Archive through October 14, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: archives: HELP: Job Interview Questions: Archive through October 14, 2003

Missy2

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 09:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi everyone I have a job interview for a job I desperately want. When it comes to job interviews I never feel like I have good questions (and sometimes I have none!) I HATE that! I'm the type of person who needs to be settled in before I can belt out the questions. This is going to be an extensive interview with the HR Manager then with the Department Manager. I'm very excited and I wish I didn't have to wait till next week but I can use the next few days preparing myself. Any advice? Good Questions? Or interview techniques that will land the job? :)

Thank you -

Sweetbabygirl

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 09:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
The one question I ask that always seem to catch the interviewer off-guard is "Why do you recommend working at (insert name of company)?"

After the interview, I was always complimented on that question....in most instances, that particular question was the one that they remembered when hiring me.

Good luck, and don't forget to write/send that thank-you note the same day as the interview!!

Missy2

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 09:49 am EditMoveDeleteIP
thanks sweetbabygirl, check out my profile you will love my pic - :)

I had an interview one time (for a job I got), and I said to the manager, while on the interview, this seems like a great company to work for. She just looked at me funny and said...well.....yeah (like not really?!). I got the job and it was horrible. Management was out of control (swearing, fingerpointing, poor training). They were always moving and firing people - it was the worst job ever! My manager gave her notice two weeks after she hired me!

So that is a great question - thank you !

Tabbyking

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 09:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I would reverse the questions they ask you--one i always had to ask prospective employees was, "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" of course, they were supposed to say, "right here, working for you in some capacity...." most of them said things such as "I want to go back to school fulltime and become..." or, "i want to just work a short time and then have babies and stay home." hello? they were already telling me they would not be sticking around for very long!

so, you might ask a prospective employeR:
"In what capacity do you see me working with you in 5 years?"
Is there room for developing my skills that will benefit this company? I am eager to advance with you because i feel your company offers the best in blah, blah, and i would like to be a part of the team that blah, blah..........."
one question that would make them go 'huh?' would be, "would you work for yourself? what about you makes you a good boss?"

i actually had one interviewer ask me to show him the inside of my purse! he said if a woman has a messy purse she isn't a neat worker...sheesh. but, fortunately, i had 'moved into' this purse about an hour before the interview and i had my wallet, car keys, a hankie, some tic tacs and his business card in it!

Missy2

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 09:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay that is just WACKY!! My bag is a little messy! haha. But I'm very organized at work! How funny.

Daydreamer

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 10:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Kind of similar to Sweetbabygirl's, I would ask
"What is the best thing about working for your company?" Also, "What is the average length of time your employees have been here?" and "What direction do you see the company going in the next 5 years?" That shows you are looking for a long term committment. Another one is "What is the management style of the company?" A couple of years ago I took a seminar on interviewing and those were some of the questions they told us to ask. I have the book at home and I'll look up a few more for you if you want when I get home. And yes, the thank you note is a must!! GOOD LUCK!! :)

Kstme

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 10:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Missy2...what SBG said about the 'Thank you' note. Can not even express how important that is!!

I worked as a HR Administrator. Some of things I liked to see from an interviewee:

Direct eye contact.

Neat appearance, doesn't mean you have to walk in with an Ann Taylor power suit, but it means...clean and neat.

An interest in the company where you're applying. Know 'something' about the company before the interview.

The questions asked above are terrific, but...remember to LISTEN in the interview to be sure those points weren't already brought up.

Check your spelling, punctuation and sentence structure on your application. I couldn't hire a person I felt was qualified for a job because she misspelled 'apply' three times. The person who would have been her boss flipped out!

BE YOURSELF! Remember...YOU have to like them, as well as THEM liking you!

GOOD LUCK!

Sweetbabygirl

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 10:51 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Awwwwwwwww, what a cute kitty! I wish I knew how to put my boys on my profile!

Max

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 10:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL on the purse issue. Mine is pretty minmal, but my desk is a mess all the time! :)

These are all good suggestions. Do some research on the company before you go in. It's always nice to know that people who are applying for a job actually know something about the company beforehand. I've had applicants come in before who, after a little conversation, clearly did not know much about what we do at all. That's a big negative to me.

Good luck!

Missy2

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 11:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
wow - thank you everyone!

Daydreamer make sure you post more from your book, if you have the time - :)

Missy2

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 11:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
quick question ... Should I send a letter to each interviewer? I have two interviews, one with the Human Resource Manager, and the other is with the Admin Manager.

Kstme

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 12:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
YES! Make them both short ty's. No need for long letters.

Missy, another thing Maesin brought up. Walk in with confidence, not arrogance. Don't sit too comfortably in the chair, a bit forward will keep your back straight and keep you looking like they have your full attention. Keep both feet on the floor. Maesin just went through the interview thing two weeks ago.

LOL, Tabby, I've never heard of that before. Too funny! But, Missy...a small purse 'looks' better.

Daydreamer

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 12:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Missy - I will post more questions for you as soon as I get home. You want to be sure to have a few questions for each person interviewing you.

Tabbyking

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 12:38 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
and no white shoes after labor day!!
except i wear what i want, and in california it doesn't matter.
as you can tell by a certain outcome last night........

but, i remember being in boston literally the day after labor day--it was probably 85 or 90 and humid as hell and i had on white sandals. i thought some old ladies were going to throw me under the trolley when it went by! also, i remember my boyfriend's brother, who was maybe 16 at the time, looking at my feet one late fall day and whispering, "uh, we don't wear cowboy boots here." well, girls didn't drive pick up trucks there, either, in 1983, but i'll bet they do now!!

Daydreamer

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 04:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Missy - Here are some questions from the book I got at the interviewing seminar:

Why is this position open?

Why did the person most recently in this position leave?

What would you like done differently by the next person in this position?

What are some of the objectives you would like accomplished - short and long term?

What are some of the more difficult problems facing someone in this position? How do you think these could be handled?

What are the most critical factors for success in your business?

How is one evaluated? What accounts for success?

What kind of support does this position receive in terms of people and budget?

Where could a person go who is successful in this position and in what time frame?

What freedom will I have to determine my work objectives, deadlines and methods?

What significant changes do you see in the near future?

How do you win support from top management?

What are the most important traits you look for?

What are the success factors for a person to be effective in this position?

Do you support ongoing training and education?

Hope this helps! When is your interview?

And don't forget to be prepared for the strength and weakness question. Most interviewers ask that one.

I also have a sample thank you letter if you'd like me to post that. Let me know.

Max

Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 04:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Missy, send HANDWRITTEN thank you notes to each person you talk to. Make sure to reference something you discussed or something personal that they might have shared (like, "I hope your son's team wins that big game!"). It shows that you paid attention and that you have class all at the same time. :)

Missy2

Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 05:43 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow - THANK YOU for all of the great advice and questions! I'm going study before I go into this interview. I must get this job! This job is going to be mine. This job is going to be mine. This job is going to be mine. Okay - :)


I will keep you all posted - it's next Tuesday @ 11am - YIPPEEEYY!!


THANK YOU AGAIN - :)

Missy2

Thursday, October 09, 2003 - 05:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Daydreamer - a sample thank you letter would be great! :)

Missy2

Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 10:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay - I'm preparing my thank you notes. Would it be lame if I sent the same thank you note to both interviewers (two people within the same association?) Probably yes huh?

Daydreamer

Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 12:51 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm sorry Missy!! I meant to do this last week and I forgot. Here's a short one. Something like this one could be used for your immediate supervisor.

Dear :

It was a pleasure meeting with you to discuss the position of . The position, as you described it, seems to be a very good match for my experience and qualifications.

After what I have learned about (Company name), I would be proud to be a member of your team. I feel I could learn a great deal from you and would certainly enjoy working with you.

Once again, I enjoyed meeting you and I appreciate the time you took to interview me.

Sincerely, (Regards or whatever you feel comfortable with)


Something like this could be for the HR Manager:

Dear :

Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you today for the position of .
I enjoyed meeting with you and learning about (Company name) and what your plans are for the company's future.

The postion sounds very exciting and I believe my previous experience and qualifications make me an excellent candidate. Thank you for taking the time to interview and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,


Also, don't forget to ask them in the interview when you can expect to hear back from them and what their time frame is for hiring someone and if they will do second interviews, etc. GOOD LUCK!!

Tabbyking

Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 01:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
missy, do not send the exact same letter to both. i was pissed when i didn't get a pre-school directing job but got a lot of compliments from the school board--then found out the other 4 people all got exactly the same complimentary letter. ick, and b.s.

Daydreamer

Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 03:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Missy - In my second letter above, it should read : Thank you for taking the time to interview me and I look forward to hearing from you. (I left out the word me - sorry).

Missy2

Sunday, October 12, 2003 - 03:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank you daydreamer! :) I'm putting together the letters right now. I'm so excited, I hope all goes well on my interview on Tuesday. I really want this position!

Thank you again.

I also have another interview on Thursday but the job I want is the Tuesday spot - :) Hopefully. I'll do my best, if it doesn't work then it wasn't meant to be...

Jan

Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 08:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good luck today, Missy, in that job interview :)

Djgirl

Tuesday, October 14, 2003 - 08:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good Luck Missy!