Job interviews

Dauphin · June 10, 2003, 13:35

When you have been unemployed for about 6-7 months a common interview question is "So what have you been doing for the passed 6-7 months?".

How do you garnish the response: "Well, I've spent most of my time trying to find a job!"

And what exactly are companies hoping you will answer?

Harovan · June 10, 2003, 13:39

Say you have been learning something new. If they ask for a certificate, tell 'em you're an autodidact. If they ask you what it was, be creative. It depends on the kind of job you want to get.

Asher · June 10, 2003, 13:40

"I spent it on a sabbatical in the Netherlands exploring marijuana"
or
"I went back to school and took many couses to better myself"

Oerdin · June 10, 2003, 13:40

You should do what I did and lie shamelessly. Seriously, tell them after you graduated you took six months off to travel the world then come up with some story about how you spent a week with the shits while in India. That way you won't be a bum who sat on his ass for six months but an "adventurous self-starter" instead.

GePap · June 10, 2003, 13:42

Turn any interesting bit that happened during those six months into a great adventure. I am even worse off, with a whole year of inactivity. At this point, since nothing seems to be coming up of value, and I could not go back to school (o, shcool, wonderfull refuge from reality) until next sept, I think I will volunteer at the offices of local politicos, for just this sort of emergency.

FrustratedPoet · June 10, 2003, 13:44

BC: You can read my reply in the CGN thread, although my advice is basically the same as Oerdin's.

DAVOUT · June 10, 2003, 13:46

What I like to hear is that you have done something to improve your professional skill in a related area (your main skill must not be questionned).

Others would prefer to hear that you have used your spare time in working unpaid for an organization of some sort.

Depending on the interviewer and how the interview evolves, use one or the other or a mix of both.

Oerdin · June 10, 2003, 13:49

FP: I'll have to check out your thread at CGN.

FrustratedPoet · June 10, 2003, 13:51

I wouldn't bother if I were you.

Japher · June 10, 2003, 13:52

I had a friend who looked for a job for 2 years!!! He was unemployed the whole time. You'd think that if he was looking for 2 years he would of found one, fact is, he was lazy.

Employer don't want to hear that you were looking for a job for 6-7 months, even though you were. Why? Lowers your desirablity. Yet, in these times it make take that long to actually find a job.

What I would do:

Job: "So I see you have been unepmloyed for the pass 7 months, what were you doing in that time."

Me: "I was looking for a job that would offer me a career in a field that I would find both challenging, exciting, and rewarding."

This type of response can lead to an excellent arse kissing question to follow, see how I dodged the question and fed them the next question?!

Yet, if you got a real stiff interviewer:

Job: "Yes, that is great, but why has it taken you so long? What else have you been doing with your time? It doesn't take 8 hours a day to apply to jobs."

Me: "I spent more time with my family and friends, tried a couple new hobbies, brushed up on certain skills that I thought would be desireable in a suitable canidate for the position I am seeking, as well as continued personal research into my field."

Once again I fed them the next question(s). Also, I showed them that I had actually managed my time for constructive activities, not just sitting around watching TV waiting for the phone to ring (as I really was). They like to see that you have a life outside of work; family, friends, hobbies. I also told them that I was planning and preparing for the time when I did get a job through research and skill honing...

What if they ask me what research and what skill honing I was doing? Oh, they will. Yet, those are much easier to make up than are reasons for sitting on your thumbs for half a year. The answer all depends on what field you are in, generic answers; brushen up on my interview skills by practicing with friends, read journals (make sure to get some names and to actually read a few articles on your field), went over some courses from school that I felt less adequate at than others, talked to professionals in the field I wanted to get into just to make sure I was really certain that I wanted to be there, etc... That last one is hard to make up, but it can be done. I would suggest you actually call some professionals that you don't have an interview with and ask if you can interview them, most ppl are more than willing to talk about themselves... this can be in person or over the phone, but it really helps, and if your questions are well thoughout and executed professionally they might even offer you a job!

The other response in their about brushing up subjects can really kill you if you don't prepare an answer for it... I have used it with success, it shows you aren't perfect (as no one is) but that you are willing and capable of learning to be perfect. If you want to be less humble you can always say something to the effect of 'they were subjects, that while I did fine in, I just felt warrented additional attention to address mjy interests'... BS, BS, BS...

There are many ways to get through that linguring question and take control of the interview at the same time, that is what they want to see... Once you have control, give it back by asking them a question too...

Anyway, I went a little long, good luck on your interviews

Dauphin · June 10, 2003, 14:07

My problem is that I am not a natural BS artist, despite my several years training with the Poly masters.

Jon Miller · June 10, 2003, 14:11

masturbated compulsively is always a good one

or you can say that you were an internet stalker

Jon Miller

Dauphin · June 10, 2003, 14:38

Maybe you misread, I'm trying to get hired, not fired.

Pekka · June 10, 2003, 14:44

Remember that if the interviewer is female and she asks about your future plans, you can't go wrong with 'to get into your panties'.

Gatekeeper · June 10, 2003, 14:49

Those future plans would likely include jail time and lawsuits after a comment like that, Pekka.

Oerdin · June 10, 2003, 14:59

No jail time. But certainly no call back for a second interview.

Crunch: Is there some licience or certificate which people can earn in your field? For instance I work as a Geologist but most Geologists need HazMat handlers permits, liciences for using nuclear density guages, security clearence if your going to work on a government facility (which are the best paying most reliable contracts to get), and what not. Also join the local professional organization as this will give you greater networking possibilities and shows you are interested in the field even when you're not getting paid.

Dauphin · June 10, 2003, 15:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Oerdin
No jail time. But certainly no call back for a second interview.

Crunch: Is there some licience or certificate which people can earn in your field?

Yep.

Except that you can only get the ACA (chartered accountancy) qualification by having 3 years working experience, in addition to passing the relevent exams. I only have my finals left to do, but I am not permitted to do them until I approach completion of my practical experience. Doing a different side course now is a bit like getting a highschool qualification when you are looking to finish your degree in the subject.

I could take computing courses in various packages I suppose, but on the job experience has always far cheaper and more useful in my line of work.

Quote:

Also join the local professional organization as this will give you greater networking possibilities and shows you are interested in the field even when you're not getting paid.

I've been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for over 2 years. I've been using that avenue with little success unfortunately.

Oerdin · June 10, 2003, 15:23

Make sure that is on your resume, get a good interview prep book so you will be able to anwser their questions with prepared anwsers which you can just roll of your lips. This will make you appear confident and relaxed plus it will make it harder to tell if you pass a white lie or two. Finally, remember to write a brief thank you note after the interview as that will cause them to think about your application & name again. Think of it as your last chance to show why you are best for the job.

Dauphin · June 10, 2003, 15:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Oerdin
Finally, remember to write a brief thank you note after the interview as that will cause them to think about your application & name again. Think of it as your last chance to show why you are best for the job.

I think my name sticks out enough as it is.

FrustratedPoet · June 10, 2003, 15:38

Quote:

get a good interview prep book

Can you recommend any?

Oerdin · June 10, 2003, 15:39

Writing a thank you note is pretty much standard operating procedure in the business world. At least it is on this side of the Atlantic.

chequita guevara · June 10, 2003, 15:44

Volunteer someplace and help them with their accounting.

Provost Harrison · June 10, 2003, 17:28

Don't be a whore to business...they shaft you when they are paying you, never mind actually voluntarily...that is plain foolishness...

Dauphin · June 10, 2003, 17:48

I think Che meant charities, not a 'business'.

Provost Harrison · June 10, 2003, 17:52

It doesn't pay the bills though...

chequita guevara · June 10, 2003, 17:54

Neither does not working, which is what most of us are not-doing when we are looking for work. It is generally a major factor in why we are looking for work.

Urban Ranger · June 10, 2003, 23:59

Say you have been working with the MSF in the DRC (or some other equally remote place).

Seriously though, che's idea is good. Also, a thank you letter is pretty much standard, address your interviewer directly and recap briefly of the major points raised during in the interview. If there were more than one interviewer, send it to the main one and cc the rest.

Seeker · June 11, 2003, 00:12

Interview? They still do those? I got people wanting me in Taiwan for $3100 a month on the basis of my picture and a lousy e-mail.

You wage-slaves back in North America should really explore international employment.

You have to work NOT to get hired here.

TCO · June 11, 2003, 00:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Crunch
When you have been unemployed for about 6-7 months a common interview question is "So what have you been doing for the passed 6-7 months?".

How do you garnish the response: "Well, I've spent most of my time trying to find a job!"

And what exactly are companies hoping you will answer?

I would just say, that a took a few months off to travel and than initiated a job search. (end of reply). Most people don't really care. If they start to get into it, I would give short to the point answers and than move on to the pertinent other parts of the interview.

You may be worrying more about the gap than you should. Some people see it as a stigma. Some don't. Some people have savings. Others can't imagine being out of work for a week. Just be nonchalant. Has worked great for me.

In fact, I wouldn't get into month by month minutia unless they really ask directly. otherwise, just explain your career in terms of general years spent in different fields.

TCO · June 11, 2003, 00:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Crunch
My problem is that I am not a natural BS artist, despite my several years training with the Poly masters.

So write out the obvious questions and develop an answer for each and than do some practice interviews. Even interviews at the companies themselves are practice for future interviews. If you are not a good BSer, that is all the more reason to be methodical about interview practice. And once you practice some, you will probably find yourself better able to improvise (in addition to having some good pat story type answers up your sleeve.)