Job Interview Help

[Casey]

I've noticed that PERB is a great source of information for more than just SP's.

I have a job interview next week.
The one area where I always draw a blank,
is when the interviewer asks me if I have any questions of them?

Can you please offer some suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

 

[pooner144]

My rule of thumb for that particular situation is to have a couple of questions lined up prior to the interview, which I see you're doing. That's great. I check out the companies website and find out what they're about etc. and maybe come up with some questons around the company. It shows that you're interested in the greater picture and not just a job.

If it's a small company like a few employees I might ask about what their goals are for the future etc as I want to see some stability.If it's a large corporation like Telus... it's kinda obvious what they do, I try to find questions that help me determine if this is really where I want to be or not. Something like "Tell me about the corporate culture" more specific to the department you'd be working in. Are they reserved and quiet, or outgoing. I think you get the idea.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[BobbiVan]

great advice pooner

I would have told him the same thing. Always have a few questions about the company. The questions about salary and vacation time make it seem that you only care about wht you can get out of the company. Let them know that you're intersted in what YOU can do for the company.

Good luck at your interview!

Oh, one more thing.. BODY LANGUAGE.

Don't be too relaxed, but dont' be too fidgety. They watch your body language, so make sure you aren't playing with your tie, or tapping your fingers.

Don't be too early for the appointment, but NEVER be late. Arrive 3 - 5 minutes early. Being too early makes them feel rushed, and you don't want to do that.

 

[LonelyGhost]

I have a job interview next week.
The one area where I always draw a blank,
is when the interviewer asks me if I have any questions of them?

Can you please offer some suggestions?

a lot depends on the position:

if nothing else, ask how soon they will be contacting you, how soon are you expected to begin, what kind of training can you expect (obviously not a question to ask if you are being hired as an experienced expert!), how long is your probabtionary period, who will be your supervisor (or who will you be supervising), and what happened to the person who was in the position before you (sometimes that turns out to be your new supervisor).

This is not the time to ask about pay and benefits: wait until they offer you the job and then negotiate.

 

[noneasgood]

One thing I've asked in the past is about the person who "was" in the position before.

Did they leave or get promoted? How long were they there? Were they fired or quit? Is this a "high turnover position"?

I asked this question at one interview, got the job and should have turned it down. They had such high turnover (red flag) and it was because the boss was a jerk, people would either quit or get fired right before the 3 month probation was up. Next time this came up, I did refuse the job and got a better (more secure) job the next week.

Paige ________

I like this approach. While I think one should show interest in the company and whatever future prospects which might develop, one should also realize you are presumably bringing something of value to the company and the decision as to who YOU wish to work for should also be given careful consideration.

I too once took a high turn over job only to realize it was a position and a half without the salary.

Mostly I think in a job interview people are looking for the skill set most suitable for the position. At least that was my main focus and I just hired someone about 4 months ago and it's worked out great. But skill set might mean more than just the ability to do the job it might involve interpersonal skills and other auxillery skills not directly related to the job but indirectly related to the long term success of an employee at the company. My big thing is I want someone to demonstrate the ability to think and be proactive. Those skills are pretty much impossible to teach.

 

[Sweetiepie]

A lot depends on the level of job you're looking for. If its a professional/higher level position, then it goes over well to bring in information from their website and ask about it. You can also ask what they see as the goals for the next five years and to tell you about initiatives that might affect the position and climate in the company. You can also ask them to tell you about the opportunities they provide for employees to grow in their careers. Don't ask about salary and benefits until they bring it up. In a lot of jobs, that's done only after they offer you the job and it can look unseemly to ask about it too early. It is a good idea to ask about how the position came open. Another one that often goes over well is to ask what they found appealing in your application. Also, you can ask how they evaluate employees and provide feedback. Asking about the culture or style of the organization is good too. A lot depends on the job and the style of the interview so prepare a whole set of questions so you can kind of pick ones on the spot. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Oh and if you do want to ask about the salary, just ask what they anticipate the range to be and say "I trust we would discuss that at the time the offer is made."

 

[chilli]

Ask the interviewer how long they have worked at the company, then ask -"I'm curious Mr. Smith... how did you get started in this business?"

like taking candy from a baby

 

[Sweetiepie]

Ask the interviewer how long they have worked at the company, then ask -"I'm curious Mr. Smith... how did you get started in this business?"

like taking candy from a baby

This really is a good one if you can work it in. Another thing I just remembered. If this is in an office, make sure you're respectful to the secretary in how you greet her, thank her for any help she's given you over the phone, and then stop to say thanks and good-bye to her when you leave. Sometimes the boss asks her for her opinion.

 

[kafka555]

My advice would be to watch Spud's job interview in Trainspotting and do the same.