Job Interview Advice

Lobster1987

Good luck in your job search! My ex has a graphic design degree and it is very hard to get a job in the field. I know how that goes!

lilybear84

BUMP

foxyforce

The interviews went good. I won't get one of the jobs because apparently my criminal justice degree doesn't count as "human services"...so I don't qualify as a mental health practitioner....lame.....

but the other interview went great and I did the weakness where I take criticism personally and she actually seemed impressed with that answer.

The closing date was yesterday for my dream job, so I'm hoping to hear back soon whether I get to interview for it or not. I'm REALLY going to be nervous for that one!!

Thanks for the advice, and if anyone has anymore, please chime in. I really would like to do well.

why don't you find something in your field? i ask this because there are PLENTY, hundreds, of qualified candidates for the position you applied for, but you haven't had any formal experience and or education for that part. do something with criminal justice, if you want to work in human services apply at a group home that is justice oriented or something.

karen0214

bump for later

To the OP, best wishes for upcoming interview!

Lobster1987

I'm trying. My field is competitive. I want to be a probation officer...so im trying to get some case management type experience. I've had experience working in a prison setting and i hated it, so my options for CJ are very limited by cutting out all corrections officer positions.

lilimini

First of all, can I just say congratulations on losing so much weight! You look great!!

I have never been to an interview where I didn't get the job - kinda weird, but it is true.

My mentality when I go to the interview is this: 'They like me enough to interview me'. If you are down to the point where you are being interviewed... just go in there, confident that you can do the job.

For the question you asked 'what is one weakness'. I have always said that I don't feel that I have one. If I start to feel like something isn't working when being in a team, I try and change what I am doing, so that the team can be better. You don't have to have a weakness. If you can't think of one, then you must not have one either. Don't feel like you have to have a weakness - but if they ask you what is a strong quality - then definitely have something to say for that!

At the moment, I am a teacher in China. I would highly recommend doing that if you don't have any huge obligations at home. Most people never think of doing that as a job - but it has been a great experience!

All the best with your interview! Go in there - be confident - and smile!

Lobster1987

Thank you Losing so much weight has definitely helped with the confidence!!!

foxyforce

I'm trying. My field is competitive. I want to be a probation officer...so im trying to get some case management type experience. I've had experience working in a prison setting and i hated it, so my options for CJ are very limited by cutting out all corrections officer positions.

have you tried group homes, there are tons around here for boys from the judicial system, like operation springboard. or counselling firms that deal with anger management groups, here we have catholic family services and merge...that is usually court mandated too. or community service programs, elizabeth fry society and john howard society are the two main ones around here for that.

foxyforce

i wish you luck, i have my second interview on friday for a position i desperately hope i get. i am too qualified to be sitting behind a desk where i am part time right now.

ScatteredThoughts

That's a lot of good advice thank you!!!

And no, I'm probably not your neice...hahaha

biggest thing is to be honest and don't try to fake that you know something you don't. If you don't know an answer, say so.

Very much agree with this. I work in the tech industry, and there is no way you can know everything. I've hated interviews where the person tried to BS me and failed miserably. Speak to what you do know, and show that you are someone who is willing to learn and improve.

LonLB

Not really advice more a funny story.

For some reason i went to a place when searching because my wife wanted me to. I did NOT want the job. I didn't leave a resume, and filled out an application with sloppy handwriting. Sure enough they call me for an interview. So I go in, am NOT a jerk but all the questions you might ignore, I asked, and commented on. Like lousy pay, frequency of raises, exceptions made to policy for raises etc.

To top it all off, when I got home I realized my shirt was INSIDE OUT. LOL


I didn't get hired. Which is fine, I made it pretty clear she was a LONG way off in $$$$$$

mcrowe1016

Ok, so I'm in the market for a new job...hopefully a career, as I am almost 25 and it's about damn time I get a real job.

I have trouble with some of the questions...for example, "What is a weakness of yours that you feel you need improvement on?"

Well, I'm totally awesome...Or at least I want them to think that, so what do I tell them? What's a weakness that isn't necessarily a "bad" weakness to have?


And those damn situational questions...."Tell us about a time when you had a miscommunication with a supervisor and how did you resolve it?"

What if I can't think of a specific instance? I mean, I want to answer the question as thoroughly as possible, so do I just make up some sort of story and make up an ending of how I realistically would have resolved the issue?

And over the past 4 years, I haven't had a job longer than 1-2 years. What do I say about that when they ask if I'm just skipping around? I got fired from one, but the others were more short term pay-my-way-through-college type jobs. I don't want them to think that I'm going to quit after a year or something. How do I talk that up to make it sound not as bad?????


What advice do you have?

Thank you!

Situational questions are easy. Look at the job description you are interviewing for and they should list out the qualities they are looking for. Then, for each quality listed, think of some example of when you used this skill. (Work examples are best, but examples from normal life also work very well. I am sure any interviewer would be impressed by your weight loss and, better yet, that is a fact about you that will make you stand out.)

Once you have your examples picked out (five is a good number), think about the other qualities each example hits on. The idea that these stories should cover a majority of the questions you will be asked, so instead of memorizing 100 answers, these five stories will tell the interviewer everything they need to know about you. Make sure to practice the stories, so they roll of the tongue easy (I stutter when nervous and overuse the work ‘umm’).

When you are 25, you are not expected to have 10 years of experience at one company, especially if you were in school. Employers know this. You can always say that you were searching for more well rounded work experiences.

Though you might have never had a miscommunication with a manager, at some time you must have had a communication with someone. You can always say that and then go into how you resolved the miscommunication with friend/coworker/relative. This story could relate to communication/ prioritizing/ work ethic /and other skills, depending on the story.

Sockimobi

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To top it all off, when I got home I realized my shirt was INSIDE OUT. LOL

I would have totally hired you for that!

Good luck OP

ETA: I had an interview once where I was asked "what would your colleagues describe as your weakness?". I found that easier to answer for some reason. So, what would your colleagues say?

LonLB

.

To top it all off, when I got home I realized my shirt was INSIDE OUT. LOL

I would have totally hired you for that!

Good luck OP

You must be related to the store manager from the movie 'TED'

CDMAGS

I am also almost 25. I have had 5 jobs since I was 14 years old, but in my current company where I have been for almost 6 years I have had several interviews for promotions or lateral positions as well. The BIGGEST thing is don't lie, don't try to make yourself sound better than you are, you want to be as honest as you can but you don't want to put all your dirty "laundry" out there. I have learned in my experiences sometimes less is more. If they ask a question answer it, but don't give more information out than you have to. I have seen this bite people, you say a little too much and they have other questions about that situation. If you don't give the information they want they will ask you to clarify or you will see the look on their face, make sure if you see this you ask them if you answered there question. "Tell me about yourself?" Worst question ever, I hate this question but the best thing to do is make a list of your strengths! And sell yourself. Don't throw out your weakness here, this is the first "catch moment" where you will grab them by the horns or get ran over. If you don't understand a question don't try to answer it. Ask them to clarify. The last thing you want them to think is you are blowing smoke. The weakness question is a tough one, think it through and try to spin it into something positive. It can be very difficult to find flaws in yourself.
Good luck!