Stuff You Should Know

[Lyte]

I saw this CAREERS, WORK, BUSINESS section a while back and didn't see myself every posting here and then my employer started to expand last month and we started to do some interviews.

Preface... I've been in Management for nearly 30 years in a wide variety of industries. There are some basic dos/don'ts and while you may not agree with them but they're true nonetheless.

Coat tailing off a podcast I like called "Stuff You Should Know" ... here's some stuff you... or someone you know... should know...

The Resume

If they have a lot of applicants, the first thing HR or Management is going to do it look for those resumes they have no intentions of reviewing... e.g. they're' too long. If they have 100 +/- applicants... they will toss over two pages. They might even toss those that are two pages depending on how many resumes they get.

Unless you're looking for a very specific type of job that requires very specific types of skills sets... one resume does not fit all. The resume you submit should fit the job description. This means you may have to make more than one resume. In fact, you would do well to notice the similarities in the job descriptions and then tailor your resume to fit the job. This does NOT mean lying, this means to simply use the same words they're using to define the job.

The Interview / Hiring Process

Do not announce your presence to a prospective employer more than five minutes early. A specific time was set for a reason. The time selected worked for you and worked for them. Showing up extra early does not impress. Chances are, you're throwing off your potential employer's schedule and/or demonstrating an inability to follow direction.

When asked a question do not rush to answer it. Actively listen to each question and ask for clarification if necessary. Keep your response on target/on point to answering the question. Once you've answered the question, stop! Of course your nervous... when we're nervous we sometimes start to "ramble," ... it's a natural thing to do ... guard against it.

Don't tell your interviewers that you're nervous. They know you're nervous! Even so... they're looking for the person who appears to be perfectly comfortable and who makes them feel comfortable.

You've only ever had wonderful jobs and wonderful bosses. Naturally, that's may not be 100% but do not dis your previous employer, coworkers and/or bosses. No one wants to hear it

Yes, employers (the HR Department) will Google your name and browse you on every social media platform they can find. Even if you think you're weekend party life is none of anyone's business and you're an excellent employee ... your possible employer doesn't know you and is not likely to take the chance.

You Got The Job

Freedom of speech does not exist within workplace. General topics to void: religion, sex and politics.

Do not FACEBOOK your coworkers. Why mix your professional and personal lives. If things go sour in your personal life, now they can go sour in your professional life too ... and vice versa.

Complete your grooming regime at home. Don't clip, file, whatever your nails at work. Do not finish putting your makeup on at your desk or even in the ladies room. The exception ... if the company has an onsite gym.


That's all I've got for now... questions?

[Andrea]

Thank you for all this. I was aware of most of it.

My question for you though is how do you say no to your coworkers who want to friend you on FB? I do say no but it seems to hurt their feelings, especially ones I spend any personal time with.

Hoping you have a good answer that works for everyone.

Thanks

[Lyte]

Good question! Thanks for asking!

I don't think there's a single answer that would work for everyone. Each person must judge for themselves the best way to handle FB and coworkers.

First suggestion... don't mention FB at all... not that you have it... not that you've ever seen anything on it... not in agreement that you've seen what another person has seen... etc... etc.. you get the idea. Beyond that... I've heard the request deflected in a few different ways.

* You don't FB at all. Or... you're taking a break from FB.

* You've just one FB account and you've an understanding with family that your FB is just for family... ya know family personal stuff. And... dang it... you've been meaning to start a account for family and family... gosh you need to get on that!

* Of course... you don't FB coworkers... or ... you don't FB coworkers when you start a new job.

* The best route is to state your position before anyone even asks. A casual comment ... as casually as you can ... "Oh yeah... I don't FB people at work."

Originally Posted by Andrea

Thank you for all this. I was aware of most of it.

My question for you though is how do you say no to your coworkers who want to friend you on FB? I do say no but it seems to hurt their feelings, especially ones I spend any personal time with.

Hoping you have a good answer that works for everyone.

Thanks

[Lyte]

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Many of the larger companies use what's call the STAR method. I've worked for a few employers who do and we had to write down what the person said under each ... under the S, the T, the A and the R. <-- going that far is a big pain in the ass but it's very good way to catch if the applicant has just answered your question. As the interviewee ... it's a very good way for you to know if you just answered their question.

STAR is...

Situation
Task
Action
Result

STAR = "Tell me about a time when..." type questions.

Regardless of whether or not the interviewer is using the STAR method, you should be, and this is why I say don't rush to answer! Take a few seconds to find a SITUATION that fits the question... what was the TASK involved... what ACTION did you take... what were the RESULTS of your action.

The interview essentially public speaking ... acting... a performance... and for this reason it's the area that is most often blown in the hiring process. After the interview, think over how you felt while sitting there and how you felt about your answers. Write down their questions... write down your answers... write down better answers if you think there was a better answer. <-- Most companies ask the same question just in different ways. The interview is theater... performance... the better you know their lines as well as your own lines... the better you'll perform.


Questions?

[dark_crystal]

Originally Posted by Lyte

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Many of the larger companies use what's call the STAR method. I've worked for a few employers who do and we had to write down what the person said under each ... under the S, the T, the A and the R. <-- going that far is a big pain in the ass but it's very good way to catch if the applicant has just answered your question. As the interviewee ... it's a very good way for you to know if you just answered their question.

STAR is...

Situation
Task
Action
Result

STAR = "Tell me about a time when..." type questions.

Regardless of whether or not the interviewer is using the STAR method, you should be, and this is why I say don't rush to answer! Take a few seconds to find a SITUATION that fits the question... what was the TASK involved... what ACTION did you take... what were the RESULTS of your action.

The interview essentially public speaking ... acting... a performance... and for this reason it's the area that is most often blown in the hiring process. After the interview, think over how you felt while sitting there and how you felt about your answers. Write down their questions... write down your answers... write down better answers if you think there was a better answer. <-- Most companies ask the same question just in different ways. The interview is theater... performance... the better you know their lines as well as your own lines... the better you'll perform.


Questions?

I give my candidates the interview questions in advance.

Especially now that we have to use the "tell me about a time when..." type of questions. In the moment it can be hard to think of a good example and having them grope and panic for an answer was excruciating for me and disheartening for them.

I feel like the advantage in NOT giving the questions in advance is that it cuts down on opportunities to make something up, but the disadvantage is that the interview is about more than instant recall and quick thinking and stressful situation make people weak in those areas even when they are normally strong.

What do you think of this practice?

[Lyte]

If the practice you're using results in locating candidates with the right skill sets then it's the perfect practice for you and your company!

You're right... I can see pluses and minuses with giving the questions out in advance. Again, whether they're pluses or minuses depends on what skills you're after. For example, we couldn't use that technique for one of the positions that I interview for because the position requires some skill in sales. They don't have to have previous sales experience BUT... they do have to be outgoing, a bit chatty, and be able to think quickly. So, we have to ask the questions in person and we even have one question... statement actually... where we ask them to "sell us" something in the room we're sitting. lol They've plenty of stuff to choose room... there's a big screen TV, stereo, computer, big oak desk, plants, etc. Yup, they have to think fairly quickly, on the fly, be creative, and some do well and some not so well.

Funny thing... I interviewed a gal yesterday who said in her last interview the person asked her to give five alternate uses for the pen in his hand. I which I could recall what the position was that she was interviewing for... but it wasn't sales. We all laughed because it reminded us of the "Sell me this pen" lines from the movie "The Wolf of Wall Street." SMH

You're right too... people do have to "grope" for answers during an interview and that can be painful for everyone! When I'm faced with someone who's clearly nervous ... not very responsive... I'll put the pen down and try and just have a conversation with them. Also what sometimes appears to be nerves is a preoccupation with what's being written down. When possible, it's great to have two people in the room... one asking the questions... engaging the person in a "conversation" while a different person is taking notes.

Now, I have questions! I've not tried your interview practice... giving the questions out in advance. What sort of position are you looking to fill or what skills are you looking for? Have you used that technique long enough to see how it's working out? How's is working out? I'm definitely intrigued!

Originally Posted by dark_crystal

I give my candidates the interview questions in advance.

Especially now that we have to use the "tell me about a time when..." type of questions. In the moment it can be hard to think of a good example and having them grope and panic for an answer was excruciating for me and disheartening for them.

I feel like the advantage in NOT giving the questions in advance is that it cuts down on opportunities to make something up, but the disadvantage is that the interview is about more than instant recall and quick thinking and stressful situation make people weak in those areas even when they are normally strong.

What do you think of this practice?

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Lyte

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Many of the larger companies use what's call the STAR method. I've worked for a few employers who do and we had to write down what the person said under each ... under the S, the T, the A and the R. <-- going that far is a big pain in the ass but it's very good way to catch if the applicant has just answered your question. As the interviewee ... it's a very good way for you to know if you just answered their question.

STAR is...

Situation
Task
Action
Result

STAR = "Tell me about a time when..." type questions.

Regardless of whether or not the interviewer is using the STAR method, you should be, and this is why I say don't rush to answer! Take a few seconds to find a SITUATION that fits the question... what was the TASK involved... what ACTION did you take... what were the RESULTS of your action.

The interview essentially public speaking ... acting... a performance... and for this reason it's the area that is most often blown in the hiring process. After the interview, think over how you felt while sitting there and how you felt about your answers. Write down their questions... write down your answers... write down better answers if you think there was a better answer. <-- Most companies ask the same question just in different ways. The interview is theater... performance... the better you know their lines as well as your own lines... the better you'll perform.


Questions?

Thank you for this. I work for the State of California and have been hunting for the perfect position to transfer to. There have been some great interviews and one bomber. I don't get nervous so not sure what happened there.

Anyway, many of the state interview questions are the type you describe so it is good to have something to remember to cover each item.

Like d_c, the state gives the interviewee the questions for about 20 minutes prior to the interview. Then the questions are asked by a panel of three.

Crossing my fingers the position I applied for yesterday is the perfect fit.

[Lyte]

You're very welcome!

Honestly... lol ... even as one who does the hiring... very often... there's no telling why people hire who they hire!

During my last job search (2014)... I had... I kid you not... an "interview" that lasted nearly three hours. And it was not for a position that was worthy of a long ass interview. The Ops Mgr. and I just hit it off... then she wanted to introduce me to one of the VPs... hit if off with him too... and it was one of those situation where one, I wanted the job, two I wanted the job cuz they worked 4/10s (three day weekends!) and I didn't have anything else to do that day... so I didn't have a good reason to say... "Look... people... I gotta go!" I even got called back by their HR Dept., I think it was three times in two months to see if I was still available and interested. And yet, after all that... I never heard back with a job offer! lol SMH Point being... you have the best interviews ever ... and still it's a crapshoot as to who gets hired!

I've done (as interviewee) quite a few panel interviews... those are always a joy! Ugh! lol

Why do you think one of the interviews was a bomb? I'm not meaning to pry or asking for specifics... more like ... what gives you the impression that it was a bomb?

Good luck with your job hunt!

Originally Posted by Andrea

Thank you for this. I work for the State of
California and have been hunting for the perfect position to transfer to. There have been some great interviews and one bomber. I don't get nervous so not sure what happened there.

Anyway, many of the state interview questions are the type you describe so it is good to have something to remember to cover each item.

Like d_c, the state gives the interviewee the questions for about 20 minutes prior to the interview. Then the questions are asked by a panel of three.

Crossing my fingers the position I applied for yesterday is the perfect fit.