Hey Everyone, hope you've had a great weekend. For this week's blog topic we are going to be talking about the interview process. For me, before the interview is always a stressful time, and I'm looking forward to this week to see how much we can learn from each other and be prepared for our next big interview. As part of Ms. Moody's class, I am aware that you did an interview practice video for one of your modules. How did it go? I remember being a little intimidated after doing that exercise, being afraid I was the least prepared student for a job ever. However, that's not the purpose of this exercise, this is supposed to be helpful preparation for the future. Many of the questions and discussion points this week will be based off that interview module. Again, feel free to ask any questions about the interview process you may have and we can try and figure it out together.
Questions and discussion points we will be addressing this week are:
-Discuss the results of your interview practice.
-Discuss the best way to answer some of the standard and non-standard interview questions.
-How do you deal with a phone interview and panel interviews?
-When is the time to talk about salary?
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Well I don't know about anyone else but I have not done that module yet, I think it is in the next set of assignments. So as someone who hasn't done that exercise yet and who has not had an interview for a job yet I am really curious to learn more about the process. I think honesty is a good thing to stick to, if you lie then you might get a little flustered when answering questions and interviewers could pick up on that. I also think researching the company you are interviewing with is a good idea that way when they ask you something like why do you want to work for us you can show them that you can be a great asset to them because you really know what they are about and you feel the same way etc.....
ReplyDeleteI think a panel interview might be a little more intimidating than just a regular one on one interview. Its almost like a firing squad (at least that is how I think of it but I have been told I have an overactive imagination). I would say just think about each question they ask before you answer, take you time, and if you don't know something be honest. I would rather have someone be honest with me then lie and I find out I made a huge mistake later because they have failed at the job they were hired for.
I think a phone interview doesn't really allow a person to show their personality as much as other interview styles. I would say not to rush with your words and keep calm and collected and hopefully they hear something they like in your voice.
I think salary is something to talk about towards the end of the interview when you have seen that the process has gone well and you think that you are still a great candidate for the position.
Simone A Cohen
I wasn't able to find the section of participating in the interview practice but I do have experience with an actual interview. Each time I had an interview, I was nervous, which is expected, and I did each of my retail jobs. During the interviews, I act myself and let them know what they would like to know. Before and after applying for the jobs or any future jobs, I always do background research because they sometimes ask about certain products they sell or about their company history. Yet, I also try to not act as if I know everything because employers are looking for someone they can train easily and will do things the company's way rather than their own way. For a couple of previous interviews at Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret, they have asked me to demonstrate how I would sell the products to potential customers so background information always came in handy.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to answer standard and non-standard interview questions is honestly, politely and confidently because depending on what part of the store or company you are, personality and image are important to bring in customers and keep them as customers. And if you don't know the answer to the question, just think for an extra couple of seconds or say I don't know the answer. Usually the interviewer would help guide along the questions.
I prefer panel interviews over phone interviews because they get to see how you interact with customers and/or other employees. It allows for the interviewer to see me in action. I don't mind phone interviews but a person and be known through a phone especially if you're going to be working with them side-by-side. They do help in eliminating discrimination amongst race, creed, age, and weight.
The right time to talk about salary is before the first paycheck but after the first interview because once you get your paycheck you're too late and before the first interview it might be too soon because you haven't received confirmation of being a possible employer just yet. I usually ask about the salary after the first interview or towards the end of the first interview because it is very awkward to discuss and by then I know whether or not they would most likely hire me.
Valerie Perez
Hey Guys,
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for the interview module you are supposed to do. I am so sorry for the confusion there. I was told that you all had done it already, so that's why I didn't provide the link. Below is the information so you can do that. :)
@ Simone
I thought you made some excellent points about honesty in the interview. I can't think of something better to do for an interview than tell the truth. I have heard crazy stories of people making up elaborate stories to get a job, only to get themselves in a great deal of trouble later.I also like the analogy of the firing squad. :)
@Valerie
I think you are spot on with the salary talk. I actually haven't thought about that timeline before in dealing with your paycheck and I think that is a really great time to communicate that with your potential employers. I used to be so afraid of talking about that, but of course they should expect you to talk about that. An essential part of a job is a paycheck. :)
1.) Review further information about informational interviews by clicking here. (http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/summer/art03.pdf) Also, review some information from UCF"s Career Services by clicking here. (http://www.career.ucf.edu/UserFiles/File/Plan%20for%20the%20Interview/player.html)
2.) Log on to Perfect Interview. (http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/). For "Your Level of Experience," choose the level that fits you the best.
3.) Complete one "short" interview where the selections are chosen for you. Complete one "short" interview where you make the selections. Choose at least three areas you'd like to work on the most. Note the options of the "Alternate Response" and the "Coach" that can be used.
4.) You may choose to either use video capture or no video capture. If you choose no video capture you will be required to type your responses. Save both interviews.
5.) Draft a reflection of at least a paragraph about your practice interview, commenting on the questions asked and your responses to the questions. You might comment on what questions were problematic. What were the strengths of your responses? What could you improve in your responses? How did you responses compare to the "Alternate Response"? What did you learn from the "Coach?"
6.) At the end of the reflection give one question about interviewing or a piece of advice that you've gained in your interviewing experiences.
7.) Click on "Review Saved Interviews." Click on the "Share" button. E-mail yourself your interview and include the links in your posting.
~Steph Shafer
I was a bit nervous about doing the practice interviews because even though it wasn't real, I have never had to do an interview before. Honestly, I don't feel much better after finishing. I found that I had trouble with quite a few of the questions. Some of it might have been nerves or inexperience, but I noticed that many of the questions dealt with previous work experience. I have never worked before, so I found them to be a problem. I understand that many people have, and work experience is something that would come up in an interview, but I don't feel that Perfect Interview really helped me to understand how to answer those types of questions when they come up. The "Alternate Response" and "Coach" features only seemed to be aimed at people who have prior work experience.
ReplyDeleteBecause I have never done an interview before, I'm sure that I could improve greatly on every aspect of one. I had to sit and really give thought to the questions and use the help available, something that won't be there during a real interview. I felt that both of the help options, particularly the "Coach" were helpful in giving examples of how to answer particular questions. Obviously, different people will have different answers because none of us have had the exact same life experiences, but the general guideline is something that I have made note of. One piece of advice that I learned through this experience is that planning ahead is important. It is good to have an idea of what to say before you arrive at your interview, because you will not have extra time or hints to help you once you're there.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3025016&type=standard
@Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI def think that if you could talk about previous work experience, not only in past part-time jobs. You could take that time to talk about school work, clubs, organizations, volunteer work, or sports and how you scheduled all that into each day. Just because you doesn't necessarily work, doesn't mean that you can't talk about things similar to work and how you learned from them. I agree, planning really is a crucial part to the interview.
Here is my interview from the website :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3025080&type=standard
@Steph,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your input. Since we were dealing with a job interview, I wasn't really sure if other types of experience would be completely acceptable to use. It's good to know that other experience can be relevant, and I'll be sure to keep that in mind for the future.
@Danielle,
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure. I've learned that experience really can be applicable from anyplace from some friends. I felt the same way you did before. :)
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI was in the same boat as you! I really have no relevant work experience (I have worked for family with in the family business). So i did feel a bit inadequate when it was time to answer questions pertaining to that. But at least you are feeling uncomfortable now and not in your first actually real interview and you will be a little bit better prepared with an answer when those questions surface.
Simone Cohen
I think this website is helpful and not at the same time. There are some instances where the coach really didn't address my particular problem (like answering work experience questions when I clearly to not have any work experience) but I am better prepared to answer those questions now because it was something I have done a lot of thinking about since. With Steph's advice on trying to integrate other aspects of my life experience in there instead of just concentrating on work, make it an opportunity to show 'me' off.
ReplyDeleteSimone Cohen
I have not the video interview. I am sure if I did I would be a nerbous wreck. I have to learn to stop saying um or "or whatever." I say those when I am nervous. When answering questions it is best to sound knowledgable. DOnt overdo it with the big vocabulary words. Try to answer the questions the best you can even if you feel like you have a good answer. You have to sell it so if you sound confident, the interviewer may be believe you know what you are talking about. No matter what tyoe of intervie it is, sound intelligent and sell it. Be calm and show no sign of intimidation. I would not mention salary until they do.
ReplyDeletejanelle brooks