Job Interview In Two Days -- Tips?

[Jason1]

I have never had a good answer for the "greatest weakness question" I will be curious as to what others say.

As for "Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years" I always say something along the lines as working for a company, possibly this one, where I can continue to learn new skills and work hard to advance within the company.

For 2 or 3 greatest accomplishments, that shouldnt be too hard. Graduating college, and the like.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Jason1

I have never had a good answer for the "greatest weakness question" I will be curious as to what others say.

There are only a couple good ways to answer this. And trust me, I've interviewed a ton of people. The best way is to turn your weakness into a strength. You have to say something like "I'm a bit of a perfectionist, in that I probably go over my work too many times to make sure it's accurate." Don't say you don't like to answer phones if that's part of the job. Honesty is not always the best policy.

[Teuthida]

Originally Posted by Neo

There are only a couple good ways to answer this. And trust me, I've interviewed a ton of people. The best way is to turn your weakness into a strength. You have to say something like "I'm a bit of a perfectionist, in that I probably go over my work too many times to make sure it's accurate." Don't say you don't like to answer phones if that's part of the job. Honesty is not always the best policy.

That was my first thought but figured they'd expect a canned answer like that. "I work too damn hard." "I have a compulsion to get along with my coworkers." "I tend to do whatever my boss tells me too. I sodomized an ostrich at last job. I'm that obedient."

I disagree with this, too. Anyone who tells me they want to leave to go back to school or they want to be a teacher is basically shooting themselves in the foot. We want people who are going to be committed to working here; it takes too long to train people. We actually had a girl tell us she wanted to be a teacher but wasn't able to get a job in that field. Of course we aren't going to hire her, because she's just going to bolt when when she finds what she really wants.

I dunno. The last time I had to answer that question I was truthful and now I'm about to attain what I said I would be doing five years from then. Of course there was no way I was going to stay at that crap job for five years. I think I lasted five months. But yeah, if you really want the job, lie like crazy. If you want to be a teacher or go back to school, lie and you'll still get the job. How is that better? Why would you prefer someone who lies that they want to stay there but will bolt at anytime as opposed to someone who's truthful and you'll know exactly how long they might be there for?

Then again I'm biased against jobs that interview you like that where you can easily be replaced and they care more about your personality and compliance than your work. I liken it to a beauty pageant without the swimsuit competition. I suppose you need that though if don't have prior experience for the job you're applying for.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Teuthida

If you want to be a teacher or go back to school, lie and you'll still get the job. How is that better? Why would you prefer someone who lies that they want to stay there but will bolt at anytime as opposed to someone who's truthful and you'll know exactly how long they might be there for?

Well either way the person's going to leave, right? As an employer, I'd rather them tell me up front. But from your perspective, you don't want me to know that you're going to bolt. So LIE, LIE, LIE!