Job Interview tomorrow. Wish me luck.... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

dimbulb · 10-02-2003, 07:53 PM

Yup. I'll need it. Despite my qualifications, the fact that I'm not a PR has hindered my job search in the US. Finally got a face to face interview after having a few phone interviews. And for once, everything fits. They're looking for a ChemE undergrad, with a Masters in Manufacturing. With no visa restrictions. Wow... couldn't fit better. Quite psyched up about the interview.....

To put the icing on the cake.....

For those who have interviewed candidates, what do you look for?

For those who have interviewed successfully, what did you do that made a difference?

The_Dude · 10-02-2003, 08:29 PM

I dont think I can give you a lot of tips, but here goes....

dress well and address them as "Sir/Ma'am". Show respect.

get there with time to spare, just in case something happens (or you dont look panty/sweaty if u rushed there)

almost forgot to mention, GOOD LUCK!

Johnny Rotten · 10-02-2003, 10:31 PM

What made the difference for me was genuine enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of humor. The humor part is a matter of trying to get in tune with the hiring person. They might have no sense of humor at all, so approach that with caution.

Jadey · 10-02-2003, 10:50 PM

When interviewing people I'm always impressed by someone that seems to have done their research and knows about the company or asks questions about the company. Also, make eye contact with the interviewer.

Make a good first impression with a good firm handshake when you meet the interiewer!

Cynthetiq · 10-03-2003, 06:18 AM

good luck!

show up on time, on the ball, and shake hands firmly. relax and treat the interviewer with respect and lastly be comfortable.

quadro2000 · 10-03-2003, 06:47 AM

oh, and BREATHE! I'm serious! When trying to remember all these items above, it's very easy to get flustered and forget that deep breaths can help keep you calm.

alkaloid · 10-03-2003, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Dude

dress well and address them as "Sir/Ma'am". Show respect.

????
Don't people get uncomfortable when they get called Sir or Ma'am? I thought we stopped doing Sir/Ma'am thing since the 90's. Showing respect is good, but I think calling people Sir or Ma'am is kinda weird. What do you think?

onetime2 · 10-03-2003, 10:55 AM

Ask appropriate questions to the person you are interviewing with. e.g., in many cases you interview with several people over the course of a few hours. When talking to the HR person ask about corporate culture, the needs of the hiring manager, anything to do with the company as a whole. When talking to the hiring manager ask questions specific to the job like processes, programs, turn around times, whatever is appropriate to give you an idea about what the day to day procedures will be. Ask about biggest priorities for the position, is it a new position or one that is being filled due to a vacancy, etc.

If you show a lot of interest and enthusiasm it's hard not to make a good impression.

numist_net · 10-03-2003, 03:22 PM

heres a short list, with a few repeats:

dress well, appropriate for the occasion
don't show up with food or directly after a meal, they can tell and it doesnt show well.
When they ask questions, make sure you think about the answers before you answer, and answer them from the perspective of why you are good for the company, not why the company is good for you. They dont care if you want the job, they care if you can do it, and do it well.
Last, relax, put yourself in a calm mood, because they can smell stress as if they were a predator .

Theres quite a few sites that can help you if you really want to research the interview, but try to be prepared for these questions. (It's a long list, so don't do all of it, but run over it to get yourself in the right mindset)

by the way...

good luck

scott

MuadDib · 10-03-2003, 04:17 PM

Imagine your interviewer(s) naked

BTW, good luck

phredgreen · 10-03-2003, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MuadDib
Imagine your interviewer(s) naked

heh... the hr girl from my last interview...

Quote:

Originally posted by alkaloid
Don't people get uncomfortable when they get called Sir or Ma'am? I thought we stopped doing Sir/Ma'am thing since the 90's. Showing respect is good, but I think calling people Sir or Ma'am is kinda weird. What do you think?

you have to remember, each occasion will be different, and it depends greatly on the person with whom you are interviewing. gauge the situatiuon and the interviewer's perosnality, if you feel you can address them in a more informal manner, then get comfortable. if you can sense they place a certain amount of space between themselves and the prospective employee, keep it formal and be professional.

use a little sense and be aware of your surroundings and you will do well.

bobw · 10-07-2003, 09:10 PM

How did it go ?

dimbulb · 10-08-2003, 06:19 AM

funny you should ask... i just got this email...

Well, I kinda screwed up the basic interview questions, like
"describe your job experience"
I didn't really prepare a good answer for that, and ad-libbed it.

It was the usual questions

"How would your friends, family, boss describe you"
Here's the chance to talk about your strengths...

"How would they describe your weaknesses"
The 'killer' question in most interviews. The trick is not to screw yourself. Talk about a minor weakness, that you can 'twist' into a strength...

I talked about how I lacked depth in knowledge and wasn't specialized, but went on to qualify that by saying that I had a very broad base of knowledge... blah blah..

And the advice one professor gave me was crucial i think.
Ask HARD questions at the interview.
I basically read through their annual report, and asked them why their inventory levels were so high, and asked how they were doing compared to their competitors, (I knew the company was focussing on reducing inventories and increasing efficiencies from reading the annual report... )

Basically, I tried to show that I was looking 'beyond' the job I was interviewing for, how this job fit in with the company's long term objectives, and tried to convince the interviewer that I could see the 'big picture'.

Quote:

Thank you for taking the time and effort to interview with XXXX
during our recent campus visit. Our recruiter came away impressed with
your achievements and with your academic accomplishments. The recruiter
forwarded to us a very favorable appraisal based upon your campus
interview.

We are in the process of matching highly qualified candidates such as
yourself with current or pending open positions. If there is a match
between your qualifications and a hiring manager’s current needs, you
will be contacted directly by a hiring manager or one of their team
members to invite you for a site interview.

Thank you for your continued interest in XXXXXXXXX.

Sincerely yours,

Technical Staffing

phukraut · 10-08-2003, 10:07 AM

now write a thankyou note in return asap

mb99usa · 10-08-2003, 10:37 AM

congrats on getting them interested. make sure you let them know you a re serious with a well written thank you letter.

dimbulb · 10-08-2003, 10:50 AM

yup, I did that right after the interview. This response almost seems to be a form letter. I think I'll sit on this for a while....

onetime2 · 10-09-2003, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dimbulb
yup, I did that right after the interview. This response almost seems to be a form letter. I think I'll sit on this for a while....

Agree. It seems pretty generic. Good luck!

cas305 · 10-09-2003, 12:15 PM

Seems like you have gotten good advice, so I will just say Good Luck, was unemployed for awhile and it is a tough market out there right now!

powder · 10-10-2003, 10:55 AM

Good luck

yellowgowild · 10-12-2003, 08:14 AM

Just remember that the person interviewing you probably had to go though the same thing you are right now to get to where they are now.

nukeu666 · 10-13-2003, 04:38 PM

congrats

10-02-2003, 07:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
dimbulb Riiiiight........	Job Interview tomorrow. Wish me luck.... Yup. I'll need it. Despite my qualifications, the fact that I'm not a PR has hindered my job search in the US. Finally got a face to face interview after having a few phone interviews. And for once, everything fits. They're looking for a ChemE undergrad, with a Masters in Manufacturing. With no visa restrictions. Wow... couldn't fit better. Quite psyched up about the interview..... To put the icing on the cake..... For those who have interviewed candidates, what do you look for? For those who have interviewed successfully, what did you do that made a difference?

10-02-2003, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	I dont think I can give you a lot of tips, but here goes.... dress well and address them as "Sir/Ma'am". Show respect. get there with time to spare, just in case something happens (or you dont look panty/sweaty if u rushed there) almost forgot to mention, GOOD LUCK! __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

10-02-2003, 10:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Johnny Rotten lost and found Location: Berkeley	What made the difference for me was genuine enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of humor. The humor part is a matter of trying to get in tune with the hiring person. They might have no sense of humor at all, so approach that with caution. __________________ "The idea that money doesn't buy you happiness is a lie put about by the rich, to stop the poor from killing them." -- Michael Caine

10-03-2003, 06:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	good luck! show up on time, on the ball, and shake hands firmly. relax and treat the interviewer with respect and lastly be comfortable. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

10-03-2003, 06:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	oh, and BREATHE! I'm serious! When trying to remember all these items above, it's very easy to get flustered and forget that deep breaths can help keep you calm. __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers

10-02-2003, 10:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jadey This Space For Rent Location: Davenport, Iowa	When interviewing people I'm always impressed by someone that seems to have done their research and knows about the company or asks questions about the company. Also, make eye contact with the interviewer. Make a good first impression with a good firm handshake when you meet the interiewer!

10-03-2003, 10:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Ask appropriate questions to the person you are interviewing with. e.g., in many cases you interview with several people over the course of a few hours. When talking to the HR person ask about corporate culture, the needs of the hiring manager, anything to do with the company as a whole. When talking to the hiring manager ask questions specific to the job like processes, programs, turn around times, whatever is appropriate to give you an idea about what the day to day procedures will be. Ask about biggest priorities for the position, is it a new position or one that is being filled due to a vacancy, etc. If you show a lot of interest and enthusiasm it's hard not to make a good impression. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

10-03-2003, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
numist_net Banned Location: UCSD	heres a short list, with a few repeats: dress well, appropriate for the occasion don't show up with food or directly after a meal, they can tell and it doesnt show well. When they ask questions, make sure you think about the answers before you answer, and answer them from the perspective of why you are good for the company, not why the company is good for you. They dont care if you want the job, they care if you can do it, and do it well. Last, relax, put yourself in a calm mood, because they can smell stress as if they were a predator . Theres quite a few sites that can help you if you really want to research the interview, but try to be prepared for these questions. (It's a long list, so don't do all of it, but run over it to get yourself in the right mindset) by the way... good luck scott

10-03-2003, 04:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
MuadDib Psycho	Imagine your interviewer(s) naked BTW, good luck __________________ "The courts that first rode the warhorse of virtual representation into battle on the res judicata front invested their steed with near-magical properties." ~27 F.3d 751

10-07-2003, 09:10 PM	#12 (permalink)
bobw Psycho Location: somewhere....	How did it go ?

10-08-2003, 10:07 AM	#14 (permalink)
phukraut Addict	now write a thankyou note in return asap

10-08-2003, 10:37 AM	#15 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	congrats on getting them interested. make sure you let them know you a re serious with a well written thank you letter. __________________ So, what's your point? It's not an attitude, it's a way of life.

10-08-2003, 10:50 AM	#16 (permalink)
dimbulb Riiiiight........	yup, I did that right after the interview. This response almost seems to be a form letter. I think I'll sit on this for a while....

10-09-2003, 12:15 PM	#18 (permalink)
cas305 Insane Location: Indiana	Seems like you have gotten good advice, so I will just say Good Luck, was unemployed for awhile and it is a tough market out there right now!

10-10-2003, 10:55 AM	#19 (permalink)
powder Loser Location: ski town	Good luck

10-13-2003, 04:38 PM	#21 (permalink)
nukeu666 Junkie Location: India	congrats __________________ Why did the Comp. Engineer get X-mas and Halloween mixed up? Because Oct(31) == Dec(25)

10-12-2003, 08:14 AM	#20 (permalink)
yellowgowild Psycho Location: Tampa	Just remember that the person interviewing you probably had to go though the same thing you are right now to get to where they are now.