glad to help. On my recent job hunt I have done 9 interviews thus far. 2 I walked out on, one just wasn't a good fit, and the other 6 I blew the interviewers right outta the water.
Things not to say:
Q: Tell me about a time you tried your best and still failed.
A: Sir, only losers whine about trying their best. Winners go home with the prom queen.
at this point he dropped his pen and just stared at me dumbfounded.
It was for a sales position.
45 minutes later he was asking for me to sign the W-2.
Never tell them that you "will not" or "can not" do anything.
And the absolute best line I have had that just makes their mouths water and their eyes light up and jump up to stand in line to start bidding on me...
Q: Tell me about your 'dream job'
A: "I want to be to the point that I am not only proficient in whatever job I am doing, but I want to have three other things to go along with it.
1. The admiration of my peers as the guy they want to be.
2. When the new guy shows up on the job, he sees me and wants to be like me and wants me to train him.
3. When the big project or heavy work load comes up and the president/vp of the company asks for a status report on it, his subordinate will say "Dan's got it and working it boss" and the boss simply replies with "well good." and that is enough for him to hear.
It really doesn't matter to me *what* I am doing, so long as it is something productive and I can have the opportunity to develop myself to this level."
Tell them that. Watch them go freaking NUTS. I was at a bunch of interviews today. Told that to the HR guru from a Fortune 150 company face to face. He stopped me and dialed up the phone to the vp of the company and had me tell it to him.
His response to it was pretty funny:
"Please tell me we are the only company you are looking at right now"
Other tips.
Take control of the interview. Do not give yes/no answers only. Expand every time with a reason as to why you like/dislike something.
Make sure YOU have questions for THEM! You are interviewing them the same as they are doing you. Dont ask about $$$, ask why the position is opened up now.. they left, they got fired, growth, promotion. Ask about the work atmosphere, diversity, future plans for the company, what they are looking for someone to get done in 6 months.
Make sure you can back up whatever you say and have the proper attitude for the job. See above reference on things not to say. I said it because it was for a high profile sales position and they wanted a real go getter. And you better believe I had the facts and figures of my past performance in that area right there with me to back up a statement like that.
