One of my favorite
topics this week was the Typical Interview Questions (Table 8.4). Due to the economy, I have been laid off from
several jobs over the past 8 years and have been to numerous interviews. I am to the point of feeling comfortable in
interviews and have prepared responses in my head. I know what responses are received well due
to reactions I have received in previous interviews. I also for the first time in my life have
started conducting interviews at my current place of employment. I love how empowering it feels to be on the
opposite side of the table and my high level of expectations I have from the
interviewee. I watch for body language,
if they have a level of arrogance, how well spoken they are, etc. One of my favorite questions we ask the
person we are interviewing is if they feel that they are lucky. It is amazing how some people come right out
and say no, not at all….while others say they are. One of the more favorite answers is when they
say they would not describe themselves as lucky but fortunate. When I asked the candidate at the last
interview I conducted, he stated that he is very blessed. We offered him the job the same day!
Dear Missy,
ReplyDeleteInterviews are a scary process for most people, and I am glad that you have found a way to be comfortable. I am one of those people who you might think of as cocky. Not because of tone of voice or body language, but because like you I have gone through numerous interviews and I walk in knowing what information I want to give, and what I feel is unnecessary. I find the questions like “are you lucky?” entertaining because there is no right or wrong answer to those questions, it’s a personal opinion on your outlook on life. I am lucky enough to not have to work full time, and when the day arises that I will need a full time job I hope my interview skills do not have cobwebs on them. Maybe the younger people in this class will take the opportunity, now knowing what you do for a living, to take advantage of some of these discussions to get help in their interview skills :-).
Hey Missy,
ReplyDeleteIt must feel greatly empowering to be in charge and on the other side of the table for interviewing. I myself have had the pleasure to go to several interviews, which I gained a great deal of experience, hired or not. My most recently interview(s), last week actually, had me so nervous because they were panel interviews. I try to show them my personality, and knowledge about the job. Lucky enough, and most definitely fortunate, I got the job! The interviewers were nice enough to tell me what stood out, and they said every time I spoke to them, I came off as one of the happiest people they'd ever met. It shines to smile, feel confident, and prepare significantly!
I loved the table on interview questions. I too had been in a position where I had to go interview after interview. These questions help you think and brush up on any areas where you may stumble on your answers. I also liked the area where they give the interviewee questions to ask about the job that they’re getting into. Potential employers want you to ask questions, it shows you have plenty of interest in their company and you really want the position. I think it is cool how you get to see how it feels to be the interviewer instead of being the one interviewed.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the table on interview questions. The sad part, though, is that, despite having applied many times in the past several months, I have yet to get into an interview. The "likely interview questions" table will give me an idea of what to expect when going into an interview, as well as just simply communicating who I am. I've been in a number of "interview" situations throughout my life, including musical auditions. In any case, I find seeing the perspective change from being an interviewee and instead being the interviewer: Gives you an idea what both sides think, and help you make better decisions when in either seat.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about the same thing! Currently I am almost graduated (tking this class as a last elective) and I am going on interviews like crazy. I tend to not be able to show my true self because I let my nerves overcome me but the table gave some great insight. After reading your post i loved the question about asking people if they felt lucky and someone responding they were blessed. You hiring him on the spot is awesome :)
ReplyDelete