Posted on 03/11/2014 9:38:46 AM PDT by ShadowAce
I told a guy interviewing me once, when he didn't seem to like my asking him questions, "Questions are merely answers of a different kind, only with the squiggly punctuation mark at the end." Didn't get the job because he was an idiot and that just flew over his head.
I say that joking, but there is a tinge of truth. You have many qualities worthy to be admired, and I could do worse than emulate you in various ways.
that’s easy... Nemesis
"How many golf balls would it take to fill a 747 ?"
"Why are manhole covers round?"
I get it...they want to know about your thought process and see how you handle the unexpected. None of that phases me in the least. Questions I hate....
"Tell me about a time when you....."(messed up, went out of your way to provide outstanding service, got mad, etc. etc. etc. ) They have no way of knowing if I'm truthful or the best d@mn liar ever, so what's the point?
Actually, I really dislike the entire process. Whenever I think I do well and I'm excited about the position, the company seems to go out of their way to let me know personally that I wasn't chosen. It's getting old, and unfortunately, so am I. I fear that's a big part of it in my case.
Find a way to get an entire department worth of HR antichrists fired and I’m back, bro.
Hero nothing. I have a value system and moral code that I live by which means when I know I'm right, I stand my ground. I will not do the wrong thing simply because it's politically expedient for either myself or someone else.
The right thing to do, is the right thing to do. Whether it's easy or hard makes no difference. it's still the right thing.
I had to laugh at this article. It was so true!
My daughter just graduated from college this past August, and began looking for a job immediately. Thankfully she was finally hired a couple of weeks ago.
However, the job hunt/interview process had been long and painful. Same type of questions as this article at every interview. It was as if all HR people had no thought processes of their own and read the same playbook questions. At a couple of the job interviews she felt as if she was being interviewed out of duty rather than out of interest.
You’re my hero as well!
Right answer: A guard dog. Smart, disciplined, functioning positively to protect and guide people who need help.
Wrong answer: A mangy mutt who rubs his butt on the carpet, incessantly barks at nothing and humps every leg that he comes in contact with. 'Cause I have one of those at home and I feed him beer all the time.
See, this is the part that I could emulate. I tend to be a craven, bootlicking follower of absolutely anyone who asserts anything in a firm enough voice. Sycophantic to the point of obsequious grovelling, I find that my viewpoints are always reflective and identical to the last person I have spoken with. I often start a conversation with "please.... tell me what to believe.... ppppPPPLEAASSSsseeee......."
Right Answer: Because I have the right blend of work ethic, technical skills and people skills. I going to do my job with all the associated tasks, quietly. I will help others however I can, with a smile. And when I need help, I will ask. There will be other candidates that have any of those qualities, but I have worked to make all of them work together.
Wrong Answer: Because I am the kind of guy that will get all the overtime, bonuses, perks and benefits that I can get. And for those that help me get those, I am going to line their pockets, get them ballgame tickets, free cruises, choclates and lunch buffets out the yin-yang.
The right thing to do, is the right thing to do. Whether it's easy or hard makes no difference. it's still the right thing.
Sorry, but that's a good working definition of a "hero."
Well said, Mr. President.
Things to know for an interview.
1. Have one hilariously clean joke. You never can tell when your perspective employer will ask you to tell him a joke as an ointerview question. Happened to me.
2. If you are being interviewed, if your new boss is going to be there, ask him the following: “what is it about the job that keeps you up at night?” He will tell you 100 things which will create new questions and it gives you the opportunity to sell yourself.
3. For the weakness question, I go with, “lactose intolerance.” I always use a situation in which I overcame some adversity and how I learned from that. It also takes care of “what is the most difficult situation you have been in?
4. Always ask up front if you can ask questions during the interview rather than waiting for the end. Worst thing is having everything discussed during the interview and when you are asked if you have any questions, you have none. Be Interactive!
5. Don’t take notes. Be visual and auditory. If you have to write something down, you are not paying attention.
6. If you are in a group interview, as much as you want to address the boss, address the rest of the team. They are the ones who are going to tell the boss whether they feel you will fit in.
7. Finally, get a book on NLP. Learn how to build rapport. 90% of the interview takes place at the handshake and the first words out of your mouth. If you hit it off right off the bat, you are in good shape.
Hope this helps
Right Answer: I have a gift for being analytical but at a cost of being unorganized in my work day. It came to a head at a high demand position where I had to get organized or risk getting way behind. I read several books, one book is (blah, blah, blah) and got myself reasonably organized.
Wrong Answer: My mother-in-law comes over once a week, on Sundays, and when she does, I just pop a top and start drinking beer just to dull the agony. And by the time she's gone, I am three sheet to the wind, do you know what I mean? And then I feel miserable the next day. And by Wednesday, her 3rd (yes 3rd) husband comes over just to get away from the be-otch. He is an a--h---, but I feel sorry for him, because he never drank until he married her. Then we both commiserate the Queen of Nag, I get three sheets again, my wife gets mad and I feel miserable the next day. It is a vicious cycle. But, I will have you know that I never let it affect my job.
LOL!
I’m never sure worst is that easy because so many of them are so bad. Best is Wrath of Kahn that’s a gimme, but TMP, The Whales, Kirk finds God, Cracking Borg Makeup, and Nemesis are all serious contenders for worst.
Of course then there’s the challenging second half of the question: Defend Nemesis as the BEST Trek. That’s where you really get to watch someone’s wheels turn and learn how they think.
HR person; “Tell me about yourself”
Me: I live in a cabin in the woods. I hunt for everything I eat and I am currently writing a manifesto.
HR: Security!!!
"It is not recommended to indulge in a flask of liquor during the interview. However, if you must do so, at least have the decency to offer your prospective employer a pull."
Right Answer: As I have seen in the past, I get acquainted with my job and eventually master it to the point of taking on more responsibilities. I will likely be in a supervisory or even a managerial position because that is what I have consistently done before in my extensive history.
Wrong Answer: Not this again! Mister, if you can predict what will happen to you and me in five years, other than growing older, fatter, balder and greyer, then I will get a sex change and have your baby. Many years of experience tells me that the executives will make a series of fiduciary blunders and force the incompetent management to implement unworkable "new programs" that are supposed to revitalize the company.
And us poor peons are supposed to grin and bear it while we are handed pay raises that do not keep up with inflation. And, the company rule book will increase as fast as the IRS codebook with ever more rules and policies. The benefits will be cut and our health premiums will increase. But I am going to shut my mouth, pick up my shovel and keep digging the ditch for you bossman; that is what will happen in the next five years.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.