Help - job interview!

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Background - I'm an upper level admin at a university. In other circles I might be called an executive assistant, but I also do heavy accounting work as well as grants administration for our department. I'm not crazy about the university but I absolutely love the benefits and you couldn't chase me away from the place with a stick.

I have been in a hellish job for almost 6 years. I've applied for a few jobs within the university over the years, but have stepped up my efforts over the last 6 months and have been on several interviews - in one case I was one of 4 chosen to interview out of 200 applicants - and end up being everyone's 2nd choice.

I meet people well and am not uncomfortable with the interview process. I have solid references. What I am fumbling on (I've asked for feedback when I haven't gotten previous jobs) is the interview questions. My last few years of abject misery have colored my ability to answer questions, I think. For instance, how do I answer, "Describe for me a situtation where you did well" when I can't do anything right? At least in my boss's eyes? Everyone else in the department, and the contacts I have in other departments, sees my value except him. In fact, everyone who knows I'm trying to transfer has said "What are we going to do? This place is going to fall apart; you're what keeps it all together!" One lady in another department, that I work a lot with, literally groans when I mention that I'm trying to transfer. But back to my boss: it's partly that he doesn't want to be held to any responsibility financially (and he sees me as someone who makes him think about such things), and it's partially that he wants to cheat and be dishonest in every situation and he finds no help from me in doing that. To complicate matters, he basically is Jekyll & Hyde, and lots of people in the university community think he's just grand. If they only knew!

So I'm hoping I can get some advice from you guys regarding how to answer the typical interview questions, without resorting to lying. I'm at a loss as to what to say because all I can think about is what I shouldn't be saying.

Thanks for any help you give - my interview is next Thursday and it's supposed to last 1 1/2 hours and I'm meeting with 3 separate groups of interviewers.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Well, you definitely don't want to be critical of your boss, especially since you are hoping to stay within the same organization.

I think when you are asked to describe a situation where you succeed, you could mention, for example, a time when you worked with the other department (where you said someone groaned at the thought of you leaving) and how you were able to be helpful or create a successful outcome or whatever happened that has made her want to continue working with you. You don't have to mention what your boss has said or not said.

Take some time now to think up potential questions and draft up answers (look on the Internet for ideas if necessary). You don't have to lie or talk about your boss - talk about your accomplishments in purely objective terms: "I found $x in cost-savings in one year" or "I worked with department B to organize such and such an event, and got feedback from that department to say it was highly successful" or whatever. You don't have to add "but my boss said I messed up and that I'm a loser." Planning is crucial so you're not stuck trying to figure out what to say.

Teresa

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Thanks Teresa! I like your thinking.

I'm beginning to realize just how much my boss's tactics have messed me up, mentally. A job interview isn't about him, it's about ME. I have consistently done good work and I just need to come up with some examples, whether he appreciated it or not. Living with his constant negatvity towards me has made me forget. Thanks for helping me to see that.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

I agreee with Teresa. I would try to remember when a co-worker or someone from another dept. has had something great to say about an event or project you have worked on.

Maybe go back even farther than the time you have worked with this boss. Try to take him out of the picture. As you said it's about YOU and not him. I'm sure you have done many great things and many have noticed it if he doesn't then his loss. Some bosses are never satisfied no matter how good of a job you have done. I have worked with many bosses that didn't appreciate the work I've done. It does make you doubt yourself and think negatively. Maybe ask some close friends or co workers to help open your eyes to some great things you have done. Ask them some questions you get in interviews. It's easier for me to say things about others than to talk about myself.


Good luck!

 

[MomToOne]

Sounds like you are just tripping up on the basic interview questions. I say find a list of sample questions (just google), and practice answers before your interview.

Always answer all questions in the most positive manner you can - even if they ask things like "Why do you want to leave your current position?" If you start wailing on your boss in that answer, the interviewers may think you might start doing that to them 5 years down the road.

If a question is about something inheritantly negative like "what's your greatest weakness" , be honest but still try to spin it around to the positive. Tell them your weakness, but then finish what steps you take to address that weakness.

 

[meriface11]

as to the "weakness" question, you can also look at it as a "development need". We all have more we need to learn about or things we are looking to do better at--connect it to the job you are interviewing for--how you think this job will help you grow and what steps you will personally take to help yourself fill that gap.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I agreee with Teresa. I would try to remember when a co-worker or someone from another dept. has had something great to say about an event or project you have worked on.

Maybe go back even farther than the time you have worked with this boss. Try to take him out of the picture. As you said it's about YOU and not him. I'm sure you have done many great things and many have noticed it if he doesn't then his loss. Some bosses are never satisfied no matter how good of a job you have done. I have worked with many bosses that didn't appreciate the work I've done. It does make you doubt yourself and think negatively. Maybe ask some close friends or co workers to help open your eyes to some great things you have done. Ask them some questions you get in interviews. It's easier for me to say things about others than to talk about myself.


Good luck!

Sounds like you are just tripping up on the basic interview questions. I say find a list of sample questions (just google), and practice answers before your interview.

Always answer all questions in the most positive manner you can - even if they ask things like "Why do you want to leave your current position?" If you start wailing on your boss in that answer, the interviewers may think you might start doing that to them 5 years down the road.

If a question is about something inheritantly negative like "what's your greatest weakness" , be honest but still try to spin it around to the positive. Tell them your weakness, but then finish what steps you take to address that weakness.

as to the "weakness" question, you can also look at it as a "development need". We all have more we need to learn about or things we are looking to do better at--connect it to the job you are interviewing for--how you think this job will help you grow and what steps you will personally take to help yourself fill that gap.

Thanks to all of you! I googled "interview questions" and I'm literally writing out some answers to have ready (in my head!). I've got lots of good examples, once I removed the "boss approval" filter from my weary brain. Hoping for good things with this next interview!

Thanks again, I didn't realize how dragged down I had become until I wrote this. Now I can be on my way up again.

 

[rockundergirl]

- don't blame others for your actions/mindsets ( thats like watching a scary movie and blaming the movie for you being scared... )
- be creative, "What did you do well?" "My last boss was very demanding and gave very little feedback, to make sure I continued to grow in my position, I asked coworkers about my performance. With the feed back provided I made changes and adjusted how i spent my time to be more efficient. It brings me a lot of pride to think about how i was able to grow with out my boss listing instructions off to me. "
Thats my advice .. good luck

 

[princessbride6205]

If you haven't yet, check out the Ask a Manager blog. She has great help for job seekers and offers a free download-able interview guide. I used that when preparing for my last interview - it helped me feel prepared.