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 Post subject: Need interview help
PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:24 pm 
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Asian Blonde

Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:14 pm
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I have an interview on wed (2 days from now) with a big pharma company for which I have been head hunted for. This means a lot to me and I'm kinda freaking out atm...

What are some good interview techniques you could suggest... I've looked online at the possible questions and stuff and was kinda looking for little things that have worked for you... Hopefully not along the lines of wearing that lucky underwear which have not been washed since the 80s =P


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:36 pm 
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Bull Moose
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Near the end of the interview, if you want the job, ask for it. That usually sets them back on their heels and lets them know you are seriously interested in them. It can be as simple as 'This all sounds good, when can I start?" to "You've convinced me, I want to work for you, may I have the job?" to "Okay, you've passed the interview, Shall we talk compensation now? I'll need to give two weeks notice. Should I start on the 19th, or would the beginning of May work better for you."

Audacious, yes, and they won't be expecting it. No matter what else happens, they will remember you as spunky and forward.

Hardly ever does anyone ask for the job at the interview, they usually try to put on the best face they can and be passive and accepting of everything they are told. Don't be like everyone else. If you're good enough to be head hunted for this job. If you want the job it is worth asking for.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:28 am 
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Irish Princess
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You probably know these ones...

1. Name your strengths
2. Name your weaknesses
3. My interview included scenerio questions.. What would u do in this situation ect..

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:29 am 
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Irish Princess
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Btw goooooood luck girl! I shall be crossing my fingers and saying a prayer for you!

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Do ever want to just grab someone and say...WTF is wrong with you?


Dream as if you'll live forever...
...Live as if you'll die tomorrow


Vivere Senza Rimpianti


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 Post subject: Re: Need interview help
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:02 am 
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Cheesehead

Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:15 am
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A lot of questions are designed to have the candidate self-sabotage.

Example: "Name a time your work was stressful and how you dealt with it."

1st time I got an interview (in the past year) I pointed to a time that was routinely regarded as Not Fun (R).

I didn't get the position.

2nd time, had I been asked, I would have made sure to take a time Not Fun (R) and turn it into Success! (TM) before ending my short answer.

Success in the face of adversity is often the reason these questions are asked.

That was based on feedback from the earlier interview.

However, since I the 2nd interview I got was a different sort of position (and a better position), I didn't get a chance to use that feedback.

However, I did a lot better on 2nd interview.

Also, when asked a question, realize there's a meta-question usually.

Look for the meta-question and answer that and you'll likely do better.

Also, look for chances to sculpt your answer to show your skills fit the position you're interviewing for, and a bigger picture view.

If you answer from the perspective of someone who has the position (with humility), you will show you can do it.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:01 am 
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Solo Hero
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Push up?

:twisted:

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:39 am 
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When you're asked a question, take a moment to think before you reply. Think about exactly what you're going to say, what words to use, etc. and then say them and ONLY them.

Relax emotionally, sit up straight, if you're in an interview where there are more than one person you should look them each in the eye during your reply to a question.

A trick I use to get into the proper frame of mind is to make an effort to put THEM as ease, as if the tables were turned and they are doing the interview. Works great!

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:45 am 
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The Dancing Cat
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Remember, they are recruiting you so go in confidently. Prepare a list of questions about the company and position, demonstrate some understanding of them.

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In comic strips the person on the left always speaks first. - George Carlin


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:53 am 
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Home of the Whopper
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Biggest thing is confidence...sell yourself. My last successful interview I brought everything with me (paperwork wise) that was relevant to my job and made me look good. I brought documents and handbooks I had written and even team incentives I had created for my employees. They were not expecting this, but were so impressed the 2 managers over the two different groups fought over who was going to get me even before they had finished interviewing others.
At another previous job (part-time, college student, donut shoppe) at my interview I went ahead and told them they could stop interviewing because they were not going to find anyone better suited for the job than me. I was hired before I left the building.
You are hot stuff. You are talented, confident, skilled, hard-working, loyal, trustworthy, DEPENDABLE, and your work ethic is unmatchable. If they do not hire you quickly they will miss out, and in fact, they didn't even realize just how much they needed you and how much you could benefit their company....make them more profitable and their lives easier....these are all the things you need to convey in your confident but not cocky attitude.
Always be prepared for the question "why should we hire you?" and if possible, slip in the answer before they even ask the question.

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"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus of Nazareth


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 Post subject: Re: Need interview help
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:59 am 
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Commence Primary Ignition
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When asked a question about prior experiences, especially if it pertains to "what did you do?" try to go to past work experience whenever possible, or if nothing is available, some major life event that requires careful addressing. Buying a house, for example. Try to stay away from purely social situations unless you have nothing else.

Avoid speaking in generalities. Don't talk about how you "had to think outside the box" except as an intro to a description of what the box was and how you thought outside it, for example. It's easy to get into generalities trying to cover everything but a specific example is a lot more powerful. Along the same lines avoid buzzwords; they're usually generalities as well.

Also, keep mental track of how long you talk. Some interviews are time limited. You also don't want to ramble into every side detail of a situation. However, you also don't want to be so brief that people don't understand what the situation you're decribing was in the first place. Keep track of what you're saying and make sure you're making steady progress towards your point.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:31 pm 
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I had an interviewer ask me about former managers. You might think about saying how bad or incompetent they were. Don't. Seriously, don't. Badmouthing former employers/managers/co-workers is a sure fire way to get a polite "we'll call you", and your current CV tossed into the closest bin.

A popular question I had the last round of interviews I did was "so why are you leaving your current job", or something to that effect. Start thinking of a reasonable answer to something like that.

Then it's all a matter of putting the appropriate level of spin on difficult situations, and how it became a learning experience, or you turned a loss into a win.

If you haven't been out on interviews in a long time, bear in mind that you'll be a bit rusty. Got my fingers crossed for ya that you'll knock it out of the park on the first attempt, but don't be too hard on yourself if it does not turn out the way you'd hoped. I don't know what the job market is like in your profession where you live, but even a botched interview puts you that much closer to a good one... so long as there are plenty of places to look.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:47 pm 
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Interviews are a 2 way street.

At one level, the company you are interviewing with is trying to see if you'd do well there and fill the role they need filled.

But as the interviewee, the more important part is you interviewing the company to see if it's really a place you'd like to work.

Don't get so wrapped up in "winning" the interview and getting offered a job, that you overlook warning signs (or worse don't even look for them) that you might not be happy at that job.

Find out why the interviewer works there. What they like most and least about the job there. What the corporate culture is like, what are the advancement opportunities. Do they promote from within, if so, why is this being offered externally. Is this a new position or back filling an open spot. If it's open, why did the other person leave?

The goal of the interview is to determine:

1. Is this a job that you want
2. Are you qualified for the job
3. Is this a company that you want to work for


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 Post subject: Re: Need interview help
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:17 pm 
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Asian Blonde

Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:14 pm
Posts: 2075
thanks guys ^-^

Any prayers or thoughts would be wonderfully welcomed...

I should mention that this job would be really really good for me (unless all my managers turn out to be psychos) which mind you is not impossible... It's further from my house but I get a HUGE upgrade to pay. It is also a international company which would give me more chances for going up... Here are a list of questions I'll be preparing for (I took the day off which shows ya how important this is hehe)

Quote:
* Tell me about yourself?
* What do you know about our organisation?
* Why are you so interested in our organization?
* What made you decide to apply for this job?
* What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
* What is your biggest achievement so far?
* What are the most important things you have learnt from your previous jobs?
* What have you done to achieve your career objectives?
* Why did you leave your last job?
* What was wrong with your last company?
* What can you offer to us? Why should we hire you?
* What is your management / leadership style?
* How would your peers, subordinates or last manager describe you?
* What management style brings the best out of you?
* What does team work mean to you?
* What does success mean to you?
* What position do you expect to be doing in two years?
* What are your long term objectives?
* What kind of salary are you worth?
* What other jobs or types of companies are you considering along with us?
* How have you kept up to date with your specific field?
* What are your hobbies?


I'm just a little set back cause the last time I did a interview with the recruiter for this, he was so articulate and impressive that I'm feeling I'll never live up to the standard. Doesnt mean I wont give this all I've got though...

Just feeling a little bit like going up a creek with out a much needed motor... and all i've got is a stick...


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:49 pm 
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Bull Moose
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The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. B. Franklin

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." -- Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones


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