So how can I avoid having bad interviews?

[Nikia]

As I said before, I didn't get the job. The interviews went poorly. I knew that they were not going well at the time but I was so nervous and in constant interview (6 different people in 6 and a half hours) that I couldn't seem to get it together. I quickly became intimidated and well into scared little girl is being interrogated mode. I seemed to answer everything wrong, incriminate myself, and not fully explain the good qualities of myself. Some of the questions were unlike those I ever had before such as "Did you ever question upper management's integrity and what action did you take?" This is a company that proclaims itself to have more integrity than most companies and is about making decisions by teams rather than hierarchy. I also had a lot of problems at the lunch interview and barely got to eat. I also think that I relate poorly to middle age and older professional people who work mostly with other corporate professionals. I suppose that I do better in more normal interview settings. After all, I had passed three shorter interview sessions with people who I judged to be more down to earth. The whole thing sort of scares me and then I get judged as "Socially awkward" "Not confident enough" "Difficult in explaining concepts" and "Immature"
How isn't this going to happen again?

[radwriter0555]

1. Time to start your own business.

why work for a corporation when you can be your own boss?

[Dees]

11. I agree.

My graduate adviser once told me he didn't think I would make a good corporate person. He was dead on the money.
Do what ever it takes to start your own entity. Diversify, leverage and grow. Take an inventory of your talents and pursue. Start small, treat all people fairly especially anyone you may hire down the road and stick with it. I was in business for myself for many years and I had some great years. All things considered, I would not change a thing. My credo has always been, why make someone else a good living? You owe it to yourself to try. No what if's!

[felonious thunk]

2. I'm interviewing people right now

And we do grill them a bit on some things and we've had some really poor interviews.

I think the key is simply to relax. I know that sounds simplistic, but if you carry yourself in a relaxed manner it will help you answer and feel confident. Don't overstate yourself, but don't understate it either. Answer questions as directly as you possibly can. I know that I appreciate someone who gives me an "I don't know, but I know I can learn" more than an evasive answer that doesn't tell me whether you know the answer or not.

Look at the concerns you have there, and all of them can be fixed by relaxing. I know it's not easy to do when you have a job on the line, but at the interview how you interact is quite possibly more important than what you actually say. They want to hire someone who will be a good fit in their team, and if you look scared and unsure, they'll worry that you'll be that way if they hire your. Whereas if you are relaxed, and smile, and be friendly and honest, they'll overlook a bad answer because they feel like you'd be a good fit and learn as you go.

Don't stress about a bad answer. Everyone has bad answers, but if you smile, chat, and look them in the eyes, then they'll feel like you can overcome your mistakes and excel.

[Redleg]

3. I agree- the most important is to be relaxed and well-prepared.

The idea of fit is so important even though it is quite subjective. I found that trying to be myself in interviews works better because I am more relaxed and less concerned about impression management.

Before the interview think about things they might ask you. Also think about how to give examples of your past work that demonstrate important accomplishments you made.

[bloom]

10. I'm afraid I was tooo relaxed at the interview I went to recently

I think maybe he thought I wasn't interested.

Or he might have decided I was overqualified.

I'm not sure which - or both.

I thought I was just being honest. But later I thought - maybe I was too honest.



What a nuisance.

[Mrs. Venation]

4. Do You Know People

who can help you role play different interview scenarios? If you can practice interviewing, you'll be more relaxed and confident.

[Love Bug]

5. Do you have a friend you can practice with?

By now you've probably heard all of the kinds of questions you are likely to hear ("Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" etc.) so it might be a good idea to write out some answers and practice interviewing with a friend. The more comfortable you are, the more confidence you'll have -- and that will show.

Try not to be intimidated by the age of your interviewers -- they had to go through the same process, too, to get hired where they are. Try to think of them as just a bunch of "guys," which is what they really are!

6 interviews in 6 hours -- good grief, that's ridiculous. How can anyone possibly be expected to be "on" for all of that time and how can the interviewers possibly make any kind of good decision?

Also, next time you have a lunch interview -- eat a little beforehand so you don't get so ravenous you get distracted.

Just my $.02 worth!

[Lisa0825]

6. practice, practice, practice!

Either read up online, or buy some books on interviews. There are lots of sites with "tough interview questions" and tips on how to answer them. After doing research, get someone to help you prep by asking your questions. Try to answer as if you are in the interview.

Are your state workforce offices much help where you are? If you are not aware of them, you can find one near you by going to www.servicelocator.org.

I am an employment counselor, and I sometimes practice interview customers. I think it's helpful for a stranger to do it, since you won't feel as at ease as you would with a friend.

The first time I ever felt like I was totally in control of an interview was when I interviewed for a job I had decided I didn't even want anyway. I had nothing to lose, so I didn't feel intimidated. Ever since then, when I go in for an interview, I try to remember that. I pretend that the interview is just for practice, or even that I am interviewing THEM to see if I *I* want *THEM*. I have gotten the offer for the last 5 jobs I have interviewed for.

Best of luck! If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me!

[OneBlueSky]

7. I've had success in interviews by turning the tables . . .

after they've completed their interview of me, I start to interview them . . . I come in with a few pithy, job-related and/or company-related questions, toss one or two of them out, and follow up on their answers . . . shows initiative and a real interest in the job and the company . . . they generally like that . . .

[Iris]

8. yes.

My sister just landed what is to her a "dream job." At one point they asked her, "If you were a fish, what kind would you be?" When it was her turn to ask questions, she asked one of the guys how her answer to the fish question was!


I look at interviews as a chance to meet new people and learn about a company. You are really interviewing them as well to see if this is a place where you really want to work.

[Redleg]

12. The fish question is stupid and irrelevant to the job.

Would the employer want to have to explain to the EEOC why it rejected a candidate because of the person's response to the fish question?

The fish question is another example of employers believing they can psycho-analyze applicants.

[Blue-Jay]

9. Watch and listen.

Mirror the mannerisms (imperceptibly) of your interviewer. Physically and aurally. It makes them trust you, even when they don't know why. Listen to how they communicate and parrot that back to them. Be confident, yet humble. Give them as much attention as they're giving you.