2/23/2015

6thingsnottosayinajobinterview

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6thingsnottosayinajobinterview
PostedbyAmandaAugustine
Findmeon:

12:55PM
You'dbesurprisedhowmanypeoplethinkthesearefineresponses.[TWEET]
Believeitornot,mostinterviewersaren'ttryingtotrickyou.Theywantyoutodowellintheinterview,andbe
thecandidateoftheirdreams.Astheinterviewee,however,it'seasytooverthinkorunderthinkaquestion
andrespondinawaythatraisesaredflag.OurjobsearchexpertsatTheLaddershavegathered6ofthetop
flagraisingphrasescandidatessayininterviews,andwe'retellingyouwhatyou'rereallysayingtothe
interviewer.

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Yousay:I'mahighlymotivated,proactiveproblemsolver.
Theyhear:Ihavenonoteworthyskills.Rattlingoffalistofindustryjargonandphrasesthatanyonecansay
(butcan'tprove)showsyourinterviewerthatyoucouldn'tthinkofasolidskillrelatedtoyourprofessiontouse
todescribeyourself.Leanonyourelevatorpitchhereandshowwhyyou'rethebestcandidatefortherole.

Yousay:What'syourvacationpolicy?
Theyhear:WhatdoIgetoutofthisjobifyou'resoluckytohireme?Thecompanyishiringyoubecause
theyhaveaneed.Yourjobasacandidateistoprovethatyouarethepersonwhocanmeettheirneedsand
helpthecompanymeettheirgoals.Provethatyoucangrowthebusiness,improveprocesses,andcontribute
tothebottomline.Savetheperkstalkfornegotiationsafteryou'vebeenofferedthejob.

Yousay:Mygreatestweakness?I'maperfectionist.
Theyhear:Nothing.Youhaven'tgiventhehiringmanageranyinsightintowhatyou'relikeasaworker,orhow
youpowerthroughyourownshortcomings.Thisisyouropportunitytoshowhowyoucangrowasapersonand
teammember.Behonest,shareaflawyou'reawareof,andexplainthestepsyou'retakingtoovercomeit.
Providingafakeweaknessmakesyousoundrehearsedatbest,likeyouhavesomethingtohideatworst.Here
areafewmoretipsforansweringthistrickyquestion.

Yousay:Mylastboss?Terrible.
Theyhear:I'munprofessional.Everyonehasgripesabouttheirjoboremployer.Butnomatterhowbadyour
situationwas,youshouldnever,Irepeat,NEVERbadmouthanemployer.Thismakesyousoundlikean
unprofessionalcomplainer,andpotentiallydifficulttogetalongwith.

Yousay:Whatdoyoudoaroundhere?
Theyhear:Ididn'tdoanyresearch!Themostimportantthingyoucandoasacandidateisresearchthe
companyyou'reinterviewingwith.Searchonlineforemployeeswhocouldpotentiallybeinterviewingyou,and
getanunderstandingoftheirbackground.Ifyou'renotpreparedfortheinterview,whatelsemightyoube
unpreparedforinthefuture?

Yousay:No,Idon'thaveanyquestions.
Theyhear:I'veheardenough,I'mnotinterested.
There'snowayyouknoweverythingaboutthejob,culture,andcompanyattheendofaninterview.Sobynot
askingquestions,you'resignalingthatyoudon'tcaretolearnmore.Arrivewithalistofprobingquestionsintow
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thatproveyou'reprepared,interested,andcancontinueanengagingconversationwithyourinterviewer.
Findyournextgreatopportunity.JoinTheLadderstoday.
Signupforfree
RecommendedReading:
5thingssuccessfulpeopledoeachmorning
Areyouansweringthesejobinterviewquestionsincorrectly?
Thetopinterviewingtricksofsuccessfuljobseekers
AmandaAugustineistheCareerManagementExpertforTheLadders.
Sheprovidesjobsearchandcareerguidanceforprofessionalslooking
tomaketheirnextcareermove.HaveaquestionforAmanda?Follow
herat@JobSearchAmandaonTwitterandLikeheronFacebookfor
uptotheminutejobsearchadvice.
Topics:AskAmanda,Interview,NewtotheWorkforce

jeromemidddleton2/12/2015,5:14:30AM
itwasnicetohear

Replytojeromemidddleton

Alan2/12/2015,6:00:55AM
Iknowyou'retryingtobehelpfulherebutthisisjustlikealloftheotherarticlesaboutwhatnottosayduringan
interview.Youhaven'treallygivenanalternativeoroptionforwhatoneshouldsayorhowoneshouldanswer.I
thinkmosteveryoneisprettyfamiliarwithimproperetiquetbutwe'dliketohavesomeexemplesoftheproperway(s)
toanswerthesequestions.Forexemple,thelinktothelistofquestionsisveryhelpful,butitimpliesthatyoushould
askall20questions.I'msurethat'snotwhatyoumeant,butitwouldbehelpfultoclarify...

ReplytoAlan

Khalim2/12/2015,7:17:28AM
Dude..silliestcommentever.I'dyou'veneversaidthisstuffinaninterviewthengoodforyouandyou'renotthe
intendedaudience.Goandsearchfortheotheroptions.Therearemanyarticlesthatwillgiveyoubetterthingsto
say.Thatwasnottheintenthere.

ReplytoKhalim

Akash2/13/2015,5:47:46PM
Yep,Khalim!
Aslongyouknowwhatnottosay,itopensupawholespectrumofpossibilitiesforconvincingyourinterviewer
aboutyourpotentialtofitintheirorganisation.That'saquestionofperspective:somewillalwaysviewthenegative
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sideofthings,eveninthiscasewhenthetipisbeinghandedtoyoufreeotherswillviewitasawonderful
opportunitytoseekalternativestotheirowntraditionalwayofdoing.

ReplytoAkash

MarkFan2/21/2015,6:31:50AM
Khalim,,,,ifyoutalkedtolikeyoudidhim,Iwouldbepissed....Dude...thatisthesilliest......
Youain'tgotaclue,doyou?Man,thatwasalameresponse....veryunprofessional..

ReplytoMarkFan

MarkFan2/21/2015,6:37:48AM
Khalim,,,,ifyoutalkedtomelikeyoutalkedtohim,Iwouldbepissed....
Forexample...Iwouldexpectthiscomment"Dude...thatisthesilliest......"tocomefromajockwhohashadhishead
bashedinafewtoomanytimes.
Youain'tgotaclue,doyou?Man,thatwasalameresponse....veryunprofessional..

SuzyBaker2/12/2015,11:59:31PM
Alan,
Iinterviewedacandidateyesterdaythatactuallyaskedmedetailsofthebenefitspackage.Noteveryoneknowsthe
informationprovidedbyAmanda,andIwishIcouldsendthislinkwhenIsendoutinterviewinvites!

ReplytoSuzyBaker

Jamie2/13/2015,4:22:58PM
Suzy,you'reawfullyfullofyourself.Asmostprofessionalsunderstand,notonlyarethecandidatestheinterviewees,
buttheyarealsotheinterviewersalsointerviewingtheprospectivecompanytobesureitisafitforthem!Youthink
askingaboutabenefitspackageisunprofessional?TheonlythingunprofessionalisYOU,andIhopetonever
interviewforsomeonesuchasyourself,oranycompanythatyou'reassociatedwith.

ReplytoJamie

Henni2/14/2015,7:55:05AM
Iguessthemainpointtoaskaboutthebenefitspackageisnotthefirstinterviewofthesamecompanybutthe
secondorthirdinterview...Afteryouknowthecompanywantsyou...

ahmadafraz2/12/2015,6:11:07AM
Hello,mynameisahmadafraz,wearetwobrothers,livinginiranandweavingPersianauthentichighqualityhand
woven(Tabriz)silkcarpetwithtwentyyearsbackground.Ourartisuniqeentiretheworldandinourcarpetsthere
are1000nodesper1meterandwithmorethan80differentcolourswithkindofsizelike3*4metersand
3/5*5and4*6.withthebestiraniandesignandwoving.Include(salarandgarabaghyandgasrandkohanandqoum
)andwecanteachourarttopersonswhointrestinourprofessionalandwearelookingforemployerorsponsor
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whointerestedinouruniqeartandmigrateustounittedstatesandwepresentourabilities..thanksandbestregards
fromiran.

Replytoahmadafraz

rohtashrathore2/12/2015,8:25:38AM
heycontactmeon.emailid.......iwillfigureoutwhaticando.withyou

Replytorohtashrathore

IvanOfflich2/12/2015,6:36:56AM
Theyask``Whatareyourhobbies''andyouanswer""Igivemyalltowork,sodon'thavemuchtimeforhobbies.''
Theyhear,``pfff,,whataliar.Bettertoanswer``Iloveporn,butneverwatchitatwork.'Theyhear,``Hey,youarea
normalguy''andhireyoonthespot..

ReplytoIvanOfflich

JackRymsha2/12/2015,6:59:29AM
Well,duh,Amanda!
IfIwereahiringmanagerinterviewinganapplicantwhogavethe'answers'youwarnagainstinthisarticle,I'd
(politely)showtheapplicantthedoorafterthefirstfiveminutesandtheninvitethetwentysomething(that'syour
generation,right?)HRflackwhowastedmytimebyallowingthatunqualifiedapplicantthroughmydoortoconsider
"othercareeroptionselsewherethatmightbeabetterfitforyourskillsthanhere."
Amanda,pleaseoffersomeadviceofrealvalue.Likewhatcodewordstouse(oravoid)inaresumeorcoverletter
sothatanapplicantforajobthatfitsperfectly,ineverydetailaccordingtotheJobDescriptionandQualifications,
doesn'tgetautomaticallyandinstantlydeletedbyaproprietarycomputerapplication,orscreenedoutbysomebody
ofanagetobebemysonordaughter.
Screeningisimportant,ofcourse:Nobodywantstowastetimeinterviewing200applicantswhenonlytenofthem
havetheessentialqualificationsforthejob.Butthehiringmanagerthepersonwhoactuallymakesthedecision
afterthenonqualified190areweededoutbythecomputerapporthelowlevelPRflacks,andwillworkwiththe
successfuloneafterheorsheishiredshouldmeetwith,andevaluate,byobjectivecriteria,thoseapplicants.
Somegrayhair(orlackofany)shouldn'tbeanautomaticdisappointmentanddisqualificationforthejobif
everythingelseaboutthecandidateincludinghisorherreferencesandportfoliocheckout.
Ordoyoudisagree?
Ilookforwardtoyourthoughtful,responsivereplytotheserealities.

ReplytoJackRymsha

John2/12/2015,7:57:12AM
Wow.Apparentlygrayhairisneitheranindicatorofwisdomnorclass.Whatanarrogant,selfaggrandizing,
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unprofessionalresponse.Thisreeksofselfentitled,selfimportantmiddlemanagerwhoseattitudeandmouthhave
kepthimfromanysignificantadvancement,andnowhehastotakeitoutonanyonebelowhimonthefoodchain.
"Lowlevelflack"??Honestly??YourepelmeandIguaranteeI'dshowYOUthedoorfiveminutesaftermeetingyou.
Amanda,don'tletthisbitter,miserablebottomfeedergettoyou.Keepdoingwhatyoudoandhelpingthosewho
appreciateyoureffortsandinsights.

ReplytoJohn

Dan2/12/2015,8:46:55AM
WellsaidJohn.Iknewsourgrapeswerenearafterthe(that'syourgeneration)part.

ReplytoDan

Jack2/12/2015,9:00:23AM
Thanks,John.Isaid"thoughtful,responsivereply."Whenyoucanpostone,insteadofsarcasticnamecallingand
caricatures,I'msurewe'llallbeinterestedinyourfeedback.

ReplytoJack

John2/13/2015,1:43:08AM
Well,duh,Jack!
Iwas95%percentcertainthatwouldbeyourresponsethanksforyourpredictability."Iawaityourthoughtful,
responsivereply"wouldofcoursebethetypicalshieldthatatrollwouldthrowuppreciselysothatsomeonewho
callsthemoutontheirincrediblearroganceandnastinesswouldgetthatthrownbackintheirface.
Thereisno"thoughtful,responsivereply"warrantedorevenpossibletosomeoneaspatentlyignorantandoffensive
asyou.Yourownbitternessandprejudicedviewspreventanysortofintelligent,rationaldialogue.You'rea
flamebaiter,andcan'tstandthefactthatsomeonecalledyououtonit.Ifeelsorryforeveryonearoundyouwhohas
todealwithyourinflatedegoandbountifulcropofsourgrapes.
Itsuresoundslikeyourowninterviewexperiencesaren'tgoingsowellmaybetaketimetoconsiderthatit'snot
yourgrayhairorlackofitthat'snotgettingyouthosepositionsbutratheryourinsufferablecondescendingattitude.
Thoughtfulenoughforyou?

NancyC2/12/2015,8:05:56AM
Assomeonewhohelpspeoplefindworkafterthey'vebeenoutoftheworkforceforalongtime,orforstudents
transitioningfromhighschoolintotheworkforce,thethingsinthissmallarticlemayverywellNOTbeknownby
somepeople.Inkind,Iliveinaverysmall,whatmostpeoplewouldconsiderrural,areawheretherearenot190
applicantsandthehiringmanagerisoftentheownerandgeneralmanager.Plusthereareplentyofpeoplewhocan
lookfabulousonpaperandthenblowtheirinterview.PersonallyIthinkhersuggestionofan"elevatorpitch"isa
greatidea.Additionally,Idon'tseeanywhereinthisarticlethatsuggestshavingexperienceorbeingan"older"
workerisaletdownandshouldbeignored.WhatIdoseethoughisyoulookingdownonyoungpeople.Beinga
20somethinglikewise"shouldn'tbeanautomaticdisappointmentordisqualificationforthejob"norshould
"somebodyofanagetobe[your]sonordaughter"thatstreetgoesbothways.AndwhileIdon'tknowyourroleor
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howbigyourorganizationisoranythinglikethat,perhapsyoushouldconsiderwhohiredYOUR"lowlevelHR
flacks"ifyou'regettingabunchofcrudyourdirection.Justmythoughts.

ReplytoNancyC

Richard2/15/2015,6:12:57AM
That'sagreatpointNancy!Peoplewhoaregoingaftertheentryleveljobsprobablydon'tknowthesethingsyet.I
thinkthenegativereactionstothearticlearefrompeoplewhothinkTheLaddersisstillasiteforexperienced
professionalswhohaveknowledgeandskillsthatwarrantasixfiguresalary.Ashiringmanagers,weseemostof
thatdemographichasmovedon.

ReplytoRichard

TTuohy2/12/2015,9:31:53AM
Assomeonewhointerviewsandhires,IwilltellyouwhatIlikemostinacandidateIlikehonesty,straightforward
purehonesty.Tellmethetruth,Ihavequestionsyouwon'tbeabletoanswerifyoudon'tknowwhatIneedyouto
know.Justtellthetruth.Ifyou'renotpreparedtodoajobdon'tapply,applyforstudentloansinstead.

ReplytoTTuohy

mistmist2/12/2015,12:52:43PM
Anyonewhosays"justtellthetruth"isahabitualliar.
Noonewantsthetruthunlessitistomanipulatorothers(seehowbadthetruthactuallysounds).
Onlytell"YourTruth"ifitiswhattheinterviewislikelytoagreewith,otherwiseyou'vejustnarrowedthelistforthem
bytakingyourselfoffit.
WhatTouhyhasjustsaidis,Ifyoudon'tknowhowtotwistthetruthlikeamrightnowtosoundlikesomethingmy
companycansell,thenyouwon'tgetajobhere.

Replytomistmist

BillFilippone2/12/2015,10:17:18AM
ThankyouJack.IwasthinkingthesamethingwhenIreadthisarticle."Whowouldbestupidenoughtoeventhink
aboutsayingthesethingsinaninterview?"Thesearenotrealworldexamples.
IalsoagreethatfindingsomeinsiderknowledgeonhowtogetpastthefilteringprogramsandH.R.screenerswould
befarmorehelpfulthananarticledepictingphrasesorquestionsnooneovertheageof16wouldeversayinan
interview.

ReplytoBillFilippone

Randy2/12/2015,10:30:53AM
Jack.Closetheapertureabithere.Whatshewrotemaynotapplytoyou,butIamcertainthatitmighttomany
others.Soundslikeyouaresomewhatbitteroverageissuesinajobsearch.Igetit,butitsnotherfault.Youare
abovethatJack.

ReplytoRandy
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MichaelWard2/12/2015,1:16:33PM
Jack,Idon'tthinkacommentcancovertheanswertoyourquestion,howeverIbelieveyourconcernjustillustrates
theimportanceofhavingaproperlywrittenandproperlytargetedresumeandcoverlettertolandtheinterviewinthe
firstplace.Thereismuchinformationalreadyavailableonthetopicbutthetruthisyoushouldfindsomeonewho
hasahighsuccessratelandingjobsandasktoseetheirresumestyleorpayaprofessionaltoassist.Itisa
necessaryexpenseintoday'scompetitivejobmarkettodifferentiateyourself.
Michael

ReplytoMichaelWard

HeywoodJablome2/12/2015,3:57:00PM
Whydoyouexpectthewritertopostanythingofvalue?
DudethisisTheLaddersaprovenscamoutfit.
Google"TheLadders"fraudandseewhatcomesup.Oh,look,they'regettingsuedbigtime...hmmm.

ReplytoHeywoodJablome

Tony2/13/2015,7:25:26AM
@JackRymshaWhywouldyouinterview190peopleforajobandwhyareyourelyingona"computerapp"to
makedecisionsforyou?Guessthat'stheproblemthesedays,peoplejustwantashortcut.Unfortunately,inthe
hiringprocessthereisnoshortcut.Youactuallyhavetotalktopeople.Asscaryastalkingtopeoplesounds,itispart
ofthejobforarecruiter/HR.Emailing5000peopleisnotrecruiting,itsannoyingtothosewhoreceivethoseemails.
Relyingona"computerapp"simplytellsmethatyouareonlyusingapplicants,whileusinganATStoweedout
candidates.HavingusedmostofthesystemsonthemarketIcanassureyouthattheyarenotthateffective.Youare
loosingoutonmanyqualifiedapplicantssimplybyusingthismethod.Researchhasshownthatifittakesmorethan
30secondstoapplyforajob,mostwillforegotheapplication.Additionally,mostapplicantsthesedaysarenot
qualifiedforthejobtowhichtheyapply.Youneedtoactivelysearchforqualifiedcandidatestheseincludeboth
activeandpassivecandidates.IfyouareapplyingonKenexa/BassringorTaleo,youmustreallywanttheposition
sinceyouwillneedtosetasideatleast20minutesonagoodday.
Gettingbacktothetopicathand,Ithoughtthearticlewaswellwrittenandgavesomefoodforthought.Seemslike
mostofthesecommentswantsomeonetospoonfeedthemadviceandtellthemexactlyhowtointerview.Again,we
arebacktopeoplebeinglazyandnotdoingtheirhomework.Thereisplentyofadviceoutthereonhowtointerview,
however,ifyoureallyneedhelp,theEDDhasfreeseminarsonhowtointerview.Ifyouwanttoinvestfurtherinyour
interviewskillsyoucanhiresomeonetocoachyou.
Somekeypointstoconsider
1.Dressthepartfortheinterview
2.Researchthecompany,theinterviewersandbringyournotesifyouarenotprovidedthisinformation,askbefore
yourintervieworfigureitoutonyourown.
3.Comepreparedbringextraresumes,questions
4.Arriveearly
5.Interviewtheinterviewertheymaywanttoknowwhytheyshouldhireyoubutyoualsoneedtoknowwhyyou
shouldwanttoworkforthecompany
Ultimately,usecommonsenseanddon'tgivecompaniesreasonstonothireyou.Itmaybeillegalforthemtoask
certainquestions,however,ifyouvolunteerthatyouaremarried,havefivekidsandneedtoleaveearlyon
Thursdays,thatcanbeusedagainstyou.Ifyoucomepreparedandexcitedabouttheposition/company,youwill
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landaposition.Nowifyoupossessaveryrareskillsetthatisindemand,thenyoucandowhateveryouwantand
maystillgettheposition.

ReplytoTony

Mist42nzMist42nz2/13/2015,2:47:20PM
Wellsaid.AsanowneroneofthemajorthingsI'mwantingtoseeis"isthispersonheretoseetoourcustomersand
ourbudget*".Oraretheyhereforthemselves/theircareer.Ifsomeonehasasickdependentorneedstopickup
hikes,Icanunderstandthat...buttheyneedtoprovetome(withoutbeingaskedsoitshowsprioritisationoftasks)
thatthey'vefactoredthatinsoourcustomersarehappy.Happycustomerskeepeveryonefeedandbusy,unhappy
customerstakeawayallthegoodthings....Asanemployer,ifmycustomersarehappyandpayingtotargetthenI
canmoveheavenandearthforyou...Howeverifyouputyourneedsabovethoseofthecustomerwhichprovidethe
businesswithourlivelihoodyoubecomeanobstaclewhichmustberemovedasap.ThefirstthingIneedtoseeis
thatacandidateappreciatesthat.That'swhyIdon'tmindwageandbenefitquestions....iftheycomewithquestions
thatshowyou'rethinkingbusiness,notemployeewants.

ReplytoMist42nzMist42nz

CarlosChavez2/12/2015,7:06:33AM
Recallthe60secondinterview.Theconcisesummaryofwhatyouhavedone,whatskillsyouhaveacquired,and
whatcertificationsyouwouldliketoacquiretoenhanceyourcontributionstotheteam(designforsixsigmagreen
belt/beltorblackbeltcertification(forengineers)).DFSSisacertificationmostemployersdreamofseeingina
candidate.Ifyouareanengineer,seeaboutlearningmoreskills,evenifityoualreadyhaveabachelorsofscience
anditmeansgoingtoacommunitycollegetolearncomputeraideddesign(drafting),knowledgeofCATIAV5,Pro
EngineerWildfire4.0,AutoCAD,Unigraphics(UG),mayopendoorsforyoubigtime.Thesearewhatsomepeople
calltheJESUSCHRISTGODemployees:theyhavetheskillsemployerswouldkillfor...wellnotreallykillbutfight
overtoobtain.
Basically,neverstoplearningandacquiringrelevantandondemandmarketableskills.

ReplytoCarlosChavez

JonathanKlein2/12/2015,7:12:53AM
Thebiggestweaknessquestionalwaysbugsme.Becauseyes,mybiggestweaknessgenuinelyISthatI'ma
perfectionist.SonowI'msetuptohavetolie,yes?Theydon'twanttoknow"Istinkatmath"orwhatever.Infact,the
questionitselfisBS.WhattheyREALLYwanttoaskyouis,"NameoneareaofweaknessyouHADinthepastAND
thestepsyoutooktoovercomeit."Becausehonestly,anyweaknessesIhaveCURRENTLYeither:1.Don'trelateto
thejobandarethereforenoneofyourbusinessor2.NotsomethingI'mgoingtoshare.
Onoccasion,I'veevencalledpeopleoutwhowereinterviewingmeonthisBS,ifitwasajobIwasn'tparticularly
excitedaboutgetting.
Astomyhobbies,youknow,ifmyhobbiesweremainstreamlike"Ilikewatchingfootballandcooking,"well,fineand
dandy.Asthingssit,ifIsaid,"Well,mymainoneisdressingupaboutadozentimesayearinCivilWaruniformsand
shootingliveroundsoutofantiquemuskets,"well,thepoliticallychargednatureoftheworldmeansthatsomeanti
gunpersonwillherethatandimmediatelycloseyououtforpersonalreasons.Heck,ifIsaidfishing,whoknows?I
mightbeinfrontofavegetarianwhowouldfindthathorrible.Soagain,I'mbeingsetuptolierightoffthebat.

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Astothevacationthing,Iwouldsaysalarygoeshandinhand.Forsomereason,companiesoftendon'tpublishtheir
salary/vacationpolicyupfront.Becauselet'sbehonest.YouandI(andapotentialemployer)allknow,thosearethe
twothingsIreallyDOwanttoknow,yetitisafauxpastoaskforsomereason.Why?
ThereareplentyofarticlesoutthereastowhatyouSHOULDsayataninterview.Whilethisisn'tabadlisttostart
withastowhatyoushouldNOTsay,itcouldusesomemorefleshingout.

ReplytoJonathanKlein

mist42nzmist42nz2/12/2015,1:13:33PM
Asaperfectionistconsiderwhattheinterviewisactuallyaskingfor.
Theydon'twanttoknowyourgreatesthanguporbarriertheyreallywanttoknowthatyouknowyou'reanormal
personthatisn'tarrogantorgotadealbreakerproblem.Anormalpersonknowstheyhaveweakareas,andgood
normalpeoplehavecopingmethodstogetaroundthem.
"SosomepeoplethinkIcanbeabitofaperfectionistattimesbutIthinkthatqualityisimportant...sowhenI'mina
projectIkeepaneyeonthetimeandwatchfortensioninmycoworkers,thatwayIcanhavemyqualitywithout
ruiningthegroup'seffort"

Replytomist42nzmist42nz

Michael2/12/2015,1:27:20PM
Ithinkthereasonyoushouldn'taskaboutsalaryandvacationisbecausetheirisnosuchthinganymoreasbeing
hiredonthespot.Typicallyyouphonescreen,haveafacetofaceinterviewandtheneitherreceiveaformalofferor
rejectionorhaveasecondinterviewandthenreceiveaformalofferorrejection.Afteryoureceivetheformalofferis
whenyouhavetheabilitytocounterwitharequestforsalaryorvacationmodificationstotheformaloffer.Talking
aboutthatinformationbeforeyouareeventhepersontheywantforthejobmakesyouseemfocusedonthinkingof
thepositionasajobandnotacareerchoice.Iftheemployerlikesyoutheywilloftensellyouontheirbenefitsand
vacationpolicyifit'sgood,iftheydon'tyoucansafelyassumethevacationis2wksandyouwillneedtonegotiate
formoreduringtheofferwindow.Justmypastexperienceonthetopic.
Mike

ReplytoMichael

mist42nzmist42nz2/12/2015,6:54:09PM
Sorry,usedtoowningabusiness,notwastingtimeonminutae.
LikeIsaidtheyeitherknowtherangeortheywastingmytimeandtheirs.nextcompany.
Theyalreadyhaveabudgetfigureforthehire,wecantradepointslatertosettlethefigure.
Isupposethat'sthedifferencebetweenowningacompany(toprovideaserviceataprofit)andbeinganemployee
(hiredorhirer,wherehavingyourboxestickedbeaurifullyismoreimportantsinceyou'rejustontheclockanyway)

Replytomist42nzmist42nz

SherryYoung2/13/2015,1:16:01AM
IcanhonestlysaythereissuchathingasbeinghiredonthespotbecauseIwas.GoodLord!ThatfeltGREAT.Itisa
smallcompanypayain'tgreat,nobenefits(health),timeoffwithoutpay.Ihaveawonderfulbossandagoodcrew
whoworkwelltogether.Iamaprofessionaldriver,GREATequipment,schedulewithovertime(makesupforthelow
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pay)4dayworkweekmostweeks.Feelslikebeinganowner/operatorwithoutALLtheheadaches.Mostimportantly
Iamhappy.
IhavebeenthroughsometoughinterviewsandalthoughnothappythatIhadremainedunemployedforalmosta
year(hadparttimework).NotgettingajobthatIthoughtwasagoodfitreallyhurt.Sobeingover50doeshurtsome
interviewsespeciallywhentheinterviewerisveryyoung.Iamarelaxedindividualandcanbeperceivedasbeing
lazywhensomethings/situationsjustdon'trufflemyfeathers.

ReplytoSherryYoung

RachelTyrel2/13/2015,2:21:57AM
I'vefoundagoodwayofansweringthehobbiesquestion.Anotherwaytheyaskthisistoask:"Whatdoyouenjoy
doingwhenyou'renotworking?"Idopitbullrescue,soIhavelotsofpicturesofdogsIfosterinmyphone.Iusually
grabmyphoneandshowtheintervieweradogpicture,andrespond,"Ijustloveplayingwiththeselittleguys.I
devotealotofmysparetimetocaninerescueefforts."
Astonotaskingaboutvacationorbenefitspolicies,ithelpstothinkoftheHRpersondoingtheinterviewerasoneof
thosemeansororitygirls/jerkyfratboysfromcollege.Youcan'treallyhaveaconversationwithintellectually
uncuriouspeoplelikethat,exceptaboutthemostsuperficialoftopics.Thekeyistouseyoursuperiorintellecttotrick
thoseshallowwastesofspaceintolikingyou,soyouhavetopretendtobeinterestedintheirflashytiepinortheir
designerscarf.Reallyvapidpeopleareextremelysusceptibletoegomanipulation,somakesureyoupretendto
takeaverypersonalinterestintheirhealth,andineverythingelsethattheyseemtocareaboutusuallysomesort
ofstatusconsumption.I'veneverhadthattacticfail.

ReplytoRachelTyrel

Mike2/12/2015,7:53:10AM
ToJonathanKlein,whatyoustatedmakesabsolutesense.Thesalaryandbenefitsarethetwothingsanycandidate
wantstoknowupfront,butcan'taccessthisinformationuntilmuchlaterintheprocess.Thewholecatch22about
weaknessesandhobbiesareRussianRoulettequestions.Unfortunately,hiringmanagersorpanelscannotkeep
personalbiasorprejudicesoutoftheprocess.sowhatareweasthecandidatetodoatthispoint?Bepolitically
correct?Ihaveahardtimewiththat.Sonowwhat?Againthecandidateisforcedtoswallowtheirpride,convictions,
andmoralitysotheyMAYhopefullyberetainedforajob.
Pleasesharesomeadviceonhowtohandletheseinterviewingdeathtraps.

ReplytoMike

CharlieGarnett2/12/2015,8:39:46AM
Concerningthearticleofthingsnottosay..."I'mapeopleperson..."

ReplytoCharlieGarnett

JoMilich2/12/2015,10:07:35AM
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Idon'thaveaproblemwithanyofthequestionsexcept"Mylastbosswasterrible".Thatisanabsolutebulltobelieve
youwillbeconsideredasacomplainer.Bepoliticallycorrectthen.Nooneisstupidandmostoftenthennot,one
leavesajobbecauseisterrible.Inthatcase,whynotallowtoexplainwhy?Whycanarecruiterfigureoutifthe
candidatehasavalidreasonratherthenwillinglyknowhe/sheislyingtoher/hisface?

ReplytoJoMilich

jayroberts2/12/2015,10:12:39AM
ThebestjobinterviewIeveryheardwasbyStevenWright:
*OnetimeinthemiddleofajobinterviewwiththepresidentofasmallcompanyItookoutabookandstarted
reading.Theguysaidtome"Whatthehellareyoudoing?"Isaid"Justletmeaskyouonequestion:Ifyouwereina
vehicletravelingatthespeedoflightandyouturnedonyourheadlights,wouldtheydoanything?"
Hesaid"Idon'tknow."
Isaid,"Forgetitthen.Idon'twanttoworkforyou."

Replytojayroberts

MistMoor2/12/2015,12:12:15PM
Whatiswrongwithtellingthetruth...Iamsotiredofthebull.Myhusband'spastemployerhadabullymanager...I
nowfindmyselfinthepositionmyhusbandwasthelastthreeyearsofemploymentwiththatcompany.Iamsotired
oftiptoeingthruthetulips.Weshouldbeabletohonestlysaywhattheissuesareandhaveanemployerrespectus
forbeingtruthfulinsteadofliars.Agediscriminationisaliveandwell.Theworstwashavingtolistentoabusiness
associategoonandonduringmy'localchapter'formyprofessionalcareerwhichIamstilltrytogeta'footinthe
door'evenafterobtainingtheircertification...butbesidethat,havingtolistentothisguygoonandonabouthow
wonderfulparticularcompanyisandallI'mthinkingiswhatasilvertonguedevilyouare.Theylie,theycheat,they
steal,theyruinpeopleslivesandonandonitgoes.Peoplecan'tgetafulltimejob.Employersarehiringallpart
timesotheydon'thavetoprovidebenefits.Itstinks.It'snotright.Idon'tcarehowmuchtechnologyhasimproved
things...itstinksandit'snotright.

ReplytoMistMoor

mist42nzmist42nz2/12/2015,6:57:08PM
Generallyitdependsonwhoyourbossismostmanagersarejustemployeesandarefartoobusycoveringass
andkeepingofficepoliticsinline.Hardtobehonestwhenyouknowacompetingdepartmentmanagerisgoingto
usetheinformationagainstyou.Bettertokeepto"projectionsandstatistics".TypeB'slovetohireTypeC'safterall.

Replytomist42nzmist42nz

Cecilia2/12/2015,1:12:03PM
Ilikethecommentsaboutthepreviousjob...sometimesreorganizationsleaveyouwithapositionyouknowisnotfor
you.ImaysaythisinpoliticallycorrecttermsbutIsaysomething.Also,advancementopportunities...howlong
shouldyouwaitatyourcompany.Atsomepointyou'reinterviewingoutsideyourcompany...totalkaboutcareer
advancementoutsideyourcompanyseemsoktome.
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Lastly,Ithinkyoushouldaskaboutthedayinthelifeortheteamyou'reworkingon.3veryprestigiouscompanies
calledmeforinterviews.WhenIspoketothem,allofthemsaid"ohwedon'tactuallydothat".Foreachofthe
companies,Iaskedthattheytalkaboutthe"dayinthelife"orafavoriteprojecttogetafeelofitthepositionisas
rewardingasitsoundedonpaper.Ifoundoutthatthejobwasasupporttechniciandisguisedasanexecutive
transformationconsultant.TheotherwasanentryleveldeveloperdisguisedasanDirectorofClientSuccess&
TechnologyAdvocateaskingforCTOsandveryseniortechnologyprofessionalstoapply.
Alotofbaitandswitchoutthere.Iwouldpayforaservicethathasvalidatedthepositionwiththehiringmanagerand
team,nottherecruiter,toseeifthejobisasgreatasitsoundsontherequisition.

ReplytoCecilia

Mist42nzMist42nz2/14/2015,2:55:57PM
Exactly.Manyhiringpeoplearejustemployeesandhavenorealconsequencesofpoorchoices.Aslongasthey
cansaytheyplayingbytheirpretendrulesthat'sallthatmatters.
Iftheywantafullycommittedpersonwhoismakinglifechoicetobeengagedattheirjob,thenknowingthedetailsis
importantforbothparties.Nopointhiringacareerclimberifyou'rewantinga....
GodtheseiPadsareshitfortyping...w
Gottwolinesandcan'tseesh..
Butifthey'rewantingashinystarwiththelatestscoresundertheirbeltthenitpaystobeupfrontandnotlieaboutjob
prospects....
AlsointheUSmanypeopleareinasituationthatrequireseitherenormoussalaryormedicaletc...hidingthatthat's
notavailableuntillaterisjustawasteofbothpartiesresources.
THE_BEST_waytodealwiththesequestionsisfirtheemployertosimplystatethemandthebeginningofthe
interview.thispositionsisXhours,location,weexpectasalaryrangeoflowtohigh,athecompanyhasthese
benefitsforthiscontract....
Rememberanythingisnegotiable,butthatweedsoutalotofpeople.mbutoftenthemassiveegoonhiringteams
doesn'tletthemactonthelevel.Whymisleadpeopleorhidethings...iftheygethiredtheygoingtoknowthescore.

ReplytoMist42nzMist42nz

mist42nzmist42nz2/12/2015,1:22:43PM
SowhattodoifI'vebeentheowneranddirectorofabusinessfor10yearsandsoldup,andnowam"Ahighly
proactiveproblemsolver"forwhomrenumerationisthefirstconcernandtherangemustbeacceptabletoboth
partiesotherwisewe'rewastingeachothers'timesurelyasthehiringcompanyyoumustknowwhatsalaryrangeis
budgetedforthejob...oristhisthefirstcompanylieI'msupposedtobuyinto?
Likewisewiththetasks...manycompaniesdon'tadvertisetheactualtasktheyrequiredoingandtakediligentefforts
toresistindustrialinfiltrationIt'slikethe"noquestions"answer.Ihavenodoubtinmyabilitytoperform,andI'm
certainyourcorporatecultureshouldbedesignedtoenableit'scontractedlabourandskillstoperformatoptimum
output...SowhydoIneedextraquestionsifIknowIcanhandlethejob.Afteralltheyaren'tgoingtorevealanything
sensitiveorhighlytechnicalwhichisusuallytheonlydetailthatwouldneedtobeasked.
Whichbringsmetothe"skills"questionWhattodoifyou'rechangingindustries,orhavingoverahundreddifferent
skillswhichprobablywon'tberelevanttoaspecialistposition,orifyouaren't"mentionedindispatches"ona
previousproject(whichcouldevenbecommercialsensitiveandcoveredbyNondisclosuresorotherrules)

Replytomist42nzmist42nz
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HeywoodJablome2/12/2015,4:04:49PM
Renumerationnotaword
reenumerationcountingagain
Remunerationgettingpaid
Bigdeal.Whocares,right?

ReplytoHeywoodJablome

mist42nzmist42nz2/12/2015,7:00:50PM
Ifyou'reapayingcustomer,thenthatwilldependhowmanyhowsI'vegotforthisprojectandhowmuchtimeofmine
I'mgoingtowasteonit.
Isthismarketingpitchgoingto200screenedclients?Thenyeah,Ispellcheckthatbitchuntilitweeps.
Otherwiseyou'llgetbriefcasualatbest.
Letthegrammarandspellingnazi's(bothpoornetiquette)sitaroundandwhinewithhteperfectionardios

Replytomist42nzmist42nz

VeikkoPunkka2/12/2015,6:42:04PM
Perfectionismisarealweakness,notafakeone.Itistheinabilitytodistinguishbetweensomethingthatisgood
enoughandsomethingthatisnot.Becauseofthisinabilitysomeonewhoisaperfectionistalwaysaimsatperfection,
consumingsignificantlymoreresourcesthanneededtodothejobwellenough.Thereareperfectlyvalidand
workingwaystoovercomethisweaknessaswell.Ifyouareaperfectionist,youneedtofindonethatworksforyou.

ReplytoVeikkoPunkka

MohammadAbdurRahim2/14/2015,3:32:52PM
Thanksalotforyourvaluableadvice.Itsveryimportantthingstoajobseeker.Inmypracticallifeihavemistakenlike
thispoint.itwouldbeveryhelpfultometoimprovemylackings...

ReplytoMohammadAbdurRahim
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