Job Interview Tomorrow!!!!!

[griz066]

Have you ever walked out of an interview feeling that nothing could have gone worse? I didn't get into any arguments with them or anything, just nerves got the better of me.

On reflection it probably wasn't as bad as it felt but I certainly think it coul dhave gone a whole heap better.

Should find out by the end of this week, back to the search.

Bunyip

I have been at my current job since 1983 and have never had a job interview as such so I wouldnt know. However I have interviewed many people for positions and it is amazing how different people handle the process. I had 1 guy who was texting the whole time I was talking and couldnt understand why I said he wasn't suitable.I was thinking the other day how I would go if I should ever have to go for one.

[Bunyip]

Some time ago I was interviewing for an entry level job. We had a whole heap of people turning up and basically asking us to sign a form for centrelink. They had no intention of getting a job, just had to turn up to interviews to get the dole.

[Bird]

Have you ever walked out of an interview feeling that nothing could have gone worse?

How about before the interview even starts ... like locking the keys in the car, with the engine running blocking the driveway to the joint 35mins from knockoff time?

[briann532]

I have been at my current job since 1983 and have never had a job interview as such so I wouldnt know. However I have interviewed many people for positions and it is amazing how different people handle the process. I had 1 guy who was texting the whole time I was talking and couldnt understand why I said he wasn't suitable.I was thinking the other day how I would go if I should ever have to go for one.

So what is it that's kept you for 30 years?

That's a good innings in the same job.

[MrCruza]

Mate, there's always hope. I just came off 9 months out of work after taking a redundancy. Started looking again early this year. Countless applications with bugger all feedback and no interviews left me feeling a bit desperate. Then I seriously re-jigged the resume and cover letter and got an interview which landed me a job. My new employer was more interested in my customer relation skills than my IT skills and were prepared to cut me some slack on nerves.

So don't get down on yourself. If the jobs worth it it will work out. 

[griz066]

So what is it that's kept you for 30 years?

That's a good innings in the same job.

I actually love my job, 4.5 days a week lets me play a lot of golf and go camping. I worked my way up from casual in 83 to manager in 04. The people I work for are fantastic who treat everyone like family. I love the small country town, it was a great place to raise our kids. Looking forward to the next 13 years on the job and then hope to retire.

[MarDon]

Good luck Bunyip.

Apologies in advance for using your thread to ask a job related question, but didn't think it was worth it's own. Please let me know if this is a problem.

A few of the replies seem to be from people well experienced with being the interviewer, also interviewees, so I was wondering, is there a general idea of how an interview is going by the amount of time it takes?

If each interview is allocated an hour, and some people take only 10mins, while others take around 45mins, who do you think is more likely to be in the running for the position?
Or is it really too hard to pick just on time it takes with there being far too many other variables?

Dee.

[Swannie]

Good luck Bunyip.

Apologies in advance for using your thread to ask a job related question, but didn't think it was worth it's own. Please let me know if this is a problem.

A few of the replies seem to be from people well experienced with being the interviewer, also interviewees, so I was wondering, is there a general idea of how an interview is going by the amount of time it takes?

If each interview is allocated an hour, and some people take only 10mins, while others take around 45mins, who do you think is more likely to be in the running for the position?
Or is it really too hard to pick just on time it takes with there being far too many other variables?

Dee.

Dee there are many variables, but the norm for me when I feel the candidate has potential is about 45 mins. Unfortunately there are plenty unsuitable but still allow at least 15-20 minutes, if they have no hope I try to provide the feedback there and then at the end of the interview
Swannie

[Bunyip]

Dee there are many variables, but the norm for me when I feel the candidate has potential is about 45 mins. Unfortunately there are plenty unsuitable but still allow at least 15-20 minutes, if they have no hope I try to provide the feedback there and then at the end of the interview
Swannie

I am with Swannie on this one, whenever I have interviewed it is the 45 to 60 min timeframe that gets the job. I have had some that lasted less than 5 mins. THe person I was interviewing seriously told me they are jsut turning up to get the dole form signed and then they will be on their way. Needless to say I didn't sign their form, they were not happy.

Bunyip

[Brumbypt]

I went for a job at the shire for the tip manager, that was 45 mins.. Didnt get it cos i didnt wanna work weekends anymore..

And the other guy had more experience i suppose..

It was to manage about 5 transfer stations.. And work one..

This guy wont do a tip shop, so lots of ppl not happy..


Tapa talker

[GUEY]

Depends on the job in question. From a trade point of view, in 5 to 10mins you have a pretty good idea one way or another.

[Redcherokee]

If each interview is allocated an hour, and some people take only 10mins, while others take around 45mins, who do you think is more likely to be in the running for the position?
Or is it really too hard to pick just on time it takes with there being far too many other variables?

From a government perspective:

Really short tend to happen when the person is clearly unsuited.  The interviewee is often giving yes/no answers instead of taking the opportunity to display their knowledge. Those short answers get taken as poor communication skills, so that by itself makes the candidate less desirable. 

On the other hand, overlong interviews will often be because the interviewee has not  understood  the questions and the interviewers have to do lots of prompting.  Alternatively, the interviewee can struggle to state their response clearly and is rambling badly and not noticing the panels hints that they should shut up. This is usually not good.

If you have scheduled an hour between interviews, you expect each one to take about 45 - 50 minutes, giving you enough time to compare thoughts with the rest of the panel, tidy up some notes, or dash to the loo. 

An inexperienced interviewer can also fail to prompt for more info, or talk too much.  So that can also affect it, but is usually reasonably constant across interviewees.

Hope this helps.

[MarDon]

Hmmm, thanks for the replies, nerve wracking business interviews are, and I'm not actually the one going through it atm!

 
Dee.

[xvprado]

went to an interview last week, 2.5 hours 

was a good well structured interview, and hard work, but worthwhile 

[jtraf]

I know the feeling of applying and getting no response as I too have been looking for IT work in Melbourne after being made redundant....lots of applications and very few call backs if any........

Hope you land the role.

[TOPNDR]

Mrs T & I met a chap last year whilst travelling. He was a public servant in Tassie. He related a story about interviewing a Y Gen girl for a job.  Sloppily dressed, AND, when he had to step out of the office for a moment mid interview, he returned to find the girl on his computer checking her email!

Bugger me with a pitchfork but she got the job.  He figured as much as he didn't appreciate the intrusion, she showed gumption and that's what he wanted.

I'd not have been so forgiving!

[Symon]

Don't know what you lot are complaining about, my last interview went for 8 hours, first was a panel interview with 5 people, then another 4 one on one sessions

Felt rather good to be offered the job, only to turn it down.

Back to the OP - one way I deal with the nerves during interviews is to remember that not only are they assessing you for suitability for the role, but you are also assessing them to see if you would want to work there.  Be inquisitive, ask about their operation, put the spotlight back on them, make them ask some questions.  Deep down people love talking about themselves, this makes them feel good, and they will associate that good feeling with you.

It also demonstrates that you have interest and ambition.

The other thing I would recommend is practice answering this question - "why should I employ you instead of the other guy sitting outside?", this will help you focus on your salesmanship.  Essentially all that an interview is.  You are trying to sell your services, so sell them.

[cruisindub]

Bang on Symon,

Your also interviewing the employer as much as they are interviewing you.

[Redcherokee]

With my current employer I arranged a second interview so I could decide if I really wanted the job. 

I already had a decent job, that just wasn't fully what wanted, so I didn't want to go to something that was worse. So I met with my future boss and his boss and asked a bunch of questions about what exactly I would be doing and especially about on- call arrangements etc. Finished it by asking them to match my current pay ( which they did).   

Once they have decided they want you, you are in a better position to bargain. I was actually terrified at interviewing them, but it all worked out OK. 

[SteveandViv]

Don't know what you lot are complaining about, my last interview went for 8 hours, first was a panel interview with 5 people, then another 4 one on one sessions

Felt rather good to be offered the job, only to turn it down.

Back to the OP - one way I deal with the nerves during interviews is to remember that not only are they assessing you for suitability for the role, but you are also assessing them to see if you would want to work there.  Be inquisitive, ask about their operation, put the spotlight back on them, make them ask some questions.  Deep down people love talking about themselves, this makes them feel good, and they will associate that good feeling with you.

It also demonstrates that you have interest and ambition.

The other thing I would recommend is practice answering this question - "why should I employ you instead of the other guy sitting outside?", this will help you focus on your salesmanship.  Essentially all that an interview is.  You are trying to sell your services, so sell them.

Sorry, did you want me to talk about ME!!!! 

[Brumbypt]

so did u get the job


Peter,
 Tapa talker

[Bunyip]

Found out on Thursday afternoon, didn't get the job :-(

At least this place (unlike ANY other I have been too) asked if they could provide some feedback. Turns out I did not provide enough examples for the questions. The primary interviewer seems to be very firm on the time the interview will take right from the start so I tried to keep it brief so they could ask as many questions as they wanted.

Don't get me wrong I was incredibly nervous in these interviews which is not like me, if I didn't know me then I wouldn't have employed me either. Nerves are normal in interviews, my nerves seeemd (at least to me) over the top, not sure why.

They did give the the consolation that I was their second choice, which didn't provide any real consolation. 

Onwards and upwards I go, got several other applications in place at the moment so let's see if any of these come through.

Bunyip

[D4D]

Put it down to experience and use it at your next interview. Maybe write the questions they asked out and prepare some answers to them. I like to finish each question with what I want them to take away from the interview about me. Think of the 2-3 key reasons why they should employ you and always finish your answers with that. For example, if one of your reasons is 'you get the job done' then end each answer with 'and that's an example of how I get the job done'. Probably a bad example but I hope you get what I mean.

[Bunyip]

Get what you mean and a great idea.

Will work on that.

For the first interview they actually gave a list of the questions they were going to ask 10 mins before the interview started. Never had that before.

Bunyip

[D4D]

They call it a 'bridge' in PR, politicians use it all the time. They get asked a hard question and they don't answer the question but bridge back to the point they want to talk about.