Ahh! I have my first REAL job interview today!

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   Shanna11posted 12 years ago

   I didn't have to interview for my first job at Jimmy John's, but I did have to briefly interview for my job as a dishwasher. I don't consider that a REAL interview though because I didn't have to dress up, there were enough positions to go around and it was a five minute interview talking about customer service.
   
   But at 2 today, I'm going to the campus museum and interviewing for a position as a museum educator where I would use live animals to teach kids and adults. I'm kind of nervous since this is a job I would really love and that I would hate to not get, but I feel okay about talking about myself and explaining why I want this job and why I would be the best candidate.
   
   Any interview tips though? I'd hate to make a common interviewing mistake. =/

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      Jason Marovichposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Stay confident and positive throughout the interview process.  Maintain your poise.  Don't come off as boastful, though, of course.  Stay grounded and focused during the interview.  Give your careful attention to the what the interviewer is saying or asking and pause briefly before answering, allowing you time to assemble an excellent response.

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         Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you- I stress about not being to think of anything to say in a reasonable window of time. Calmness, have to remember that...

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      Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      THANK YOU EVERYONE! I just got a call directly after the conclusion of the interviews and I got the job! I'm so excited! Thank you all again!

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         prettydarkhorseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Congrats, well done and I know you will enjoy your new job!

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         paradigmsearchposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Absolute, total WTG!!! Major congratulations!

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            Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you both! I really appreciate it! I was absolutely delighted. I think being the first person interviewed really helped. It honestly is like my dream job right now and I'm super psyched.

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               Ask Ashleyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Awesome!! Congratulations!!!!

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         CASE1WORKERposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Brilliant, I am sure that you will do well in it!

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         GoodLadyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         well done!

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   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   Don't chew gum.

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      Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hahaha, I don't chew gum in the first place very much (I feel like I look like a cow chewing cud) so I'm good there. Thanks!

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   prettydarkhorseposted 12 years ago

   Smile and look at the interviewer in the eye! Good luck and I know you will get that job!

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      Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you! My dad's advice was to "charm them". Haha, I'd like to think I'm a pretty warm person... thank you!

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   CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

   Be nice! I guess the main thing you need for the job is to be friendly and able to converse with both adults and children!
   
   Go to the campus website so you know the latest developments on campus and think about them as an employer- what you like about them- for example at a recent interview I was asked why do you want to work for us? My reply was when I have asked them for assistance in the past they have been so prompt and courteous that I felt I could add my skills to the theirs as It was an environment I would enjoy
   
   I got the Job - been there three months- the job is tedious but the working environment is great!
   
   Good luck for your interview

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      Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you! I keep practicing responses to all the questions I can think of getting.

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   WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

   If you do not know the answer to a question, simply say so. There is nothing worse than watching someone dig an ever deeper grave for themselves as they try to wing it by blathering on about something with respect to which they are so obviously totally ignorant.

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      Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I will definitely keep that in mind! I'm wondering though what questions they could ask that I won't know the answer to. There are so many!

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         ibexgroundposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Relax make sure you answer all the questions to the best of your ability. Good luck have fun

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            Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks! I actually just got back from it two hours ago. It went well, I think. But there are ton of people applying for it as well. One of my interviewers happened to be a very well known guy on campus who is a part of the comedy sketch group that everyone on campus loves. It was super cool but also a little stressful.

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               Ask Ashleyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Wrote my response below before seeing this post. Glad to hear it went well!!!

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                  Shanna11posted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Thank you though- it's still extremely helpful. If I don't get this job, I'll be applying and interviewing for others.

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   Ask Ashleyposted 12 years ago

   I've been an interviewer several times, and besides asking someone why they'd be great at the job and what they've accomplished, etc, I ask them what their flaws are. For example, I may ask someone to tell me some of their strengths for the position and then follow up on their weaknesses. You'd be surprised what people say... Flaws: I am not very good with time-management (I'm off task frequently), I'm always late (I don't respect the rules), I get road rage (I have anger issues), I have no weaknesses (I'm egocentric), etc. All of these answers won't get a call back from me for the reasons I listed in parentheses. Regardless if these assessments are true are, interviews are about impressions. What impression do you want to give? The way you answer a question will convey that. If you can think of a flaw that may actually sound more like a positive, that would be good. Have something on the back burner just in case.
   
   Another popular question is, "What kind of position do you see yourself holding in 5 years?" Even if you have high hopes of working elsewhere in the future, maybe in a completely different field, you need to show a strong interest in being in a similar position/company since most companies are unlikely to hire you if you give the impression you're pursuing a completely different career path.
   
   Lastly, dress up and don't have your phone with you. I had a candidate once who was waiting for me at the front in a chair, texting on her phone. The impression that gave me was she didn't really care about the job much...same with appearance. If you aren't willing to dress the part, it tells the interviewer the job isn't that important to you (regardless if it's true).
   
   Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine.

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      Jason Marovichposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point about making it clear you want the job to be a long-term occupation.  I was an out of work engineer looking for work in other fields, and the people around here were aware that the auto industry could recover, so I was turned down for several jobs because of my work history.  They just weren't sold I wasn't going to jump back to my career field once a job opened up.

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         Ask Ashleyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Exactly Jason. It can be a hard sell, even if you really are ready to leap into a new career path permanently.

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   Marcy Goodfleischposted 12 years ago

   Let us know how it goes, Shanna!  Fingers crossed here!

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   LucidDreamsposted 12 years ago

   Be yourself and stay confident.........Good luck to you!

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   GoodLadyposted 12 years ago

   Pulling for you!
   What a good idea to get us involved: hope you can feel the support.  THAT was a brilliant idea!  Here we all are Shanna11.
   Looking forward to hearing from you.

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