Please review my interviews and we'll discuss the experiences we've had. Do you think they are similar to any real life interviews you've experienced?
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These are my 2 interviews:
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From these interviews, I have realized that I need to do some more self analysis and better understand my strengths and weaknesses. Also, I need to be able to address any old jobs and what I have learned from them and how I can apply these skills to a new job. Finally, one of the more challenging questions involved what I look for in a good supervisor. This was challenging since it’s hard to answer this question without sounding too critical or expecting too much help from a supervisor. For example, I want to be able to ask questions, but I don’t want to sound like I need constant help from a supervisor.
One of the pieces of advice I have from previous interviews and classes that addressed interview techniques would be to relate every answer to the job. For example, when addressing any strengths, explain to the interviewer how these would be applicable to the job you are applying for. This is the part that requires research and knowing what your future job with the company would entail.
I read through your interviews, Rhonda, and definitely saw that it resembled the same basic outline of every interview I or anyone else I know has encountered. It seems like the universality of interviews really allows a potential employee to fully prepare for the interview. They may be caught off guard by some of the more creative questions, but they all do seem to be mainly the same. In your first interview, I really liked how you stated your long-term goals were to stick with the company, I feel like most companies look for that kind of determination to stay in potential employees. Also, I feel that you basically saying you can rise to the top after five years showed your ambition and driven character.
ReplyDeleteI've had many interviews in working career and I to agree that they all seem to have a basic format. I am currently applying for many jobs at the same time trying to see if I can even get one of them. I've started to notice myself using the same answers for different employers questions. However, there are those occasional "catch you off guard questions." I also liked the your long term goals for sticking with the company.
ReplyDeletePlease focus on the next post so we do not stay a post behind. Any questions and topics can be posted there.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that many interviews have a same basic outline and that you can even have the same answers for different employers as Stephanie mentioned. I think it's important though to be sure you have a way to tie the more generic responses to the company. For example, a question about your strengths can be general and used at almost any interview, but a good thing would be to say how the company would benefit from these specific strengths.
ReplyDeleteHere are my 2 interviews:
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http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=11628873-63F8-42EB-8B9A-04492AA5F8AC&mediatype=wmv&type=S
My interviews:
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http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3021339&type=standard
These interviews reflected very common questions that would be asked in a real interview. I know that I have received some of these questions or similar ones in previous interviews. Almost every interview I’ve been through, has asked the question about gps in employment history. I think they have a good understanding that as a student I work some short time “holiday jobs” and in my first couple years of school have had to put working aside to focus on school. The hardest question for me was “Where did you stand in your class rank and what was your final GPA?” I know my GPA but was not exactly sure where I stood so I estimated an answer. The best advice I’ve gotten about conducting yourself in an interview is to be confident in your self. If you don’t think your worth hiring why would they? I also think it is very important to write a thank you letter to the employer.
Reshma,
ReplyDeleteI like your response to the question "I am a very demanding boss and I expect all of my employees to give a hundred and ten percent to their job, every day. So, knowing that, are you sure you want to work for me?"
By tying in that not only can a boss be demanding but also the customers/patients/parents shows that you are used to handling these situations and can hopefully handle them well.
Also, in response to your ethics question: this is probably what I would do also. I put as an answer that I would first see if this is even what the supervisor wanted me to do and then if I was still asked to do it I would probably respond like you did.
There were a few questions that I did not feel were good questions. There were a few that were not very open ended. For example, one of my questions was "I would like to know if you have ever been fired, or unexpectedly terminated?" There was not much room for further discussion after saying "No" in response. Another question that I did not feel too confident in answering was "Everyone has at least one goal that they have never been able to accomplish. Tell me about yours." It is usually pretty obvious when the interviewer is asking a question for a particular response. I could not really figure out the reason for this question from the interviewer.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Stephanie! I have been on an interview before that asked me that same question about the demanding boss. I was completely honest with my response. After getting the job, the interviewer told me that was a memorable response too. However, I am not claiming to be the best interviewer. There are MANY things I feel I could improve on.
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed at the level of professionalism in all of your interview answers. I accidentally posted my response in the other blog, so here it is:
ReplyDeleteI took the Perfect Interview practice test and one of my questions was "What would you say to your previous employer if he or she was in this room?" I had no idea of how to answer that question. I was not at all fond of my previous employer and I doubt he cared for me much either. I would appreciate any suggestions on how I should answer this question. I was also asked "Have you had any financial problems within the last five to seven years?" I would have answered honestly: My parents support me but I am currently working a part time job. My parents have been struggling financially, however, for about five years. My question to you all, is what is the purpose behind such a question? Do they prefer financially stable or unstable employees? Maybe they feel that financially unstable people would be better workers because they can't afford to lose a job. This is just a theory. Another question I had was "What are your main strengths?" I answered: I am very diligent and punctual. I have a strong desire to succeed and become a valuable asset to the company. I tend to ask a lot of questions so that I may perform at my best ability. I know it sounds corny but what else can I say?! I've only had one interview before for Target, but they haven't asked any questions like this. I hope to hear some feedback from you all. I need all the help I can get :)
As a response to Rhonda's insight on one of my questions, I put:
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rhonda, for explaining the finance question. I didn't think of it that way. I'm worried now that I won't see the hidden meaning behind such questions! I didn't realize how sneaky employers can be :)
I think this is the post we actually are supposed to be replying to. I think the next one is due for next week. This is getting quite confusing.
ReplyDeleteFurther, I definitely agree about the ambiguous questions about the resumes. There are a few, especially the one Reshma talks about "Everyone has at least one goal that they have never been able to accomplish. Tell me about yours." I have had so many goals throughout my life, but they change often, along with my likes and dislikes. I wanted to do several things and have set several goals, but they haven't had much permanence. I am a person who's likes and dislikes change often with my experiences. I also have a broad range of likes and goals, and it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to successfully go about all of them.
I liked Femke's answer to #2 "Is there anything happening in your personal life that might have an impact on your job performance?" You let the interviewer know right away about your intentions and that you are focused. You don't let outside influences tamper with your work.
ReplyDeleteI feel like someone made a good point in class. If you know to some extent what the interviewer is looking for in interests, you can curb your resume to that in sections such as the "What about you will I not find on your resume?" questions. Such as applying to a history internship as being a chess player and a scrabble enthusiast. On the other hand, one applying might want to take up for the sake of the resume soccer or basketball.
ReplyDeleteIf you are still posting to this page: We are on to the next post. This post was not answered for the week it was posted. I have to also focus on being on time with my posts. Please catch up if you have not gone on to the next week.
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