<![CDATA[Latest posts for the thread "Interview advice needed! *update"]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/54.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net Interview advice needed! *update
Last week I apparently impressed one of the hiring managers for a medical delivery company that pays rather well, far better than the crap job I currently have. Tomorrow is my official interview and my problem is thus....

I want to blow away the interview but I have basically no background in this field and I don't want to come off as needy or unprepared. I've researched into the company more, and learned as much as I can about them indirectly, and I've even bought myself a nice get up and tie for the interview.

Can you lot give me some pointers and ideas/questions to ask for this interview? I'd love to not go in with an empty head because this job could really help out the wife and mine situation financially and I'm afraid that I might be blinding myself with the thought of not screwing this up.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362419.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362419.page GMT Interview advice needed!
Then go in with back straight and confident. Remember, turn their questions around and ask back. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362428.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362428.page GMT Interview advice needed!
I know that step is important, because it shows that I'm honestly interested in the job and can communicate with them.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362451.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362451.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362500.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362500.page GMT Interview advice needed!
Do not attempt to answer their questions on the face. INstead, tell the stories of your successes no matter what.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362582.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362582.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362588.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362588.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed!
Above pretty much covers it, but best of luck with the thing, will keep'em crossed for you

and I've even bought myself a nice get up and tie for the interview.


Good.

Wear shoes -- not sneakers/whatever too ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362595.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362595.page GMT Interview advice needed!
OK..... I now have a wicked knot in my stomach but this has all been good help and ideas. Deep breath and a hopeful out come then. Thanks all]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362889.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362889.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed!
Research of the company is excellent, good to know their market and private / share owned company.
Think of at least three questions about the company you would be interested in that is not found on the net (they usually ask if you have any questions).

What does the work entail for the job?
Got any experience you can directly link with the responsibilities?
Look-up any "buzzwords" that are typical for the job, certifications, associations, quality systems... at least research a bit of what these are and how they work.

Think of things you have done in the past to save / make money for companies you worked for.

You will usually be asked where you could see yourself in 5 years.
I had stated in my interviewing boss's position but we would need to first find him a better job.

Confidence, being prepared so you can be confident is important.
Shoot for being there early to calm down before going in, (make sure you had gone to the bathroom and no coffee before).

There is nothing wrong with dressing better than everyone there, it will obscure any social standing you may or may not have.

Look around on the net, there is some good stuff out there, these points are things I knew worked for me.

Again, Good Luck!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362991.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7362991.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed!
 Talizvar wrote:
First: Good luck!

Research of the company is excellent, good to know their market and private / share owned company.
Think of at least three questions about the company you would be interested in that is not found on the net (they usually ask if you have any questions).

What does the work entail for the job?
Got any experience you can directly link with the responsibilities?
Look-up any "buzzwords" that are typical for the job, certifications, associations, quality systems... at least research a bit of what these are and how they work.

Think of things you have done in the past to save / make money for companies you worked for.

You will usually be asked where you could see yourself in 5 years.
I had stated in my interviewing boss's position but we would need to first find him a better job.

Confidence, being prepared so you can be confident is important.
Shoot for being there early to calm down before going in, (make sure you had gone to the bathroom and no coffee before).

There is nothing wrong with dressing better than everyone there, it will obscure any social standing you may or may not have.

Look around on the net, there is some good stuff out there, these points are things I knew worked for me.

Again, Good Luck!


These are all good points.
If you need have a couple of friends interview you, singly and then at once. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363037.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363037.page GMT Interview advice needed!
Remember that they are as interesting in knowing if you are a good fit as they are knowing that you are interested the the company. Here are a couple of types of questions you might want to have prepared:

- Things you've learned that are really exciting to you ... "I understand that your company is looking to become a top 10 US bank over the next decade. Are you planning to grow organically or grow through acquisition" (one of the things i discussed when I was interviewing)

- Open topics to give you more insight into the job but also create the openings to talk about your qualities ... How are your delivery drivers plugged into the sales process? Do they have a role in cross selling or upselling, making product recommendations, or even passing along customer intelligence back to the sales manager?"

Good luck]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363139.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363139.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363287.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363287.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363294.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363294.page GMT Interview advice needed!


You have been asked to the interview because they think you can do the job - hell he wants you to be able to do the job.

So be confident.



If he asks, for example, do you have a hobby?
Dont just say "yes".
List a few. Explain what each involves.
TALK - he wants to listen to you, its not always about a right or wrong answer, but also about him getting to know you.

Do not bad mouth your old job/boss/colleagues.

Prepare a list of questions. just 3 or 4, that you want to ask him about the role/company/training oppportunities.

Wrtite the questions down.

Take a notepad and pen, just in case want to make a note - or think of a new question to ask him.

Good luck!


]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363347.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363347.page GMT Interview advice needed!
If you know someone in the business it might help to get the lowdown on what things the employers are looking for in their annual review.

In a big business, this usually matches to what they're looking for in interviews.

So, for example, with a job I had. There were these key concepts/behaviours that employees need to have.

These might be very based on my experiences and may not apply to all businesses / jobs.

1) Customers - This might not mean sales, but any situation where someone else had asked you to do something for them. One of the most important things here is getting across your attitude when you have to say no to them. Note: Saying "I always endeavour to please my customers" is the wrong answer. The potential employers wanted to find out what happens when **** hits the fan.

2) Working with your team - This includes any leadership roles you've had to take in teams. Again, demonstrate how you deal with things when things go wrong and, hopefully, resolved them leading to a successful outcome. If this didn't happen (which it might be ok if it didn't), explain what efforts you went to 'mitigating the risk' and what you did accomplish.

3) Saving Money/Time - Are you on the look out for ways to increase efficiency in things. Can you talk about any situations when you noticed something was a waste of time and you found out a way to speed things up?

4) Responsiveness to Change - Talking about times when something new came in and you had to quickly adapt. Do you teach people new things? Maybe you weren't the person that figured out the thing in number (3) but you were the person that went out and told all your schoolmates / teachers / lecturers about it and it had a benefit. Never ever use the phrase "set in my ways" this is bad.

5) Problem Solving - What's your approach to solving problems, how do you balance the need to get something done, versus sitting and studying a problem forever and never making a decision until the last minute or it's too late. It's ok to talk about the time you made a wrong choice, but also illustrate why it was the wrong choice.

6) Teaching people things: How well do you get on with teaching people stuff. Did they grasp the concepts? This might involve teaching the interviewer a bit about something they're unfamiliar with.

7) Doing your work - 'nuff said really. Talk about the time you accomplished something and how you did it.


I have absolutely no idea whether this is of any help to anyone at all.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363365.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7363365.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed!

Thanks everyone!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7364997.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7364997.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365004.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365004.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365372.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365372.page GMT Interview advice needed! ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365477.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365477.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed!
 KingCracker wrote:
Well I had the interview today. I think it went really well and a good chunk of the advice in here helped me a bunch. I should hear from them in the next few days with a yay or nay.Thanks everyone!
Hope it works out!
If you are hired wait till the 3 month probation period before you let them know you are a tabletop gamer... ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365485.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365485.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365645.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7365645.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7366090.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7366090.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed!
 KingCracker wrote:
I think it went really well and a good chunk of the advice in here helped me a bunch


I told you getting naked and doing feats of strength would convey confidence to the interviewer. Did you wrestle them to the ground to show you dominating spirit?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7366254.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7366254.page GMT Interview advice needed! http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7366862.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7366862.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update
Cheers!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406661.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406661.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update
 KingCracker wrote:
Well gents, your advice paid off, i got that job! It's a pretty nice pay raise (enough that I won't complain about it) with much better hours and such. Really excited to start in the next couple weeks, and thanks again for the advice all that gave it.

Cheers!


]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406973.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406973.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update
 KingCracker wrote:
Well gents, your advice paid off, i got that job! It's a pretty nice pay raise (enough that I won't complain about it) with much better hours and such. Really excited to start in the next couple weeks, and thanks again for the advice all that gave it.

Cheers!


]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406995.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406995.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update
 Ahtman wrote:
 KingCracker wrote:
Well gents, your advice paid off, i got that job! It's a pretty nice pay raise (enough that I won't complain about it) with much better hours and such. Really excited to start in the next couple weeks, and thanks again for the advice all that gave it.

Cheers!



What he said! ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406998.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7406998.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407008.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407008.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407028.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407028.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407149.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407149.page GMT Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407276.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407276.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407675.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407675.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407748.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407748.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update
 KingCracker wrote:
Well gents, your advice paid off, i got that job! It's a pretty nice pay raise (enough that I won't complain about it) with much better hours and such. Really excited to start in the next couple weeks, and thanks again for the advice all that gave it.

Cheers!




Congrats, man! Terrific news. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407799.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7407799.page GMT Re:Interview advice needed! *update ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7408319.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7408319.page GMT Interview advice needed! *update http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7413630.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7413630.page GMT Interview advice needed! *update

Congrats man!

May you live long and prosper.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7413665.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/623674/7413665.page GMT