how do you handle an interview?

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mike69

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how to handle an interview?
alright, so after a year of waiting and going around searching, I finally got well.......not an interview....but a "pre-screen" interview....not really sure what's the difference, but I know it's important, and last year I screwed up cuz I came in just saying whatever that came to my mind..... this time around, I want to make sure that everything comes out right....

so......any tips?

also, like, how to do talk you're way out if they ask about like why you're GPA is low or whatever? that's something that I've been asked a lot cuz I got a 2.8 and they want like 3.2 at least and up......so that's been a bitch to handle lately....

and also, when they ask questions on like scenarios, then how do you prepare for that? cuz basically I can think of a hundred different possible things they can ask for that, and I can't just go about thinking all day....


or are there any good sites on these giving advice techniques or whatever?
 
mike69 said:
how to handle an interview?
also, like, how to do talk you're way out if they ask about like why you're GPA is low or whatever? that's something that I've been asked a lot cuz I got a 2.8 and they want like 3.2 at least and up......so that's been a bitch to handle lately....

and also, when they ask questions on like scenarios, then how do you prepare for that? cuz basically I can think of a hundred different possible things they can ask for that, and I can't just go about thinking all day....


or are there any good sites on these giving advice techniques or whatever?
Click to expand...

Well as for the low GPA try and come up with a way that is truthfull about why it is low, but with out saying that you just messed around in a few to many classes (if this was the reason).

With scenarios I go with the KISS method, Keep It Simple Stupid. When I am interviewing someone I will ask them some basic questions like "What would you check if a monitor is not working?". What I'm looking for is the basics like check to see if it is plugged in, check to see if the cables are correctly attached. If the first thing they say is to open up the PC and check the video card or check to see if there are newer drivers for the video card then that tell's me they are trying to "impress" me with what they think they know. So keep your answers simple, short and to the point.

Kage_ :D
 
Nervousness will kill you in an interview. It sounds generic and cheesy, but you should really be as confident in yourself as you can be. Interviewers can smell nervousness from miles away, and if you hesitate on your answers or sound unsure of yourself, they won't take you seriously. So pump yourself up and just go in with the attitude that, "If I'm good enough for the interview, I'm good enough for the job/admission."

As for your GPA question, well that's always a toughie. Hopefully your GPA only started off low and you shows signs off improvement throughout your years. It's always okay to say that you were initially overwhelmed by college level academics your first year but you learned to adapt and improve your studies as you continued throughout your college career. But say unfortunately, the difficulty you had in your first year is reflected in your overall GPA. However stress how well you did in your later years to try to bring your GPA up.

Scenarios... sorry, but you can't really prepare for them. You really do have to answer them on the spot, but don't be scared to take a second (or 5) to think over your answer before you do open your mouth. In your answer though, just try to stress your strengths... describe a situation where you come out as the responsible person, or someone who works well with others who would ask for help from coworkers if the trouble.

I don't know of any specific sites. You're probably gonna get some of the standard questions:

1. Give 3 words that best describe you.

2. What are your strengths?

3. What are your weaknesses?
Ah, this one is a doozy. Everyone knows you're going to try to say something positive about yourself disguised as being bad. I think one of the best answers I ever heard/gave was that: you're too critical on yourself when you make a mistake, and sometimes you can dwell on your mistakes too long. It's a positive disguised as a negative, but it's sneakily done. It shows that you reflect on stuff you do wrong and you strive to better yourself, but it's not horribly bad.

And lastly, I guess just speak clearly and avoid the dreaded "ums," "uhs," "yeahs." Always have eye contact with your interviewer, and always keep a nice expression. Don't smile obcessively, but smile more than you normally would I would say. And make sure you have 1 or 2 questions to ask at the end of the interview, since they always want to hear them.
 
cool thanks for the tips....by the way, this is an e-mail company i'm going for.

yeah, the weakness question when I was asked that last year, it was tough...not to be cocky or whatever, but i've always learned to think positive, and when the guy asked me that.....the only weakness that I could think of is procrastinating....

and it's wierd, with the nervousness level, when I talked to those people at those job meetings in front of a bunch of other people talking at the same time, I felt all confident and I spoke smoothly, but when I'm in a room where it's one on one or sometimes three on one, and it's in that quiet dead setting..that's where I stutter sometimes using "like" and "um" initially at the beginning of each other sentence.

I still have till tomorrow to prepare, I need to think of what kind of questions they might ask for their company....it's a prescreen, so I don't think I should worry A LOT about it, but it's still as important as a regular interview i guess.

They said it would range from 30 minutes to 2 hours (I guess depending how good I am to them) Is it good or bad to have them ask all the questions? I'm wondering if I should ask them questions back on their personal experiences or something working with the company or if I should keep my mouth shut until they ask something?
 
You might want to do a little research on the company (what products or services they offer) so you seem more interested in working for them rather than just interested in getting a job anywhere. Find something they sell or do that you'd like to be involved with, and mention that to the interviewer. That will give them a glimpse into your personality and show you have some initiative. (Poke around the company website to find the info.)

Maybe ask the interviewer "what do you like about working there?" That will let them deal with you on a personal basis, as well as force them to think for a second.

Believe me.. any employer is more interested in a hard, dedicated worker than someone with a high GPA who will do the bare minimum. So, relax about your grades. Say you didn't do as well as you could have, but your goals are different now. If they ask what your goals are, it's a great time to bring up that one special product or service they do and say that that has always interested you, and you'd like to work on that.

Think about it as a conversation rather than an interview.

------------------------------
Nobody will ever tell you this, but....

Every interviewer wants you to succeed; they want you to be the one. Otherwise, why would they meet with you?

They are NOT looking for reasons to not hire you. They want to find reasons TO hire you so they can be done with these interviews, already. In the interview, you can give them those reasons. Definitely ask questions. Show them you want to work there.

My 2 cents from the employer's point of view.
 
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WOW, more like 100 bucks worth of tips.....cool.....HEY THANKS FOR THE advice people, you all give good professional advice when it comes to these issues, and it's greatly appreciated...

yeah, i'll try to work on researching today....it's a start up company, and as I noticed at the meeting, I am competing against graduate people who have far better knowledge and standards than me, but I'll have to try to talk it out with them.

yeah, I hate how companies these days seem to use the GPA system as a means to eliminate the # of resumes they have to look at. I got rejected from IBM and Lockheed even though they told me that my resume was good and I had good experience, but they kept pointing and questioning me on my GPA and wouldn't let me go through. :confused: that's why I'm worried about this one, cuz I didn't show that on my resume that I got a 2.8, but I'm pretty sure the lady or whomever who interviews me will eventually ask, and hopefully I don't see a negative face expression when they hear it.
 
I once went in for a stock market job. The manager kept showing me folders of people with a lot more education & experience than I got & he didn't hire them either, so why would he hire me, he said? I was pretty persistent & he did give me another interview, which those brainy people never got :-)
 
I say the most important thing is to get your foot in that door, once you start working your gpa will matter less. It's more experience then your grades. If you keep going to interviews you will get better, and with practice you'll be able to land any job. Good luck!
 
Got this from our state Web site:
http://jobs.utah.gov/jobseeker/guides/jstools.asp

Job Seeker Guides
* Cover Letter
* Grooming
* Interview Techniques
* Internet Job Search
* Job Application
* Job Success Skills
* Look for a Job


Good luck! You've gotten some pretty awesome replies on here!
 
I know, thanks man, these are some cool people with well, some of you guys sound like you are like some kind of manager ranking, so it's cool. Now I guess there's nothing else to ask for but just to make sure I stay up tonight practicing. Actually, I probably need to hit the books because I'm not sure how technical they will get on me, it is after all supposedly up to 2 hours.....well, 2 hours, if they like me .....so I'm sure they're not going to have me sit down and talk for 2 hours straight, but make me do something..
 
best of luck man , and dont worry we all go through it , whatever level we are
Tell us how it goes
 
Behavioral Interviewing Methods

A lot of employers now use "behavioral based interviews". These involve questions where you will be asked for examples of past situations which demonstrate you have the job skills and work behaviors the employer wants.

The questions are unpredictable. It is easier to answer behavioral based questions if you analyze the job description and know what skills are required. Then you can identify situations where you have demonstrated the required skills and work behaviors.

Give specific examples in three part story-like form, describing the situation/challenge, your actions/behavior, and the results or outcome.

- Describe a time when you put a lot of effort into a project. What did you learn?
- Tell me about a time when you performed well in a crisis. What did you do? Would you approach that problem in the same way today?
- Describe a time when you did not get along with a co-worker. What did you learn?
- Describe a time when you had to think on your feet to solve a difficult problem.
- Tell me about a time when you were not satisfied with your performance.
- Describe a situation when you dealt with rapid changes. How did you handle it?
- Describe a time when you were really motivated to do your best.
 
There was one interview I wish I had handled differently. I was meeting with two executives of an insurance company. They had a tape recorder on the table, and they switched it on when I sat down. It was very disconcerting. In retrospect, I wish I had explained that I did not want the interview recorded, but they were free to take whatever notes they wanted. Had they refused, I wish I had walked out. Instead, I meekly complied, and couldn't take my eyes off the recorder. Message: don't put up with b.s. They'll respect you if you know who you are. You still might not get the job, but you won't feel like a sap.
 
Walt , i just bought those books , hope they are a good read , thanks man
 
dehawk666 said:
Walt , i just bought those books , hope they are a good read , thanks man
Click to expand...


This is spoofee damn it! Go to the library or local bookstore and read it and put it back on the shelf! :D
 
I don't remember any employer who asked about my GPA.....They might be more interested in my credit score. After all, if I can manage my money well, I can manage their money well.
 
I know the company I work for that we won't even request an interview with a person if there GPA is below 3.0.

Kage_
 
Kage_ said:
I know the company I work for that we won't even request an interview with a person if there GPA is below 3.0.

Kage_
Click to expand...
While a GPA may be an indicator of a person, it shouldn't rule them out. Of course, if you get a plethora of applications, it is a simple process to rule some people out.

Shoot, I had a friend in high school who was BORED out of his mind in school and graduated with about a 2.0 GPA. He was bored because the school didn't challenge him enough and he is a really brilliant person; he never went to college because of his grades. Thankfully, his employer recognizes that he can get the job done and do it well.
 
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well depends , i work in one of the top 10 fortune 500 companies , we need a way to qualify our candidates and GPA is the best /smartest way to go. Yes we wont get the exceptions that were not challenged but we know all the people we interview are up to the mark , so its a win-win for us
 
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