What NOT to do on an interview

[RUDisney]

See, that's the difference between someone who has been out in the working world vs. a recent college grad. Experienced people tend to know how to handle multiple responsiblities whereas the "youth" tend to still have "pie in the sky" attitudes and beliefs that they are going to be hired, right out of school, as the CEO. Not quite, if Mom and Dad aren't wealthy enough to put you into that position.

Really, I was trying to give this "girl" a chance to show us something special or unique about herself. As someone else had said, "to show me that she had a pulse."

Congrats on your new position, Rick! I'm sure you'll do very well for your new employer.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Miss Jasmine
Yeah Snoopy, I agree, you don't ever want to touch on personal issues, it can open a very bad can of worms (not to mention a lot of things are illegal to ask).

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo...you remind me of one interview I had not long after getting out of school. They started with one of those personality tests. Then I met with the guy I'd be working for, and he asked me if I was married or if I had plans of marrying in the near future! Let me clean my ears out! Did I hear him correctly? I'm sure he was fishing around at trying to find out if overtime, late nights, or weekends would be a problem. But isn't that a no-no question? I've always thought it was, and I wanted to tell him off. But being the "young" kid I was at the time, I answered him. But I left that interview mad as anything!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by SC Minnie
We can't ask personal questions either. Our company conducts structured interviews where every candidate is asked the exact same question. We are not even allowed to explain the question we can only repeat it.

Okay...so clue us in. What questions do you HR people ask? I STINK at interviews, but I'm an excellent employee! I wouldn't have kept a job 8 years if I weren't. My former boss once told me that my job was difficult, but I made it look easy!! I never thought it was a difficult job. HECTIC...YES! Downright crazy at times, but not difficult in my book.

Short term and long term goals. Geez! I go day to day! LOL!

 

[minniecarousel]

So, Rick, can the DISboards take some credit for your new job? hehe - Congrats on the new job!

These are great stories! Keep 'em coming!

 

[RickinNYC]

Originally posted by minniecarousel
So, Rick, can the DISboards take some credit for your new job? hehe - Congrats on the new job!

These are great stories! Keep 'em coming!

You bet minniecarousel! And thanks for the congrats!

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
Okay...so clue us in. What questions to you HR people ask? I STINK at interviews, but I'm an excellent employee! I wouldn't have kept a job 8 years if I weren't. My former boss once told me that my job was difficult, but I made it look easy!! I never thought it was a difficult job. HECTIC...YES! Downright crazy at times, but not difficult in my book.

Short term and long term goals. Geez! I go day to day! LOL!

The questions we ask are always situational. If you can remember this acronym STAR (Situation Task/Action Results) and answer in that order, you'll do fine.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by Mary Anne
I work in HR

And you freely admit this?

Someone once said that HR people are neither human nor resources. I should note that this came up at a job outplacement work group.

 

[gometros]

All kidding aside, a good job outplacement service is worth its weight in gold. I was layed off in 2001 and the company I worked for paid for an outplacement service as part of our severence package. I hadn't been in the job market for some 20 years and idn't realize how much I didn't know (and yes, snoopy, STAR really works).

Not only are interviewees guilty of some non-nos, but so are interviewers. Many years ago, my sister interviewed for a teaching position in upstate New York. She was single at the time and in the course of the interview, the interviewers brought up the subject of housing. She said that another new teacher was in need of a roommate and continued to mention that she was Catholic. She then said to my sister, "you are Catholic, aren't you?" She didn't get the job and yes, she did sue for discrimination later on and won.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I'm not really in HR, per se. I sit in on interviews because I am a good judge of character. Yes that is what they tell me around here, and every department pulls me in for their interviews. Anyway, the short term and long term goal question...I use it to measure where people want to see themselves in a few years and also where they see themselves now. Some give work related goals, so give personal goals. I don't specify what I am looking for so that I can a true picture of what is important to that individual. Most give good, thoughtful answers.

The one thing I LOVE is when candidates have questions about our company. It shows me that they care WHO they are interviewing with and aren't just looking for ANY job (even if they really are). Another thing that is great is receiving thank you letters after the interview.

Oh and Pin Wizard, it is illegal to ask about marriage status or about children.

If we want to know about overtime, we just ask!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by snoopy
The questions we ask are always situational. If you can remember this acronym STAR (Situation Task/Action Results) and answer in that order, you'll do fine.

Thanks, Snoopy!!

P.S. Your boys are adorable!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Miss Jasmine
The one thing I LOVE is when candidates have questions about our company. It shows me that they care WHO they are interviewing with and aren't just looking for ANY job (even if they really are). Another thing that is great is receiving thank you letters after the interview.

Oh and Pin Wizard, it is illegal to ask about marriage status or about children.

If we want to know about overtime, we just ask!

You took the words out of my mouth. I hate it when they say...do you have any questions for me? Like what? I want a job, you have an opening I'm interested in.

Gee...can you tell I prefer to get to the bottom line?

And thanks for the info on the status!! I thought so.

 

[Maleficent13]

Originally posted by gometros
Someone once said that HR people are neither human nor resources. I should note that this came up at a job outplacement work group.

*muffles laughter*

Sorry...I just can't stand our current HR department!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

This is too funny!

And talk about coincidence - I just had a recruiter call me about a job! He wanted to know what my short and long term goals are!

 

[meandtheguys2]

PW, I alsways had the answers and questions in my head before I went. I would go through any info I had on the company, and think of something off the wall (but appropriate) to ask. That way they NEVER answered it during the interview.

Goals and hobbies were also made up...Imean thought up...before the interview, and I practiced them! Some of the interviews I went on had 20 people and lasted 3 days. I was always sooo nervous that if I hadn't practiced I never would have survived without puking!

 

[Pin Wizard]

LOLOLOLOL!

Something off the wall that they wouldn't answer? Like what?

 

[chell]

Originally posted by N.Bailey
A friend of mine works for a temp agency in charge of placement. During this one interview, she asked the girl if she was bilingual, saying it would really help if she were. The girl just stared straight at her and said, "no ma'am, I'm straight."

 

[chell]

Originally posted by RickinNYC
And guess what! I got the job and start in two weeks!

Congrats Rick!