Interviews!

[thommo]

After nearly 10 years with my current employer, I have decided to take the plunge and look for a new job and I have an interview next week. I'm feeling a little nervous to say the least as I don't really know what sorts of questions to expect in interviews these day's. Has anyone been interviewed recently and could you perhaps let me know what sort of questions you were asked and how you answered them? Any general advice on how to survive and more importantly to do well in the interview would also be very appreciated.
Thanks

[gee4]

Be positive and be yourself.  It will be obvious that after that length of service you are now looking to move and take on a bigger challenge.  You want to say that you have gone as far as you can with this company and now it's time for a change.  You could be asked about your weaknesses as well as your strengths.  If you can change your weaknesses around to make them strengths eg. being too organised can lead to you wanting others to follow suit etc etc.

Make sure you also do some research on the company before you attend the interview as you may be asked what you know about them.  You may also want to ask questions like -

- did they make a profit last year
- have they had a high turnover in staff

Also say that you are keen to work for a company who can offer you new opportunities etc.

G

[thommo]

Thanks Gee4.

I've been giving some serious thought to some of the questions that I may be asked including the old chestnut of 'what would you say are your weaknesses'!. and your suggestion is a very good one.  I was thinking something along the lines of 'I am a very good organiser but not so good with organising my own paper work, whilst this hasn't caused me any problems, i recognise that I can increase my efficiency by organising my paperwork better. What do you think of that? It is true, but I don't want to give the impression that I'm personally chaotic or disorganised.

[gee4]

No problem.  You could even say something like, I work in a very organised manner and sometimes that causes problems for my boss when he goes to look for something, I have already filed it away.  It shows you are organised (strength) but perhaps just a little bit too much (weakness).

I wouldn't dwell on the details too much - just keep your statements to one sentence.  If you start waffling it won't look good and you may end up having to dig yourself out of a whole.  Don't think of more than one or two weaknesses because you want to come across as professional.

G

[deedee]

I totally relate--I have been with my present employer, in varying capacities (each involving increased responsibility, etc.) for (GASP) 34 years.  I am looking for something else too since my job was eliminated in a merger about 14 months ago.  I was given a much lower rated entry-level clerk type job (I'm not saying this is a bad thing, at least I am still working, but there is no challenge in the work and it presents no opportunities to learn and grow) but I need to move on.  I have interviewed A LOT recently, and while I can't say I remember precisely what I was asked, much of it is on the level of "tell me about yourself", to which I reply with a brief overview of my experience and responsibilities (always stressing the increases in these).  If they ask how much money I want (always a sore point because some employers assume automatically that I will not take less than I am currently getting--although I will) I ask them "What are you planning to pay your best candidate?"

 I have made a little list of questions to ask the interviewers, though, and when I am asked if I have any questions, I will say:  "I have written down a number of my questions; would you mind if I refer to my notes?"  Nobody ever objects.  You may want to ask them things like:

What skills and personal qualities would your ideal candidate have?

Why the position is open?

How would you describe your management style?  (best asked of the person you hope to work for)

I understand generally the job's duties, but I would like to hear more about how this position is important to Yourcompany.

In a year from now, what kinds of improvements would you like to see in place, which don't exist now?

Can you tell me about some of the people who have been highly successful in this job--who did a great job for you?  Can you tell me about people who worked for you in the past who didn't work out so well, or whose work you valued less?  

What else can I tell you about myself or my career experience we haven't discussed?

I find that asking questions (and taking notes of the responses) is an excellent way to engage the interviewer and I have had many positive comments from the people I interviewed with.  I have had several offers, but none that interest me enough to move on just yet.  I continue to look though and hope I can find a job that will use my skills and abilities more than the one I currently have.  

Sorry for this LONG post!!

Good luck!!