7 replies to this topic

[Icewolf]

Ok, so I am enjoying my morning coffee and I check my emails and I see that I have a job interview in 10 days. And I really want this job. As in it would basically be the ideal job to get post graduation.


The problem arises from the fact that as far as being interviewed goes I have only ever had one telephone and one face to face interview, both of which where for not very competitive posts which consisted of "lets just check your CV is not bull****."

So any advice? In particular I would like people to think up difficult questions for me to try and answer.

(the job is for a teaching post in Japan btw)

[The Eskimo Prince]

What do you feel makes you the right candidate for the job over the other applicants?

Where would you like to be in 5 years career-wise?

What previous experiences have you had that will make me feel confident in your abilities to do this particular job?

Just keep your cool, maintain meaningful eye contact, and dont be afraid to take a second to think of a solid answer to the question instead of stumbling over uhms. Remember the employer is looking for someone to fill a position, that means they need someone like you as much as you need the job. Just be honest and let your credentials speak volumes.

Sorry if it was a bit generic but best of luck to you!

[Imran Ehsan]

Do background research on the job. Make sure you have a good understanding of what the job will entail. Ask them smart questions.

Apart from that be confident in your abilities and show it.

[Riptide]

I think that the most important part of interviewing is letting them know that you're interviewing potential employers just as much as they're interviewing potential employees. Back in 2001, when the economy was totally crappy and I was having a hard time finding a decent job, I figured this out after dozens of interviews, and even though I was desperate I changed my tack and it served me well. It doesn't matter how good you are and how good your resume is, if you sound needy they won't hire you. HR people can be great -- we have a really nice, helpful guy at my current company -- but a lot of them are kind of sociopaths who pounce on any perceived weakness and freak out about it.

The recent trends of HR interiview questions are:
1. Why do you want to leave your current job? <<< expect this question, if you're already employed...
2. Tell me about your current position
3. What do you think is your greatest strength?
4. What do you think is your weakness?
6. Describe the time the project you most proud of
7. What do you know about us?

[Icewolf]

1-2 I don't have a current job I am a student.

The rest I guess I need to think of answers for.

3. Adaptability-I can go from one thing to another quite quickly
4.I hate this question- an impressive ability to get ripped of by Landlords would be one but I am not sure it is helpful and I don't necessarily want to raise having engaged in my first litigation aged 21.
5. Various awards for activities rank fairly high-also establishing some things at my uni.

My main concern will be 1. Learning some more about the job as tbh I am surprised to get this far and 2. Working out what on my application stood out enough that they want to interview me out of the 14 thousand or so applications for this post (it is very competitive) so I can build on that.

[Icewolf]

Might have got the job, might not. Find out in April. Interview started badly but took a major upturn after they found out I am learning Japanese atm.

[longnameislonger]

best of luck, mate.

[Athermonuke]

yeah man, good luck!!