Flying Shogi Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 (edited) How would you answer this question? I received a call today for a job interview tomorrow. They've sent me the interview questions and I would like some pointers on what should say. Edited June 18, 2012 by UberLughFTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Vanguard Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Tell them what your good at, tell some of your skills. Tell your weak point and your good points. Be calm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caliban of Sycorax Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 This question is basically what will set you apart from the other candidates. Don't say you're better than the others; that's been said around the world. Instead, focus on what sets you apart. Never mention anyone else who's applying for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Shogi Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Should I answer the question by turning it into a statement? If not, how else should it be done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hero Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 This sort of question can be difficult to answer on the spot if you're not used to questions like it, because it is very open-ended, but if you have a good understanding of the company or organization you are seeking a job with you should be able to formulate a good response. You're lucky to have a list of questions in advance of the interview. Try to think of how you would summarize the ethos of the employees there in a few sentences, and then think of a way to explain how your aspirations with the job and your skillset fit in with that ethos. Explain how what they value is what you have to offer. Maybe you have a passion for helping people and have good people skills so you're a shoe-in for sales or customer service positions, or maybe you're good with technology and have a knack for logical problem-solving so you'd do well at a computer repair business, etc. Also keep in mind that interviewers are looking for sincerity and enthusiasm apart from qualifications, so try your best to project those even if you don't feel them very deeply. Another thing I would recommend if you're not familiar with job interviews and questions like the one you posted is to do some hunting for tips and insider advice on Google. A bit of research and thorough preparation will better equip you to present the best image of yourself that you can and to boost your confidence in the interview itself. The job market is miserable right now, even for teens seeking entry-level positions, so you can't prepare too much. Good luck with getting and keeping the job, and don't be discouraged if you don't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hero Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Should I answer the question by turning it into a statement? If not, how else should it be done? What else would you answer it with, another question? Of course you want to answer straightforward questions like this with statements. Just try to avoid wooden formulations that regurgitate the words of the question like "You should hire me because..." so that your answer sounds natural and sincere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Presentation is the first important factor. Look the part. Know your manners. Don't sit until told, offer your hand to shake, good mornings, etc. Second, is the sound that emits from your mouth when you go to speak. Don't sound bored or whatever, try to be enthusiastic without making yourself look foolish. This can be hard to pull off. A projected, semi-authoritative voice being used when speaking usually does well. Don't mumble and speak clearly. The content of what you're saying is third, which is what you're asking help for here. Depends, really. It's nice you have the questions already in front of you, so you must think of things that may have happened in your life relating to the questions being asked. It's all well and good saying "I'm awesome". They're gonna turn around and say "orly, why's that then?" And if you haven't prepared an example from your past (or make up something believable), then you're improvising on the spot, and that is pretty bad. So in short, you need to cover the "whys" as well as the "whats" in your answers. The interviewer(s) don't care about "where", "when", "who", and maybe even the "how". That's just me talking from what I've been taught for interviews. It might help you, it might not. But it should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elieson Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 "if you don't hire me, your competition will" Worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Shogi Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 "if you don't hire me, your competition will" Worked for me. I don't think this will work. This is more or less an internship job. It has an end date. They also have multiple appointments with others teens. I have a question, have you guys ever been told to fill out an online applciation prior to the job interviews? They've sent me an email saying that I have to do that but I visitied the link and it's more of an info site than a website for online applications. Long story short, I can't can't it and I'm starting to think that this might be a scam. There's number listed but I've called that number like 20 times and she won't pick up.It could be that she is off duty now but the area code of the number is a usually a cell phone so IDK what to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esau of Isaac Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Just bullshit the person interviewing you. There are screenings needed for some jobs, but by and large many of the things that aren't more specialized have job training, where you'll learn the necessary skills you need. So make it a game and make shit up that they want to hear. What job is this for anyways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agro Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Say: "You shouldn't. But you're going to, because if you don't, I'll blow up your house and kill your family. Sound good?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Shogi Posted June 19, 2012 Author Share Posted June 19, 2012 Just bullshit the person interviewing you. There are screenings needed for some jobs, but by and large many of the things that aren't more specialized have job training, where you'll learn the necessary skills you need. So make it a game and make shit up that they want to hear. What job is this for anyways? It's an internship for CVS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st Mate Bob Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 You need to sound A LITTLE cocky, but not too much. Just enough to let them know "Hey, I know how to get shit done." Be sure to mention that you have experience and are capable of doing what the job requires you to do, and make sure you turn it back around and say that because of your experience they will benefit from hiring you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Alear Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 (edited) Be sure to mention that you have experience and are capable of doing what the job requires you to do, and make sure you turn it back around and say that because of your experience they will benefit from hiring you. Only if he actually has relevant experience (and if it's not obviously relevant, with some explanation it might be able to be made relevant). Lugh has said in another thread he's just going to college so he might not have job experience, or none in this setting. I've been told that they like you to have quantitative data of some kind regarding your work if you have past experience (calls per hour, saved company X amount of time per call/customer by improving best practices, trained X new employees, w/e). I have a question, have you guys ever been told to fill out an online applciation prior to the job interviews? They've sent me an email saying that I have to do that but I visitied the link and it's more of an info site than a website for online applications. Long story short, I can't can't it and I'm starting to think that this might be a scam. There's number listed but I've called that number like 20 times and she won't pick up.It could be that she is off duty now but the area code of the number is a usually a cell phone so IDK what to do As far as the online app, my 2 (lol) paid jobs have not involved any online applications - though they did both involve sending resume/cover letter and maybe a bit more info by email to an HR person who worked for the firm. However, it seems like large firms with lots of locations tend to use online applications (maybe so they can standardize data collection), and I know that one of the bank tellers who worked at a chase in my town got a job starting through an online app (which had one of those psych profiles everyone is using). I don't think you should normally assume you have a really grand starting position if you're applying for anything with an online app since there are probably lots of applicants, but it seems like they are legit. Do you have the link to the site? (I promise not to compete for you for this job) As far as calling people...I was applying for grocery store jobs one summer, and it took me almost a week to get in touch with the hiring person there (who said to just keep checking back since they were full atm but have somewhat fast turnover esp in the summer). Then I found another job and stopped checking back. An HR person who hired me for a nonprofit was impossible to get in touch with by phone, but was usually day later at most on responding by email. Also, even if it's a cell, if it's a work phone maybe it's turned off when off work? I dunno. If you've been calling for a couple days, room for doubt, if you've been calling from like 4 PM-7 PM today, I wouldn't be too surprised to get no re. Edited June 19, 2012 by Hawkeye Hank Hatfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st Mate Bob Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Only if he actually has relevant experience (and if it's not obviously relevant, with some explanation it might be able to be made relevant). Lugh has said in another thread he's just going to college so he might not have job experience, or none in this setting. I've been told that they like you to have quantitative data of some kind regarding your work if you have past experience (calls per hour, saved company X amount of time per call/customer by improving best practices, trained X new employees, w/e). Life experience helps out a lot, too, you know, especially if you're going into customer service. If you've done some volunteer work growing up, even if it's something like working the concession stands at your school's sporting event, it will work in your favor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esau of Isaac Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 It's an internship for CVS CVS like the pharmacy? Which position are you applying for? If it's just a store clerk then turn your bullshit onto extra-max, because there are no real qualifications for those jobs needed except for a beating heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nano Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Remember that they don't care about your strengths, only the part of it that helps with the job. Always try to think in the perspective of the employer, and what traits you can tell them that would make them think of you as the perfect candidate. Only talk about the things they are looking for, basically. So it's worthwhile to research exactly what the job does and what values the company want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Starwind Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I use to be honest with job interviews and applications but now I just lie the crap out of them. Moreover, by doing so I finally got a job at Macy's. The best part I work with a bunch of pretty girls.*does a Lupin the 3rd laugh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magical CC Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) "Because it is a wise choice to hire me. And I assure you that I will try my best to make sure that you will not regret chosing me." My friend pulled it for his cashier job in a casino on a super star cruise. Edited June 29, 2012 by Char Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akagami Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 I'll give you the secret: (.Y.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esau of Isaac Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 The secret is a female Tau head apparently. Well that's odd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Shogi Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 CVS like the pharmacy? Which position are you applying for? If it's just a store clerk then turn your bullshit onto extra-max, because there are no real qualifications for those jobs needed except for a beating heart. Sorry for the extremely late reply, I was away for a college experience of sorts and kinda forgot about this thread. But yes, the job is for CVS pharmacy. As for the job, I am hired but from the two orientations I've been to, it seems like a regular CVS employee. Cash register and come other stuff. And thank you all for the advice that you've given me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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