Post Your Best Interview Advice/Tips

[PandaPancake]

A lot of what I would recommend is already been said....

I interview 10+ people weekly and have been hiring/interviewing for the last 3 years.

Make sure you have a nice pen, not a clicker or plastic free bic that you got at a holiday inn.

Smile and make eye contact

Know your resume and your credentials! You should be able to explain numbers and accomplishments backwards and forwards.

You should have some stories prepared about how you were successful and how you failed at something and what you learned from the experience.

Ask for the job.

Ask if there are any reasons why you would not be moving forward. Or if there are any red flags. If he gives you a reason, ADDRESS IT! Make sure there is no reason why you would not be moving forward.

Ask what is the next step. Set yourself a follow up call or meeting with the interviewer. Don't leave without knowing where you stand!

How do you feel about pens like this?

Pilot G2 Pro Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen, Fine Point, Blue Barrel, Black Ink (31096) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HXKLB2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_rjdGub0YDDVXP

I also like to grab people after their interview here and grill them on weird questions. Nothing illegal question wise just odd questions to gauge their reaction

[Hotsauce]

How do you feel about pens like this?

Pilot G2 Pro Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen, Fine Point, Blue Barrel, Black Ink (31096) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HXKLB2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_rjdGub0YDDVXP

I also like to grab people after their interview here and grill them on weird questions. Nothing illegal question wise just odd questions to gauge their reaction

G2s are nice. I actually use a G2 but in formal settings you want a metal or wood pen with a removable top. My formal pen is a Montblanc MEISTERSTÜCK Classic ballpoint pen (my trim is gold, but if I had the option again I would go with this platinum trim)

http://m.montblanc.com/en-us/collection/writing-instruments/meisterstueck/2866-meisterstueck-platinum-line-classique-ballpoint-pen.html

[Davidson Deac II]

One of the things we use to do with our interviewee's is ask them how proficient are you with a certain OS, say for example Unix/BSD.  If they said very, we would take them into the lab, sit them in front of a console, and have them do a few routine operations.  You would be surprised at how many couldn't even do the most basic things. 

[PandaPancake]

G2s are nice. I actually use a G2 but in formal settings you want a metal or wood pen with a removable top. My formal pen is a Montblanc MEISTERSTÜCK Classic ballpoint pen (my trim is gold, but if I had the option again I would go with this platinum trim)

http://m.montblanc.com/en-us/collection/writing-instruments/meisterstueck/2866-meisterstueck-platinum-line-classique-ballpoint-pen.html

Good to know. I like that metal G2 because everyone uses them so finding a refill is easy and when I'm outside they don't freeze.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

UPDATE:

 

Got a call today saying they are posting the position online and that they need me to apply there as well just for administrative purposes as a formality. I applied tonight online and my contact in HR said she would be giving me a call tomorrow afternoon so I can continue onto the next steps. She mentioned needing references but I already wrote those down with their contact info on the paper application they had me submit the day of my interview. Aside from the references, what might the next steps be? I've now had a phone interview, and in person interview, and applied both on paper and online. 

[Ruff]

A lot of what I would recommend is already been said....

I interview 10+ people weekly and have been hiring/interviewing for the last 3 years.

Make sure you have a nice pen, not a clicker or plastic free bic that you got at a holiday inn.

Smile and make eye contact

Know your resume and your credentials! You should be able to explain numbers and accomplishments backwards and forwards.

You should have some stories prepared about how you were successful and how you failed at something and what you learned from the experience.

Ask for the job.

Ask if there are any reasons why you would not be moving forward. Or if there are any red flags. If he gives you a reason, ADDRESS IT! Make sure there is no reason why you would not be moving forward.

Ask what is the next step. Set yourself a follow up call or meeting with the interviewer. Don't leave without knowing where you stand!

That part is one of the parts I've always had trouble with. How do I do that without sounding like a douche?

The other part is, how the hell do I answer the "what is your biggest weakness" question? I've always tried to turn it into a positive, or a "fake weakness", but it always comes out sounding like I think I'm super mega awesome at everything I do, and I feel like it makes me sound like a dick.

[electro's horse]

casual profanity

[London Loves Luke]

UPDATE:

 

Got a call today saying they are posting the position online and that they need me to apply there as well just for administrative purposes as a formality. I applied tonight online and my contact in HR said she would be giving me a call tomorrow afternoon so I can continue onto the next steps. She mentioned needing references but I already wrote those down with their contact info on the paper application they had me submit the day of my interview. Aside from the references, what might the next steps be? I've now had a phone interview, and in person interview, and applied both on paper and online. 

 

Seems like progress but try not to get worked up during the wait to hear back. In all honesty procurement and sorting all the HR and onboarding admin takes ages before they confirm things with you. Looks like once you've done the interviews and the application the last things will be background checks and references.

 

They may also have a period of time that they need to advertise internally/externally before they can fill the position. 

 

I'd say go apply/interview somewhere else to pass the time. Stops you going crazy waiting for one offer and interview practice is always useful. 

[electro's horse]

last big interview I had was for a corporate fitness company that wants to open a crossfit facility in some headquarters here in atlanta. it'd be a great job, and I'm very qualified for it. 

 

i didn't wear a suit, opting instead for a nice pair of khakis and a short sleeved polo shirt. Wanted to at least show off that I was in fact in shape.

 

first real big corporate job interview, still horrified. They want someone in place by jan 1st. I had the interview at the end of november. she saw me coach a class last week and loved what she saw, but said she had to interview other candidates.

 

gah!

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

UPDATE:

 

Spoke with HR again today. She told me to sit tight and that everything is just being taken care of from an administrative standpoint. Interestingly enough, the position was posted online and the day after I applied digitally it was removed. I mentioned this to her and she said they just did not want any other people to apply and not to worry over the next week because "we have our guy." I have to think that is a good sign but I'm still trying to temper my excitement and not get my hopes up. It it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

[Peppers90 NC]

go in there like you own the joint, 100% confident.

[h0llywood]

UPDATE:

 

Spoke with HR again today. She told me to sit tight and that everything is just being taken care of from an administrative standpoint. Interestingly enough, the position was posted online and the day after I applied digitally it was removed. I mentioned this to her and she said they just did not want any other people to apply and not to worry over the next week because "we have our guy." I have to think that is a good sign but I'm still trying to temper my excitement and not get my hopes up. It it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

 

That's awesome. Congrats and it's good to never count your eggs.

[TheRumGone]

You got it man

[Moose Hoover]

G2s are nice. I actually use a G2 but in formal settings you want a metal or wood pen with a removable top. My formal pen is a Montblanc MEISTERSTÜCK Classic ballpoint pen (my trim is gold, but if I had the option again I would go with this platinum trim)

http://m.montblanc.com/en-us/collection/writing-instruments/meisterstueck/2866-meisterstueck-platinum-line-classique-ballpoint-pen.html

 

Boner, that's a fuggin $440 pen, holy poo