Job Interview Tips?

[xRAJAx]

Hey All,

Any general tips or advise on job interviews?? Its been 4.5 yrs since I last interviewed and need to brush up on my skills. I've got an interview this Friday in L.A. for a company I would really like to work for. There flying my wife and I down on thursday and keeping us until Saturday. My wife is really exicted and so am I at the possiblities but I'm getting real nervous now...

My main concerns are fatigue and slipping up through the day. The interview is from 8 am to 5:30pm. I interview 1 on 1 for 45 minutes a pop with 8 people and one panel interview with 4.....YIKES! I just don't know if I can stay composed for all these people as the day wears on. I've been studying the technical stuff for the past week but any advise or tips would help just in case there are any interview experts or HR people here. Thanks.

R

[BeeJ]

Hey All,

Any general tips or advise on job interviews?? Its been 4.5 yrs since I last interviewed and need to brush up on my skills. I've got an interview this Friday in L.A. for a company I would really like to work for. There flying my wife and I down on thursday and keeping us until Saturday. My wife is really exicted and so am I at the possiblities but I'm getting real nervous now...

My main concerns are fatigue and slipping up through the day. The interview is from 8 am to 5:30pm. I interview 1 on 1 for 45 minutes a pop with 8 people and one panel interview with 4.....YIKES! I just don't know if I can stay composed for all these people as the day wears on. I've been studying the technical stuff for the past week but any advise or tips would help just in case there are any interview experts or HR people here. Thanks.

R

First impressions are huge so be sure to get ready. If you don't have a nice suit or haven't bought a new one in awhile, now would be a good time. Get your haircut a few days before the interview as well. The "look" that you have can make a big impression on whether or not someone will think you will fit into the corporate scene at their company.

Be sure to ask question to the interviewer and not just field questions. This is huge and something they will look for. It shows you are insightful, curious, and interested in what they have to say. Most HR people will love to talk about what their comany does anyway. Make sure these aren't generic questions though. They need to be insightful and something that shows you are clever enough to come up with. For example, ask about the company's management style or the culture of the corporation. These are good questions that most people won't ask and show that you want to "fit in." These are better than more generic questions or questions that are too technical to sustain a lengthy conversation with.

Since this is a series of full day interviews, you need to be on your toes. When they take you out to eat, be sure to open doors for people, let others be seated before you, let others order before you, and always compliment the food. Even if it tastes like charbroiled ass, say its the best charbroiled ass you have ever eaten. Some HR people will take you to lackluster restaurants on purpose to see what your reaction is. Make it a good one. Be polite and courteous all day long but make it sincere. Don't just do it to "kiss ass."

Make your answers short and too the point. The first 10 seconds of your answer is the most important. This is when people will be the most engaged. Don't let you answers wander anymore than you have too. After 90 seconds, most people are thinking about something else anyway. Don't talk too much about yourself either. You need to be confident, but not sound like a know it all.

The most important advice I can give you is to be a politician. Come in with prepared ways of answering questions. Come up with examples to back up all your claims. Just a quick example of how you can do something is much better than a lengthy explanation. Steer the interview your way. An interviewer will try to dictate your responses and catch you in certain ways. Don't let this happen. For example, if they ask you if you are more of a team player or work better alone, don't say one or the other. Say you work great in both situations and maybe give an example to support that. Be honest and succinct at all times. Don't drag out questions as it leaves room for error or counter questions. Finally, end answers with tag on questions like, "Is that what you are looking for?" Something along those lines will work great. This promotes two-way communication and you definitely want this during an interview. If you can get the people talking about themselves it leave a good impression on them. 1) People love to talk about themselves and 2) It will make them feel more invovled and comfortable with you. If you can do that you are money dude.

[american idol]

Bee J gave some great advice. When I was looking for a job a couple of months ago, TLM & Munster gave me some great advice too. Hopefully one of them will chime in here soon.

Good luck & let us know how it goes!

[xRAJAx]

Thanks for the tips!! Well, I got a couple suits getting tailored right now since they no longer fit thanks to DC. Got the haircut this past weekend also. Great info again, thanks a lot!!!! I've been mulling over questions to use for different people and here is the list I came up with. I've come up with a bunch since there are so many people....and I know that one of the worst things you can do is sit there and say NO when they ask if you have any questions...lol. Let me know if you think these are appropriate, or if I should drop any???

1. What would you like to be done differently by the next person who fills this job?

2. What are some of the objectives that you would like accomplished in this job?

3. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done within the next two to three months?

4. What are some of the longer-term objectives that you would like completed?

5. What freedom would I have in determining my work objectives, deadlines and methods of measurement?

6. What kind of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances, etc.?

7. What are some of the more difficult problems facing someone in this position? What are the best ways to handle these problems?

8. Where could a person who is successful in this position go and within what timeframe? What would be a typical career path?

9. In what ways has this organization been most successful eg) with products/services over the yrs?

10. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?

11. How is one judged? How is success measured and determined?

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

13.Where do you see the company (or function) going in the next few years?

14. How do you go about winning support from top management for your new projects?

15. How would you describe your own management style?

16. What are the most important traits you look for in a subordinate?

17. How do you like your people to communicate with you? Orally, in writing, formally, in meetings, only when necessary?

Okay, these are the ones I'm thinking about using depending on the person and/or situation. Any of these stick out as a glarinly bad question?

R

[TheLil'Missus]

The Munster interviews folks for the company he works for and was on the interviewee end of it about 1.5 yrs ago. He'll post from work tonight. Good luck xRAJAx. You sound like you've got your stuff together. Those are great questions. Don't sweat it. Its yours.

[xRAJAx]

The Munster interviews folks for the company he works for and was on the interviewee end of it about 1.5 yrs ago. He'll post from work tonight. Good luck xRAJAx. You sound like you've got your stuff together. Those are great questions. Don't sweat it. Its yours.

That would be great to hear from him. Thanks!!!

R

[BeeJ]

Thanks for the tips!! Well, I got a couple suits getting tailored right now since they no longer fit thanks to DC. Got the haircut this past weekend also. Great info again, thanks a lot!!!! I've been mulling over questions to use for different people and here is the list I came up with. I've come up with a bunch since there are so many people....and I know that one of the worst things you can do is sit there and say NO when they ask if you have any questions...lol. Let me know if you think these are appropriate, or if I should drop any???

1. What would you like to be done differently by the next person who fills this job?

2. What are some of the objectives that you would like accomplished in this job?

3. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done within the next two to three months?

4. What are some of the longer-term objectives that you would like completed?

5. What freedom would I have in determining my work objectives, deadlines and methods of measurement?

6. What kind of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances, etc.?

7. What are some of the more difficult problems facing someone in this position? What are the best ways to handle these problems?

8. Where could a person who is successful in this position go and within what timeframe? What would be a typical career path?

9. In what ways has this organization been most successful eg) with products/services over the yrs?

10. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?

11. How is one judged? How is success measured and determined?

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

13.Where do you see the company (or function) going in the next few years?

14. How do you go about winning support from top management for your new projects?

15. How would you describe your own management style?

16. What are the most important traits you look for in a subordinate?

17. How do you like your people to communicate with you? Orally, in writing, formally, in meetings, only when necessary?

Okay, these are the ones I'm thinking about using depending on the person and/or situation. Any of these stick out as a glarinly bad question?

R

I wouldn't use the term subordinate, but it depends on the company I guess. Questions 2, 4, and 7 are somewhat broad but still good questions. Other than that, I like that list a lot. 17 is very insightful, 15 is money, 13 shows long term thinking, 9 shows you want to know what works, 8 shows you are open to advancement and want it 6 is what business is all about 3 shows you are eager to get on top of things 1 shows you want to do things the right way.

[The Munster]

I like these questions too. Just be sure to make them sould like they are coming from you, not from a book.

I've done college recruiting for the company I work for for a couple years now. They get an interview slot by what's on their resume. I look for one thing on a resume. Hard work. I worked through college and so have the most successful college graduates at my company. If you cruised through college, I'm not looking at you. That is not to say you wouldn't be good, but I've got to narrow 150 resumes down to 30 interviews so that is my criteria. Hard work. I want to know you have busted your ass because that tells me you can do the same in your next job.

Now, on interviewing. Everything BeeJ said is spot on. Be confident and comfortable. When you answer a question, be concise and relatively quick. If you feel a more long-winded response (like giving an example of something you accomplished in one of your last positions)is needed or appropriate, give a brief response and then ask if they mind if you continue your answer with an example. This will keep the interviewer involved in your answer. Give examples of your previous successes and achievements as often as you can by fitting them into your answers.

Unless the interviewer(s) is a robot or unless they have a very sophisticated interview system, people hire people they like. Be polite but not cold. Be funny but not a clown. Be courteous but not a kiss-ass. Be confident but not cocky. As the day goes by, and as early in the day as you can, try to get a sense of the atmosphere there. If you think it is a very competitive workplace, up the confidence and ambition factor. If you think it is a very feel-good, politically correct workplace, play the role. Know what I mean?

Ask as many questions (like the ones you listed above) as you can (again, make them sound like you are genuinely interested in the answers--as you should be--and not just reading them from a book) without being annoying. I had one guy that was trying to impress me with asking questions and he bugged the shit out of me because he was trying so hard to make the interview his. You've got to make it seem like you and the interviewer are just having a good conversation. That's basically the jist of an interview. You have to walk out with them liking you. They enjoyed talking to you, they enjoyed your enthusiasm and obvious work ethic. You follow me here? With the answers/examples you gave and the sharp questions you asked, with your sharp appearance and confident attitude, you leave with them thinking they have to make you an offer quick!

[american idol]

See, told ya munster had some good advice. :albert:

[ctgblue]

All of the above are good
I had a position created for me when I failed to have the qualifications for the actual job they were interviewing me for.
Let's see, other things I've learned:
If you KNOW you can do the job. Be confident not cocky. Ask point blank what they are looking for in this person, then tailor your experince and examples of what YOU can do to fit this as best you can without exaggerating.
Never fail to ask the person how long they have been there,
how they like the company,
what they DO NOT like about the company and would change if they could
Let them know that you are looking for the long term and want to make sure that the company is right for you, as you know you can benefit the company.
If you are a noervous person, wear a cotton/poly tee shirt under your dress shirt. This will absorb sweat and the shirt will hang better. Wear a white dress shirt with a dark suit. Wear a professional power tie, nothing too bright, but one that is a bit of a stunner (I brought three with me)
Do the "wipe the hand on the jacket before shaking hands" trick, especially if you are a sweaty palm guy.
Put ALL keys, cell phones, change in your briefcase. You should not have the phone ON unless your wife is IN LABOR or IN SURGERY.
Last, have fun, meet the people, ask them about the community, where is a good place to find a house or apartment, etc.. Be interested.
I scoped 4 apt complexes before the trip home and rented one of them on the return trip.
As I said, be confident, not cocky.
Do NOT be afraid to let them know concerns about the job if you have them. IE if there is a part of the job where you really lack experience say "Hey, I don't have a lot of experience with ***, but I know I can get up to speed very quickly, is that OK.
My compny needed someone with MUCH more mgt experience than I have, I found this out in the LAST lunch interview and said "hey, if what you have to have is someone who can do *** & *** right away, I am really not the best candidate for THIS position. But, I know I can do a great job for you and I really like the direction and feedback I got from the interviews. What else does this company need that I could do".
They told me and I said, "Here's how I can solve these problems for you"...
I had an offer within a week.

Be aggressive, have fun, let us know how it went.

[mobsta]

good luck bro,, ive just entered the wonderful world of management and i interview at least 5-6 people a week,, so damn wasted after just one,, i like the munsters and everyones suggestions so far,, i think (in my case)
people either dont answer the question being asked and wander off somewhere else with it or dont ask any questions at the end,,,
remember there is nothing wrong with silence either,, some people tend to freak out but silence is ok,,
also dont sell yourself just be yourself,,
and dont do annoying little things,, i had this lady who fanned herself during the interview and it was 70 in the room,, another kept on picking at the table and his shirt pocket,, i swear i thought he had a bird in there or something..

good luck bro

[xRAJAx]

I like these questions too. Just be sure to make them sould like they are coming from you, not from a book.

I've done college recruiting for the company I work for for a couple years now. They get an interview slot by what's on their resume. I look for one thing on a resume. Hard work. I worked through college and so have the most successful college graduates at my company. If you cruised through college, I'm not looking at you. That is not to say you wouldn't be good, but I've got to narrow 150 resumes down to 30 interviews so that is my criteria. Hard work. I want to know you have busted your ass because that tells me you can do the same in your next job.

Now, on interviewing. Everything BeeJ said is spot on. Be confident and comfortable. When you answer a question, be concise and relatively quick. If you feel a more long-winded response (like giving an example of something you accomplished in one of your last positions)is needed or appropriate, give a brief response and then ask if they mind if you continue your answer with an example. This will keep the interviewer involved in your answer. Give examples of your previous successes and achievements as often as you can by fitting them into your answers.

Unless the interviewer(s) is a robot or unless they have a very sophisticated interview system, people hire people they like. Be polite but not cold. Be funny but not a clown. Be courteous but not a kiss-ass. Be confident but not cocky. As the day goes by, and as early in the day as you can, try to get a sense of the atmosphere there. If you think it is a very competitive workplace, up the confidence and ambition factor. If you think it is a very feel-good, politically correct workplace, play the role. Know what I mean?

Ask as many questions (like the ones you listed above) as you can (again, make them sound like you are genuinely interested in the answers--as you should be--and not just reading them from a book) without being annoying. I had one guy that was trying to impress me with asking questions and he bugged the shit out of me because he was trying so hard to make the interview his. You've got to make it seem like you and the interviewer are just having a good conversation. That's basically the jist of an interview. You have to walk out with them liking you. They enjoyed talking to you, they enjoyed your enthusiasm and obvious work ethic. You follow me here? With the answers/examples you gave and the sharp questions you asked, with your sharp appearance and confident attitude, you leave with them thinking they have to make you an offer quick!

Thanks for the insight. I'm noting everything down and going to go through a couple mock interviews with my friends grilling me tomorrow. Again, thanks for the information, it really helps.

R

[xRAJAx]

All of the above are good
I had a position created for me when I failed to have the qualifications for the actual job they were interviewing me for.
Let's see, other things I've learned:
If you KNOW you can do the job. Be confident not cocky. Ask point blank what they are looking for in this person, then tailor your experince and examples of what YOU can do to fit this as best you can without exaggerating.
Never fail to ask the person how long they have been there,
how they like the company,
what they DO NOT like about the company and would change if they could
Let them know that you are looking for the long term and want to make sure that the company is right for you, as you know you can benefit the company.
If you are a noervous person, wear a cotton/poly tee shirt under your dress shirt. This will absorb sweat and the shirt will hang better. Wear a white dress shirt with a dark suit. Wear a professional power tie, nothing too bright, but one that is a bit of a stunner (I brought three with me)
Do the "wipe the hand on the jacket before shaking hands" trick, especially if you are a sweaty palm guy.
Put ALL keys, cell phones, change in your briefcase. You should not have the phone ON unless your wife is IN LABOR or IN SURGERY.
Last, have fun, meet the people, ask them about the community, where is a good place to find a house or apartment, etc.. Be interested.
I scoped 4 apt complexes before the trip home and rented one of them on the return trip.
As I said, be confident, not cocky.
Do NOT be afraid to let them know concerns about the job if you have them. IE if there is a part of the job where you really lack experience say "Hey, I don't have a lot of experience with ***, but I know I can get up to speed very quickly, is that OK.
My compny needed someone with MUCH more mgt experience than I have, I found this out in the LAST lunch interview and said "hey, if what you have to have is someone who can do *** & *** right away, I am really not the best candidate for THIS position. But, I know I can do a great job for you and I really like the direction and feedback I got from the interviews. What else does this company need that I could do".
They told me and I said, "Here's how I can solve these problems for you"...
I had an offer within a week.

Be aggressive, have fun, let us know how it went.

Great pointers there. Thanks! I've thought about checking out the area surrounding the company. They have put together an area tour for my wife and I on Saturday morning to tour condo's in my budget and to show us around the community based on what we are into. I told them basically, that I need a gym close by...I could care less about the parks and other recreational things.

They've pulled out the stops in getting us down there....there flying both my wife and I down, plus paying all expenses...hotel, food, driver. The position is for a Research Scientist, which requires a PhD, but they've still shown interest in me even though I only have a graduate degree with 4 years experience. They know my age, and history and I've gone through a phone interview prior to this trip. I just feel like my experience and qualifications are not enough...but I'm going to try my best to sell them on my achievements and intiative. I've taken all the pointers you all have written, plus have gone through a list of questions I anticipate them to ask. Hopefully things will work out. Thanks again to all who responded. I'll let you guys know how it went when I get back Saturday night. :albert:

R

[TheLil'Missus]

Good luck from both me and The Munster. Based on what you've posted here, you should do very well.
Please let us know how it goes.

[Syn]

Wow....great advice. Wish I had read this a few weeks ago. BUT, I know I'll have more interviews coming at me. (More depts are relocating here from NYC.) I will refer back to this thread often!