Interview question

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I think they feel that I'm "overqualified" </font>

I hope it wasn't because you were OVER-dressed. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Man this thread brings back the memories. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I once ran an ad for a wrought iron fence installer back in the seventies.

It read, "wrought iron fence installer wanted. must be able to work under adverse conditions, picky customers, cranky boss."

I didn't get any applicants. But I did get a couple of jobs. And there was the calls from mothers. It seems moms thought we would be a great place for their sons to start their careers. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've hired and fired, even been the one to give out the word on a layoff or two. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Getting the job depends upon the competition. But most of the time it's more about who you remind the intervewier of. If you remind him of a sorry brother in law you lost it walking through the doorway.

Sharp stands out above everything else. Probably the hardest thing to teach. But if it's there, everything thing else is learnable.

 

[Hambone]

<font color="red"> I've hired and fired </font>

Boy, I really hate firing people. It is one of the hardest things about my job. I can give them a rough way to go at work, but, when it comes down to letting someone go I think I wear my heart on my sleeve.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I really hate firing people )</font>

Yep, Steve, that was always a tough part of my job. If an employee was deliberately doing wrong, you don't mind quite as much, but at the same time, it isn't easy because you're hurting not only that individual, but also his/her family. And if it has to be done because the employee is unable to do the job, it's even tougher. As a captain, I used to tell the lieutenants and sergeants that when we had to fire an employee for inability to do the job, it wasn't just that employee who failed, that we failed because we either hired the wrong person or we failed to properly train that person.

 

[shade2u2]

<font color="blue"> I hope it wasn't because you were OVER-dressed. </font>
I saw 10 guys interviewing for this position during the 2 1/2 hours that I was there. Some where there before me - some came before I left... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
<font color="red"> - 5 suits
- 4 business casual (more or less)
- 1 in tennis shoes, jeans, flannel shirt & tie /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif</font>
I probably could have gotten by with business casual <font color="red"> for this position </font> . I may have intimidated the production supervisor that I spoke with later, but if the Nat'l Director of Operations did have something else in mind, then the nice business suit that I had on gave the right appearance. I feel that it helped me to feel comfortable with him. He of course didn't say anything about my appearance, but my impression of his perception (if that makes any sense) was positive. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
To summarize what you guys have said the short list for dressing may be:
- <font color="blue"> "dress for the interview one level above what is expected for the job "</font>
- fits well
- feels comfortable
- newer
- general neat/professional appearance
One other thing that I'm convinced was important also, was that I researched the company via the internet. I was able to tie my experience too their industry and have some knowledge of their market and production systems. I was fortunate that this relatively small private firm had a very detailed website. If I hadn't done this, I probably would have spent much less time in the initial interview. I spent much more time with this individual than the other applicants that I saw. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> "1 in tennis shoes, jeans, flannel shirt & tie" </font>

That was me! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Except for the tie, that's about the way I dress at church. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I don't own a tie, and I haven't worn one since my wedding. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[eee]

<font color="blueclass=small">( <font color="blue"> I spent much more time with this individual than the other applicants that I saw. </font>

And they still did not hire you ?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I may have intimidated the production supervisor that I spoke with later </font>
)</font>

You are going to have to quit intimidating people,especially when you are trying to get hired. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[shade2u2]

<font color="blue"> And they still did not hire you ? </font>

I don't know that they hired anyone during these interviews...

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[shade2u2]

As a follow up, after a 3rd interview, I accepted a position with this firm on this past Friday. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I took my physical today & should start on Monday... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Thanx for all the advice... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[eee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> </font> As a follow up, after a 3rd interview, I accepted a position with this firm on this past Friday. )</font>

Congratulation's !!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif