Reply to: Interview Tips

[Sockpuppet]

I got a gig once after answering the question "why do you want to work for us" by saying "I don't. I want to come in, fix your tulip, get paid and leave".

Though I reckon they probably didn't like the swearing.

[BrowneIssue]

What has wanting the job got to do with it. Listen a bloke generally knows of he fancies a girl but he is mostly concentrating on jumping her bones THEN he will think about whether he likes her or not.
Same with contracts, get it first THEN decide if you want it or not. It hones your skills and gives you an ego boost if you win.

Not a fair analogy.

You can jump a girl's bones without a contract. If you had to get engaged first, you'd think hard before trying it on.

However, I agree in principle. If I get an interview I turn up and do it for practice. I have attended interviews, got the gig and turned it down. (Definitely twice, possibly more.) Damn good for the ego though.


BTW, I reckon it is OK morally to attend an interview knowing you would turn down the gig if they are interviewing more than one person. An interview is a two-way process.

[TheFaQQer]

I think that this article tells you everything you need to know:

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/s...-200905081749/ (SFW - unless you work somewhere really strict)

Last clientco blocked the Daily Mash because of profanity. Bloody government projects.

[lukemg]

Thanks I'd had second thoughts about it anyway as it sounded a bit desperate to impress to me. I've decided the reason I didn't get the last 3 roles was because if I'm honest I didn't really want them so didn't give it my best. Hopefully as this is a role I really want it will come across at the interview

What has wanting the job got to do with it. Listen a bloke generally knows of he fancies a girl but he is mostly concentrating on jumping her bones THEN he will think about whether he likes her or not.
Same with contracts, get it first THEN decide if you want it or not. It hones your skills and gives you an ego boost if you win.
As a contractor, you have to be confident but not arrogant, always equate any question to recent work, even if you have to expand your role. Basically your answers are always yes I can and here is how I did this at x clientco. Oh and by the way aren't I a pleasant person to have around the place and get on with everyone else.
In short, I can so the job, get on with everyone and be zero maintenance...
Question to ask - I always say what will I be doing for the first month or 2, lets them think about me in the role and gives me an insight to how they will view me when I get there...
I have got the last 5 interviews I have had, problem has been the gap between interviews !!

[GardenGirl]

I wouldn't. It sounds a bit ingratiating to me, as if you're pitifully anxious to get the contract, the kind of thing a Yank used car salesperson might say.

Thanks I'd had second thoughts about it anyway as it sounded a bit desperate to impress to me. I've decided the reason I didn't get the last 3 roles was because if I'm honest I didn't really want them so didn't give it my best. Hopefully as this is a role I really want it will come across at the interview

[OwlHoot]

Apart from the tie (females just don't do ties!) I've never thanked someone for meeting me at the beginning usually do that at the end, so I'll try that next time.

I wouldn't. It sounds a bit ingratiating to me, as if you're pitifully anxious to get the contract, the kind of thing a Yank used car salesperson might say.

[NotAllThere]

"So, Joanna Lumley is now in command of the Gurkhas, while women are taking to the streets to protest about their bras. Is it just me, or is Britain turning into Carry On Up the Khyber?"

[Gonzo]

I've got a 33% chance of getting a job I really want, money is good, work sounds good, durarion 6 months + but due to my recent experience of Interviews I'm hoping for some tips (I've read the link on CUK) and applied this at the last interview (I felt sucessfully) but the feedback I'm persistently getting is that I wasn't the strongest candiate.

Has anyone got any tips on how I can make myself the strongest candiate? I think my problem is the questions I ask or don't ask but because its now impossible to get real feedback I can't be sure on this.

Any tips would be appreciated.

I think that this article tells you everything you need to know:

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/s...-200905081749/ (SFW - unless you work somewhere really strict)

[TheFaQQer]

I've got a 33% chance of getting a job

What makes you think that you have a 33% chance of getting the role? Are you basing this purely on the assumption that there are two other candidates?

It could well be that you have a much higher (or lower) chance than that - just because there are three candidates, you may have a 0% chance of getting the role.

[TheFaQQer]

Somebody once told me they interviewed were interviewing a candiadte for an IT role and asked "What is your greatest acheivement?"

The candidate paused for 10 seconds before replying, "Sleeping with two women at the same time"

He got the job

I'm surprised the response wasn't "working in IT, I'm amazed you sleep with any women at all."

[Board Game Geek]

If you are 33.3% positive that you are in with a chance, that means that there are 2 other candidates also going for the role.

Take the other two out for a day's skydiving.

Don't forget to pack your chute !

[OwlHoot]

.. If this doesn't work I may just have to try the Sharon Stone approach being suggested (although extremely dodgy when you live on the south coast!)

I'm completely baffled, seriously. Is that something to do with sea breezes, or more the fact that Brighton is said to be the gay capital of, er, West Sussex?

[minestrone]

He wouldn't have if I'd interviewed him.

Would your friend given him the job though?

[Pogle]

Somebody once told me they interviewed were interviewing a candiadte for an IT role and asked "What is your greatest acheivement?"

The candidate paused for 10 seconds before replying, "Sleeping with two women at the same time"

He got the job

He wouldn't have if I'd interviewed him.

[JoJoGabor]

Somebody once told me they interviewed were interviewing a candiadte for an IT role and asked "What is your greatest acheivement?"

The candidate paused for 10 seconds before replying, "Sleeping with two women at the same time"

He got the job