Tips for Interviews, CVs

You should be able to find a lot of repititive useful info on the web, but this ones good: learn about the company before you go in the interview and share your knowledge or start a conversation about it. Don't sound too cocky, but that method is a big deal in all the interview workshops I've attended.

 

I'd be very careful of going into customer service for a career. Alot of first tier stuff is overseas now, or will be, in places like India, and the Philippines. Ever read 21 Dog Years: Doing Time @ Amazon.com?

http://news.com.com/2009-1069-964069.html

http://www.transworks.com/newsart/sjm/sanjose.html

 

Always wear pants....and bring lotsa tequila..

 

Hey, I used to run a headhunting company. I'd be happy to look over your resume and give you some tips. My email is trader_dl@yahoo.com

 

This is coming from a guy that hasn't been thru many interviews and does not necessarily want to kiss ass to get a job:

Just be yourself. If they don't like you or what you bring to the table, then (as RM95 said) **** off. You don't need to be some place that treats you like a number. I'd rather live in a shed than go to work to act like some jackass that I don't even like. BE yourself.

 

Every interview I have had, the interviewer has said "Tell me about yourself," "What are your strengths?" and "What are your weaknesses?" Prepare an answer for these ahead of time, because it is a b**** to comeup with something on the spot, and after you think about it in front of them, whatever you say sounds like a load of crap. Other than these, most questions you get are easy. Also, try to prepare a few questions to ask them that don't involve time off or compensation.

 

Exactly what kind of Service Rep? Over the phone? Dealing with customers face to face? Market?

One thing I learned; no interview is the same and depending on the position, you need to know which positives to reinforce.

A simple example: If you are great at computers, there is no need to really stress that if you're applying to be a ditch digger.

Be the person THEY want you to be. If you don't see yourself being that person, then don't bother with the job.

Now you say customer service, be a customer service rep during the interview. Here are my personal dealings with CS interviews:

Do the basics: Prepare for general questions: "Tell me about yourself", "strenghts", "weaknesses". Common questions also come up about teamwork. Keep something in mind in which you worked as a team with people. Try to have two or three ideas together about each the listed above.

*important about the "tell me about yourself"* Do not tell them the obvious. Tell them about your goals. Where you want to be in the future. What you have studied. Your hobbies. Good will time donations.

If you are going to be doing CS, treat the interviewer as you would treat the customer if you were working for the company.

-Be confident!
-Keep eye contact
-DON'T interrupt (your CS, never interrupt the customer)
-Don't babble too much
-Don't repeat yourself unneccesarily
-Be friendly; keep a happy face
-Be in control, but don't take control of the interview (don't sit back and let them ask all the questions)
-Try to ID with the interview (kids, family, geography, sports)
-Display that you can be a leader
-Try to find an excuse to apologize once or twice (As CS, you'll be doing a lot of that)
-Be positive
-Follow up every couple days on the interview (get the name and number of the interviewer)

I believe many people fail because they take no initiative in an interview. Too many times we're trying to prove to the interviewer why we are good for that company. If you can, do the opposite. Approach from this angle: "Why should I pick you as my employer"
Try some of the following:

-Definately learn about the company, from the outside aspect. Surfing their website COMPLETELY will give you some idea. Learn about any business dealings or mergers.
-As a few HR questions: benefits (retirement,sick, vacation, ect..) how they handle promotions or merits. you could go on quite a while with this one.
-Ask to meet the person who would be your supervisor (void if it is the supervisor giving the interview)
-Ask for a very quick tour
-Ask about what strengths the position must have. Reinforce with your previous experince
-Ask about the weaknesses the department faces. Reinforce with your previous experinces.

Above all, play it smart. Dont' do things i suggested if they aren't practical. The taking control is important as it will give you an idea on how the company treats its employees. I had one interview (corporate grocery chain where the lack of employee consideration notriously lacks greatly) where ic ould not display ANY control at all. Needless to say, I did not follow up on that interview.

I just started as a CSR with a communications firm, and in my training class, we were talking about how long our interviews lasted. The other two said "oh, my interview lasted about 20 min". I gave them a look, "20 min? mine was at least an hour. We only talked business half the time and BSed the other half".

Before i was interviewed, i was given the pitch, "there are a few canadiates being interviewed for this position, so blah blah blah....". On our quick tour of the facility, she says "Iam not suppose to tell you this, but you're hired" Being said, when you leave, you should know how you did on the interview and have a little idea of your a likely canidiate.

If you KNOW the position is not for you, in the middle of the interview, poliately interrupt and say, "Ma'am/Sir, I have to be honest with you. This company/position does not fit my employment needs. I do not want to take up any more of your valuable time, so would please escort me out the building" Ive always wanted to do that

 

Here's what I've learned.

Treat an interview like you are on a date with a "6". You're going to try and impress them, but could care less one way or the other.

I'm not joking, since I started treating interviews this way, I've never NOT been offered the job before I left. (ie: We want you. Go and talk to so-so and get your paperwork filled out as long as you're here)

 

I don't think there is a "good" weakness. To say that you can't think of any weaknesses puts you in a bad spot. Don't give them something that will kill your chance ("yeah, I call in sick at least once a month" is not a good weakness to give)

Make it common, but most importantly, redirect the answer and include a statement on how you are working to make it better.

 

They drill this stuff in our heads constantly at my school...

On "good" weaknesses, I don't think there are good weaknesses, but there are definitely good answers.

I always say my biggest weakness is that I have difficulty passing something I started along to someone else. An example would be the shift is coming to an end, I'd often stay later than I should (not get paid OT though) just so that I could finish a project.

I wish I could think of some good answers for that question, but I'm drawing blanks right now...

 

Along the lines of the question about your weaknesses, which almost all people interviewing ask, but is one of the most horrible questions to ask in an interview, keep this in mind: If the person is used to interviewing people, they can smell a BS answer from a mile away.

The big one that my boss would always make fun of was this answer:

Interviewer: What do you feel is your biggest weakness?

Interviewee: Well, I think I'm a little too much of a perfectionist.

That answer is like the #1 answer given for that question and it is a load of crap. The number 2 answer that is crap is: "Sometimes I feel like I work TOO hard." Crap, and an experienced interviewer can smell it from a mile away. (allthough if they were good at interviewing they wouldn't ask that crap question to begin with.)

Tips: Know about the company and ask questions like you are interested.

Also, keep in mind that the main thing they look for in interviewing is finding somebody that fits with the employees they have and can work with their team already in place, so if you can talk to people that work there or have worked there and find out what the environment is like, is it casual or business like, is it crowded in loud or laid back and quiet.

Also...think of an answer for this question because this is the one that my boss uses to really catch them off guard. "What is your reason for thinking that this company is good for you?" or something along that line. That way they try to determine if your in it to get paid (which everybody is), but also if you show a genuine interest to work at that place...because the people that like what they do are the best workers.

 

I remember when I applied for my job in CS the question that threw me slightly was: give an example of good/bad customer service and how it made you feel. I seem to remember making something up - in an interview situation where the pressure's on it's really difficult to recall an actual experience. Although it's important to be genuine and true to yourself, sometimes it's important to remember that the thought police aren't going to arrest you for making something up - in CS, I've found being able to manipulate the truth (or tell bare-faced, yet believable lies) can often save your ass...

 

Ace--
Please email me at Lynus302@yahoo.com. I tried to email you but you've got your's hidden.

Thanks!