Anyone have any interview tips?

warpus said:
Unless it's a large company like google or something, in which case the 2nd interview might just be the next stage of an elaborate interview process designed by crazy geniuses and/or stupid HR people.
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Yeah I think it depends a lot on the scale of the operation.

For my current job I had a phone interview and some online tests, then my 2nd (1st in person) interview was 90% sales pitch where they tried to convince me I wanted to work there.
 
Ohhhh okay I see.
They already told me the starting wage, which is higher than what I told them my expected salary would be. They also asked about the school thing, like if I was planning on going back for more education. Which I told them I may or may not pursue a masters but if that happens that'd be yeaaaaarrrss down the road, and that I was perfectly happy with a bachelors degree right now.

It's sounding like second interviews are a lot less daunting than the first hahaha. Here's to hoping I actually get one!
 
warpus said:
Unless it's a large company like google or something, in which case the 2nd interview might just be the next stage of an elaborate interview process designed by crazy geniuses and/or stupid HR people.
Click to expand...

Right, but it doesn't sound like that's what the kind of job that was applied to here, so I think what I said probably applies :).
 
Leonel said:
If they ask for references AND are calling them, I would say that is definitely a good sign. In fact, besides them offering you the position, I'd say that's the best sign you can have.

BUT in my experience, all the good signs in the world are worthless until you get that job offer. I remember I interviewed for an engineering company and the interview went over the half hour slot and one of the interviewers was my bosses boss so she knew exactly what I do at my current place. Plus they asked for my references and I even got an email from the senior copy writer saying that they've narrowed it down to me and another candidate. Even before the interview, they handed me a thick, stapled stack of papers that let me know what benefits they provided which you'd think would be one of the great signs. Yet in the end, I didn't get it.
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This, so much this.

A second interview is a great sign and in many cases it means you do have a high likelihood of getting the job. However, don't ever stop your job search until an offer is on the table and you've accepted.

Many times I have had interviewers blow smoke up my butt and all but promise me the job only to never follow up and never make an offer. So don't assume you have something until you have it. And even when the offer is made, it's not necessarily a bad thing to hold off on accepting until close to the deadline they give you. Keep searching and interviewing because something better might come up.

Of course, some firms don't really give you a time frame to accept/decline an offer, they want to know more or less immediately in which case be prepared to make tough calls.

Amylase_ said:
Ohhhh okay I see.
They already told me the starting wage, which is higher than what I told them my expected salary would be. They also asked about the school thing, like if I was planning on going back for more education. Which I told them I may or may not pursue a masters but if that happens that'd be yeaaaaarrrss down the road, and that I was perfectly happy with a bachelors degree right now.

It's sounding like second interviews are a lot less daunting than the first hahaha. Here's to hoping I actually get one!
Click to expand...
Yeah, usually second interviews are more about your personality and seeing how you fit with the team more than your skills and is usually easier. Corporate culture is an important thing to understand; if you can, do research on the culture of your particular firm. Of course, you can't always find these things on the internet and if you can't, just be yourself. (yeah, I know, overused cliche but still)
 
Maintain eye contact during interviews. It makes all the difference.
 
I just got a call today, and they want me to come in for the second interview on thursday!

I'm listening to all of your tips and I am still applying to other jobs - just in case. But this is so exciting!

I'm pretty good at maintaining eye contact too, although sometimes it feels a little awkward to me to keep staring at the person haha
 
Amylase_ said:
I just got a call today, and they want me to come in for the second interview on thursday!

I'm listening to all of your tips and I am still applying to other jobs - just in case. But this is so exciting!

I'm pretty good at maintaining eye contact too, although sometimes it feels a little awkward to me to keep staring at the person haha
Click to expand...

I tend to promote "meeting their eyes" rather than "maintain eye contact". There is no failure in showing an interest in your surroundings. The issue is that you don't want to be one of the many people who talks to their own feet, or some imaginary person off to the interviewers left, or the ceiling, etc.

Just be sure to refocus on the interviewer throughout the conversation. When they are speaking eye contact lets them know you are listening and when you are speaking it lets them know you are aware of and appreciate their responses, but it doesn't take boring a hole in their head to get that across.
 
Good on you! Now here's hoping I get my second interview... :eek:
 
Amylase_ said:
I just got a call today, and they want me to come in for the second interview on thursday!

I'm listening to all of your tips and I am still applying to other jobs - just in case. But this is so exciting!

I'm pretty good at maintaining eye contact too, although sometimes it feels a little awkward to me to keep staring at the person haha
Click to expand...
That's good news. In a second interview you can ask about who your boss might be if you have not met them already. If you meet with them, ask about their management style and what, in their eyes, it takes to succeed at the company. Ask what you most important contribution to the company is expected to be.

Think about work or life anecdotes that allow your personality and judgment show through and be prepared to tell them if the situation arises.

If they make you an offer, make sure you ask them to make it in writing. "Can you send that to me in an email?" A verbal offer is not really an offer. Always take a day or two to make up your mind. Be polite and and excited but say something like: "Thank you so much I'm excited, but I need to share this with my mom, dad, husband, family, cat, etc.; can I tell you yes on Monday?"
 
Congratulations! Glad to hear your post-grad job hunt wasn't quite so nightmarish as it often is for many other people!
 
Alright! I knew you'd get it!

But now that you've got the job, one more piece of advice I'd give is to never forget your job hunting skills. I've found I've wasted so much time and blowing so many interviews from just relearning what I forgot the first time around. Keep looking around to get an idea of what's around, update your resume regularly, continue to find ways to twist and adjust experience to better match the job description.
 
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