interview and application questions

pinpin

I'll use this thread to get help with various things that I don't know how to answer as I fill out applications and prepare for potential interviews.

I'm filling in an application now. It's an entry level HR/admin job.

I was able to find a short, sweet answer on google for One of the questions that I couldn't think of an answer for, but I can't find an answer for ''greatest achievement to date'' for when someone doesn't have any.
Am I best just telling a white lie and saying I ran a massive marathon or something? Any other ideas?

TELLIT01

Don't lie or you will get caught out. Your greatest achievement doesn't have to be something life changing. It could simply be passing an exam which you thought you would fail, or passing your driving test.
Everybody has achieved something.

pinpin

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Don't lie or you will get caught out. Your greatest achievement doesn't have to be something life changing. It could simply be passing an exam which you thought you would fail, or passing your driving test.
Everybody has achieved something.

Failed my driving test.
I guess the only thing i've 'achieved' is taking my GCSE's, but that sounds kind of sad.
How will they find out that I didn't run a marathon 5 years ago, though?

tomtontom

I agree about not telling lies, you'll trip yourself up. I'd also be careful about getting answers from Google. You need to stand out and that means they want to know what is unique about you, not some generic answer found online. Have you overcome any obstacles in work or your personal life?

tomtontom

pinpin wrote: »

Failed my driving test.
I guess the only thing i've 'achieved' is taking my GCSE's, but that sounds kind of sad.
How will they find out that I didn't run a marathon 5 years ago, though?

When one of the interviewers has run the same course and asks you about it. Bad idea!

devilivus

pinpin wrote: »

Failed my driving test.

How will they find out that I didn't run a marathon 5 years ago, though?

lol, they wouldn't!!!!
(unless this is a position for the CIA or something. People often lie about all kinds of little things in their previous jobs.
IN job interviews, people will often invent events that never happened in order to answer competency type questions, as they know that the employer is not going to contact your last emoloyer and say ''Can you confirm that Mike had a disagreement with Kelly in 'accounts' 3 years ago, but they resolved the issue???''

PasturesNew

"greatest achievement to date''

I've not decked ONE boss so far. I think that's an achievement because they're all asking for it!

pinpin

PasturesNew wrote: »

"greatest achievement to date''

I've not decked ONE boss so far. I think that's an achievement because they're all asking for it!

At least i'll stand out with that answer

The other question was basically about why I wanted that particular job and what it was about HR/admin that 'excited' me.

But I used google, because if I was just being truthful, my answer would just be that it was simply the first job I came across today that didn't require experience or a degree and it was quite close to my house.
But that would probably be a much worse answer than whatever it was that I got from google (the answer was about how staff are the backbone of the business, exciting and interesting to see how to make best use of staff etc etc etc)

sangie595

You can't think of single answer on your own for an entry level job. Really? You may be over stretching yourself. You found an answer on google and are hoping for another one here. What are you going to do when they ask you a question - ask them to hang on whilst you get advice?

The only truthful answer you have so far is that you don't give a !!!! about the job but it's convenient. You might want to work on motivational issues?

Pound

Maybe talk about something you did in your previous jobs where you went above and beyond. Did you ever take on any extra responsibilities?

Prothet_of_Doom

At 17 my Biggest achievement was : Saving £350 out of my paper round wages to buy my first motorbike and insurance, along with crash helmet and gloves.
Or was it : Passing my 1 mile badge in swimming classes at aged 10 ?