it does happen sometimes!

 

[PapaLazaru]

Red Bull. One can 10 minutes before you go in. Works for me every time.

 

[BennyC]

I'm perhaps a little concerned that my 'intermediate excel skills' may not be as intermidiate as I thought and might fall a little short of my interviewers expectations (I have a short test for numeracy, IT skills & also legislation relevant to the role). I will express my ability to learn new processes quickly etc to combat this.

I can quite competently use excel and write fairly standard formulas and now subtotal and IF (as of last night ). In my current role we use it regularly but mostly for charts and just storing data rather than using any of its potential. My formatting skills should be more than adequate. I will find out tomorrow what they are expecting from me.

If you were interviewing someone who claims to have 'intermediate excel skills' what would you be expecting them to be capable of on Excel? I understand it will be fairly subjective to the role but if you could generalise I would appreciate it. The role I am applying for is within payroll should this help if anybody else here works in payroll too.

 

[Rids]

I'm perhaps a little concerned that my 'intermediate excel skills' may not be as intermidiate as I thought and might fall a little short of my interviewers expectations (I have a short test for numeracy, IT skills & also legislation relevant to the role). I will express my ability to learn new processes quickly etc to combat this.

I can quite competently use excel and write fairly standard formulas and now subtotal and IF (as of last night ). In my current role we use it regularly but mostly for charts and just storing data rather than using any of its potential. My formatting skills should be more than adequate. I will find out tomorrow what they are expecting from me.

If you were interviewing someone who claims to have 'intermediate excel skills' what would you be expecting them to be capable of on Excel? I understand it will be fairly subjective to the role but if you could generalise I would appreciate it. The role I am applying for is within payroll should this help if anybody else here works in payroll too.

The job I am in now advertised for intermediate excel skills, I had nothing of the sort when I started. However Excel is pretty simple to learn on the fly, and there are so many websites out there that will be able to help you.

You'll certainly want to brush up on things like HLOOKUP, VLOOKUP. Knowledge of Pivot Tables is a must in my opinion. You say you've already brushed up on IF statements so that is a good start also, I'd do some work on macro recording / editting and I think you're pretty much set mate. I assume that you're also familiar with the more basic features such as Autofilter, Datasort, Find and Replace etc also?

 

[Hotwired]

While I was looking for someone to moan at regarding the lack of Foxconn H67S motherboards I found their interview guide:

http://www.foxconn.com/interviewTips.html

Dunno about this one mind you:

Within one day, be sure to send a thank you letter to the interviewer. If you were interviewed by two people, send two different letters. If you were interviewed by several people, you can send one letter to the main person supervising the hiring process. Thank him/her for the interview and for the other interviews, and ask that your appreciation be extended to the other interviewers.

 

[Energizer Bunny]

My besttip would be to think of some of the questions they are likely to ask, what your answers are and then recite them out loud. Having answers in your head is one thing but your mind plays tricks on you in terms of what sounds gramatically sensible and what sounds ridiculous. Plenty of times I've gone into interviews thinking I was prepared for a particular question, only to have it come up and then waffle like a maniac trying to put my supposedly pre prepared answer into words. Go into a quiet room the day before and recite your ansers. If you can, try recording yourself and then play it back. If you sound good it will do wonders for your confidence. If you sound bad you at least have some time to put it right.

 

[nieros]

Just had an interview the other week, first in many many years, and was bricking it before hand.

Spent a night reading up on some stuff I thought they might ask and refreshing some old knowledge.

I did as Energizer suggested and thought 'what are they likely to ask' and prepared a few canned answers.
There is always the standard HR type questions, ie what do you bring to the company, why do you want to work here, why you leaving your old place, can you think of a time you made an error and how you corrected it, what did you learn from the experience.. etc etc etc.

Obviously depends on the role mind you

Anything I wasnt sure on I told them the truth, been years since I did this but give me a few mins and google and I will have you the answer.

Turned out ok, and got the job (apparently, waiting on the contract tho).

 

[BennyC]

The job I am in now advertised for intermediate excel skills, I had nothing of the sort when I started. However Excel is pretty simple to learn on the fly, and there are so many websites out there that will be able to help you.

You'll certainly want to brush up on things like HLOOKUP, VLOOKUP. Knowledge of Pivot Tables is a must in my opinion. You say you've already brushed up on IF statements so that is a good start also, I'd do some work on macro recording / editting and I think you're pretty much set mate. I assume that you're also familiar with the more basic features such as Autofilter, Datasort, Find and Replace etc also?

Thanks, just read up on macro recording & editing. Sorting & filtering data/columns I'm familiar with. find (ctrl - F) and replace I could do with dusting off.

I've got this evening to get a few things fresh. Hopefully I can do well in the interview so that any short comings in the exam are made up for.

 

[Participant]

I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.

 

[Energizer Bunny]

Do you like Phil Collins?

 

[bagsjoni]

Now i happen to have also been invited for an oral interview (tomorrow) of a Database Developer. I did the written one about 2 weeks ago. I found it had and though i had failed especially writing the shell scripts , PL/SQL and Data warehousing concepts.

This was grately due to having little time to prepare also i hate writing code on paper.
So now that i have been give the chance for an oral one. will they ask me again technical questions (especially the ones i failed in the written one) or it will be more the general non technical ones any ideas are welcome.

 

[Zefan]

I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.

I came in here to post this, but I knew it'd already be here. Damn your eyes.

 

[Basher]

Call up the company and ask them what they're looking for from the perfect candidate.

 

[deaglecat]

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