had interview today

[bjbabe]

Ok so i had an interview for a this new job position at work. Why was i a nervous wreck. I swear they ask the most dumbest questions sometimes. They asked me what my strengthens and weakness are, i usually never know how to answer that one correctly

The other question they love to ask is where do you see yourself in five years. I dont even know what i am going to do this weekend, and i am expected to know what my goals are in five years! Yeah ok!

My problem is that i talk way to much and i dont seem to shit up. Anyone have an suggestions on how not to get so nervous in an interview.

[beefcake]

Re: had interview today

Originally posted by bjbabe
Ok so i had an interview for a this new job position at work. Why was i a nervous wreck. I swear they ask the most dumbest questions sometimes. They asked me what my strengthens and weakness are, i usually never know how to answer that one correctly

The other question they love to ask is where do you see yourself in five years. I dont even know what i am going to do this weekend, and i am expected to know what my goals are in five years! Yeah ok!

My problem is that i talk way to much and i dont seem to shit up. Anyone have an suggestions on how not to get so nervous in an interview.

Be carefree and don't give a shit about the outcome. Either that or just stack some chocamine and rhodiola rosea and you'll feel no stress.

[gdbear65]

Valium works! hehe

beefcake is right though - if you adopt a carefree attitude, you'll be less nervous.

FYI - I always say "In five years, I'll be in business for myself" - seems to work ok, but those questions are as old as the hills - you should have some set answers for them and always state a weakness that is positive in some aspect such as "I'm too much of a perfectionist"

[bjbabe]

I go in there with the most positive attitude, but when i sit down i really have no idea what happens. Oh well i guess i just have to wait to see what the outcome is.

I really need to learn how to realize.

[7lok4]

This is what has always worked for me: If you leave it up to the interviewer they will ussually keep to a basic format and inevitably ask you the same BS questions that you don't know the answers to. Try interviewing the person who is interviewing you. Go in with the attitude that you already know that you are the right person for the job. Ask them why they think you would want it. Make them sell you. There is a fine line between coming of as confident and coming of arrogant so don't over do it. Also ask them a lot of questions about themselves and how they came to be in their current position. People in management positions tend to have big egos. By giving them the opportunity to talk about themselves and their accomplishements you are stroking that ego in a way they will appreciate but not be aware of. You will also be aquiring a lot of knowledge in a short amount of time about what makes them tick. Make mental notes about what they have to say and use this info to your advantage as the interview progresses. By doing all of these things you will do two things. You will put yourself on a more even playing field in both you and the interviewers mind and you will make the conversation less formal...and yourself less nervous. Most of all as the interview comes to an end make sure you ask what comes next. Assume that you will either be getting the job or that you will asked back for a second round. Always send an email or a note thanking them for taking time out of their busy schedule to meet with you and that you look forward to the opportunity to work with them in the futre. Hope this helps.

[Puddles]

Originally posted by gdbear65
FYI - I always say "In five years, I'll be in business for myself" - seems to work ok

If someone told me that in an interview, their resume would be in the trash as soon as they walked out the door. Why would I want to spend time training someone, teaching them what took me years to learn on my own, only for them to leave in a few years?

[gdbear65]

Originally posted by Puddles
If someone told me that in an interview, their resume would be in the trash as soon as they walked out the door. Why would I want to spend time training someone, teaching them what took me years to learn on my own, only for them to leave in a few years?

It shows ambition and that you're not looking for a job for life, besides, unless they're locked into a contract, anyone can leave at anytime and there goes your training.

[meat12]

I would say just go in acting like you don't need the job, act like it doesn't matter if they see your desperate you probably won't get the salary you are looking for

[Juka865]

the 5 year question. They like to hear u say working at there company still. i just had a job interview and got hired. Always keep good eye contact never look down or be fidgity. I always like to look at em but in a sens im looking thru them Idk it works wonders for me and i never get nervous. with questions just take em right out of ur ass u dont have to say necessarily what they want to here u just have to deliver it good with confidence thats what they want in a worker.

[Puddles]

Originally posted by gdbear65
It shows ambition and that you're not looking for a job for life, besides, unless they're locked into a contract, anyone can leave at anytime and there goes your training.

Yes it shows ambition but it shows no loyalty to the company. Companies would like to see their entry level employees advance within the company.

[Scrumhalf]

Well, you shouldn't just come out and say that you will be working at their company still in 5 years - that is just plain and uncreative in my opinion.

The 5-year question is one of those questions that has no right answer if answered direclty. If you say you want to be the manager in 5 years, it can signify that you are ambitious but it can also signify that you want to climb the ladder without paying your dues. Such an answer can be easily misinterpreted.

What you should say is - "Well, 5 years is a long time. My goeal right now is to get started and work hard so that I can learn and contribute and hopefully continue to build my experience and contribution level. "

See, you have not directly answered the question, but you have given the interviewer the impression you want him/her to have - that you are eager, hardworking and are willing to contribute and be a team player, and not worried about the rewards."

[Puma]

Yeah..

I have been interviewing recently for jobs as well. Its always a touchy process.. You have to try to get a feel for the kind of person your interviewing with.

The person I most recently interviewed with was rather inexperienced at the whole process, so I kind of led her through it without making it seem like I was controlling the conversation. Ask alot of questions about them, and the company. Always ask how they like their position (if they are going to be a superior to you) and how they got into it.

The bottom line is, most interviewers (except for the bitch I had recently) like to talk, and want you to see them as "winners". They realize they hold the key to your position and future in the company; you have to make them like you and show them respect at the same time.

Puma

[bjbabe]

Ok, here is the answer i gave them to the five year question. I said that in five years i hopefully plan to get my masters degree and to be able to learn and to expand within the company. To be able to learn more and use the knowledge and the training that i have acquired with in the organization to be able to help and assist in every way possible. I know it sounds bad but thats all that i could up with at that moment.

[TheStromba]

I was interviewing a guy last week.

He was sharp, seemed like he would fit in.

Right before I was about to offer him a job, he said he would like to eventually open his own business (The same type business as mine)


Needless to say he will NEVER work for me.

What I do is not taught anywhere but the school of hard knocks.

I'll be damned if I am gonna share what it took me 20 years to learn with someone so they can become my compitition.

[gdbear65]

Originally posted by Puddles
Yes it shows ambition but it shows no loyalty to the company. Companies would like to see their entry level employees advance within the company.

Loyalty? The company will not be loyal to you, only to the bottom line, which may mean showing you the door, so why should you be a loyal employee?