[Archived] Job Interview advice

[Ricky]

Off for an interview on Monday. Anyone have any good advice or good tips?

I always struggle with the 'what are your weaknesses' question.

[Sparky Marky]

Just make sure your "weaknesses" aren't particularly relevant to the job.....I.e. if you are going for a post mans job, tell them you aren't great at presenting to groups...something you will never have to do as a postman.

Or turn it into a positive and mention you're over diligent on projects and maybe you could learn to be less thorough....

[Bundesburn]

Always tend to think the weaknesses question is a bit of a trick. Designed to see if you can honestly assess your own shortcomings and if you're confident enough to admit to them.

Worst answers I've heard are, "I have none," and "I can often work too hard."

I've always gone for genuine weaknesses that I've had and since corrected or, on occasion, mentioned my dyslexia an dyspraxia and the work I did to manage them.

[Biddy]

I hate HR interviews full of nonsense questions.

I agree with above that you can choose a weakness that is also a strength. Saying you do something too well in a way to show you are committed to getting the answer right.

Personally I think the best thing to do for interviews is show an interest in the job and the industry. Ask LOTS of questions about where the company is going, who the customers are (above what you should have found out already) etc. Eats time and shows you are keen.

[T4E]

"What is your biggest weakness?"

"Well, some people say I've lost touch with reality?"

"Ok, and what's your biggest strength?"

"I'M SPIDER-MAN!"

[Wolves_Rover]

I've been out of work since November thanks to redundancy, had 2 interviews but was vying with about 30 other candidates on each occasion and didn't get the job.

I've had the weaknesses question, i answered in the vein of a weakness overcome as well, but like the idea of a weakness you'll never need so may utilise that so thanks.

If anyone has any CV tips they would be open to share, I'd be grateful. I don't think my CV is getting me very far as I've only had those 2 interviews despite 75 or so applications.

As for interview tips, might not be the best person to ask but I always take some pre prepared questions and make notes throughout.

[dave birch]

If you have a Facebook page, make sure it's private, and if they want to have a look, make sure any photos are not of you on the grog (ie a beer or glass of wine in your hand).

[Guest Norbert]

When it comes to this sort of thing, just say you cannot stop downloading weird porn and say you have a thing for midgets dressed as historical figures going at it like the clappers. Then start 'adjusting yourself' in the trouser department. No, better still, go in a floral dress. If you don't get the job after that, then they're all a bunch of winkers you shouldn't work for.

[NB: Results of this approach may vary]

As you can see I do think these questions they ask are pointless, and slightly annoy me.

[Sandiway Blue]

I went for a job interview today. The employer said - what's your biggest fault?
I said - probably my honesty.
He said - well, i wouldn't really say that was a fault.
I said - I couldn't give a f**k what you think you fat c**t

(sorry i couldn't resist!)

[DE.]

I hate HR interviews full of nonsense questions.

I agree with above that you can choose a weakness that is also a strength. Saying you do something too well in a way to show you are committed to getting the answer right.

Personally I think the best thing to do for interviews is show an interest in the job and the industry. Ask LOTS of questions about where the company is going, who the customers are (above what you should have found out already) etc. Eats time and shows you are keen.

Agree with this. Make any "weakness" something that could or would actually be a strength in the position you're going for.

Showing interest is definitely a must-do. Research the company and position thoroughly beforehand and try to ask questions showing that you know about the company and how the position works. It'll make you seem clued up and ready for the challenge.

Good luck, anyway!

[Sandiway Blue]

Joking aside though,when it comes to C.V's try to put down hobbies that show your strengths.For instance if you go for manual work and you play sport or go to the gym or cycle regularly write that down,it show's employers that you should be reasonably fit and and capable of doing a phsically demanding job.Make sure there is plenty of substance on your C.V but don't overdo it.

For interviews try to be confident without being cocky and show your personality with plenty of smiles.You only have a short amount of time with the interviewer so try to answer questions more in depth without droning on,this shows you have a bit about you and you will come across as being enthusiastic about the job.

[Dunnfc]

I had a first and a second interview from my job now (quantity surveyor) two months ago. My main advice is to try and take stock and always relate an example you have done previously to the role. I created a portfolio of qualifications and previous examples of work especially from using many software's which id expect to come into at my new role. Always take a copy of your cv and original application and copies of any references to distribute for reflection when you've gone home.

The first interview consisted of meeting the main director in which certain questions arose such as:

Tell me a bit about yourself? - To which I put forward my university qualifications and previous experience at other companies and summarised a bit about my independency and suitability in terms of the qualities that I have for the role..

Why did you apply? / What makes you want to be a QS? - I held previous positions and was looking for more responsibility and a bit more variance in terms of my work and projects etc. Looking to test myself at a higher level and looking forward to the added expectations of working for a PLC company etc.

What are your weaknesses? - I'd be honest to a point where I said my naivety in terms of accepting and managing my work load, I said i'm only 22 so I am still figuring out what I can do and im still learning and that sometimes I can say yes to someone when really I shouldn't have done but I feel that is something you learn with age and the more experience you have in the role I always tried to put a steve kean esque spin on it .

Have you ever used such and such a programme? What are your current responsibilities? I created a portfolio for this type of question which I put forward indicating where I was at in terms of my work examples from previous positions. ALWAYS highlight why you feel you'd be a good fit look around on the net if its a big company and find some staff reviews so you can see the "employee type of view".

[Jeru tha Damaja]

I'm coming at this from the opposite direction as an employer, but the advice I was given by a couple of businessmen that I respect was to avoid anyone who gives the impression that they don't work well in teams.

If you mention any interests outside work then make sure they aren't time-consuming activities that you do on your own. Group activities and team sports are great, they foster exactly the sort of qualities people are looking for. But if you like to go for long walks on your own keep it to yourself.

Be relaxed, but don't take it too far. Don't slouch when you're sitting in the waiting area, don't ever put your hands in your pockets, have a firm handshake and never, ever shrug in response to anything.

Make eye-contact as much as possible, when they ask closed questions keep your answers short and wait for more open questions before you start to talk a bit. Don't be afraid of silence, it's not always a bad thing, interviewers often give you the chance to talk yourself out of the job.

Be friendly, but don't get off track with small-talk because you might walk away thinking you've done well if you talk to the interviewer like a friend, but they see someone who is unfocused.

The weaknesses question is just another opportunity for you to cut your own throat. There are no answers that are going to get you the job, because any positives you can spin out of it are largely irrelevant, but there are things you can say that will have their thoughts turning to the next candidate's CV. Again, don't say anything that implies you would struggle to fit into their team and don't give them anything that is going to be a major problem in that particular position.

If you can think of an original take on one of the cliche answers (like "I work too hard") then they might not feel quite so sick at hearing that for the millionth time. Most of the weaknesses you might have will be covered up by the team that you work in, that's the point, everyone has different strengths so the whole ends up greater than the sum of its parts. Personally, I prefer when candidates are honest (within reason) but then explain how they manage their weaknesses.

I feel like most of what I said is fairly obvious, but there really is nothing complicated about it. They think you can do the job or they wouldn't waste their time talking to you, it's actually disappointing when someone comes for an interview and proves that you got them wrong when you read their application.

Good luck.

[Amo]

Or turn it into a positive and mention you're over diligent on projects and maybe you could learn to be less thorough....

This. Turn your "weaknesses" into a positive, e.g. you're too methodical, you demand too much from yourself and others etc. and explain the steps you've taken to improve this area. I wouldn't dwell on this section any longer than necessary, though.

[Mike E]

Admit to being a terrible thief of office stationery

I think best answer to 'weakness' is something like: I tend to get a little bogged down in details but it's something I'm working on.

[ABBEY]

Tell em you had to ask a forum for advice

[T.J.Newton]

Have you got any weaknesses?

Yeah, im a bit of a perfectionist actually.

[ultrablue]

I teach Business English here in South Korea and have trained quite a few of my students for job interviews at international companies.

Regarding the weakness question, the one thing I always tell my students is never, ever, ever try to spin a personality fault as a positive. i.e. if you come out with the line "I think I am too hard working", your stock will plummet. Not only is it cliché and unoriginal, but it also shows a complete lack of self-awareness.

The strengths and weakness questions are there to show your ability to reflect and articulate your skills and work experience. Imagine when you are asked your strengths you say "I am hard working" - you wouldn't expect that to get you a job would you? Simply describing your personality will get you nowhere. The interviewer only really has your word for it. In the same way, the example line I gave for the weakness question will not win you any favour, but it will probably harm your chances.

So what should your answer be? I always say it is a chance to put yourself in your interviewers shoes and address any shortcomings they might have found in your CV. You have got to be on the front foot about a lack of experience or a gap in employment. This is your opportunity to do that. Acknowledge the issues and explain how the positive aspects of your work history mean you are worth being given an opportunity. This will show empathy with the interviewer and the decision he/she has to make. It also tells the interviewer that you are aware of your shortcomings and that this new job can help you develop your skills.

Good luck with the interview.

[T4E]

Good luck Ricky

[cn174]

From the brill Savage Chickens:

[gumboots]

Sounds like Steve Kean!

[T4E]

How did it go mate?

[SAS]

Worst thing to do is give one line answers. Complete turn off for me.

When I interview people I want good examples of work and personal experiences. You need to give answers the employer wants to hear.

Whenever I go for an interview. I thoroughly research the organisation and role and plan my answers and questions around that.

[Mike E]

That would only get you a certain type of *cough* job.....

[broadsword]

You have to be careful with that approach. If you just tell somebody what you think they want to hear you're just kidding both parties really. Better to be honest in your answers and if the interviewer doesn't like you then let it be. The next interviewer might.

Well, no, not really.

You'll have a job specification, you have to think about how you meet that and tailor your answers accordingly. It's about putting yourself in the best possible light, which is totally different from being dishonest.

It's a tick-box exercise, so you emphasise those aspects of your experience that your would-be employers wants to hear.

You apply by CV, if you then get an interview then they are interested in hiring you. Once you get to that stage, the only way you can fail is either by talking yourself out of a job or somebody with more experience is also interviewed.

If you start thinking that you have to be totally honest, then talking yourself out of a job is exactly what you could do, because you could start mentioning negative aspects of your application that have not been asked for.