Dreaded Interview Questions

andrewjf

AP007 wrote: »

Its meant to be work related

Ok, I used to know squat about Javascript. Then I picked up a book and educated myself now I'm a Javascript black belt. There you go, I turned a 'weakness' into a strength - tada!

andrewjf

AP007 wrote: »

Unless they say in your private life what are your weaknesses?

You could say you like plan and do not like spontaneous things etc but then that can be turned into a positive

But this kind of thing is why interviews are a complete load of rubbish. Everyone is on their best behaviour, there are hidden questions, and nobody gets a true picture.

AP007

andrewjf wrote: »

But this kind of thing is why interviews are a complete load of rubbish. Everyone is on their best behaviour, there are hidden questions, and nobody gets a true picture.

Its the same as asking the employer

Why is the position vacant - How long has the person been here/why are they leaving?
OR
What makes your company a good place to work?

They could just lie

andrewjf

AP007 wrote: »

Its the same as asking the employer

Why is the position vacant - How long has the person been here/why are they leaving?
OR
What makes your company a good place to work?

They could just lie

Exactly mate. Nobody is going to reveal anything negative there, just as you would not reveal any negative things about yourself. So as an interviewee, you should play the same game, and ask questions which try to reveal the true answers and break through the facade.

AP007

andrewjf wrote: »

Exactly mate. Nobody is going to reveal anything negative there, just as you would not reveal any negative things about yourself. So as an interviewee, you should play the same game, and ask questions which try to reveal the true answers and break through the facade.

but if the employer lies saying oh the person has been here 5 years and they are moving on when it was really oh they have been here 5 mths and we have sacked them then when you have the job you will find out

Dovah_diva

A good question to ask is "What is the one thing I could do in the first six months in post that would make a difference?". Gives the interviewer a chance to imagine you in post and demonstrates that you're thinking ahead about how to improve the company.

Spikey2

Dovah_diva wrote: »

A god question to ask is "What is the one thing I could do in the first six months in post that would make a difference?". Gives the interviewer a chance to imagine you in post and demonstrates that you're thinking aead about how to improve the company.

Sounds like an excellent question to ask

Spikey2

Weakness...
Well quite a few year ago when I was still at school, people would have said I was quiet. I just didn't have anything to talk about so didn't really start any conversations. But not now. I always speak my mind, whether people like it or not. And I love talking to people now and could talk away for ages.

So how did I change the weakness of being quiet? I've no idea really.

I wouldn't tell them any of this in an interview though. Sure if someone said they used to be too quiet but not any more, the interviewers might think the person is still quiet but just putting on an act for the interview.

AP007

Dovah_diva wrote: »

A god question to ask is "What is the one thing I could do in the first six months in post that would make a difference?". Gives the interviewer a chance to imagine you in post and demonstrates that you're thinking aead about how to improve the company.

Turn up for work? lol

andrewjf

Spikey2 wrote: »

Weakness...
Well quite a few year ago when I was still at school, people would have said I was quiet. I just didn't have anything to talk about so didn't really start any conversations. But not now. I always speak my mind, whether people like it or not. And I love talking to people now and could talk away for ages.

So how did I change the weakness of being quiet? I've no idea really.

I wouldn't tell them any of this in an interview though. Sure if someone said they used to be too quiet but not any more, the interviewers might think the person is still quiet but just putting on an act for the interview.

I absolutely agree, don't mention that. Being labelled as 'quiet' is very bad for you.