Job Interviews are fun! Um, no.

[Mainly Mattias]

Is anyone actually good at interviewing? What's your secret??

 

I always seem to get surprised and then start to flounder. Kudos to those who can be smart, funny and articulate under stress.

 

I've had practice with many interviews of various types: group, telephone, panel, testing, performance, skype, gov, industry. Still manage to crash when I encounter something unexpected.

 

(Recent) Questions leading to critical failure:

• What are your salary expectations?
• What is our mandate?
• What does NIST do?

[brilac]

I talked about hockey and my cat, and was hired. And it was a competitive job interview too!

[clam linguine]

12 minutes ago, brilac said:

I talked about hockey and my cat, and was hired. And it was a competitive job interview too!

You must be very good looking.

[brilac]

I also had the qualifications for the job, but it was really competitive. Sometimes I enjoy talking about my precious Sally Jayne, or the time I was watching CBC and how the Maple Leafs put me asleep, and I woke up to the Canucks playing, and other great hockey stuff.

[brilac]

I also heard that 95% of job interviews are based on personality and how you carry yourself. Can you speak with confidence, are you personable, are you a great fit?That people who are interviewed already have the qualifications.

 

[Guest]

I've never had an important job, but I just try and carry myself well.  

 

Dress sharp, be confident, and be honest

[darkpoet]

1 hour ago, brilac said:

I also heard that 95% of job interviews are based on personality and how you carry yourself. Can you speak with confidence, are you personable, are you a great fit?That people who are interviewed already have the qualifications.

 

bingo
 

 

[-AJ-]

3 hours ago, brilac said:

I also heard that 95% of job interviews are based on personality and how you carry yourself. Can you speak with confidence, are you personable, are you a great fit?That people who are interviewed already have the qualifications.

 

I was gonna say this. I think it depends on the job, but for a lot more prestigious ones, they'll care more about your attitude, confidence, and fit with the company. I think with the question of an expected salary, I wouldn't give a direct answer in number format. I might say "a salary competitive with other firms" or even that I don't care much about starting salary (because I honestly don't for my type of career).

[ice orca]

The best job interview is when they come and try to pry you out of your current job, you get to interview them.

[riffraff]

Success garunteed

 

 

[MJDDawg]

Just don't do what Peter Griffin did and you'll be fine.

 

 

[goalie13]

While I agree with much of what the above posters have said, my other tip is to be prepared.  You should at least know something about the job you are applying for and the company you are applying to work for.

 

And always bring a pen.

[YEGCanuck]

Let me add whatever the outcome of an interview consider yourself a winner. You have already achieved what very few other applicants have by being invited for a face-to-face opportunity to sell a potential employer on your qualifications for a given job.

The experience of interviewing can only be helpful as your career unfolds. 

[Shift-4]

 

Over the last 15 years I have been the interviewer more often than the interviewee.

 

Don't worry about the stress. The interviewer knows you are stressed.

When you are being asked if you want water or something like that they are doing so to make you comfortable. The interviewers are stressed to. They have a very difficult decision in front of them. A decision made with limited information.

It is best to be yourself.

Most importantly know your history. Review past employment thoroughly. Think of certain projects you were on that were successes, how you resolved stressful situations, how you dealt with conflicts with other employees, how you provided excellent customer service, how you worked as a team member.

You are expected to do about 70% of the talking. Use that time wisely.

Don't use jargon. Words, acronyms or phrases that might be used in a previous role most likely won't be used in the role you are being interviewed for.  

 

Most often you will be interviewed by someone from HR and someone that you will directly report to. Speak more towards the person you will report to. That is who you need to develop a relationship with.

 

And remember you are interviewing them too. The interview is an opportunity for you to decide if the fit is right for you. They will give you an opportunity to ask questions. ASK QUESTIONS. It shows interest in the role and it gives you a chance to learn more about the role.

 

If you have a chance to go through recruitment agencies do so. Interviewing with them is more relaxed. Then they will help you set up for the real interviews.

And by hitting numerous recruiters you can practice the interview situation.

 

 

As for the OP I am not too sure what you mean by your last two questions (is the last one jargon?)
However as for salary expectations state what you believe you are worth in the role. Don't settle. 

 

 

I could probably state more but I have work to do.............about to be short staffed again  

[Tortorella's Rant]

13 minutes ago, Shift-4 said:

 

Over the last 15 years I have been the interviewer more often than the interviewee.

 

Don't worry about the stress. The interviewer knows you are stressed.

When you are being asked if you want water or something like that they are doing so to make you comfortable. The interviewers are stressed to. They have a very difficult decision in front of them. A decision made with limited information.

It is best to be yourself.

Most importantly know your history. Review past employment thoroughly. Think of certain projects you were on that were successes, how you resolved stressful situations, how you dealt with conflicts with other employees, how you provided excellent customer service, how you worked as a team member.

You are expected to do about 70% of the talking. Use that time wisely.

Don't use jargon. Words, acronyms or phrases that might be used in a previous role most likely won't be used in the role you are being interviewed for.  

 

Most often you will be interviewed by someone from HR and someone that you will directly report to. Speak more towards the person you will report to. That is who you need to develop a relationship with.

 

And remember you are interviewing them too. The interview is an opportunity for you to decide if the fit is right for you. They will give you an opportunity to ask questions. ASK QUESTIONS. It shows interest in the role and it gives you a chance to learn more about the role.

 

If you have a chance to go through recruitment agencies do so. Interviewing with them is more relaxed. Then they will help you set up for the real interviews.

And by hitting numerous recruiters you can practice the interview situation.

 

 

As for the OP I am not too sure what you mean by your last two questions (is the last one jargon?)
However as for salary expectations state what you believe you are worth in the role. Don't settle. 

 

 

I could probably state more but I have work to do.............about to be short staffed again  

My first real world interview. I had two people pounding me with questions for 30 minutes. There was a pitcher of water on the table and some cups. The guy offered me a drink beforehand while the other got ready. Anyway, by the time I was done I had almost gone through the entire thing lmao.
--

But yeah. Nerves, or whatever, tend to go away quite a bit after a while if you've at least a few of these things.

[Shift-4]

1 minute ago, Tortorella's Rant said:

My first real world interview. I had two people pounding me with questions for 30 minutes. There was a pitcher of water on the table and some cups. The guy offered me a drink beforehand while the other got ready. Anyway, by the time I was done I had almost gone through the entire thing lmao.
--

But yeah. Nerves, or whatever, tend to go away quite a bit after a while if you've at least a few of these things.

Your mouth will get dry with the combination of talking and stress.

I would always take the water.

[TimberWolf]

Most hires have enjoyed the interview process I have put them through. Generally I already know who is going to make the cut, I just want to ensure they are compatible with the environment after and capable of getting the job done

[Tre Mac]

Lol the worst interview I did was for friggin Subway.  I went in thinking ezpz but had the husband and wife tandem interview me for 15+min then I got a call saying to come back for a follow up interview.  Get real, I told them I found something else which I did next door.  Not to be racial here but everytime I've been interviewed by, ah you no what I'll just leave that alone.

[Fantomex]

Here's how to get any job... !

[c00kies]

13 hours ago, Mainly Mattias said:

Is anyone actually good at interviewing? What's your secret??

 

I always seem to get surprised and then start to flounder. Kudos to those who can be smart, funny and articulate under stress.

 

I've had practice with many interviews of various types: group, telephone, panel, testing, performance, skype, gov, industry. Still manage to crash when I encounter something unexpected.

 

(Recent) Questions leading to critical failure:

• What are your salary expectations?
• What is our mandate?
• What does NIST do?

I have the wit of a stand-up comedian, so I'm always able to come up with something on the spot. However, the key is to take a breather before answering questions, that way you can think of a coherent response without stalling (um, uh...) part way through. Don't be scared to ask the interviewer to repeat a question (sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Can you please repeat the question?) if you didn't quite catch it, as you don't want to make an ill-advised guess.

 

I remember my first interview. I had a job before, but no interview was needed. I went in there with what I call "fake confidence" which is portraying confidence about something that you are inexperienced in, although you really do have to feel confident. I think the premise of this is the James Lange theory, in which to feel (or strengthen) an emotion, you must act that emotion first.

 

You can try practicing with a friend or acquaintance, but make it as realistic as possible. The friend can throw in a question that throws you off, and then both of you can see how you respond to that.