Job Interview Advice

Lobster1987 · July 2012

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!

hesn92 · July 2012

I am so pissed I just wrote out a long reply and I accidentally hit the back button.

ugh.

Anyway. I'll try to rephrase.

For the weakness question, come up with something REAL. Dont' tell them some bull**** "weakness" that isn't really a weakness such as "I'm too much of a perfectionist." That will just make them roll their eyes at you. Be honest. And come up with examples of how you are working to improve in this area or how you plan to. For me, I say that I'm really introverted and shy.

Come up with a list of accomplishments and situations that you've been in that make you look good. Also come up with a list of good qualities that you have and think of examples or something you have done to prove these qualities. This should give you a good mental database for answering those situational questions.

You are young so they shouldn't really care that you haven't held a job for very long at this point. I'm 23 and have never been asked about that. They know I just graduated from college and haven't found a "real" job yet.

As for other advice, make yourself look professional and show good manners. Come up with a list of questions to ask your interviewer beforehand to make you look interested and research the company beforehand also to show that you came prepared. Also write a thank you note. Email is fine but I like to do a hand-written one because I just think it adds a nice touch.

I have a third interview tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I'm getting the job! Good luck!

Eta: come up with a good spiel for when they say "tell me about yourself." and practice it lol. Out loud.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

Thank you1
I just have a hard time figuring out what a weakness is....like I can be stubborn....but that can be a good thing. It's hard to think of something right in the moment...

rjt1000 · July 2012

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!

i've done a lot of hiring and interviewing and gotten a lot of jobs so been interviewed a lot of times. Weaknesses- Sort of a trick question in that it's bad to answer with "I don't have any" but it's also bad to say "I have a problem with getting to work on time. I'm always half an hour late...." Take a serious look at your WORK self and what is something you'd like to improve on? Not necessarily weakness but not a strength. For me, "I get frustrated with coworkers gossiping and I overcompensate by limiting my interaction with all coworkers not just the gossipers. I've worked hard in the past year/2 years to better balance my interaction with coworkers..."

Situational- Nothing wrong with answering "I really can't recall any specific situation like that. I feel that I'm a fairly strong communicator and if I feel that I'm not understanding exactly what is being asked, I don't hesitate to ask for more details" I always ask "tell me about the biggest mistake you've ever made related to a job...." My interest is more about your honesty, when you made the mistake, did you tell the boss? Did you correct it without anybody knowing? etc.

I changed jobs a lot. Over 30 years, longest I've been in any job was 5. First 8 years out of college I had 8 different jobs. You've got no issue. Tell them straight up "i got fired from that job because...." as long as it wasn't criminal or something truly heinous. For the job jumping- "I was working my way through college and the jobs I had were to pay the bills, not necessarily a career position. But I learned important things in each job I had. For instance, in job number 2, I had to do this and learned that...."

rjt1000 · July 2012

and by the way, your profile pic looks so much like my niece, I had to check your profile to make sure you weren't her. Seriously, the faces are eerily similar.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

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

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

rjt1000 · July 2012

I am so pissed I just wrote out a long reply and I accidentally hit the back button.

ugh.

Anyway. I'll try to rephrase.

For the weakness question, come up with something REAL. Dont' tell them some bull**** "weakness" that isn't really a weakness such as "I'm too much of a perfectionist." That will just make them roll their eyes at you. Be honest. And come up with examples of how you are working to improve in this area or how you plan to. For me, I say that I'm really introverted and shy.

Come up with a list of accomplishments and situations that you've been in that make you look good. Also come up with a list of good qualities that you have and think of examples or something you have done to prove these qualities. This should give you a good mental database for answering those situational questions.

You are young so they shouldn't really care that you haven't held a job for very long at this point. I'm 23 and have never been asked about that. They know I just graduated from college and haven't found a "real" job yet.

As for other advice, make yourself look professional and show good manners. Come up with a list of questions to ask your interviewer beforehand to make you look interested and research the company beforehand also to show that you came prepared. Also write a thank you note. Email is fine but I like to do a hand-written one because I just think it adds a nice touch.

I have a third interview tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I'm getting the job! Good luck!

Eta: come up with a good spiel for when they say "tell me about yourself." and practice it lol. Out loud.

One great question to ask the interviewer is "from your review of resume and what you've learned about me in this interview, in regards to the specific job, what do you see as my weak area or the one thing about me that you're concerned isn't strong enough for this position?" Meaning- tell me why I'm not the right person for this job...... DON'T ask "What could I have done better in this interview?" I've had several people ask me that. I respond "first, you shouldn't have asked that question...."

rjt1000 · July 2012

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.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

I thought of a good weakness of mine....I take constructive criticism personally.

How do I overcome that weakness?

mndamon · July 2012

My two cents? Look at how much you've accomplished in your life health wise, you can do anything you put your mind to (thanks George McFly). You just need to translate it into confidence here. Take a deep breath and just be honest. The one thing I always pick up on is if someone is lying about experience, education, etc.

Some interview questions are just awful. The "where do you see yourself in five years" and "what are your weak points" are the worst. For the former I typically left it open ended and pointed out that I'm constantly trying to better myself. Weak points I was honest, public speaking and sometimes organization. Sell yourself, don't sell some person you won't wind up being.

Your weakness you listed is a solid example, just say that you're aware of it and you're doing your best to take it for what it is and improve off those suggestions/criticisms.

foxyforce · July 2012

for a weakness thing of things you want to improve on instead

ie. do you know another language, would you like to....say "i feel that my weakness is that i haven't yet learned another language because i know how important multiculturalism is and the difficulty of language barriers, etc."

i have before said i can work ahead on timelines and it throws off group work, but to keep myself in check i will check in with the team as well

foxyforce · July 2012

I thought of a good weakness of mine....I take constructive criticism personally.

How do I overcome that weakness?

i like this weakness, never ever say you aren't sure of what your weakness is. it shows a lack of self-awareness, and that isn't easily overcome.

look up how to not take things personally, and you could use that as your example to overcome this strength

rjt1000 · July 2012

I thought of a good weakness of mine....I take constructive criticism personally.

How do I overcome that weakness?

you don't have to overcome it. But that's actually a good answer for the interview question. Just phrase it a little better. "I have a tendency to take constructive criticism too personally. I think it's mainly that I'm disappointed in myself and angry that I didn't do something as well as I could/should have...."

Aside from the interview- overcoming that? First thing is that you've realized that you do it. Next step is when you receive criticism, stop and think about WHAT's being said and separate it from the person saying it and how they're saying it. Maybe take some notes. If you don't understand what you didn't do right, ask for clarification. And don't hesitate to ask "how should I have handled that?" or "is there something specific that I can do next time that comes up...."

rjt1000 · July 2012

for a weakness thing of things you want to improve on instead

ie. do you know another language, would you like to....say "i feel that my weakness is that i haven't yet learned another language because i know how important multiculturalism is and the difficulty of language barriers, etc."

i have before said i can work ahead on timelines and it throws off group work, but to keep myself in check i will check in with the team as well

AWESOME responses.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

Excellent advice! Thank you!

I have an interview on Friday for a mental health practitioner postition, and I would love love love to have it. M-F 8 to 4, and helping people....it would be perfect. I love to help others.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

I have other weaknesses....that I like to gossip or talk too much.....but I don't want to say those in an interview.... I wouldn't know what else to say, because I am always on time, I am very reliable and dependable. A very hard and motivated worker.

Drenched_N_Motivation · July 2012

I cant seem to even land a friggin interview lately, so i'll just say congrats on the weight loss!!

allisonleigh11 · July 2012

My dad is a school principal so he is ALWAYS doing interview but about the weakness one its good to rephrase it. Like, What is you greatest weakness? I would say mine would be that sometimes I work to hard and I tend to overwork myself. You rephrase it to something positive

mzfiyaa · July 2012

Welll when i do interviews i search careerbuilder for tips...i study them n write them down..my current job is at an insurance company when i 1st interviewed i didnt get the job but after i researched the tips on the website i got the. Job because i was prepared n very much confident....

SMarie10 · July 2012

Are these real questions you've gotten on interviews or something you've read on a blog or magazine? I ask because the same questions and advice is like 30 years old.

You are only 25 - I'd guess one of your biggest weakness is going to be lack of long term experience. but as far as dealing with stressful situations - do you have any siblings. Ever get into a fight and need to resolve it - how about meeting deadlines... were you good about getting homework done and turned in on time. Experiences and life situations don't have to revolve around work .. if you've got other life experiences - like being part of an athletic team, or drama club, volunteer work - those are all relevant experiences and can replace any "real" job experience

Good luck - the best foot forward is confidence in who you are and what you can offer.

Michellereducf · July 2012

ALWAYS send a follow up email thanking them for the interview. Do it within 12 hours. If they offer you something to drink, take it. You will get nervous and dry mouthed. Also, it is a good stall technique when you are trying to answer questions. Don't worry about job hopping. I'm 45 and in my chosen profession (paralegal), there is a lot of movement at all levels. The longest I've ever been at a job is 5 years. Some jobs I've left on my own and some were "involuntary."

For some of the best info, go to about.com and then the jobs & careers section. Everything from interview questions, to writing cover letters, thank you emails. My favorite is the section what to say when you've been fire. You NEVER EVER say I was fired because.....Go to that section and find one that works for you. And then practice practice practice so it comes naturally do you during an interview.

TheRealParisLove · July 2012

First of all, when the interviewer asks you to talk about yourself, just summarize your resumé. So many times people talk about stuff like family status that the interviewer has no legal right to ask about after this question.

On the weaknesses question, pull out the humblebrag. Say something like "Despite having the flu, I still managed to get to work on time and save the project. Of course, it is a bad thing to come to work with the flu and risk infecting my fellow co-workers. Sometimes, I just don't know when to stop working."

On the communication question, try taking a different tactic by referencing something that happened in school instead of in the workplace. I know that teachers can be really vague about what they want on assignments and/or team projects can go very wrong in college. Pick one of those situations where you still managed to pull an A on the project despite the miscommunication.

Don't worry about the job hopping. This can be a positive for you as it gives you the opportunity to explore different skills and corporate cultures. Having held several jobs while going to college is actually to your benefit, especially if you held a job you really enjoyed that is related to your current career. And/or you could say that you really, really tried to enjoy being an (insert boring job here) but you now know that it just isn't that kind of work you are suited for.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

Yea, those are real questions that I've been asked....Last week actually.

I definitely need to work on the confidence piece. It's hard to reference school because I've been graduated for 3 years now.....So I need to pull examples from more recent work experience.

I really want to get a new job and I feel like I'm botching my interviews because I'm not prepared enough for the situational questions and end up answering it wrong or giving them an answer that they didn't want, etc.

Giddyduck · July 2012

You have been given some great advice. I am in the health care field (I am an Advance Practice Nurse) and previously worked as a manager. I would not tell a person that you take constructive critism personally or that you like to gossip. The one thing that I did hear mentioned was that you may be stubborn ie. set your mind to a goal and meet it (weight loss). I would use that one. Perhaps, you may want to spin it in a more positive manner, like I have been told that stubborn because I can be very focused...etc. Also, share how you are working on this area to improve.

As a manager, I did ask about weakness as it was telling, it provided an opportunity for the candidate to share (good or bad). My personal weakness is that I tend to spread myself too thin by accepting additional tasks and I am working on this by keeping a calendar an recognizing my limits and the time constraints.

Try to think of specific situation as they are usually doing an "behavioral interview" You can google the types of questions to prepare. As a past manager, my organization did this. The candidate is scored, so to speak on the ability to give specific examples.

I hope that helps some.
Shana

loubeth22 · July 2012

I just try to remember that all the questions are the way the interviewer gets to know what kind of person you are. Are you that person who will see a spill in a supermarket and just walk on or will you proactivly try to make sure noone get hurt? Thats one of my favouirte questions, when I hear that in an interview for an office position I always think they're asking "Are you going to be a superhero or a regular person who pretends not to see trouble becasue they don't want to be involved?" and the follow up of "What's your weakness?" is to check you aren't a busybody who wants everyone to see how great you are. Make your weakness something positive, mine is also stubbornness, I absolutely hate to be turned around when I'm working through a job. I'm stubborn to the point I'll get really upset and angry if I have to go back through and redo my perfect work to prove to someone else that the thing that I said was wrong is in fact wrong. I feel like I have already completed the work with all the possible information to find the reason why such and such issue was caused so why am I wasting time redoing all this information because a) someone doesn't like the result/recomendation or b)someone lied to me and provided false information to start with. Either way I would rather take the 8 or 9 files of paperwork showing everything I've done and through it at whoever wants to waste my time. Its a flaw but its also positve and the reason I got so far so quickly. My boss knows that once I've been given work it will be done with no effort to hide or minimize any mistakes, be they someone elses or my own.

Right now I'm 22 and looking to downgrade to a more hands on job. The question I get is why would you want to do this after working in a high level office position for 2 years? I've got here faster than most, and a hell of a lot sooner than we get told when we're studying, and honestly, its boring. I don't plan to be in whatever position I get for 15 years, I'll stay with a company as long as I get to change or expand my job role every 2-3 years.

Lobster1987 · July 2012

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.

Mallory0418 · July 2012

I think I'm in the EXACT same situation as you...almost 25, looking for a "real" job. Ugh, it's a long process and is sometimes so frustrating! I've had a couple of interviews recently and I found that the one that went VERY well (and I have high hopes about) is one that actually started out kind of terribly. First, I got there way too early. I had written down that my interview was at 10:00 am and when I got there at 9:45 they were all surprised to see me because it was supposed to be at 10:30! Not that big of a deal I realize now but I was SO afraid that they were annoyed with me. Then, the first thing she says to me when I went into her office is "Well, from what I can tell of your resume, you are quite over qualified for this job." It's always either "you've got too much experience" or "you don't have ENOUGH experience" ....what are we supposed to do?

BUT...this interview ended up going very well, and I think it was mostly because I was honest and real. I'm not a very open person at all so I surprised myself by just how "real" I got with some of my answers. Nothing weird or TMI, just a little out of my comfort zone, but they seemed to really appreciate it. So my advice is, just relax and be yourself. It really does make a big difference in how you present yourself. Trust yourself. Good luck!

Lobster1987 · July 2012

What type of work are you looking for?

Mallory0418 · July 2012

Well I got my degree in Instructional Design and Technology with an emphasis in graphic design so I would LOVE to find something in that type of field, but I'm willing to except about anything right now in the mean time. Girl's got bills!

lchiulli · July 2012

One thing I have learned to do is try to anticipate some of the questions I might get during an interview and the weakness one is almost always asked. I prepare ahead of time by writing out a list of answers to the question and read through to become comfortable with the information I want to give.

I would not be concerned that you have only had jobs for a year or two. For some college students that is a long time to hold down a job. It is perfectly ok to let a potential employer know that school was a prority.

Relax, you'll do great!

pitbullmama · July 2012

some good info here. bumping to file.

Job Interview Advice

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