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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by javableue on September 6, 2005, at 20:04:43
Despite a crazy school schedule, I need money, and hence, to get a job. Anyway, I finally managed to schedule an interview for this Friday morning, and I am already freaking out. It's my first, which doesn't help. I've worked before, but neither job was formal enough to require an interview.
I'm not exactly applying to a place which is in a position to have really high standards, but somehow this knowledge isn't helping much. Any advice, both for the interview itself and for keeping myself from freaking out over it?
Posted by lynn970 on September 6, 2005, at 20:17:32
In reply to Job Interview, posted by javableue on September 6, 2005, at 20:04:43
1. Be yourself. Dont try too hard to impress.
2. Be honest.
3. Be nice
4. Be professional
If it were me, I would pray. Pray for
God's perfect will in your life. Also, pray that the interviewer would find favor in you.I hope everything goes well with the interview. Let us know how it turns out. : - )
Posted by wildcard on September 6, 2005, at 20:57:19
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by lynn970 on September 6, 2005, at 20:17:32
Good luck! Just remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression so
>dress nice
>smile,be polite and look them in the eye
>don't underestimate urself!!
u will do fine ; ) just take a deep breath before u walk in and hold ur head high. Let us know how things go!!
Posted by TexasChic on September 6, 2005, at 21:09:41
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by lynn970 on September 6, 2005, at 20:17:32
I always try to remind myself that even if I don't get the job, I'm getting very benefitial experience in interviewing. The more experience you get, the better you get at it. I tell myself I'll learn from whatever mistakes I make, and if I don't get this job it won't be the end of the world.
Interviews can be dramatically different depending on the place, but there are some questions that they seem to always ask. One is 'what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses'. Strengths are easy, weaknesses are a little more difficult. Basically you want to answer the question while making yourself look as good as possible. You may say something like, I tend to be a workaholic, or I'm a perfectionist, or something like that. You're answering the question but actually saying something what will be viewed as a strength. Just try to think of something that sounds good and not like you're trying to sound good (like my somewhat lame examples).
If they give you a personality test, try not to over analyze, just answer truthfully. I always get caught up in trying to figure out why they're asking the question and what kind of answer they're looking for. This can make you a nervous wreck if you let it.
Lastly, try to sound confident even if you're not. I've said some pretty stupid things with all confidence and still got the job.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine. If not, there are always other fish in the sea!
-T
Posted by wildcard on September 6, 2005, at 21:13:43
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by TexasChic on September 6, 2005, at 21:09:41
I was just told i didnt get a job b/c i scored low on the p test?? when i asked which area, the girl said my relations w/ my parents? and my depression? i always look at questions and think of so many things they could mean. Sorry, just that what u said hit home...
Posted by TexasChic on September 6, 2005, at 21:21:54
In reply to Re: Job Interview » TexasChic, posted by wildcard on September 6, 2005, at 21:13:43
Yeah, those personality tests are ridiculous. That's why its best just to answer honestly and not worry about it. You'll never figure out what they want. If you try to answer too goody-goody, that'll get you a bad score too. I took one that was 45 minutes long (on the computer in the store) at Borders Books and Music. They never called. But I took another one that was really detailed and got the job. You just never know with those things. Try not to take it personally. Maybe some day they'll outlaw them.
Posted by wildcard on September 6, 2005, at 21:24:39
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by TexasChic on September 6, 2005, at 21:21:54
i felt pretty bad afterwards but i emailed the head office that it was crazy to go by a computerized test anyway!! i agree...maybe they will outlaw them!
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 6, 2005, at 23:50:16
In reply to thx » TexasChic, posted by wildcard on September 6, 2005, at 21:24:39
For what it is worth, psychologists believe that such a use of tests is unethical. Basically b/c you can't get good information that way and it is so invasive.
I also hate it when you want to apply for a job and they act like the fate of the world depends on who they have at the register. Sigh. I hope that it works out better for you next time.
Best,
EE
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 6, 2005, at 23:58:37
In reply to Job Interview, posted by javableue on September 6, 2005, at 20:04:43
Make sure you look good. If the job is at an office, were nice business attire. If it is at a casual business, wear neat slightly dressy clothing. (Of course, nothing sexy though!)
If you look good, you will come off as "together" and probably feel better too. I know that I always feel more confident when I look professional. Actually, on days when I have to lecture on a topic that I am a bit shaky on, I dress up more. My motto is "If you don't know what you are doing, at least look like you do!"
The other thing that I do is to pretend that I am playing a role. Like an actor or something. If I can get myself into that mindset, I feel much more confident. It is like this isn't the real me, this is just the Pretend EE. If the interviewer doesn't like Pretend EE, oh well, it isn't the real me anyway.
Good luck!
EE
Posted by alexandra_k on September 7, 2005, at 3:58:44
In reply to Re: Job Interview » javableue, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 6, 2005, at 23:58:37
>You'll never figure out what they want.
Thats not the spirit... No, it is not. Can you remember the name of it? Do an internet search. You should be able to get hold of it somehow... Or a scoring guide or whatever.
I hate tests:
intelligence tests
aptitude tests
diagnostic tests
personality teststhey are a way for psychologists to justify their existence and its not like they don't have better things to be doing with their time.
sorry... but they really make me mad. and imo they are largely a matter of self-fulfilling prophesy at any rate.
so... i have no qualms whatsoever about studying up on them and giving them what they want to hear
(i mean, that shows initiative and intelligence all by itself - right?)you might have to get a little creative in order to obtain them though....
they tend to be guarded quite carefully...
mostly because...
if how they work is known to the general public...
they lose their validityha!
best beat 'em at their own game methinks...
Posted by lynn970 on September 7, 2005, at 5:55:28
In reply to Re: Job Interview » TexasChic, posted by wildcard on September 6, 2005, at 21:13:43
>I was just told i didnt get a job b/c i scored low on the p test??
For what it is worth, I like your personality.
Maybe their personality is the problem.
Posted by lynn970 on September 7, 2005, at 6:00:04
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by lynn970 on September 7, 2005, at 5:55:28
I should have indicated that in my header.
Posted by wildcard on September 7, 2005, at 11:48:17
In reply to Re: Wildcard, my post above is for you!!, posted by lynn970 on September 7, 2005, at 6:00:04
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 7, 2005, at 15:02:53
In reply to Re: bloody tests!!!!!, posted by alexandra_k on September 7, 2005, at 3:58:44
Actually, the issue with tests given by employers is that they are NOT connected to psychologists in any way. The people giving them have no idea how reliable (or unreliable) they are. They don't know about appropriate testing conditions. They don't know about good reasons to give a test and bad ones. It would kind of be like the manager of a supermarket drawing a blood sample from an applicant and attempting to analyze it by himself.
Anyway, don't drag us psychologist-types into this problem. :) (Said lightly, not angrily) We don't agree with this sort of thing at all!! :)
Best,
EE> >You'll never figure out what they want.
>
> Thats not the spirit... No, it is not. Can you remember the name of it? Do an internet search. You should be able to get hold of it somehow... Or a scoring guide or whatever.
>
> I hate tests:
> intelligence tests
> aptitude tests
> diagnostic tests
> personality tests
>
> they are a way for psychologists to justify their existence and its not like they don't have better things to be doing with their time.
>
> sorry... but they really make me mad. and imo they are largely a matter of self-fulfilling prophesy at any rate.
>
> so... i have no qualms whatsoever about studying up on them and giving them what they want to hear
> (i mean, that shows initiative and intelligence all by itself - right?)
>
> you might have to get a little creative in order to obtain them though....
>
> they tend to be guarded quite carefully...
> mostly because...
> if how they work is known to the general public...
> they lose their validity
>
> ha!
>
> best beat 'em at their own game methinks...
Posted by alexandra_k on September 7, 2005, at 15:18:18
In reply to Re: bloody tests!!!!! » alexandra_k, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 7, 2005, at 15:02:53
> Actually, the issue with tests given by employers is that they are NOT connected to psychologists in any way.
Ah. I didn't know that. Employers don't really make use of them over here. Except... I have heard that prison guard applicants have to sit the intelligence test... can't remember what its called. the one that comes in a black case with the picture sequencing task etc. begins with 'W'.
>The people giving them have no idea how reliable (or unreliable) they are. They don't know about appropriate testing conditions. They don't know about good reasons to give a test and bad ones. It would kind of be like the manager of a supermarket drawing a blood sample from an applicant and attempting to analyze it by himself.
Hmm.
How on earth are they allowed to get away with administering them then?
I mean... If they aren't reliable or valid indicators then doesn't test performance constitute DISCRIMINATION because you are showing preferential hiring for something that hasn't been shown to be RELEVANT for job performance????
> Anyway, don't drag us psychologist-types into this problem. :) (Said lightly, not angrily) We don't agree with this sort of thing at all!! :):-)
Might be harder still to get hold of 'em if they just make 'em up as they go along... ;-)
Posted by javableue on September 8, 2005, at 6:26:02
In reply to Re: Job Interview » javableue, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 6, 2005, at 23:58:37
Thanks all. Sorry for not responding individually, I've just been swamped with school and am just about braindead right now from stress-induced lack of sleep. I really can't see how I'm supposed to make a good impression under these circumstances, but I'm sure if I knock myself out ridiculously early tonight and follow up with some coffee (but not enough to make me jittery) in the morning, I can lessen the damage. Hopefully I'll be just tired enough not to think too much about language (French is my second language, and I speak it so much better when I don't think about whether I'm saying things properly) and no more than that.
Thankfully my therapist went over some potential "lines" with me at a recent session, but he didn't cover weaknesses! (Well, apart from saying that he was pretty sure I couldn't keep track of things well enough to be a good waitress, but I'm applying for a job as a cashier.) I can even think of how to link my past pseudo-jobs to what I'll be doing to help make up for a lack of retail experience. Although, now that I think of it, I can maybe use something else my therapist said for a weakness, though he didn't intend it. Though it could backfire; it would be that I can be too critical of myself, which is a double-sided thing... on the one hand, it means that I keep pushing myself to improve, on the other, it somewhat clouds my judgement as to what I am and am not doing right.
I guess the problem with being honest is that what I think about myself isn't necessarily true; I learned this lesson the hard way when being interviewed for a hospital volunteer job... the coordinator was extremely skeptical until she called my references (after which all was well).
I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted by wildcard on September 8, 2005, at 6:30:28
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by javableue on September 8, 2005, at 6:26:02
Posted by Dominique on September 9, 2005, at 19:39:42
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by TexasChic on September 6, 2005, at 21:09:41
Just relax.... be yourself, show up about 15 min early to show promptness, don't forget your resume, and interview attire: nice suit, shoes, hair, and smile.
Dom
Posted by javableue on September 9, 2005, at 22:10:31
In reply to Re: Job Interview, posted by Dominique on September 9, 2005, at 19:39:42
Well, no news yet, but the experience itself was rather strange.
I should have known when there was a children's basketball net set up in the waiting room. After filling out a form and waiting a good while, I was finally seen. To "start off" the interview, we played a game of darts... no joke. I guess they were wanting to stress a fun working environment and put us at ease. Then the actual interview took place, which went okay. I screwed up on a few points, but nothing major. The interviewer said later that it had went well, but nothing could be decided because they still had lots of people to interview... I suspect it was just a way of letting me down easily, but I tend to be paranoid about stuff like that. He didn't mention anything I could have done better apart from stress, though, so maybe that's a good sign.
So now I wait. On the bright side, I couldn't have asked for a better setting for a first interview. And if I do end up getting the job, it seems like a really good place to work; laid back but not to the point of being unprofessional. (I remember once asking for a job application somewhere and seeing a supervisor yell at the employee for not knowing where it was... right in front of people! Needless to say that application never got filled.)
Posted by wildcard on September 9, 2005, at 22:22:15
In reply to Re: What a strange interview, posted by javableue on September 9, 2005, at 22:10:31
Thats great!! You handled it. That's harder than it sounds and i'm proud of u! And yes, that is a *weird* but fun sounding interview...lol
I can honestly say that is def. a 1st (darts?). ; ) I hope u get the job!!!
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