Screwing up my job interview...
DrSuredeath
Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
Join Date: 2002-11-11 Member: 8217Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Need hug</div>So.. I just had my job interview on the phone. I think I screwed up big time. I was applying for a branch at this bank. This branch is located in the US, the headquarter is in another country.
My voice sounded nervous, the branch manager and the CEO was right NEXT to each other (gulp). The CEO asked me my education background, what I've been doing so far. Ok now, I don't have much experience, one month as another company trainee. So I told them I'm willing to learn.
Big mistake. The CEO said, "We wanted commitment, not a temporary trainee." OH ######. "No, no, I don't mean that, I mean, I'm confident that I can do any job." Silence... "Why don't you think about it and call (the manager) later. You got his phone number?"
Gulp! OK, now I've to think of something before calling the manager again.
My voice sounded nervous, the branch manager and the CEO was right NEXT to each other (gulp). The CEO asked me my education background, what I've been doing so far. Ok now, I don't have much experience, one month as another company trainee. So I told them I'm willing to learn.
Big mistake. The CEO said, "We wanted commitment, not a temporary trainee." OH ######. "No, no, I don't mean that, I mean, I'm confident that I can do any job." Silence... "Why don't you think about it and call (the manager) later. You got his phone number?"
Gulp! OK, now I've to think of something before calling the manager again.
Comments
If they're hazing you like this, you have to consider whether you really want to work there anyway... but if you DO want to work there, just be as clear as possible when you call back that you're willing to do whatever it takes to do a good job at this company.
I don't get it - you told them you were a trainee at another company, and they took that to mean you only want to work at this new place temporarily?
If they're hazing you like this, you have to consider whether you really want to work there anyway... but if you DO want to work there, just be as clear as possible when you call back that you're willing to do whatever it takes to do a good job at this company.
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No, when I said I'm willing to learn that's when ###### hit the fan. I'm paraphrasing, some of the conversation is lost in audio to text (tone, etc.) :\
Especially over the phone. It can be just as hard to judge intent over the phone as over the net. It's kind of a silly way to conduct interviews, if you ask me.
So don't sweat it.
Example:
I am willing to learn -> I always strive to improve myself
I dont have alot of experience -> I am versatile and although I have not worked in that particular field for long it interests me alot.
Well, don't worry about it too much no matter what happens. Everyone screws up interviews here and there , and as long as you're willing to learn from you're mistakes, you'll get better with practice. And don't worry too much about getting a bad reputation, since it's really unlikely they'll go out of their way to blacklist you (or anything similar).
What you can do when it comes to interview over the phone is write down certain phrases that might come up and then write down how they could be expressed better. This really helps alot, cause can avoid falling over a verbal tripwire.
Example:
I am willing to learn -> I always strive to improve myself
I dont have alot of experience -> I am versatile and although I have not worked in that particular field for long it interests me alot.
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very good advice.
interviews suck in general. you really can't get to know someone in a 15 minute long interview. It might as well just be a slot machine instead - sometimes you say things that resonate with employers, sometimes you don't. you can try your best to improve the things you say, but what you say will still make employer A think you're an ass while it might make employer B think you rule... all you can do is try your best.
I've never had a problem with interviews because I see it as a formality. All they're trying to do is check I'm not a liar or socially retarded. Since I'm neither I know not to be nervous and it always goes fine. I've also worked as a Recruitment Consultant so I know some people find it really difficult.
When you call him back keep the following in mind:
- If you got to this stage it's because they think you can do the job, if they didn't your CV would be in the bin with everyone else's.
- The interview stage is mainly to check you've actually done what you've said you've done, but it also gives them an idea of what sort of person you are. Try to speak clearly and calmly, but don't be monotone or you'll sound boring. Just speak how you do to your friends, with the same intonations and so on. Be natural.
- He'll probably ask you a question about why you want to join his company in particular. Do some research beforehand, check the website, try to have a few details you can drop in, like if there's a pension plan, what the career progression opportunities are, if they're socially responsible, gym membership, healthcare, bonus structure, company awards, etc. If you do your research you'll have something to say here. If you want prepare a list of 5 things that could answer this question so you can drop in at least 3 of them while you're on the phone. It's worth having their website on-screen while you're chatting to them.
- Although I said I don't get really nervous in interviews, I always get a dry mouth from nerves. Keep a glass of water by you to take sips from when you need to, or perhaps after he's asked a difficult question to buy you some time.
- One thing that's really different in phone conversations versus face to face conversations is pauses. If you need to pause for whatever reason try to explain why so you don't have dead silence on the phone, it's the one worst thing ever because there's no body language to explain why.
- If you're interviewing somewhere else that's better, make sure he knows about it, especially if it's a competitor. He'll want to snap you up before they do. I've done this before and it got me a job starting that next Monday.
- If you get a face to face interview after that, try to have gone for an interview with a similar company (a competitor if possible) just so you can practise your answers and be prepared for what they're going to ask you. Failing that visit Prospects.ac.uk for a guide on Interview Technique.
- If for some reason the interview goes badly, just treat it as a learning experience and move on. That's why I'd tend to go for the weaker companies first to practise answers and maybe get some backup offers and then be really prepared for the dream job interview.
For some reason I tend to handle interview pretty well. Probably from reading too many Scott Adams books.
Remember: Don't answer the question they ask, answer the thought that prompted their question.
--Scythe--
Crispy's got a great handle on things.
Do try to stand out, though - hearing the same stuff over and over "I'm willing to learn" "I'm a team player" "I always strive to do my best" gets really old. Real examples mean much more, and using different phrasing will make you stand out. Loosening up will also make a much better impression.
He sounds like an arrogant arse. You've had a lucky escape.
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qft
While we're on general interview tips, have some questions of your own ready. They show genuine interest.
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Good point. Interviews are a two-way deal. You've got to decide whether or not to take an offer, right? That means the interview is your opportunity to kinda feel them out as well. No pun intended.
Do try to stand out, though - hearing the same stuff over and over "I'm willing to learn" "I'm a team player" "I always strive to do my best" gets really old. Real examples mean much more, and using different phrasing will make you stand out. Loosening up will also make a much better impression.
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And how do you do that?
Sure you can tell them that you form mannequins out of meat and then have sex with them. This will make you stand out. When you apply there is always the problem that you want a job. So in conclusion you are pathetic, because you cannot do things on your own. Standing out would mean that you do not apply for a job and instead you stumble into that interview by accident.
Also, if there's any chance they'll agree, try to see if you can meet them in person next time. Being able to see and read the interviewer is always a plus, and it'll show you're someone who takes intitiative.
Faskalia, standing out is as easy as showing confidence that you can get the job, and perform well, and if you don't get it you'll get a job somewhere else. Most applicants picture themselves as being what you said, and they carry that image to the interviewer. The key is to make them believe you're a tiny bit more driven than the rest.
The fact that you were a company trainee for one month may have implied to him that you don't last? That, and the lack of experience, which means they'd have to train you. At least, that's what would've gone through my mind (and I've had to interview far more people than I'd like).
Crispy's got a great handle on things.
Do try to stand out, though - hearing the same stuff over and over "I'm willing to learn" "I'm a team player" "I always strive to do my best" gets really old. Real examples mean much more, and using different phrasing will make you stand out. Loosening up will also make a much better impression.
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Yeah, I think I got really nervous by the fact that I was in the presence of the CEO himself, and resorted to very cliche stuffs.
I guess the correct response would have been something along the lines of "no, that's not what I meant. I don't have any plans of leaving this job in the near future."
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Yeah, just say something like "I meant I'm willing to learn the job tasks, and I don't plan on leaving this job for a long time."
Tell them you don't plan on leaving for a while even if you do plan on it. That's what I learned from my interviews. Unless they ARE looking for someone temporary. Then just say what they want. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
EDIT: Speaking of interviews...
<img src="http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u215/Surgleh/interview.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
One thing I'd watch out for: Instead of using negative sentences like "I don't plan on leaving this job [...]", I'd go for positive ones like "I'm looking for a long-term stable job [...]". I don't think the CEO wants to discuss your plans of leaving your job on the day of your interview heh... So this way you'd make it sound like you're looking for something serious and you're also dodging the "Oh so you don't plan of leaving, then what are you planning??" type of counter-attack <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
Just my two cents. I don't have much experience when it comes to interviews, but I've learned a lot about the art of choosing the right words and avoiding the bad ones <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
Really depends on the job, though. Some positions don't have you interacting much with people at all so their people skills expectations will be lower, but not non-existant.
Moving to Big Apple next month. Now need apartment.
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
I got the job.
Moving to Big Apple next month. Now need apartment.
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
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Good luck with that. New York's not exactly the easiest place to shop for housing.
I grew up in Jersey City. I don't imagine it will be easy to find a cheap apartment, because that area is undergoing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification" target="_blank">gentrification</a> at crazy rates. unless you're gonna get paid a ton and can afford a 3 million dollar apartment condo at Newport Centre =p
haha, awesome, and grats!
I grew up in Jersey City. I don't imagine it will be easy to find a cheap apartment, because that area is undergoing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentrification" target="_blank">gentrification</a> at crazy rates. unless you're gonna get paid a ton and can afford a 3 million dollar apartment condo at Newport Centre =p
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He could split it with two roomates. Then it's just an easily manageable 1 million dollars.