What is Digg?53 Comments
- Falldog, on 10/12/2007, -1/+30Celebrating the 10 year anniversary of you asking me this question!
- jtown, on 10/12/2007, -1/+26Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Don't say doin' your wife. Don't say doin' your wife. - johnhummel, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22Whatever you do, don't date the interview. I don't care how sexy they are.
Because next thing you know, you're married to them, and then it's all "If you don't get that report in on time, I'm not going to sleep with you. And it's not sexual harrassment, because I'm a) your spouse and b) explicitly promising to put you in an unsexual environment".
Wish I had learned that. Crap - the Boss is coming - better log off. Now, where's that report.... - yidali, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16I'm kinda confused on this one
"Arriving more than 10 minutes early for an interview is a dead giveaway that the job seeker has too much time on his or her hands, much like the last one picked for the softball team".
Unless someone is already familiar with the location of the interview is it not reasonable to leave way ahead of time? I'm pretty the reason most people get an interview it's because they don't like how they are currently spending their time. - oOLiquidNightOo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18after a while, you can work on points for style. like a club tie, and the firm handshake, a certain look in the eye and an easy smile.
- sensor, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14Doing your son.
- playerslight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11I've never gone both ways with a receptionist. You're the KING!
- jasper976, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I can relate to the being rude to the receptionist. It goes both ways. I am really surprised how many companies I've interviewed with had my first contact be with a complete asshat HR rep. This is my first impression of the company and if the rep is a bitch/dick it's not going to be a good one. I've been put of a few positions because of this.
- Nougat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7It's not unreasonable to get to the building way ahead of time. It is unreasonable to announce yourself to the receptionist an hour ahead of your interview time and skulk around in the waiting area. Travel to the site, scope it out, go get a cup of coffee or park around the corner in the car. I've even scoped out interview sites prior to the day of the interview just to make sure I knew how to get there.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Looking people in the eye, having confidence (comes across in your voice and word choice), and smiling naturally (not to be fake or overdone), has to rank highest on my list of things I am looking for in a potential candidate. Having a jovial, high-spirited, and excited demeanor is icing on the cake.
- Chompy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Don't forget to send in your "Impossible is Nothing" video.
- oOLiquidNightOo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9hopefully, asking some other poor schmuck the same question.
- ABadInAlbany, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I can relate to the eye contact -- sometimes you lock into contact, and you feel like not continuing eye contact is going to make you seem shifty or nervous or hiding something, but holding it too long, your smile starts to wear on you, and the interviewer starts to wonder if they should have security walk them out to their car tonight ... that said, all those tips are dead on, I nailed my interviews over the past eight and a half years, and every one of those tips is quality.
- upsidedork, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4When I'm at an interview, I take notes. It tells the interviewer, "I consider this an important meeting," and it also helps me organize my thoughts on the fly, so I know which of my qualifications I should be focusing on when it's my turn to talk.
If you know who's going to interview you, Google them. I once was interviewed by a woman who, I learned, was in a band; I mentioned that I was familiar with her music ... and I got the job.
Also, I like to buy new socks whenever I go to an interview, because having new socks makes me feel like I'm important. That may or may not work for you, since it's kind of ***** insane. - MattyLite, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Lol, my dad once answered that question with, "Not here." He told me the interviewer was acting like an *****.
- Nougat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5That's only if you're trying to get a job where the primary skill is 'schmoozing' or 'lying' -- like sales, marketing or executive committee. If you actually have a skill, there are plenty of jobs worth having that nobody's friend took.
- twinklyJesus, on 10/12/2007, -9/+13Oh, by the way, which one's Pink?
- jdoo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6My eyes...the goggles do nothing!
- Nougat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Depending on the situation, asking about compensation is not out of order. If you're looking for a position that pays $80K, and the employer is trying to fill a position that they've got $50K worth of budget for, you're not the right fit. No sense wasting anyone's time.
- oOLiquidNightOo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3a "club tie" likely sports insignia that shows you belong to a prestigious organization. in case your not a floyd fan, the song was written with in a cynical tone.
http://www.ealinggolfclub.com/Members%20Web/images/Club%20Tie.jpg - rustytwonderdog, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3when i've arrived at interviews too early, it's usually because i wasn't exactly sure how to get to the office or was worried about potential traffic problems. in the cases where i was too early, i just sat in the parking lot until a reasonable time to go into the office.
- vhold, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Yea, when you don't even think about, most people will have very natural amounts of eye contact, but when you consciously think about it, it tends to get very weird. A good trick that worked for me in an interview where both of us were having uncomfortable levels of eye contact (staring) that was unnerving me was that I answered a question by using a whiteboard to draw a diagram.
That created a more natural balance of looking at one thing, making eye contact, etc. - vhold, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2From what I've seen, the truth is somewhere in between. It's almost always preferred to have somebody referred in rather then going through recruiters or having HR scour resume databases, place ads, etc because of the cost and the risk.
I don't think you necessarily have to kiss asses to gain that social capital, you just have to socialize with your coworkers or professionals in your field. In interviews, you're not just being interviewed for your skill, but for also how well you'll get along with the other people there. You can be the most skilled guy in the world, but if you're a prick, people will avoid working with you.
While I'm sure there are exceptions, you still have to have the skills even if you have the hookup because the person referring you doesn't want to look bad. I'm sure there are a ton of non/semi-skilled jobs where this isn't the case, especially in large institutions. - fintheman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3"Asking about benefits, vacation time or salary: What if a car salesman asked to see your credit report before allowing you to test drive the cars? That would be ridiculous, and you'd walk away in disgust. The effect is about the same when a job-seeker asks about benefits or other employee perks during the first interview. Wait until you've won the employer over before beginning that discussion."
Uhhh, is it just me, or is this just a piece of crap.
If a company doesn't want to pay me what I'm looking for, or give me the paid or unpaid vacation time I need what is the point on wasting my time or their time? I'm pretty sure other guides have insisted on asking about benefits as that shows genuine interest in being hired. - sjzabel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3@yidali
I don't know... unless I am flying in that morning for the interview, I always find the location of the interview the night before. Then I am punctual with out sitting around looking desperate. - loof, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think the article is referring to showing up to the interview too early and then ending up sitting the the reception area for a half hour reading people. If you don't know where it is do a drive by before the interview. Then go get a cup of coffee and come back on time.
- bbatsell, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5http://duggmirror.com/business_finance/Avoid_These_10_Interview_Bloopers
- JaytB, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Having done several job interviews myself, this article pretty well nails it. As mentioned in an earlier comment clothing can also make you remember somebody after having numerous candidates. Like an unusual tie for example. I had a top-of-the-line sales manager tell me once that when he met important new clients he always wore a tie with small elephants or other strange figures on it while still being well dressed. That would make them remember him easier.
- loof, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Some good tips. Interviews have never been my strong point, I tend to get ridiculously nervous before them no matter who/what I'm interviewing about. I know I've blown a couple of them for those reasons. Nothing important luckily and I'm slowly getting better at them.
- scooter12, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i got my job through pure truthiness.
- 5blocksfree, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2That knife cuts both ways. Some candidates do have some flexibility, and are willing to negotiate - to a point. I get the impression that many HR-types see the salary requirements, or hear the "desired" salary in an interview, assume that there's no leeway, and can the prospect immediately.
- nonsequitor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I never bring up compensation until they bring it up. When working with recruiters for consulting or with Managers for a full time gig, they'll always bring it up eventually. I'm not so busy I can't spend the time to hear them out while waiting for the compensation to be brought up.
Usually it comes up after they determine I am indeed qualified to fill the position, which is after about 15 minutes talking shop to the recruiters, or after a 45 minute phone interview if its direct. They don't want to waste their time any more than you want them to waste yours. - LostOnion, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I am going to expose ignorance here and ask the question: What is a "club tie"? I really don't know and when I Googled it, my search results yielded no clear definition. Of course, it doesn't help that I work in a "comfort casual" environment and have not interviewed for a job outside my present employer in a decade. So, just in case I have to get back out there, I need to know!
- Adoozie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Ah, nothing like being reminded of the employer/employee gap during the first five minutes of contact with a company.
- ABadInAlbany, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2if that's the case, you shouldn't even be there to begin with. they should have requested your salary requirements upon application, and not brought you in for an interview if your requirements and their budget were overly disparate.
I got laid off a month after 9/11, by a company already having trouble before the dot com bust. after the bubble burst, I had provided requirements of 65-70k, with high hopes and had the experience to support it, but no degree. veramark, a rochester, ny company with problems of its own, brings me in for a lengthy interview process with everyone up and down the org chart, only to flatten me at the end of the day with a ***** line of: "well, for someone without a degree, we'd only be offering 35-40" -- that kind of difference is ludicrous, and the fact that they knowingly brought me in with that difference, ridiculous. apparently their line of thinking was, beggars can't be choosers. I chose to tell them to stick it, and found a position paying 55k instead. their hiring manager was one of the first in a major round of lay-offs that followed soon after. - Aharoni, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think this is true for some cultures (American culture) and its ok in others (less formal ones). In every job interview I've been to the salary came up on the first interview and it was perfectly ok. In my current job I expected a much lower salary and I was really pleasantly surprised. This, however, can be the other way around as well.
- smurfmaster, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1>Asking about salary & benefits in that context says a lot about your priorities and perspective.
The majority of people work because they have to earn money in order to make a living. Pretending that this isn't the case is just ridiculous.
>For a job seeker, the point of the first interview should be "is this the kind of company I want to work for? Will this job meet my needs, and give me the opportunities I want for my future? Will I like working here? Do I want to work at this company, in this job, for these people and this management?"
Those are all good questions, but "Can I support my family with this salary?" is an equally important question.
>Similarly, before accepting an interview, it's perfectly acceptable to ask about the pay range (not specifics) and benefits (in general, again not specific) in order to avoid wasting everyone's time. But if you didn't ask before, you shouldn't ask during.
And when exactly should you ask this question if not in the interview? Companies usually don't give out this kind of information over telephone or write it into the job ad. - raindogmx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@oOLiquidNightOo congratulations on an excellent post, you nailed it word for word.
-- spoiler alert --
btw for those who don't get it those are the lyrics for the song 'dogs' in the 'animals' album by pink floyd. a great record and song. - HoboMaster, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4@twinklyJesus: Bravo, sir. From the diggs, you're one of few to get it.
- nonsequitor, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5From the blurb at the bottom: "Deborah Walker is a Certified Career Management Coach."
Ever hear the expression: "Those that can't do, teach?" - lokai, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There are no true tips for a great interview; each interviewer is looking for something different. The only way to really win big on interviews is to have a compelling, social personality.
- jessecrouch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1just give the courtesy of not arriving too early in the building. ive waited in my car quite a bit lately before going in for interviews. good time to prep yourself too.
- dewey1973, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I was digg 666... I'm frightened!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5with a face like that, these tips have to be good.
- sholdowa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The thing to remember is that an interview is a two way street. More than what you know, which is important - but a truthful CV will have answered that - it's who you are. HR may well be running the interview, but their input is completely irrelevant: it's whether you're going to fit in to the team. Your skills will never be an exact match to the requirements, but those requirements have got you to the interview room. Now, it's a case of mixing and matching existing skills with yours, both personal and professional, and seeing if the result is going to work. If you don't think you can fit in with your new boss, then it's up to you to decline. Money isn't the only factor in moving jobs. I should know, I'm now earning less than I did 20 years ago, but now I live in New Zealand, I sleep at nights!
- NoAccounting4me, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Asking about benefits, vacation time, and salary in your *first* interview IS inappropriate.
For the employer, the point of the first interview is to determine if you are the kind of person they want to hire. Do you have the required skills and/or experience, but even more importantly, does your personality and demeanor fit with the company? Are your goals in-line with the opportunities the position will provide, and do you have the social and non-job-related skills to function well in the company? The 'big question' of the first job interview isn't "can this person do the job", its more "do we want _this person_ to come here and work with us?"
Asking about salary & benefits in that context says a lot about your priorities and perspective. It's premature to ask about pay when you haven't gotten an offer yet, and it's an extremely telling response to a question like "What do you want to know about the job?"
For a job seeker, the point of the first interview should be "is this the kind of company I want to work for? Will this job meet my needs, and give me the opportunities I want for my future? Will I like working here? Do I want to work at this company, in this job, for these people and this management?"
Now, IF a job offer is extended, THEN it's perfectly appropriate to discuss benefits, salary, vacations, and what-not. Similarly, before accepting an interview, it's perfectly acceptable to ask about the pay range (not specifics) and benefits (in general, again not specific) in order to avoid wasting everyone's time. But if you didn't ask before, you shouldn't ask during. - dimitrisokolov, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0
Mostly good advice.
However, I tend to find that many companies are full of ***** in reality. They don't want really good people. How on earth could a company possibly have a "hiring freeze" if some person could come in and show them how to make $10 million dollars or save $2 million? That makes zero business sense.
Companies should ALWAYS be looking for better people, especially if things are not going right. There is nothing that says a company needs better employees than a company that posts ***** financial results. If that doesn't say "we need help bigtime" then nothing else does.
This is why people go out and start their own companies wipe the floor with some established companies.
Look at Ford's recent 5.8 billion dollar loss. That says they don't have a ***** clue and need some new management asap. - EiderDuck, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2You have to be trusted by the people that you lie to
So that when they turn their backs on you
You get the chance to throw the knife in
(Okay, interviewing isn't *that* bad but it can be a dirty game.) - ph1ltr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0This is what you should do at a job interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6SUC5k-58o - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -8/+6didn't seem like a bad article till I got to the bottom and saw the picture of the author and almost puked. That could be a front page pic for the next shock site.
-
Show 51 - 53 of 53 discussions
Check out the new & improved 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is 