Sweet Interview Yesterday

[arch stanton]

I interviewed for 6 or 7 different jobs last year including twice for the same job (once as a contractor and once as a full timer) so I have a full notebook of answers to how I resolved problems, conflicts in the workplace, how I prioritize and organize my work, describing my perceived strengths and weaknesses, etc. Looking back now, I wish I had had some answers like that for a few of those interviewers.

[Tank]

Went to a memorial service for my wife's uncle yesterday. When his future son in law came to ask permission to marry his only daughter, uncle Jim asked him a very pointed question: if you're painting a room, and you want it to be green but my daughter wants it to be yellow, what do you do? They talked for two hours on stuff like this.

Edgar answered that he'd probably go with his wife's choice since it was probably more important to her than to him. Uncle Jim gave his blessing.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

On one interview we asked the applicants if they had ever been fired from a job or been asked to resign in lieu of termination. One applicant went into a long, drawn out story about how his wife had excessive menstrual bleeding, he called his boss on her cell phone, she claimed not to get the message and she fired him for no-call, no-show. This might have been a simple case of too much information, except for one thing: We were interviewing the wife two slots after him. When he walked out of the room, I asked one of the other panelists, "Think we ought to ask her how the menstrual bleeding problem is coming along?"

 

There was one other occasion that I recall us interviewing a husband and wife during the same interview. In this case, the wife interviewed first and did well. The husband was a cretin. We asked the question about the reasons he was interested in a position in correctional nursing. His answer: "I want to keep an eye on my wife." I thought to myself, "Great. Let's bring that family dynamic into our workplace." He seemed like the kind of guy who would be waiting in the parking lot with a firearm after work one day because he decided that one of us was hitting on her.

[Bruce Nye]

Reminds me of this one:

 

Interviewer:  "What do you consider your greatest weakness?"

 

Interviewee:  "Honesty."

 

Interviewer: "I don't consider honesty as a weakness."

 

Interviewee:  "I don't give a f*ck what you think."

[St1ck]

Reminds me of this one:

 

Interviewer:  "What do you consider your greatest weakness?"

 

Interviewee:  "Honesty."

 

Interviewer: "I don't consider honesty as a weakness."

 

Interviewee:  "I don't give a f*ck what you think."

 

 

awesome

[HaloMilliVanilli]

Did you or the other "Bob" ask him how much time in a given week he spends on the TPS reports?

[Tank]

Adam, did you ask him if he owns white nikes with a light blue swoosh?

[Brandon]

He's black, of course he does.

[Adam]

He was wearing a blue button up Chaps shirt, Black tie, Khakis and construction boots. 

[NJHalo]

He was wearing a blue button up Chaps shirt, Black tie, Khakis and construction boots. 

 

Timberlands=Management material

[halobob]

Haha, this thread is gold!  What kind of position was he interviewing for Adam?

[Adam]

A full-time low/mid level job. $13-$15/Hr. Lot of phones. 

[halobob]

How many people did you have to interview and how many would u say actually have a legit shot at the job?

[Adam]

We've interviewed 3 thus far. We've got 4 more scheduled. So far... 0-3 

[halobob]

Haha, classic.  Hopefully there is a suitable candidate out of the next 4 you interview.

[2112]

I interviewed for 6 or 7 different jobs last year including twice for the same job (once as a contractor and once as a full timer) so I have a full notebook of answers to how I resolved problems, conflicts in the workplace, how I prioritize and organize my work, describing my perceived strengths and weaknesses, etc. Looking back now, I wish I had had some answers like that for a few of those interviewers.

The best interview advice I ever received was similar to your approach. I keep a notebook as well. It has helped me immensely. Most companies use the STAR interview (Situation / Task, Action, Result). Keeping your answers in that format is best.

I would love to figure out when I am in an interview that won't result in an offer ( like they are going through the motions but have someone else picked). Be nice to mess with them.

[nate]

Not quite on the same level but...

 

I was interviewing a guy today and after 30 minutes of him complaining about how my company does things he explained to me that when he is on the phone with an upset customer "look, you may be upset with how I am comin' at you, but I am always gonna be um... like um... professional with how I respond to you, like so."

 

It has been a long week already and it is only Wednesday.  I need to hire 22 people by August 13th.

[LBHalos17]

Like a Boss!  Does your new VP of public relations get a corner, window office?

[Blarg]

Not quite on the same level but...

 

I was interviewing a guy today and after 30 minutes of him complaining about how my company does things he explained to me that when he is on the phone with an upset customer "look, you may be upset with how I am comin' at you, but I am always gonna be um... like um... professional with how I respond to you, like so."

 

It has been a long week already and it is only Wednesday.  I need to hire 22 people by August 13th.

You need 22 people to cover for you moving to Wisconsin? Awesome.

[LBHalos17]

No one is irreplaceable, apparently... haaaaaah

[nate]

It's a new healthcare reform team.  Training starts while I am moving.

[Blarg]

Not sure I can do it justice in a post. It was amazing!

 

I along with one of the supervisors who works for me are interviewing a guy for a full-time position yesterday.

 

One of the questions we ask all applicants has to do with procrastination.

 

Me: "Everyone procrastinates at times. Please give me an example of something you procrastinate on."

Him (sitting up straight, shirt and tie, fingers crossed): "Easy - calling a bitch back after I hit it."

 

I'm at work and they are interviewing for positions and I show the post supervisors this and they were seriously discussing how at least the guy was honest.