Typical Interview Questions

[HarrisonTX]

This is good. I can BS my way through some successful answers. I have no problem selling myself, and sticking on an outgoing personality, it's just those ridiculous questions, and the interviewer convincing himself he knows something about psychology.

[mstng86]

I love the 3-4 managers interviewing at once tactic. Favorite interview question ever asked of me was by my potential direct manager, 'if you were to be offered this job, we would offer it with the hopes that you would be here long-term. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, Donald?'

I said, 'in 5 years I hope to have your job.'

I was hired by a phone call walking out to my car by the corporate HR manager who was in the interview.

That really does work. I have used it. Something about showing determination and confidence in yourself makes the folks go nuts.

[SEB]

Home Depot is a great company. I got offered a job setting up the displays all over DFW at the surronding Home Depot stores paying $16 a hour. Hours where from 7 to 3 everyday. Lets just say shit you do at 17 follows you through life even at 33

[SS Junk]

Whatever you do, don't mention any sort of hostile acts you did while in the military. You have no idea who your interviewer is or what they stand for. If you would like, sensor it by saying something about how you were a key member of a team effort and everyone depended on you... blah blah blah. Don't mention specifics if that's the case unless it doesn't include a "violent" act.
I did one interview with a VP, HR rep, Director and Manager for a position w/in the company I work for. They asked how I would handle a certain scenario regarding two employees. Instead of telling them I have no problem dealing with confrontation I said I am confrontational when it comes to situations like that. I was then grilled by HR for 10 minutes with her attempting to get a personality profile on me. The VP finally said "It sounds more like you are 'proactive' than confrontational..."
I was told I handled the situation well, but it was extremely uncomfortable. You really need to watch what you say and how you say it. Best advice is to do research and google something like types of questions asked during an interview.

[Sean88gt]

I love the 3-4 managers interviewing at once tactic. Favorite interview question ever asked of me was by my potential direct manager, 'if you were to be offered this job, we would offer it with the hopes that you would be here long-term. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, Donald?'

I said, 'in 5 years I hope to have your job.'

I was hired by a phone call walking out to my car by the corporate HR manager who was in the interview.

I told my former boss that he was sitting in my chair. He hired me instantly and named me as his successor.

[mustang_revival]

[papapepper]

The interviews at my job are fucking ruthless... Persian boss for you and the VP is a red neck, seriously. They do the multiple people interviews at once technique. just the two of them and the secretary.


My boss is the type of guy who put works before everything including family so yeah I'm sure you can start to get an idea.

[David]

If we were to ask your friends and fellow co-workers, what would they tell us your strengths and weaknesses are?

[SS Junk]

What would your former employer(s) say about you?

[Treasure Chest]

Why are man holes circular?

I had someone ask me that, to which I replied, who would think up a question like that?

Because most city and construction workers are round, not square?

[HarrisonTX]

If we were to ask your friends and fellow co-workers, what would they tell us your strengths and weaknesses are?

What the hell is a possible acceptable weakness?
I work too hard? I care too much?

[Treasure Chest]

This is good. I can BS my way through some successful answers. I have no problem selling myself, and sticking on an outgoing personality, it's just those ridiculous questions, and the interviewer convincing himself he knows something about psychology.

He's going on the list of interview questions that HR printed out and put in their document archive in their manager's tool box.

You're applying for a sales/service job. What they're looking for examples that you're a team player, so you'll easily blow them out of the water because your experience has to do with keeping your co-workers alive, not just helping them meet their sales goals and furthering their sales training.
They're also looking for people with management qualities as it relates to their seccession planning, so provide examples of opportunities you've taken to coach a peer or subordinate. again, this won't be hard since you've been above someone else in experience in a warzone, and I'm sure you had to have a "tough" conversation with them. Yours probably included something about thinking smarter so they didn't get killed.

The other thing they're looking for is customer service. They're going to ask something along the lines of, "Describe a situation where you gave someone outstanding customer service." If you have no previous sales experience, you can say something to the effect of, "I haven't been on a sales floor, but I had an experience at <insert name here> really stuck with me. I was shopping for a gift for my <mom/girlfriend/wife/whomever> and the sales girl approached me, knowing I was completely out of my element. She asked questions, made suggestions...blah, blah blah, helped me pick out <insert item name here>, and even gift wrapped it and tucked the gift receipt into the package. I really thought that was a great example of customer service."

They just want to know that you're going to actively sell to your customers, and know that sitting behind the register and texting isn't customer service.

Cliff Notes: Give honest, real life examples that apply to your work experience. If you don't have a personal example, it's ok to take examples that you've seen in a sales setting, share it. They just want to know that you're service oriented, trainable, and will hold others accountable.

[FastFox]

Interview questions

I own and operate a small private employment service. I do clerical support people only , and I work alone. You are right about most of the HR assistants and their stupid questions. They have a 2 bit degree from some dipshit university and no common sense at all. They graduated with a "C" minus grade and on Daddy's credit card. They think they are God, and like to try to make the applicant feel small. Kind of a "Dick Measuring Contest" , and if you have the bigger dick, you don't get the job. Interview with a privately owned business and talk to the man who's ass is on the line to make a profit, and you will not get those questions. He will size you up and decide if you can make money for him. If he likes you, the question will be, "Can you start today ?". He knows that sometimes you make a hiring mistake, but it can be corrected quickly if you can't do the job or at least be taught to do it. That is the kind of prospective employers I like to deal with. Good luck in your job hunt. If you like the deal, don't be afraid to ask, "When do I start ?" Sometimes that will close the deal right then.

[Treasure Chest]

What the hell is a possible acceptable weakness?
I work too hard? I care too much?

"I can be too honest and it can come off as being harsh. But I realize that, and I have to make a conscious effort to follow up and make sure it's not taken as criticism, I'm just pointing out an opportunity for growth."

They want to know that you are in tune with yourself, you know the areas in life that you need to improve, and that you have an action plan to work on them.

[josh9167]

"I can be too honest and it can come off as being harsh. But I realize that, and I have to make a conscious effort to follow up and make sure it's not taken as criticism, I'm just pointing out an opportunity for growth."

They want to know that you are in tune with yourself, you know the areas in life that you need to improve, and that you have an action plan to work on them.

I've wondered the same thing about that damn question...thanks!