Cringe-inducing Interview Answers

[SueEllen]

It's annoying, because I'd rather tell the truth which is - I hate working as part of a team.

You may hate working as part of a team but you don't need to tell them.

They only need to swallow enough positive statements about you from you, which matches what they decided about you in the first three minutes they met/heard to confirm whether they will give you the job or not.

[Zippy]

You may hate working as part of a team but you don't need to tell them.

They only need to swallow enough positive statements about you from you, which matches what they decided about you in the first three minutes they met/heard to confirm whether they will give you the job or not.

Sadly, there is so much truth in this.

[MarillionFan]

It's annoying, because I'd rather tell the truth which is - I hate working as part of a team.

Loner

[realityhack]

Sadly, there is so much truth in this.

x100

A lot of it is decided within the first 2 mins, then it's down to cognitive consonance or dissonance - consistency of behaviour counts a lot more than you might think.

[vetran]

as long as 3 minutes? more like 30 seconds!

[Wodewick]

as long as 3 minutes? more like 30 seconds!

Are we talking interview or shag?

[Spacecadet]

You may hate working as part of a team but you don't need to tell them.

They only need to swallow enough positive statements about you from you, which matches what they decided about you in the first three minutes they met/heard to confirm whether they will give you the job or not.

WSES

I've realised for a while that in an interview, the interviewer spends the entire time trying to look for reasons why his/her initial judgement upon meeting you was the correct one to make.

Cock up the first 30 seconds and you've got an up hill struggle.

The right handshake and a little bit of pre-interview banter on the way from reception to interview room will get you a long way

[MarillionFan]

WSES

I've realised for a while that in an interview, the interviewer spends the entire time trying to look for reasons why his/her initial judgement upon meeting you was the correct one to make.

Cock up the first 30 seconds and you've got an up hill struggle.

The right handshake and a little bit of pre-interview banter on the way from reception to interview room will get you a long way

It's all about confidence.

Was having a chat with a guy I'm working with at the moment who was on my interview panel. They just interviewed a contractor who wanted to go perm. He was convinced it was a done deal and was gutted to find out that someone else more qualified got it. The interviewer said he was arrogant and that's why he didn't get it.

'Well I'm arrogant, you know that' I said to the guy over lunch. 'I know, but in your case you can back it up'

There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. I think I just manage to keep on the right side during interviews.

[realityhack]

Definitely. I've had the most success at negotiations/meetings/interviews when I honestly couldn't care less either way, and was straight down the line & to the point with q&a.

[stek]

I had a mate who was asked;

"What do you like about the environment here?"

He said, "I like the way everyone here is on first name terms, like, errr, whatsisname said.."

He got the job and went for a few pints with his new bosses afterwards, talking to the MD, raised his pint to his lips speaking eloquently about some corporate bullshiite or other, only to see his tie dangling in it...