Interview advice

**Jamjar** · 26/10/2006, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

Hard luck. Thought you'd get it. Must have been a lot of people going for it.

No, he just listened to your advice

**Jock MIB** · 26/10/2006, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I am have been interviewing people recently & asking that question would not give interviewee an advantage. We are small company so I do most of my screening via CVs. Crap CV means candidate will not get interview & while i might ask someone for short 1st round interview & won't waste my time with 2nd round.

- Have a good CV & do not included everything & don't make too long. Had a a guy recently with 9 page CV - he might have been good but i don't have time to read & try to find info in that. Don't give me half page on job you did 8 years ago unless is very relevant. Memorise your CV verbatim.
- A CV is designed to get you the interview. The interview is to get you a job offer. You can make decision then.
- Even if you unsure approach interview as if for dream job as once you have offer are in position to accept or reject.
- Recruitment agencies "work" (relative term) for the employer, not the candidate so be careful what you tell them.
- Always be enthuasistic about position when talking to recruiter as they pass that onto employer.
- Never bluff about something you don't know about. You can definitely bluff your knowledge of some things if already have some knowledge.
- Look at desirable skills in job description as the advantageous skills are not so relevant as its rare a candidate can match all the desirables.

i respect your opinion but for me i'm glad i asked the question, just had job interview going for job which would be a step up for me going from a assistant golf professional to a head golf professional position but on my cv it has vast experience of my duties as a assistant but none on a head now i did everything you said on your list but when i asked that question at the end, i got the answer i expected which was a YOUNG LAD LIKE YOURSELF (31 not young) THIS IS A BIG STEP IT COULD MEAN SINK OR SWIM, CAN YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE COMING FROM? cause i asked that question i was able to ease any of those doubts or least got the chance to answer that question they were thinking which is better than leaving an interview without it being answered don't you think. now if i didn't ask that, here more an likely they would have used it as excuse not to hire me but now if they don't hire me least i will know its not from that but get a better answer to move forward with to next interview.

**Poor Student** · 26/10/2006, 8:50 PM

By the way, how are supposed to answer the question: Where do you see your role in a team? It seems too pretentious to say leader and too weak to mention as a subordinate, what is one supposed to say?

There was also another question: How do you motivate yourself? It seems a stupid question in a general abstract sense. How is one supposed to articulate such an internal process?

**tricky_colour** · 26/10/2006, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

By the way, how are supposed to answer the question: Where do you see your role in a team? It seems too pretentious to say leader and too weak to mention as a subordinate, what is one supposed to say?

There was also another question: How do you motivate yourself? It seems a stupid question in a general abstract sense. How is one supposed to articulate such an internal process?

Regarding the team thing I think you should say it depends on who the other member of the team are and that your role might vary depending on the circumstances. An alternative answer is centre-half.
Regarding motivastion I would think it best to say you feel pretty motivated most of the time so that you don't usually have to make a special effort.

In general it's best to avoid giving a straight answer to 'stupid questions', a good idea is to (politely) throw their carp question back at them, ie "Can you give me an example of a situation in which I would need to motivate myself?" So either give a vague answer or get them to modify their question into one which you can answer. (This might encourage then to stop asking stupid questions).

**BohsPartisan** · 26/10/2006, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

By the way, how are supposed to answer the question: Where do you see your role in a team? It seems too pretentious to say leader and too weak to mention as a subordinate, what is one supposed to say?

There was also another question: How do you motivate yourself? It seems a stupid question in a general abstract sense. How is one supposed to articulate such an internal process?

They are pretty stupid questions and interviews are the most insincere situation you will ever be in. Bottom line is whoever lies the best gets the job.

**Poor Student** · 26/10/2006, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

They are pretty stupid questions and interviews are the most insincere situation you will ever be in. Bottom line is whoever lies the best gets the job.

What kind of ballacks would you have considered good answers from the other side of the table?

They also asked me how I'd deal with someone not pulling their weight. I said something along the lines of I'd have a word with them (but in a more detailed way). Your one then said: What if they still don't pull their weight? It seemed like a childish "and then? and then?" kind of thing. The question also seemed to make no sense from the perspective that I'd be starting off as a grunt.

**tricky_colour** · 26/10/2006, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by holycrossjock

a good question to ask at the end is

is there anything you feel that will prevent me from getting this job?

it will turn the emphasis on them to ask you anything that is still bothering them slightly about your application for there job...before you leave the interview giving you the final chance to ease any worries they might have

I would not ask that myself, it could make you appear over confident, it also invites them to think about you in a negative way. You have just had an interview so I would expect if there was anything bothering them thay would have already asked you.
If you don't genuinely have a question I would not bother asking one just for the sake of it, I generally say "Not really I think you have covered everything I was going to ask." Which is a nice compliment to them!

**tricky_colour** · 26/10/2006, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

What kind of ballacks would you have considered good answers from the other side of the table?

They also asked me how I'd deal with someone not pulling their weight. I said something along the lines of I'd have a word with them (but in a more detailed way). Your one then said: What if they still don't pull their weight? It seemed like a childish "and then? and then?" kind of thing. The question also seemed to make no sense from the perspective that I'd be starting off as a grunt.

I would say I would say I would mention it to them and ask if there was some sort of problem and then mention it again and have a word with your superior
it the situation continued (which may have been what they were looking for).

**BohsPartisan** · 26/10/2006, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

What kind of ballacks would you have considered good answers from the other side of the table?

For the motivation one, something along the lines of the chance of promotion, gaining skills that will help your carreer progress etc. etc.
For the teamwork one, you have to emphasise that you can follow instructions, pull your weight and be a role model for less motivated employees. Dress it up a bit but that is the jist of it.

They also asked me how I'd deal with someone not pulling their weight. I said something along the lines of I'd have a word with them (but in a more detailed way). Your one then said: What if they still don't pull their weight? It seemed like a childish "and then? and then?" kind of thing. The question also seemed to make no sense from the perspective that I'd be starting off as a grunt.

The next part of that is you'd go to your manager and have a word with them about the person not pulling their weight. I.E. you try to sort it out yourself but if that doesn't work you take it to the next level.

**Magicme** · 27/10/2006, 8:41 AM

Holycrossjock, a mate of mine used to go out with this guy and one nite when we were all drunk she told us his job was a "golf professor" think she got it slightly wrong!

**Jock MIB** · 27/10/2006, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

Holycrossjock, a mate of mine used to go out with this guy and one nite when we were all drunk she told us his job was a "golf professor" think she got it slightly wrong!

i feel there is blonde joke following this

**pete** · 27/10/2006, 3:47 PM

I don't have HR training & interviewing only becomes necessary part of job when need new staff. I don't proclaim any better knowledge than anyone else.

I never ask stupid "where do you see yourself questions" as i approach every interview as wanting to hire the person. I just try to be honest & ensure its clear what the role is what is expected from future employee. I also try to point out what will not be part of role. I don't believe trying to trip someone up. If not up to the job will find out soon anyway.

As an interviewee nothing to lose whereas interviewer is responsible for hiring someone so has to make good choice.

**harpskid** · 18/02/2007, 10:58 PM

Going for an interview in the morning. Hoping the info earlier in the thread is of some use!

**sligoman** · 18/02/2007, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by harpskid

Going for an interview in the morning. Hoping the info earlier in the thread is of some use!

Best of luck with it! Let us know how you get on.

**pete** · 19/02/2007, 4:28 PM

Find some what to drop in that you have other interviews lined up. Nothing to get company to prioritise like thought that may have other offers lined up. It may not get you the job but will get quicker interview.

**Closed Account 2** · 18/03/2007, 1:17 PM

Had the following happen to me last week.

Was offered a new job, sent the contract, went to new employee to sign and exchange.

They then said they were rescinding the contract as they were getting a new CEO. I was shocked and said they can't do that because I'd pretty much resigned from my current job (in fact I haven�t). They then said they would be able to sort it, and have since offered me the same contract.

Has anyone had an experience like this ? Is it common for contracts to be withdrawn like that ?

**harpskid** · 18/03/2007, 4:46 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Best of luck with it! Let us know how you get on.

Got the job! Yay - hard to beat the aul advice from foot.ie

**Tazskool** · 18/03/2007, 5:52 PM

A few more tips on interviews.... that may or may not have been covered...

Being on both side of the process as I have employed many people in my time..

-do NOT babble..
-do NOT interupt the interviewer even if you know what they are going to say.
-do NOT appear too cocky
-do NOT slate your previous empolyer.
-do NOT lie

Do..
- Always say a move to their company is a career progression and thats why you are looking to leave your current job
- Answer every question as honestly as you can.. If they say "what do you do if you dont know the answer".. you say.. "go find it on the internet or read for the answer and then solve the problem.
- Always look at the interview at all times.

**sligoman** · 10/06/2007, 11:57 PM

I've an interview coming up next week. One question, I know it's good to ask interviewer questions at the end of interview so-What's the best questions to ask? I know, promotional prospects, working hours, daily tasks should be asked, anything else? Wages?

**strangeirish** · 10/06/2007, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

I've an interview coming up next week. One question, I know it's good to ask interviewer questions at the end of interview so-What's the best questions to ask? I know, promotional prospects, working hours, daily tasks should be asked, anything else? Wages?

Yeah, can I have the job?