Job Interview Questions

[CharleyH]

<laughing> I like you. And you're trouble on the hoof, Ms. Charley.

I'm so not sub-ish. Unless I wanna be. I'll fight you every inch of the way ....

I am not sure I ever stated I was Domina, but if you like? Think.

 

[rgraham666]

Dunno ... brilliance is always in demand.

Disagree. I find I have to keep what I am well hidden. Makes the people in charge look bad.

 

[TriggerHippie]

Disagree. I find I have to keep what I am well hidden. Makes the people in charge look bad.

Idiots. I always have to down-play my smart-ish qualities by "playing dumb.” Gets me much further than I wish it did; twist your hair and ask for help and people come running ... tell them it's their job to do "this or that" and they start running. It's life, but it comes uncomfortably close to giving over, eh? I sell out and twist my hair every time. I suppose I haven't the wherewithal to take the long way around. This is a flaw in my personality. Or a gift. I can't decide. Adaptability or coping out? And where do you draw the line?

 

[TriggerHippie]

I am not sure I ever stated I was Domina, but if you like? Think.

Sweet Ms. Charley, you don't have to state your dom-ish-ness, it's in every word you say. You've little doubt in you, and I like that quality. I wish I had it even. But, in my bones I'm a troublemaker, a rabble rouser ... annoying-ish. We'd mix like oil and water, but it would be a hellva mix.

And I'd win. <cough>

Cos I'm closet-ly competitive.

 

[rgraham666]

It's why I write porn now, Trigger. Don't have to hide, don't have to please anybody else.

I'm much closer to who I am as a porn writer.

Once again, we've taken a thread faaaar off topic.

 

[CharleyH]

Sweet Ms. Charley, you don't have to state your dom-ish-ness, it's in every word you say. You've little doubt in you, and I like that quality. I wish I had it even. But, in my bones I'm a troublemaker, a rabble rouser ... annoying-ish. We'd mix like oil and water, but it would be a hellva mix.

And I'd win. <cough>

Cos I'm closet-ly competitive.

I love rebels! I promise not to cane them and you specifically. We'd mix like fire and oil, BTW.

 

[Lee Chambers]

The worst question I ever got was, "Are you a member of the Communist Party or any other party that advocates the overthrow of the Canadian government?"

To which I replied, "None of your fucking business."

I didn't get the job.

Good God. Can't...stop...laughing.

 

[rgraham666]

Good God. Can't...stop...laughing.

Glad to be of service. (Bows)

 

[Lee Chambers]

Disagree. I find I have to keep what I am well hidden. Makes the people in charge look bad.

Either that or it makes the people in charge work to keep you where you are because you're doing a kick ass job that they'd be hard pressed to find someone else to do as well as you. Nevermind that you're trying to advance and make a career for yourself.

 

[TriggerHippie]

I love rebels! I promise not to cane them and you specifically. We'd mix like fire and oil, BTW.

Yeah, you'd burn me up in a blaze of glory ... but I'd be fighting evey inch of the way.

P.S. Try to cane me and I'd bite you.

 

[TriggerHippie]

It's why I write porn now, Trigger. Don't have to hide, don't have to please anybody else.

I'm much closer to who I am as a porn writer.

Once again, we've taken a thread faaaar off topic.

It's cos we're rockstars, baybee.

That, or ADD.

 

[cloudy]

What would you consider to be your main weakness?
Perfectionism. (Give an example of you getting so absorbed in a work task that you forgot the outside world)

It's good to give them a weakness that's also a possible strength, however...

I was a regional training manager for a major retailer for quite awhile, and you have absolutely no idea how many times I heard that "perfectionism" or it's twin, "I'm a workaholic" was the interviewee's weakness.

Speaking strictly from my own point of view, as the one that gets to make the decision to hire you or not, I would MUCH rather get a REAL weakness, and not one of those pat, cliche' answers. Tell me that perfectionism is your weakness, and I'll peg you as a suck-up, and not someone I'm all that interested in hiring.

If you are self-aware enough to realize that you do have some weaknesses (and we all do, of course), then I'd rather hear one of those, and what you are doing to compensate for it, than to hear someone gush about how they're such a workaholic that they NEVER go home.

What would you consider to be your main strengths?
The ability to think outside the box. (Give an example of you coming up with a solution to something when everyone else failed) Tenacity. (Give an example of a situation where you refused to give up)

Again, these are good, but I've also heard them a lot, too....oh, and their cousin (the worst one of all): "I'm a people person."

Be real. You earn respect by being real, not by saying what you think the interviewer wants to hear. And, honestly - if you have to use the same answers everyone else does to get the job, instead of being honest, then most likely the job is not for you to begin with. No one can sustain a facade at work over the long haul.

How would you define a problem?
A question awaiting an answer.

"An opportunity to learn something" is probably the best answer to this one that I've heard.

Why are you interested in working for this company?
Do your background research, and list all the positive attributes of the firm you're applying to - staff development, rumours that it's a very positive working environment, the prestige, association with quality etc. etc.

Where do you hope to see yourself in ten years?
Do your background research on this one, too. Even if you see yourself partying in Amsterdam when you hit that age, lie and show awareness of career structure and demonstrate ambition.


I've only ever had two interview, and only one was for a job - but coming up with examples that'll make the interviewer laugh worked well for me, as did talking about other non-interview related things. If you can keep them chatting for a few minutes afterwards (30 minutes is my record ) it's usually a good sign.

Good luck

The rest is spot on. But, while you're selling yourself to the interviewer, remember to sell you, not who you think they want to see.

 

[ChilledVodkaIV]

If your interviewer is short do not be tall.
If they appear harried, answer any questions quickly and in a slightly panicky fashion.
If they're concentrating on your bustline as you answer, undo your blazer buttons, but turn slightly away.
If your interview chair is placed away from the desk they are sat behind, move the chair.
When you are showing them a diagram of your brilliant stock inventory, maintain ownership and point out relevant, atonishing parts by use of a pen as pointer, with which you control their eyeline. When you need them to listen use the pen to point their eyes at your face.
Do not fold your arms at any time. If they fold theirs, walk out; they don't want to know.
Make up your face, wear lovely clothing, have a haircut. Make sure that amongst this perfection there is at least one thing wrong. (But only one, a lock of hair awry, tie knotted incorrectly, one short fingernail)
Only flirt subconsciously but definitely.
Look often at darker parts of the room to expand irises.
Only blink when the interviewer is not looking at you.