Interview Questions

[Bill Thompson]

Anyone have any tips or example questions for interviews?

[Blue Bubble]

That's a bit of an open question, n'est-ce pas ?

Would you care to narrow it down a bit, like in what business, are you the interviewer or the interviewee etc. etc. etc. ?

[Big Al]

Well, I'm not sure "Computers and the Internet" is the right place for this thread, but here's my take on it.

I assume you mean answers to job interview questions rather than the questions themselves, so I'll allow my answers to stray to general interviewee technique as well as answers:

Turn up on time - whatever happens, do this. First impressions count so much. If it's a really plum job, take time off to rehearse the route at the time of the interview. I did on my last job, and my pay went up by 50% in one fell swoop.

Don't lounge in your chair, but don't hunch forward looking like a rabbit in headlights, either.

Research the company and come up with your own questions about its products or services. Show interest in what they're doing. Don't give them the impression that it's just one of any number of companies that would fill the bill. Research into the company's activities will help you answer all sorts of questions.

When asked about your abilities, restrict your answers to things relevant to the job on offer. If the company's looking for a manager, stress your experience and skills as a manager, not how you climbed the Eiger, went shark-fishing in Acapulco or won a tennis tournament. If you ran a Boy Scouts' troop or were a junior officer in your local Territorial Army (National Guard in the US), that could speak for you if you don't have office management skills to offer. But tailor your answer to the job on offer, whatever you do. In the same way, when asked about hobbies and pastimes, try to shift the emphasis towards job-desirable skills.

When you're asked about your weaknesses (an old ploy), be honest within limits. If you say you can't think of any weaknesses, but you have anger management problems when under pressure, you'll be found out before your assessment period is up. If you admit to it, add how you will suppress this tendency. Remember that the company may well make enquiries from your current employer after you have taken the job. If you lie or cover up, you could end up without any job.

"Why do you want to work for us?" This one is trying to catch you out. Again, research the company and be ready for us. "I see your new X123 model has automatic indexing. I dabbled in that when I worked at XYZ Amalgamated, and I was fascinated by it. You look to be the leading company in the technology, and I want to be a part of that."

"Where do you see yourself in three years' time?" Don't be cocky: "I see myself sitting in your chair." Be general, expressing your desire for growing expertise in your chosen function, maybe becoming an expert or leading a team. Sell yourself in the role for which the company wants.

The bottom line is: RESEARCH THE TARGET COMPANY AND YOU CAN ANSWER A LOT OF QUESTIONS . I do not have a standard CV (UK-speak for "résumé") . I have plenty of experience, and these people don't want to wade through reams of paper - 1 1/2 pages is plenty. I tailor my CV to the job at hand. What do they want?

Oh well, that's my take.