Job Interview Advice/Stories/etc.

[Lohman446]

ah yes. this was the same method our newly hired CAD drawer used to land her job. Yes it did backfire. yes she caused thousands upon thousands of lost revenue due to her inability to do something she lied about.
The dumb box got fired, good riddance should have never been there in the first place. Well at least she wasnt in a position that could have caused some serious damage physically to other people, per say if she worked in the healthcare field.
Apparently she did not feel to highly of herself in order to lie about her qualifications in order to get a job.

The key is she got hired.. had she really applied herself and had any base skill she may have been able to learn the requiremetns of her job in a week or two and been able to "sneak" into teh job.

[Muzikman]

ah yes. this was the same method our newly hired CAD drawer used to land her job. Yes it did backfire. yes she caused thousands upon thousands of lost revenue due to her inability to do something she lied about.
The dumb box got fired, good riddance should have never been there in the first place. Well at least she wasnt in a position that could have caused some serious damage physically to other people, per say if she worked in the healthcare field.
Apparently she did not feel to highly of herself in order to lie about her qualifications in order to get a job.

You must have quit reading when I said you must be able to learn what you stated. I am a Network Analyst and I think that I am able to learn fast. If I am at an interview and they ask me if I know Lotus Notes, although I am in my means a Lotus Notes admin, I know enough about it that I know I could pick up and perfrom the job with no problems and without hurting myself or anyone else.

As for in the medical field...it's near impossible to lie as you have to have proof that you are a Dr, Nurse, etc.

[punkncat]

After 6 months of job searching in the professional job market with over 8 years experiance in your field, I totally disagree with you.

Well, definately one of the things that makes America great is your ability to have a differing opinion. If it works for you then rock on. I personally would be concerned about the ethical dilemma that gets raised when you lie to get what you want. But thats just me..... I have been working for the past 19 years well over 12 of that within my field(s). I may be showing my age.

EDIT- I don't want to you to misunderstand and think that in my life experiance I have never lied to achieve a goal, but the lessons learned from it brought me to the opinion I have of it now. The truth is just easier to keep up with IMHO.

[BlackVCG]

Here's my problem. I really WANT to work for Freightliner. Everything about the company I'm interested in and most of it I'm familiar with because I've been around it in my hobbies.

I actually feel that instead of being nervous during an interview, I get too relaxed. I'm not a guy with a smile glued on my face and act like that young guy at the car dealership that has so much energy he makes you want to go find the oldest car salesman so you can actually talk with them. I think that might come off to the interviewers as not enough interest in the company.

I did say during the interview that I was very pleased to finally get the opportunity to interview with them because I've been watching their job postings since I got out of school.

Waiting is just the worst part. I'm probably over reacting, but it's only been one week. The HR lady said it would probably be a week to week and a half before they contacted for the second interview. I feel as though it won't hurt to send an e-mail to basically just let her know I'm still very interested in the position. Do you guys think that is fine or will just be viewed as another e-mail from a desperate candidate. I'm also wondering if maybe I should give her a call. I do have her direct line number and calling is a bit more professional and more questions can be answered at once, but then again I can word my e-mail more carefully and avoid stumbling in a phone conversation. Thoughts?

[teufelhunden]

From my experience [in part time, low level, BS jobs, obviously not what you guys are talking about] I've had much better experiences when I called back after the interview to follow up-- albeit, not about a second interview, but just to say yeah I'm still interested and such.

[Lohman446]

Here's my problem. I really WANT to work for Freightliner. Everything about the company I'm interested in and most of it I'm familiar with because I've been around it in my hobbies.

I actually feel that instead of being nervous during an interview, I get too relaxed. I'm not a guy with a smile glued on my face and act like that young guy at the car dealership that has so much energy he makes you want to go find the oldest car salesman so you can actually talk with them. I think that might come off to the interviewers as not enough interest in the company.

I did say during the interview that I was very pleased to finally get the opportunity to interview with them because I've been watching their job postings since I got out of school.

Waiting is just the worst part. I'm probably over reacting, but it's only been one week. The HR lady said it would probably be a week to week and a half before they contacted for the second interview. I feel as though it won't hurt to send an e-mail to basically just let her know I'm still very interested in the position. Do you guys think that is fine or will just be viewed as another e-mail from a desperate candidate. I'm also wondering if maybe I should give her a call. I do have her direct line number and calling is a bit more professional and more questions can be answered at once, but then again I can word my e-mail more carefully and avoid stumbling in a phone conversation. Thoughts?

I would call. Frankly I would call about every ten days - this is not being overly intrustive, but it is letting him know you are interested. I would flat out tell him why you would love to work for Freightliner.. .that your excited about the prospect of it.

[Conversekidz]

First interview is about impressions, not about your skills. I have worked for Cisco System, Genworth Financial/Ge Capital, Ciber Corp, and right now one of the largest mortgage companies in the nation.


If you are a guy, first interview always wear a white shirt freshly pressed, and a simple tie. Wear a suit, make it a dark color, but never wear black. Similar color ideas if you are a girl.

Be yourself at the interview, at lot of big companies now want to see how you think on your feet, they will ask you off the wall questions and see how you answer them.

If they ask you what you plan on doing in 5 years, tell them your honest feeling not "I plan on working for your company....blah blah blah kissass" One of my best interviews I had was with the CEO of product development for Cisco Systems, he asked me that question and I looked at him and said "I don't know, 5 years is a long time from now, I'm only 19 and if I was to answer that question it would be a lie cause honestly I don't know what I will be doing."
He loved that, said it was one of the first honest answers he heard in an interview.

And the most important thing to do at the end is ask if you have the 2nd interview, it shows you have ambition and drive. Cause honestly if you didn't have the "basic" skills to do the job they would have never met with you.

Don't lie in the interview but craft your words, such as if they ask if you have skills using XYZ program just tell them yes I know how to use it, just don't go into detail of your actual skill level.

[NoForts4Me]

You're getting a lot of conflicting information here, but that's OK, everyone has their own "keys" to success.

I interview candidates on a weekly basis, and have my own views as to what I want or look for. I would definately say don't lie. That doesn't mean you can't discuss things with the interviewer(s) that you are not real knowledgable about, but don't give the impression that you have done something a lot that you have no knowledge of, or it will catch up to you. Usually, the second interview will weed that out. Example: "So, BlackVCG, you said you had extensive knowledge of X in our first interview...lets follow up on that and see if you have knowledge that will be useful in our operation." If you know nothing about X, your screwed. Being honest is always the best policy, at least as far as I'm concerned.

Also, sending a thank-you note is good after an interview, but if they told you it would be two weeks, or ten days, or whatever before they would be scheduling second interviews or making selections, don't call over and over again before that time period has expired. I get really annoyed if a candidate keeps calling over and over on a daily basis. You may really want to work for that company, but realize that there are other companies out there, and it won't be the end of the world if you don't land that job now. If you don't get the job, apply later in the future when they have an opening, and if you left a good impression the first time, and have more experience, it should help.

Good luck. If you don't get that job and are interested in relocating a LONG way away, hit me with a PM...I may be looking for a Mechanical Engineer soon .

[wimag]

You must have quit reading when I said you must be able to learn what you stated. I am a Network Analyst and I think that I am able to learn fast. If I am at an interview and they ask me if I know Lotus Notes, although I am in my means a Lotus Notes admin, I know enough about it that I know I could pick up and perfrom the job with no problems and without hurting myself or anyone else.

As for in the medical field...it's near impossible to lie as you have to have proof that you are a Dr, Nurse, etc.

no i read your initial statement all the way through just the way i interpret it.

Lohman, the key is she lied about her level of her so called level of skill and got walked out the door for it. could she have learned the skills needed for the job in 2 weeks ? not sure as i know squat about CAD.

i guess i am looking at it from a totally different angle than a few others. I dont lie about my qualifications when persuing employment opportunities.

[BlackVCG]

I'm actually quite amazed at how many professionals we have here on AO that are interviewers. I was expecting just a bunch of stories about job interviews with some advice interjected here and there.

NoForts4Me- Well, first of all I haven't called them back at all. I did e-mail the lady the following monday (one week from tomorrow) my list of professional references and she just replied with, "Thanks for your prompt response - We'll be in contact soon." Since then I haven't called or e-mailed. I didn't get the business cards of the 4 different managers I interviewed with (Two managers per the two interviews I had back to back) so sending a thank you letter was impossible. It was just "Hi I'm "name," it's nice to meet you. I work in chassis development... blah blah." So, I don't think I'll be annoying if I give her a call back after a week and just check-in and show my continued interest. However I need to have a reason to call because I've been told and agree that if you don't have a reason to call and are just doing so for the sake of it, it tends to backfire.

As far as hiring MEs, what type of industry are you in? OK is definitely a ways away from OR, but it never hurts to ask.

[BlackVCG]

Well, I got it together and called one of my contacts at Freightliner that passed on my resume and asked him for some input on the matter and he basically said, "It never hurts to follow up." and gave me the number to the lady in HR I interviewed with in the second interview. So, I didn't waste time thinking about it and right after talking to my contact I called the gal and got ahold of her. I told her who I was and that I was just calling to check back with her and see how the process was going and she basically said "Oh yeah, we were planning on bringing you back in for another interview but right now I'm waiting for one of the managers to get back to me."

So I can't say there's any promises I got the second interview on the way, but it was as if she knew I was up on the list of candidates to bring back and just needed to get final communication from the hiring manager(s). So, like with any corporation... I'm sure getting engineers to communicate with HR is a task in itself. Plus the engineers have their regular job to do and probably can't devote much time in a day to the hiring process along with figuring out when everyone can spend an afternoon on interviews, so overall it will take some time.

My mind is at a bit more ease to get that over with.

[BigEvil]

Right now it's been one week since I interviewed at Freightliner and they basically said it would probably be anywhere from half a week to a week and a half before they contact applicants for the 2nd round of interviews. I'm debating on whether I should send an e-mail to the lady in HR that was my first contact for the job to reaffirm my desire to work for the company. I want to avoid being a pain, but I also want to keep my name in their minds and under consideration.

That's about all I have for now. I'd like to here about everyone's job interviews, humorous or serious.

Its considered proper ettiquite (SP?) to send a follow-up thank you letter about a week after the interview (Not any longer than a week) It keeps you on the interviewers mind, and shows how interested you are in the position.

Anyone I've ever hired had sent me a follow-up letter.

[Gunga]

To go along with the whole 'be yourself' theme, don't be too uptight...show a sense of humor. If it comes down to you and some other people who are equally qualified, they're going to hire the person they like. No one wants to work with a [insert derogatory term here].

It's a good idea to ask the interviewer about themselves - how long they've been working there, what they like about the company, ask about opportunities for advancement (how their personal career has progressed at the company). People always like to talk about themselves. Plus it lets you know more about the company. Remember that they're not just interviewing you - you're interviewing them as well.

The close is real important. Be sure to give them a summary of your qualifications (why they should hire you), what you like about the position and/or company, and tell them you want and can do the job.

[Thordic]

Know your skills, know what they want, and know how your skills fit what they want.

I interviewed with another firm in the fall, and I researched them enough to look at the work they did, and how it related to what I did. When I went into the interview, and they asked why I thought I would be good for the job, I was able to say "Well I have extensive experience in XXXX, which I believe is a field that is valuable and important to your firm", or whatever. The fact you did your homework and looked into their firms needs shows you are serious about the job and you want to work there, it will make a good impression.

Be ready for anything. Don't let yourself be surprised. When I went on my interview, it was a first interview where I was supposed to meet with the HR person. Instead, I met with the office manager, the vice president, and a senior project manager. All at once. It might not sound like much, but you should be prepared for these things. Don't let anything throw you off your game.

A lot of people get nervous on interviews, but thats ok. The people giving the interview are used to it. Just don't let it sink you. Make sure you have all your information straight, and prepare some answers to questions you know you are going to be asked.

One good thing to do is to think of a couple things you want to ask THEM. Most people skip this part, I think, but it comes up on a lot of interviews, and if you are able to ask a few intelligent questions about their firm so much the better.

I'm not saying I'm the best interviewee on the planet, but the things above worked for me.

Oh, also, I agree with Muz. Lie if you can get away with it. Not an all-out lie, but if its something you'll be able to cover up for and learn without too much trouble, then go for it. If you have to go out and buy a How To book to get up to speed, so be it. One little lie might be the thing that gets you the job. Just keep it reasonable.

[Lohman446]

Another trick, consider each answer.. count to two if you have to. That way when you are "surprised" by a particular question and need that two seconds to word the response, it does not look abnormal to you. Its not much, but you would be surprised what you can think of in two seconds, and some of the mistakes you can avoid in wording answers.

PS: This is a trick a lawyer once taught me when answering questions. Albeit he said count to ten. The court records don't show those pauses, and you are expected to take your time in considering answers. It works, and avoids you accidentally being led down a road of questions. Ten is noticeable though, two is not.