In both practice interviews, the interviewer asked very pertinent questions that I have heard in real interviews before. I realize that I have almost no experience in jobs other than serving, and even though you can kinda make a connection to any other job, most positions ask for real experience that translates. I have done many interviews, and applied for hundreds of jobs, and I feel quite comfortable in the interviewing situation because you have to come up with answers to questions immediately, and from serving, you definitely learn to do that. For the most part, I had similar responses to the alternate ones provided, and if I had any reservations about the question, the Coach helped a great deal. Here are my practice interviews:
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3020929&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3020931&type=standard
One piece of advice I have is just do your research on the company and show them you have a vested interest in them because you took your time to research the company.
Ada writes:
In a lot of ways I think these practice interviews are good, well, practice, but they're a little too generic to properly prepare somebody for an interview. I'd like to see some different versions of these interviews available that are at least somewhat tailored to particular industries. It's also hard to answer some of these questions without knowing exactly what job you're interviewing for. Questions about education or previous work experience are fine, but what about a question like "How does this job fit into your long-term goals?" (Which, of course, was the first question I was hit with in my first practice interview.) I could answer this several different ways, depending on what kind of job I was applying for. I had some jobs where I ultimately wanted to climb to management, or others where I eventually wanted to specialize in some particular part of the field... I think, overall, my answers were comparable to the example responses. (Some of them, unfortunately, only gave me question marks "???", so they weren't entirely helpful.)
I think that researching the company you're interviewing with is extremely good advice, as well as being able to ask questions about the work itself. This really shows that you're interested in the company and the field.
Here are links to my interviews:
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Complete the Informational Interview Assignment provided by Capstone mentors.
Discuss the results of your interview practice.
Discuss the results of your interview practice.
I really enjoyed this assignment because I have only had 2 job interviews so I am still very unexperienced in this whole process. In the first interview I was asked a questiong about my practical experiences. This immediately threw me off because I was unsure about what this meant. After listening to both the coach and the example response it because clear what the interviewer was asking for. I was also a little nervous when I was asked about if I had any skills with other computuer programs than just office ones. Since I don't I wasn't sure how I should answer but I relized now that saying you have no experience with it is ok as long as you make it a point to express how willing you are to learn the new software you can spin this negative fact in a postive light.
ReplyDeleteI am still unsure how I should answer the question about what your biggest weakness is. I know it should not be a big weakness that will make them question if you are able to get the job done but at the same time I am sure that they get a lot of chiche answers that are not really weaknesses it is just what we think they want to hear. I guess I just don't know if I should be honest and really tell them a weakness or if that will hurt my chances.
Oops I forgot to post my sample interviews....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3021240&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3021239&type=standard
And I don't know why the first one says it was done by a guest because I was logged in when I did it so I don't know.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of trouble answering the question about my biggest weakness too. If the only things you can come up with still sound really bad, maybe you could communicate it in a different way, or instead of thinking of it as a weakness, look at it as something you're having to work harder on. For example, instead of not being a good salesperson, you've been having to work on being more outgoing and learning to go the extra mile to make customers happy.
(This probably sounds really lame, but it is a pretty useful skill to be able to phrase things differently or be able to put a more positive spin on something. =) )
And never ever say that your biggest weakness is that you don't have any weaknesses, that you work too much, that you work too hard, or you are too meticulous when you work, etc. because employers loathe it. Here are some other things you should not say/do,
ReplyDeletehttp://hubpages.com/hub/5_things_you_should_NEVER_say
I wasn't able to make that a hyperlink, so please copy/paste into your web browser.
The one question that I would think people would have the most trouble with would be pertaining to ever being fired in the past. Although I've never been fired, I have left companies on semi-bad terms. When asked about previous employers in an interview is it alright to discuss the situation in a way that informs the interviewer what happened or is it ok to just avoid the question? Basically, how would I field a question that would make me look less appealing?
ReplyDeleteAda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice! I really like how you worded that to make it sound better. I think it is definitely a good idea to explain a weakness that you overcame or are working to overcome. Then it at least shows that you are working on your flaws.
Joseph,
Thanks for posting that link! And I figured it wouldn't be a good idea to say you don't have any weaknesses. I think it also looks bad if you say something that is really a postive thing and try to turn it into a weakness because I am sure they have heard it tons before and know you are just saying it because you think it is what they want to hear.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI have been told before that if you were not fired but left on bad terms to just write that your reason for leaving was scheduling issues. But I'm also unsure how to go about saying what went wrong if you are specifically asked in an interview. I left on bad terms from one job when I was in high school but the good thing is that now that company is no longer in business so I don't have a contact number for them. So I just put scheduling issues and when they ask why they can't contact them I say because they went out of business. I know that is a little shady and would be better if I had a good recommendation from my past employer but at least this way it doesn't hurt me in an interview.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteScheduling issues sounds like a perfect way to phrase it without digging yourself into a hole. I have had friends who have tried to throw the actual company that fired them under the bus, but that is obviously a terrible decision seeing as I am sure the interviewer wouldn't care to hear the actual story but just assume you were not a genuine person after that.
Ada,
I've also been told to try to rephrase a weakness into something that you recognize about yourself but really want to work to change. That way the employer see's that your arent someone that will just say anything to please them, but will actually recognize your flaws and have that added drive to improve yourself.
I found the interviews very tough. I especially found the second interview tough. They ask you questions that lead you to a negative response – which is ill advised. I thought I was able to put a positive spin on things but I thought that was so tricky. I know employers do that but I don’t know why. I believe my responses overall were strong. I was able to keep it positive and efficiently highlighted my strengths. I know I could improve on explaining the gaps in my history. My life has been very chaotic and there is really no good way to explain it away. I think I will get some help from a coach in this area.
ReplyDeleteMy interviews are below.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=8D202FD5-B5C3-4B7C-AEF0-1624F28E5514&mediatype=WMV
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=AF4D6D87-AC1A-4017-9F02-1F895039BA82&mediatype=WMV
Ada,
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about researching the company is THE most important part of a succesful interview. Going to the website of the company you are interviewing with and being able to ask educated questions in the interview makes a great first impression.
I agree with Sarah and Ada. I think by doing the research not only will it give you a heads up on what to expect or how to field certain questions, but showing interest in the company or knowing extra info can also give you an added advantage over others. The interviewers look for something that will set you apart from the crowd and having a heads up will almost always work in your favor.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't like it that potential employers check your credit. I have had some medical bills and I think it is unfair to have an arbitrary number determine if I get a job or not. If I am the right candidate, my experience and skills would fit the position I would hate to be denied a position becuase my credit score isn't high enough.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure when is the right time to talk about salary. Usually I wait for them to bring it up. What I am really uncomfortable with is when in the first interview they ask you what your salary requirements are. You might price yourself out of the position. I try to deflect that with a "the starting salary" but I don't know if thats the right thing to do...