Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sega]

Does anybody have any job interview stories they would like to share. If you like you can exclude main names so you do not offend anybody. This should make an interesting topic. They have to be true though, no made up stuff.

Important Areas to Cover in Story
1. Why you think you did not get the job?
2. Was the company genuene?
3. Did they expect you to work too many hours?
4. Do you think somebody put a bad word about you?
5. How many companies told you they will call you back, but you heard nothing?

I just want to shed light on the matter, because I noticed some people in this forum are students and it would be good for them to know what it is like.

[Sega]

Does nobody have any job interview stories?

[Sotos]

I went to 3 job interviews. I got a job in the 3rd. The first one their ad was misleading and my skills did not match the position and the 2nd one we did not agree on salary because it was in another town and I had to factor the gas and the time I would spend on the road.

[greek.god]

As someone who has sat on both ends of an interview here are my tips:

a. Dress for Success. Suit and tie for men, conservative dress for women. I had an interviewee come in with a tight skirt and low cut top..nice to see but totally inappropriate.

b. Research the company, who's in charge, profits/loss, products, have they been in the news lately.

c. Tailor your answers to what the company wants to hear, not what you really think.

d. Never, Never say anything negative about a past employer or boss.

e. Never talk money at the first interview...only talk money when they offer you the job...you'll have more leverage.

f. Don't be late for the interview.

g. Sit up straight and don't fidget...everyone is Mr. or Mrs. look them in the eye when answering.

h. If you don't know an answer, don't bullshit.

[Crivens]

I haven't gone to many interviews, but I have interviewed loads of people. Best thing I can say is be confident and friendly (even crack a joke, but don't laugh like an idiot). Even if you don't know something they ask about, then be confident with the answer. You could be the most qualified person in the world but if you come across as a social misfit then it will be difficult to get a job. Know nothing about the job and if the interviewer likes you then you will have good odds to be given a chance. And all you need is your foot in the door.

Another top tip is to have a drink or two before hand. Honest to God. Especially if you are normally a bit nervous. I'm only talking about a pint or a single spirit here, not a complete bevvy. A university lecturer told us that in one of the communications lectures (for interviews and speeches). Works a treat.

Worst interview I ever went to was for Uni. They had an open day and said out of the 40 or so of us in our group, one would be selected to automatically get in regardless of past or final grades. Just impress us they said. Anyway my course was for Computer Science and the interviewer kept asking me a lot of stuff about accounts. I was dead nervous so just answered as best I could ("Erm, a balance sheet? Yeah, thats like that sheet of numbers that balances right?..."). After half an hour he admitted I didn't know much if I wanted to do a CS + Accountancy degree. Turned out he thought I was some polish bloke. Typical. Didn't have much time to leave an impression after that, so when he asked exactly what CS degree I would like I said CS + Italian, mainly because I used to live there. I didn't want to do Italian (pure CS me), but I thought it would sound impressive. I then got 30 secs of italian spewed out at me. "I left when I was 5". Sigh. Didn't automatically get in, but got in on merit in the end.

Cheers

[Sega]

Is it just me or do they all say they will call you back? Does this mean you have not got the job or you do have the job. Do people normally tell you there and then if you have the job, or do they call you back. It's sort of baffles me on how these companies work. And how many people to they actually interview?

Is it one person or 20 people and if so do all those people hold similar qualifications?

[IcyNoAngel]

Some of them call you, some don't. I got a call 2 weeks later after the interview, let's just say it was more like a chat not an interview, and it seems that I got the job.

Yes, and as people said before, you talk about money when you are offered the job, not on the first meeting.

I will tell you more about the interviews I went to... they all suck, you must be a snake too

[Crivens]

Bit random if they call back. One was such an amazing interview that I didn't bother with anything else for a month. Honestly the guy was saying "when" I start, took me to his house, introduced me to his wife, everything. After a month I phoned up and he said he got someone else and forgot to phone me. Totally gutting.

And how many people to they actually interview?

When I used to work for a software house, when we were at our peak with about 150 programmers, our department (30 programmers) used to get around 100 CVs a month. Most we would chuck straight in the bin if they didn't have a CS degree or some kind or a funny name or CV (honest). We would still be left with about 20 CVs and would have a few days a month to interview everyone. Took ages. Eventually we used an IQ test thingy to weed out the more useless ones (no interview if lower than 90%), so was a lot easier. We also introduced a test after 3 months to get rid of the rubbish ones who got through that. Might miss a few real diamonds using those steps but we immediately stopped getting people who didn't know where the "O" key was and had a BSc CS degree on their CV... Much better.

Oh, and just remembered my best and worst interview ever. Was just after Uni and the only software house on the island (Anglesey). Right next to a chicken cooking place (stinks). Had an hour and half interview with the MD. Thought I was right in there. Was matey and everything. Then at the end he said obviously with employing 2 new YTS guys as programmers he couldn't afford a college grad. Aha. YTS... aha... Friend of mine left school the same time as me and was a manager there by that time. Aha...

Cheers

[Sega]

I went in for an inteview, there was two people there. The chief and the side-kick. Anyway I seem to really impress the chief person. The chief person even gave me direction on where I will be going and starting giving minor details on the job. Anyway whilst the chief person was saying all this, the side-kick looked like he already made his mind up!! The chief person kind of gave me the impression that I got the job. When it was the side-kicks turn to interview me he did not ask a single question. The chief person said "I will call you back by...", in an eager tone. Anyway I did not hear anything, when I called back 2 weeks later they told me my job application was unsucesful. I was kind of gutted. Is this common, how can you keep two people happy in the interview, without the other one feeling challanged? It baffles me.

I went to another interview and it seemed that the company just wanted to pick my brains on the subject and nothing more. I don't even think they wanted to hire anybody and they finished the interview with a very original "I will call you back". Is this normal?

I take it to be a lengthy process. I went to one interview and the chap their said "I will seriously call you back", does this mean he will call me back for another interview? Do they normally have more than one interview for a job?

They never told us about job interviews in school, college or university for that matter.

[skyvet]

Also remember that the word "interview" means a two way street! Don't be afraid of asking the interviewing board questions. In fact, I'd recommend it.