Job interview tips and common questions

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Scotsman1988

I wouldn't generaly ask any questions unless they invite you to do so (a lot of places are now doing this as a test - aparently)

Reply 41

Montrose

1988

I wouldn't generaly ask any questions unless they invite you to do so (a lot of places are now doing this as a test - aparently)

How do you mean? I would be extremely surprised if anyone was ever frowned upon for asking a question. Generally, yes, ask a question, it shows an active interest.

Reply 42

michaelbenson

Alex Mann

How do you mean? I would be extremely surprised if anyone was ever frowned upon for asking a question. Generally, yes, ask a question, it shows an active interest.

I couldn't agree, i always try and make it a policy of mine to ask questions of an appropriate nature of course. This not only shows an inquistive nature, but also shows that you are taking an interest in the company and your job role.

Reply 43

jtbieberich

Nope on the gas company interviews.

As for tips, I hated interviewing at first because it's a tough transition from university life to the professional life. The biggest thing to remember is that the best candidates are the ones that can carry on a pleasant conversation and smoothly interact with interviewers. It's pretty hard to do when you're in a suit as opposed to whatever you normally wear to class, and you're put in this awkward situation where you feel like everything you do is being analyzed.

One of my mentors really helped me out by changing my perspective. He said something to the effect of "Interview them as much as they interview you". Think about it, your choice of where to start your career and work for at least a few years is dependent on finding out as much as you can about the company. The interviews are the perfect time to ask the questions, and drill them as well.

Never walk out of the interview without asking questions and finding out if you think this company is really worth moving on regardless if they offer you another interview or offer. Here's some that I asked when I was in your shoes a year ago:

What are you looking for in the ideal candidate for this position?
(Do I truely fit this?)
How many college graduates are you looking to hire this round?
(What are my chances?)
Describe the culture of your company in and around the office.
(Would I want to be there for 8 hours, 5 days a week?)
What kind of work would I be doing as an entry-level college graduate?
(Will I be a coffee-runner or doing important work?)
What do you offer to your clients and employees that other companies do not?
(Why should I work here?)
What does your company value?
(Do your values align with mine?)

Find out if this really fits what you want to do after college. Don't settle for the first offer that comes your way. Just turning the tables in a respectful and inquisitive way will help to relax you and build up your confidence. I bombed so many interviews before I hit my stride and began to nail them. I hope this helps you with your interviews and I hope you find the job that truely fits what you want to do after college!

Reply 44

Sabum

jtbieberich

Nope on the gas company interviews.
Thanks for the very good tips u've just given.I graduated 2yrs ago but can't have something to do till date.Fortunately,i've been called for a Test and Interview on Sat 6th Jan 2006 at Maerk in Cameroon where i live
But i don't know what i'll be working there if i'm employed.I have a BSc in Physics with a minor in Computer Science.
Sure some the questions u gave will really play an importantr role for me to get the job.Thanks once more! :smile:

Reply 45

girl079

there are also some more job interview tips in http://www.career-resource.net/interview.php

Reply 46

LeifErikson

I got a new book yesterday called "Life's A Pitch", and it contained some useful tips about selling yourself in a job interview. For example:

- Make sure a photo is on your CV when you send it in, so you're easier to recognise
- Swot up by reading the company annual report and talk about in the interview, to demonstrate your interest in the firm
- Prepare a list of questions and don't be afraid about telling them you did so - showing you did the preparation make you look good.

I'd really recommend the book - it's very easy to read and written by two very successful advertising guys (Stephen Bailey and Roger Mavity).

Reply 47

teenage_Drama

i got my interview on monday, they told me to bring 2 references ( i only have address/number/name of my teacher and head of year, is this ok? and they also told me to bring my passport and bank details etc and a pen but no CV?

Reply 48

cufc16

teenage_Drama

I have an interview and they told me to bring the same things (except the pen), and i have the same problem in only being able to provide references from my teacher and head of year. Will this be ok?

Reply 49

Joe Mc

The people who check CVs are usually quite resourceful people and will be able to track down the teachers / lecturers concerned.

Some invite to interview and find CVs to be outdated. They might have assessment days where you have to figure things out, work as a team or as an individual. It is best not to be surprised at these things if they turn up. You can also do the other things mentioned though, bring the list of questions and show that you have been proactive. If it is a graduate position and they are filtering those that you want they may have already decided that knowing your course is enough. Which job is it?

Reply 50

mountainmetman

A friend of mine does some graduate recruiting for a somewhat major firm in London, and he's a bit of a stickler when it comes to selecting people. If you read this and panic, DON'T! This is for technical graduate recruitment, but the general idea can be applied to anything.
For starters, if the CV isn't printed on quality paper (such as brilliant white laid conquerer) and in the correct envelope, it's binned before being openned. Then it's checked to see if the watermark is the right way round. Again, binned if not. THEN he looks at the contents of the CV. This is harsh but he's looking for people that REALLY pay attention to detail. His view is that if you're slack before you get the job, you've got too far to go.
He gave me a few hints about interviews as well, mainly that you should never be silent for more than 10 seconds after being asked a question, and you should know all the details about the company before you walk into the doors, details about the history, pay scales and the like. When he was going for jobs he knew details such as the grade of steel used by the company and the relevant standards for the different bits of kit.
Conversely, when I used to interview people for jobs in an outdoors shop, I was looking for an ability to learn and a personality that we could work with, more than anything else. Knowledge about the shop and the products we sold helped (hugely) but the questions we thought about were principally "is this person a muppet?" "Can I work with them?" "Are they willing to learn what they don't know?" and "Would I trust this person to sell people equipment that may save their life?"
So you see what the interviewer wants varies massively.
HtH, MtnMtMn

Reply 51

Renae_nae

This thread is soo useful! Thanks for the info, hopefully the questions they ask me are on this list hahaha

Reply 52

cookie1989

G E N I O U S !

lol

Thanks

Reply 53

upagumtree

Good thread.

I just wish I'd seen it before I posted asking about USC.Whooooppssiiie!!

Reply 54

Vohamanah

I tend to find a good questions to ask them is "What, for you, is the best thing about working here?"

I got a horrible 2 questions the other day:

"Describe yourself in 3 words"

Followed by:

"How would your family and closest friends describe you in 3 words?"

Eek! :eek:

Reply 55

Pony Jack

Maybe more 'Give me an example of a time..' ones, and their follow-ups, 'describe how you prepared for this' or similar, as I believe they're asked a bit in specialist retail. (lie, i just got asked one once and had no idea how to answer :wink:

)

Reply 56

FoeGeddaBowDeet

hey, this helped me a lot with my interview even though none of the questions really came up. I slipped a few of the things I had prepared into the convo.