[pinksugar]

ok, so I went to another job interview and was CRUELLY REJECTED!

I felt that I didn't give the best answers for some of these questions so I was wondering what you guys reckon would be good things to say. I just want some practise so next time I wont screw up and sound like a retard.

a. what do you think you're best at?
b. what is something you need to work on? (I know for this one you should make a positive into a negative - eg, I'm sooo neat, I guess i might be over the top)
c. where do you see yourself in 2 years?
d. what is the most fun you've had at work?
e. how have you dealt with conflict at work? give a specific example
f. where is a situation when you have not succeeded in making a customer happy (what the hell is the right answer to that one?!)

sigh. I totally suck at interviews! maybe you guys could give me some test questions and see how I do.. otherwise I'll be unemployed for life!

it makes it hard knowing that I have no money and no financial cushion when I DO go to an interview, because I get so nervous!

thanks in advance for your help chickens!

[Jobunny]

I think that what they're looking for is not so much the answer you give to the question (i.e. some pre-thought and rehearsed answer) but HOW you answer the question. Does that make sense?

So if they ask "What are you best at?" you can talk about your interests and how good they make you feel, and if they're looking for a job-related answer (is this retail you're interviewing for?) then you can talk about an aspect of that, like "I find it really rewarding being able to problem-solve for customers, and that's something that I work hard at", etc.

I think it's more about them getting a feel for you as a person, rather than you giving the "correct" answers.

Also, remember that reasons for not hiring you can include things like your personality (this is not saying your personality is crap or anything, because we all know you're lovely ) may not fit in with the other people on the team, or something to that effect - like the company may not be the best fit for what you have to offer. This isn't a negative (apart from the fact that they didn't hire you lol!).

Also, if you do some research into the company then you can include that into your answers, and what's always great about doing the research is that, at the end of the interview they might ask you if YOU want to ask THEM any questions, and if you have done your research and are able to ask intelligent questions about the company, then they'll see that you are able to think in a particular way, and might think "this is the type of person we want on our team".

About the 'not making a customer happy' question, just say that there are times when a customer will be unhappy regardless of what you do, and so all you can do is give the best possible service you can, but you're only human and there are going to be times when a customer is dissatisfied no matter what you do. Show them that you're human! I doubt they want someone who's all "I am the best at everything, go me", instead of intelligent answers.

I should add the disclaimer that I've never had a job and so therefore have never been in a job interview! BUT I was talking to my dad the other night about job interviews (because I graduate soon and will have to find my first job eek!) and because he's the bomb (lol) he gave me some awesome advice, some of which I thought might help you

Also, you're still studying at uni, right? Bring that into your answers - they will see a whole human being rather than a 2-dimensional job applicant (remember how many people they probably have to interview, just be your wonderful charming self and they'll remember you for sure ).

Oh one other tip, my dad said that even mentioning something like how you enjoy for a bit of fun buying and selling stuff on Ebay shows them that you can actually organise yourself and be responsible, and can think in that way etc.

I hope some of this helped! Let us know how you get on k Most people looking for jobs have to go to heaps of interviews before they are hired.

[dentaldee]

a. what do you think you're best at?..........I'd say something like I'm best at multitasking for example "blah blah" and say I believe this is what I do best yet I feel there is always room for improvement
b. what is something you need to work on? (I know for this one you should make a positive into a negative - eg, I'm sooo neat, I guess i might be over the top) I think there is no problem being some what honest here but use something minor, for example I had a dispatching interview the other day and I said I need to improve my knowledge of the maps and get to know the areas better, even though I have computer maps to rely on.....but what ever you say be sure to add that you think continuing education is a life long thing and you strive to continually improve all your skills.

c. where do you see yourself in 2 years? I see myself continuing to improve my skills and take on more responsibilities and eventually move into a supervisor/management position.
d. what is the most fun you've had at work? I like to have fun everyday....I think humor cuts stress and makes for great office moral...it's great to have fun but you need to be sure it does not interfere with work production and always remain professional when clients are around... then give an example, maybe a silly practical joke(something small)
e. how have you dealt with conflict at work? give a specific example.......say..I like to deal with conflict upfront, I don't like to let things brew, I will take the person aside and try to straighten things out between the two of us before we take the problem to a higher level and of coarse if we are unable to work thing out I would approach a supervisor......I remember one time a new employee joined the staff and she seemed offended by my authority every time I would tell her how to do things, so I took her aside and asked her if she had a problem with me and explain that I had many years experience and I was trying to help her I wasn't belittling her, she then in turn stated she didn't realize she had attitude and from that day on we had a great relationship!
f. where is a situation when you have not succeeded in making a customer happy (what the hell is the right answer to that one?!)...........try and give some kind of answer and say I gave it 100% effort and list several steps that you took and say I really felt bad and I know you can't please everyone 100% of the time but it was a blow to my ego and I learned for the situation.

I hope these examples help........I try and give real situations and examples but I always elaborate and embellish the story to make it sound better........everyone BS's in interviews......I'd write down all the questions and write several answers for each so you have a few things to pull from when you are on the spot.......that's what I do.
I'm sorry things didn't work out for you this time......but look at it like a learning experience and don't let it stop you from trying again in the future...........Good Luck hun!!

[magosienne]

i think those questions are like a mini trap, i believe you are also judge on your whole attitude (lol i read somewhere sitting with your legs crossed means you're not open to conversation-WTH ??).

a. i love the job, it's a passion and i always make sure i do the best i can to help a customer.
b. well, i can't really judge myself, but usually people say i'm serious, so maybe i am too serious ? but is that really a flaw ?
c. (considering i'm still a student and i mostly apply for summer jobs, here's what i answer) : hopefully i'll have my degree and pass my exam to become a judge.
d.being able to help people is kind of fun when you do something you like (even if IRL i don't give a sh*t about your job).
e.well, i stay out of them and try not to to rise conflicts myself. like not telling the boss i knew certain people who were hired somewhere and just wouldn't show one day at work because they knew you wouldn't allow them to leave before a certain time has passed if they warned you. i shouldn't have known that anyway.
f. when a customer lied to me and tried to cheat with her son's insurance and social security. another example is customers who just walk in to rant over the first employee they see.[SIZE=Default][/size]

[pinksugar]

thanks everyone.. some of these answers are what I knew I should have said, but in the interview I kind of froze. I will definately write some of these down and have a practise. I havent been unemployed for that long, only a week or two, but I find it really stressful, lol

[Dragonfly]

I have been asked: what is one fault you need to work at - or similar - on a few interviews.
I always answer: I don't know when to take a break or I tend to work through my lunch - in either case I like to see a task through to the end before finishing.
Employers seem to like those answers.

Where do I see myself in 2+ years:
I answer that I'll be working hard to get to the next level - whether through further education or professional development courses.

What I'm good at:
I have the ability to work well independently yet I enjoy working with others.

Conflict:
I approached teh individual in question and asked if they would like to go for lunch. Once in a non work environment, tried to talk and work out the conflict. Whether it was effective or not, the employer sees that I tried my best to work out my own problems in a mature way.

Making a customer happy or not:
Listening. Too many people complain because they are upset and they are not listened to. i have worked in a few hospital settings. Believe me, people are upset or their health or a loved one. If I shut them down it will only escalate things. If I listen and let them vent, even if they don't get the answer they want, at least they knew that someone cared.

Most fun:
Dressing up at Hallowe'en or having a secret santa party or pot luck Fridays.
The interviewer will see that these days boost morale and productivity stays up. Yet nothing dumb happens like drinking on the job.

Hang in there Kiddo - the right job will surface.

[S. Lisa Smith]

I wish I could add to the advice you have been given, but it is so sound that I can't. The most important thing is to be calm and confident. You can do it!

[NSR160]

a. what do you think you're best at?

Multi talented, are able to keep same focus on different assignments.

b. what is something you need to work on?

I tend to get too concentrated, and block out the environment around me.

c. where do you see yourself in 2 years?

Working with the thing I love, being able to experiment with new things.

d. what is the most fun you've had at work?

Trying new things, and getting great feedback.
When I experiment.

e. how have you dealt with conflict at work? give a specific example

Im a calm person, so i normally deal with conflicts with ease.
One time a fellow worker had forgotten all the equipment i needed.
So I had to borrow equipment from a different person.
The equipment i was not used too, but it worked out great.

f. where is a situation when you have not succeeded in making a customer happy.

Not shore if I understand the question.
If a customer is not happy, Ill talk and find out what the problem might be.
Then find out what the person was looking for.
And work out the problem.

[LilRayofSun]

a. what do you think you're best at?
answer= anything I set my mind to do or accomplish.

b. what is something you need to work on? (I know for this one you should make a positive into a negative - eg, I'm sooo neat, I guess i might be over the top)
answer= I am a bit of a perfectionist and have a habit of being too hard on myself.

c. where do you see yourself in 2 years?
answer=Hopefully in a stable job that I love and that apprciates my hard work

d. what is the most fun you've had at work?
answer= anytime I reach my goal tends to be fun for me. Work is just that, work. If it happens to be fun than so be it.=)

e. how have you dealt with conflict at work? give a specific example
answer= I have had a supervisor be over the top critical in front of people that I over saw. Feeling it limited my subordinates ability to respect me I requested a side bar with my supervisor and we reached an alternate way of communicating issues away from other employees.

f. where is a situation when you have not succeeded in making a customer happy (what the hell is the right answer to that one?!)
answer= never. Short of giving the shirt of my back if teh customer is right, or dissatisfied it is in my best interest as rep. for the company to see to it they walk away with a good experience.