MR

I just had a phone interview that I don't went very well. I was asked the the same regurgitated standard questions that I have to bullshit my way through. I can't be 100% truthful with any of them because I don't have enough professional experience to give them the answer they want. (working in a factory doesn't help either). I don't see way they want experiences like this when this is a straight out of college entry level type position (only been out of college a year so I haven't enough time to get this experience either). This recruiter was so absorbed with these questions that I never had a chance to really sell myself for the position. Anybody else hate these questions as much as I do?

If you're talking about the generic "Where do you see yourself in five years?" and "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" stuff, then yes. I hate those too... I was interviewing for a job one time and they asked me why I felt like I wanted such job, my response was "Well, I like making money. I need to eat. Food costs money. Erego job." She looked so astounded and said "So how is that beneficial for us?" I replied, "You have a vacancy in your staff that needs to be filled with someone who is competent and motivated. I need a paycheck. It works." She offered me the job three days later.

I love being blunt brutal honest in those interviews. It throws the people for a spin and they will definitely remember you. Plus, after about 3-6 months working anywhere the new pleasantries and well-behavior wears off so might as well just be up front ahead of time.

Rhiannon wrote:If you're talking about the generic "Where do you see yourself in five years?" and "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" stuff, then yes. I hate those too... I was interviewing for a job one time and they asked me why I felt like I wanted such job, my response was "Well, I like making money. I need to eat. Food costs money. Erego job." She looked so astounded and said "So how is that beneficial for us?" I replied, "You have a vacancy in your staff that needs to be filled with someone who is competent and motivated. I need a paycheck. It works." She offered me the job three days later.

I love being blunt brutal honest in those interviews. It throws the people for a spin and they will definitely remember you. Plus, after about 3-6 months working anywhere the new pleasantries and well-behavior wears off so might as well just be up front ahead of time.

The questions she asked me where "Describe a time where you went above a beyond what your were supposed to", "Describe a time where your communication skills helped a project be successful" The other questions where along those lines. The ridiculous part is that this interview was just to determine whether or not to bring me in for a face to face interview.

ebake02 wrote:This recruiter was so absorbed with these questions that I never had a chance to really sell myself for the position. Anybody else hate these questions as much as I do?

The questions she asked me where "Describe a time where you went above a beyond what your were supposed to", "Describe a time where your communication skills helped a project be successful" The other questions where along those lines. The ridiculous part is that this interview was just to determine whether or not to bring me in for a face to face interview.

Uhhhh....yeah, you DID have a chance to sell yourself for the position....by giving strong answers to the "regurgitated" questions.

If you lack the professional experience, use something from your personal life. They want to know you're a well-rounded person who is aggressive and wants to help their organization.

Maybe you can even relate it to a school project. "The professor gave us a group project. When we started discussing it, it seemed like some of the people on the team didn't completely hear what the professor had said, or weren't on point as far as the goals and objectives. I reached back out to the professor and asked him to please repeat the stated objectives and shared that conversation with the group. By clarifying the objectives and communicating them effectively to the group, I was able to help the group reach those objectives and we received an A on the project."

The interviewer realizes you're just out of school. They don't expect you to have a wealth of experience. They do expect you to take those questions and relate them to your own life and demonstrate creativity by having an answer that may be outside the box, but still shows that you communicate well, etc.

When asked what my weaknesses were (in my first big job interview out if grad school) I replied, without missing a beat, "Kryptonite".

I got the job!

and if all else fails just remember ...

er, um, that question is best answered by someone above my pay grade.

X factor wrote:When asked what my weaknesses were (in my first big job interview out if grad school) I replied, without missing a beat, "Kryptonite".

I got the job!

Best interview answer EVAR.

Rhiannon wrote:

X factor wrote:When asked what my weaknesses were (in my first big job interview out if grad school) I replied, without missing a beat, "Kryptonite".

I got the job!

Best interview answer EVAR.

rhi, what the hell is that cat biting on?

StoneCold wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

X factor wrote:When asked what my weaknesses were (in my first big job interview out if grad school) I replied, without missing a beat, "Kryptonite".

I got the job!

Best interview answer EVAR.

rhi, what the hell is that cat biting on?

A hot steamy slice of 'za!

UncleKG wrote:

ebake02 wrote:This recruiter was so absorbed with these questions that I never had a chance to really sell myself for the position. Anybody else hate these questions as much as I do?

The questions she asked me where "Describe a time where you went above a beyond what your were supposed to", "Describe a time where your communication skills helped a project be successful" The other questions where along those lines. The ridiculous part is that this interview was just to determine whether or not to bring me in for a face to face interview.

Uhhhh....yeah, you DID have a chance to sell yourself for the position....by giving strong answers to the "regurgitated" questions.

If you lack the professional experience, use something from your personal life. They want to know you're a well-rounded person who is aggressive and wants to help their organization.

Maybe you can even relate it to a school project. "The professor gave us a group project. When we started discussing it, it seemed like some of the people on the team didn't completely hear what the professor had said, or weren't on point as far as the goals and objectives. I reached back out to the professor and asked him to please repeat the stated objectives and shared that conversation with the group. By clarifying the objectives and communicating them effectively to the group, I was able to help the group reach those objectives and we received an A on the project."

The interviewer realizes you're just out of school. They don't expect you to have a wealth of experience. They do expect you to take those questions and relate them to your own life and demonstrate creativity by having an answer that may be outside the box, but still shows that you communicate well, etc.

Bingo! As much as you need a job, that's not my really my concern as a hiring manager. I want to know that you will add value to my business, can learn quickly, are dependable and not a trouble maker. Most likely, I will have to teach whoever I hire the details of the business, so give me some idea of what you have done to show initiative and learn some things on your own.

What got me my first job was using my experience as the volunteer uniform manager for a 300 person college marching band as the basis for many of my interview question answers. Even though the business was different, the skills learned and used were transferable.

Try this one, I was going for an art teaching position. I was told by one that they felt I was too tallented as an artist to be an art teacher. I guess they were hoping for someone who had no tallent?