First Interview...

[Pathogen03]

Heya, im 18, I have my first real interview tomorrow.. I know the basics, such as what to wear, be careful not to contradict myself, and know my resume like the back of my hand if they ask questions..

But im asking the community -- Does anyone have any other advice? Things to say? not to say?


Im 18 applying for a 40,000/year job with a marketing firm that sounded interested in me over the phone. I have a very friendly and outgoing personality, but I am also serious about work...

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[PetunZ]

Smile

 

[akubi]

firm handshake
maintain eye contact
don't button the bottom button (lol)

don't panic

 

[Phoenix86]

If in doubt...

 

[gopunk]

be respectful but don't grovel
be confident

 

[cjgallen]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
If in doubt...

 

[Cal166]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
If in doubt...

Whip it out

 

[yllus]

Don't interrupt them when they're talking, even if you feel a response bursting from within. Use your speaking pauses properly, you don't need to fill every second of your interview with words.

 

[Cal166]

Just tell them what they want to hear. Things like, I love doing this, I love working with that, Its my passion doing this, doing that....blah blah

 

[HonkeyDonk]

1. Dress naked (or just your boxers and socks)
2. Call them names and cuss a lot
3. Yawn and look at your watch constantly
4. When answer questions, make sure you add a lot of "ummms" and "hmmmms"
5. Tell them you love to party, drink, and go crazy

 

[robothouse77]

is this a pyramid scheme?

 

[SpazzyChicken]

Originally posted by: robothouse77
is this a pyramid scheme?

Cutco?

 

[Maximus96]

18 and already 40k a year? wow

 

[icejunkie]

Originally posted by: zaku
18 and already 40k a year? wow

I have a friend who is 19 and makes 50k/year...

 

[tRiPpiNxSaV]

Get a handful of questions ready so when they ask you if you have any questions, be sure to ask a few. Let them know you're really interested.

 

[Pathogen03]

in response to 18 and 40k a year, yes it is very impressive for my age..

But I doubt im going to get it honestly, and thats not being pessimistic


Im a 18 year old high school dropout (enrolled college while still going to high school.. stopped going to high school) with a GED and a year of college under my belt. I definetly meet their criterion, but im worried about my age and education being a major negative factor.


But thanks for the serious and helpful comments, I'm trying to decide what sort of topics to try and steer towards, and what to steer away from, and trying to learn about their company.

 

[notfred]

They are going to ask questions like "why would you be an asset to our company?", "What are your weaknesses/strengths?" Think about answers for quesitons like these, and come up with something good for your weakness. Don't say: I get distracted easily or something lame like that. Come up with something honest...but that will work in your favor. Are you a perfectionist? etc.
Play up your experience/knowledge that you think qualifies you.

 

[desk]

all interviewers are different. i think the most important thing is to pick up on their personality quickly. if the guy seems to be laid back, try to take on the same attitude. if he is very "by the book" then watch your step.

*edit* when i say laid back, i dont mean about your work. i just mean, throw in a joke or two (if you are good at that) and maybe bring up something interesting you did recently.

 

[SuperPickle]

Eye contact is good (of course) but something that is overlooked is dividing eye contact among your interviewers. Make sure you address them equally if interviewed by a panel - this is expecially true if they're women. Don't let any of them feel like they are less important than the others (particularly if one chick is hot and the rest, not).

Oh yeah, don't stare at their boobs either.

 

[ghostman]

Think about answers for quesitons like these, and come up with something good for your weakness. Don't say: I get distracted easily or something lame like that. Come up with something honest...but that will work in your favor. Are you a perfectionist? etc.

NOOO! Do not respond with things like "I am a perfectionist" or "I work too hard". They'll think immediately that you're full of it (even if it's true). Why? Because no one in their right mind would consider those to be weaknesses. So you're either giving bullsh!t answers (which would damage your credibility) or don't comprehend what your weaknesses truly are (everyone has some). Besides, the interviewer has done this before and he has heard it before.

When I was asked this question during my interview for my current tech job, I responded with "databases". Then followed that with how I don't feel comfortable with my experience with databases and am currently enrolled in two database classes to fix that (which was true). The interviewer responded, "I really appreciate your honest response."

At a later date, a friend asked me how I would respond to the weakness question. I told her my situation. Amusingly, she used the same response (but it was true for her as well)! The interviewer responded, "Oh, don't worry about it." She did get the job, but I can't take credit for that

 

[ghostman]

Maybe it won't happen during this interview, but expect to answer "situational questions" in future interviews like:

"Tell me a time when you were a leader."
"Tell me a time when you overcame an obstacle."

For these, come up with a true experience before the interview (hehe, but give a slight "thinking" pause). Don't make it up, because it's a lot easier to describe situations you were actually in.

Other questions like:

"Why did you choose our company over other companies? We're just like them."
"Tell me product/service that we provide."

Clearly, these require you to do a bit of research before you go in.

And if you are actually given one of those crazy logic question, just vocalize your thoughts. You don't actually have to get it right.

And make sure you have some question for the interviewer.

EDIT: BTW, if you get the job, you owe me lunch.