The Last Poster Wins! [v21]

**Bulbasaur** · 11-28-2016, 06:32 PM

I've only done an interview once; for ambassador position at my college.

**Noblejanobii** · 11-28-2016, 08:09 PM

Wait I'm supposed to be studying for finals.

**Neo Emolga** · 11-28-2016, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Noblejanobii

Wait I'm supposed to be studying for finals.

Join the club. I should be applying for jobs, but guh... so boring and tedious. -.-

AD · 11-28-2016, 08:35 PM

I should be writing my digimission but instead i'm making a thread of pure dank pokemon teams that are straight otherwordly.

**Noblejanobii** · 11-28-2016, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by EZ

I should be writing my digimission but instead i'm making a thread of pure dank pokemon teams that are straight otherwordly.

I also should be doing that but instead I somehow keep winding up back here.

AD · 11-28-2016, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Noblejanobii

I also should be doing that but instead I somehow keep winding up back here.

It's a curse, janobii. Just like me changing my name, but hey, at least i stuck with an avatar

**Bulbasaur** · 11-28-2016, 09:21 PM

I was studying for finals until I opened PXR. However, I still have two weeks soooo.

**Neo Emolga** · 11-28-2016, 09:26 PM

Me, I couldn't study for more than a week in advance to the actual exam date. So often things would get changed about the exam only days before the actual exam too place or I would just plain not remember what I covered so far back in time.

**Pokemon Trainer Sarah** · 11-28-2016, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Neo Emolga

Urf, I've been on so many job interviews it's insane. I've had great ones, crappy ones, and just about everything in between.

I wish I even knew what to say what works best, but I'll be honest, it depends a lot on the interviewer. I dress in formal attire, have a folder with prepared questions to ask the interviewer(s), and I take quick notes during the interview (It also helps avoid the too much eye contact issue where it starts to feel like you're trying to gaze into their soul). I feel taking quick notes helps show you have a genuine interest in the position and it also helps as reference when you write your thank you for the interview letter (make sure you get their business card or at least their email!).

If they offer you a drink, take it. It may sound silly, but the psychology behind it says typically people appreciate it if you take their offer and appreciate their generosity. Not to mention you may be talking a lot when you explain your background and experience. That could make your throat a bit dry, so sipping some water in between the back and forward conversation sessions helps.

I typically ask these kinds of questions, usually in this order. The recipe calls for two position-specific questions, two company specific questions, and finishing it up with a rapport-building question:

Position specific: What would you say is the best way for a candidate to succeed in this position?
Follow up by mentioning things you've done that match what they tell you.

Position specific: What are three qualities you're looking for in a candidate?
Link those qualities to yourself and give examples.

Company specific: What do you enjoy the most about working here at <company>?
Usually, nine times out of ten, they mention how they like working with the team. Mention any kind of great team-based presentations or work teams you've been a part of and explain how you enjoy working with people (it's okay if it's not always true! You enjoy working with us and we're people! XD).

Company specific: Where do you see <company> in the next five or ten years?
This shows you have a genuine interest in the future of the company or firm and it shows you're a person who prepares for and anticipates change.

Rapport building: What are some of the things you and the team enjoy doing outside of work? Do you do team-building exercises or volunteer projects? And what are some of the things you personally enjoy doing in your free time?
This, to me, feels like the best way to really connect with the person and find things you both enjoy and can talk about. Sure, you may have only just met, but if you find the person watches the same TV series as you or does a physical activity, sport, camping, or anything along those lines and you do that too, you can talk about that and finish up the interview on a nice, sweet note about something you both enjoy. That way, you both connect. I find this would help make you a more memorable candidate in a positive way and it shows you're out to connect with them.

And that's pretty much the deal on how I handle an interview. Usually it works pretty well, but I can't say it has a perfect score for everything. Lately and many times before, I have missed getting offers by silly, stupid, marginal amounts and because of things totally out of my power, so I'm not sure what to say about that, especially considering I've been out of work for almost a year now (and it does bum me out a lot :\). I'm not giving up, though, but it is a struggle in this job market.

Still, best of luck on your interview! Hope it all goes well. :3

This is great, thanks Neo! I didn't know I needed to ask questions too. XD Definitely gonna do some reading before the interview. Yikes. I think my nerves are gonna be the biggest issue.

**Bulbasaur** · 11-28-2016, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by Neo Emolga

Me, I couldn't study for more than a week in advance to the actual exam date. So often things would get changed about the exam only days before the actual exam too place or I would just plain not remember what I covered so far back in time.

Normally, I wouldn't do so but I have a D+ in physics and a D in calculus, so I need to do great on the finals.