Interview questions SUCK!!

LMAO!!!

Did they happen to make a comment to the effect of "Don't call us, we'll call you?"

 

I also hate interview type questions. Its hard for me to answer the strengths/weeknesses questions withoput feeling like a jackass. I also hate the really general questions like "Tell us about yourself." To make matters worse they won't cut you off so it is hard to know how much to say. I wish they would just go by the resume, because what you have done for the past few years seems a lot more important to me than whatever impressions they build of you over the past 30-60 minutes.

The only thing worse for me than interviews is when people have used me as a reccommendation. Then I almost feel like I am interviewing on behalf of someone else.

 

How about the one they asked Yao's new agent:

If you found out your son was in an accident and in serious condition in the hospital, yet something very important to Yao's career came up that required immediate attention, what would you do?

 

Barlow: Mayor Quimby, you're well-known, sir, for your lenient stance on crime. But suppose for a second that your house was ransacked by thugs, your family tied up in the basement with socks in their mouths, you try to open the door but there's too much blood on the knob....

Quimby: What is your question?

Barlow: My question is about the budget, sir.

 

Although the first and third questions may be a little odd, the second is a very good question. Applicants should find out as much as possible about any company they wish to work for. They should also be prepared to say how their particular talents can help the company achieve their goals.

 

Okay, thanks a lot Drew, you just made me spit up Dr. Pepper all over my comp screen.

"What is something unique that you would bring to our company?"

I'd have to say I'm very creative. Especially when it comes to looking like I'm hard at work. I'm also good at making up excuses and finding ways to sneak in naps.

 

I have always had a trite answer to this one: Sometimes I become too comitted to work.

 

A lot of my friends are currently interviewing. I think it was BP that was interviewing for an ENGINEERING position, and the question was "Define tourism". What the hell is that?

I had a question with Dow that was "Tell me who your friends are." I was tempted to say mostly drug addicts and convicted criminals, but I didn't know if the recruiters talk to each other. That kind of question seems pretty dumb. What if I said "Minorities, women, and the handicapped". I mean, it seems like you could tread on thin ice with a question like that.

 

Fun Fun Fun.

Being on the hiring end at a very small company -- with no fancy schmancy HR specialists -- I can tell you that those questions are often just a means to have you chat.

We've reviewed your qualifications and are now interested in whether we want you around everyday.

If you're upbeat, enthusiastic, and genuine you'll rate far better than the one who has rehearsed the 'right' answers.

"Relax and be yourself" is hokey advise, but its true.

At least in the very small business environment.

Of course an HR specialist at a mega corp may by psychoanalyzing your responses, so in that case the prepared script may be important.

Above all, don't let on you are better qualified than you are -- unless you are very good at deceiving. We can usually see through the embellishments.

Good Luck.

Also

Double, triple and quadruple check your cover letter for spelling and grammar. At least 25% of the resumes through our door have errors -- and that pretty well eliminates those guys from the get go.

 

Also working on the hiring side of things, I can say embellishing on your skills is a often very transparent, although it can be quite hilarious for us.

The funniest thing was when I was interviewing this guy that reminded me of the spy imposter in True Lies. He was such the geeky car salesman that I could tell didn't have any of the skills he was trying to pass off, then he really went off the deep end saying that he had top secret government clearance that only guys like Secret Service agents had. It was all I could do to contain myself from cracking up right there.

By the way Drew, tell me what would make you an asset to our company.

 

Drewdog, the more interviews you do, you'll be more and more comfortable with these types of questions. You'll eventually know the answer before the question in even asked. Just remember that you're in the driver's seat. Sell yourselft, and tell them what makes you better than the other douchebags interviewing for the job.

 

And try to do this without using the word "douchebag"

Just trying to give you all the help I can.

 

Man, I would love to hear Pimp do one of his hiring interviews with his ho's.




When I hired in with my current employer, I had been working here within the refinery for three years prior. I got to know all the right people, and called in a lot of favors during the hiring process. One guy even did a "mock" interview with me so that I would be sure to give the exact answers they were looking for.

 

I always answer something like "I have a tendancy to fall immediately madly and deeply in love with job interviewers."

I was never very good at interviews. Of course, 99% of the time, I could never get in the door to get an interview anyway.

 

drewdog...your at the circus, you're the ringmaster, the interviewer is their for you enjoyment.

you could also try some herion like spud did.

 

I know a number of people with Top Secret government clearances that are in no way, shape or form Secret Service people. Regular people in the work force are required, at times, to visit facilities that are working on government projects. In order to gain access to these facilities, you need to go through the process of getting a security clearance. "Top Secret" is one of those types of clearances.

These folks could be salemen, computer analysts, design engineers, parts suppliers, etc. If people tell you they have a clearance, you ought to check them out rather than dismissing it. People with clearances generally work for a company that has a security officer. You can contact them to check out whether or not the person is telling the truth. You can also contact the local FBI office and they can let you know as well.

 

Good one. I'll remember that one for my next interviews...

 

Actually, all the questions listed here are very typical, even the one heypartner posted. That should make it easier. When I hired people, I tried to avoid the questions that were too typical.

I downloaded some of these "Vault reports" about finance interviews and case interviews and they had listed, among others, exactly the type of questions posted here. I think reading some of that preparation stuff can be really helpful to succeeding in these interviews.

 

I hate this question. The times I answered this, i've always made up a fake story or changed it around greatly.

I believe companies need to revise they way they handle interviews. Its always the same silly questions, and after the first 10 or so, you pretty much have the interview memorized.

Knowing about the company before the interview is very important.