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jkong

job interview... need advice.

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Ive done this plenty of times, but every time I find myself questioning if I should have done something differently.

-How to get away from the office for the interview without being sneaky? Tell them now that I have to take an extended lunch or apologize after I am late coming back?

-How to change my clothes into a suit before the interview without anyone at the office noticing Im particularly dressed up today?

-What the hell is my greatest weakness?

I really want a new job. Ive been bored here forever. Any advice is greatly appreciated, including any ideas for questions I should ask them on the interview.

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Well the interview is for 2pm this afternoon and Im at my workdesk right now... so that wont work. Plus I have used all my personal days for the whole year already (thanks skydiving!)

Also, I've heard saying that you are a perfectionist is not the right thing to do on an interivew, since everyone hears the same thing and it comes off sounding like bs.

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I'd say Mark's advice is probably the best, take the whole day off. If you're already AT work and can't get away, see if you can use the "appointment" tactic, as in, the doctor's office called and moved your appointment up to today at lunch. Not many people are going to question that one.

I find that for "greatest weakness", something innocuous works best, like "I'm really hard on myself when I mess up," or "I'm my own worst critic," something like that. Something that points to a tendency to improve your performance, rather than detracting from it.

Good luck, Jen! You're in my thoughts! :)

Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28
"I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC
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I agree with Ducky. Perfectionists often = won't get the project finished until it is finally PERFECT. Harshest critic means always trying to improve, but gets something done.
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-How to get away from the office for the interview without being sneaky? Tell them now that I have to take an extended lunch or apologize after I am late coming back?



Just be sneaky about it.

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-What the hell is my greatest weakness?


Sitting on Dropzone.com all day and not doing any work. :P

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I really want a new job. Ive been bored here forever. Any advice is greatly appreciated, including any ideas for questions I should ask them on the interview.



An interview usually identifies 3 things:

1. Can you do the Job?
If you submitted a resume, then you have already convinced them you can, otherwise they would not ask to see you.

2. Will you do the Job?
Your confidence is key in convincing them that you will turn up each day and do the job.

3. Will you fit in?
My advice is just be yourself, it is up to them to figure out if you fit well into their environment.

Good luck.

BP :)

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-How to get away from the office for the interview without being sneaky? Tell them now that I have to take an extended lunch or apologize after I am late coming back?


Take the afternoon off. It will reduce your stress levels. You can tell people at work that you will be running some errands, taking care of personal business, or whatever.
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-How to change my clothes into a suit before the interview without anyone at the office noticing Im particularly dressed up today?


No problem. Wear your normal clothes to work and then stop at the first McDonald's you see on the way to your interview. McDonald's has clean restrooms with loads of room in the stalls for changing.
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-What the hell is my greatest weakness?


Tell them that you don't look at yourself or others in those terms--you see opportunities for growth, and the areas where you would like to grow are.....
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I really want a new job. Ive been bored here forever. Any advice is greatly appreciated, including any ideas for questions I should ask them on the interview.


In my view, the most important question I ever ask in an interview--and I *always* ask it--is how often do they hear people laughing in that work environment. A fun work environement is a *productive* work environment.

Walt

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That reminds me of the time I ran into my manger on my way into an interview- an hour before my normal start time, dressed much nicer than my usual work attire (our office was fairly casual) and walking into the building next door where the "competition" was located. DOH! Yeah, she knew but didn't say anything directly to me.

As for the rest, just be yourself and YES "I'm a perfectionist" is a cheesy answer most people can see right through.

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haha, i just did this not too long ago, i just left on my lunch, stoped, threw a dress shirt on, and then went in for the interview. was hour late back, oops, just told my boss, and he said, "no problem" . next day, second interview.. told boss, "I'm probably going to be hour late again" "no problem, thanks for letting me know" ....... week later, put in my 2 weeks, and now It is my second day on my new job... and boy are they working me!! 5am-3pm, then went back at 7pm to 8am. which brings me to right now, and now I am waiting for phone call to go back. ohhhh what fun!

edit: when i went on the interview, the interviewer knew that I was going there on my hour lunch, so they kept things fast and simple.
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In my view, the most important question I ever ask in an interview--and I *always* ask it--is how often do they hear people laughing in that work environment. A fun work environement is a *productive* work environment.



I agree with this - I will probably ask it. Its really important to me to enjoy where I work. I used to love it here, but then all the people I enjoyed working with moved on to new jobs or moved away. And boredom leads to mroe dz.com or wishing I were doing something else, like skydiving. I want to enjoy all of my life, not just everything outside of 9-5.

The interview is at 2, I am leaving here in an hour. At this point if I havent figured it out, I will just wing it during the interview. I will let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for all the helpful replies :)

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Ok! thanks for all the good advice and well wishes - The interview went well...

When I left the office I stopped in the bathroom to put on my suit, where the CEO caught me! ouch.

I got to the interview 10 min early, but the woman interviewing me was 30 min late [:/] how rude.

I rounded up to the nearest 10k when she asked how much I make, so basically I lied. I hope she doesnt ask my boss how much Im currently making if I get the job. Otherwise, there go my chances.

The woman was crazy about me - I even overheard her say to someone outside of the office when she left me for a minute saying "She's the one!". :)

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for your weakness. pick something that can also be seen as a strong side. say: i dont like to work alone. means, you're a teamplayer! or you cant really say "no" to someone. and the like.

most of all, be yourself, be positive!
“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

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