Insights into Job Interviews by an Expert

I have been interviewed several times before for summer jobs. I was very surprised by the questions the company asked me. The questions were mainly “How are you doing?” “Do you think you are qualified for this job?” Not one questions was about my skills. It really surprised me.

I guess I should not think about these interviews when going into my “Big Girl World” interviews. From what I heard from others, they are more in-depth, but then after reading this post from Dale, it sounds like its still the same. I guess it something I am just going to have to find out!

I really like Dale’s quote,”I just keep reminding myself that life is a marathon, not a sprint, and there is still plenty of time to pursue my goals.”
I always feel like I have to get a goal done as soon as I think of it, whether its learning how to play a game or planning for the future using a timeline. It’s ridiculous!

I am soon to be 22, it sounds old to me, but gosh, my parents are in their 50s and my dad is still pursuing some of his dreams. I am young and still have MANY years to accomplish my goals. I may not get the job of my dreams when I first get out, but very few do. I just have to remind myself that I am building skills, connections, and to have fun in whatever I may be doing!

Interviews… someone should write a book…

Actually, a lot of people did, and — here’s the truth — not one helped me when I was interviewing for jobs, and not one helped me when I was hiring.

Here’s my take from the hiring side of the table, when I’ve hired colleagues out of university or in their first three years of career.

The CV and maybe some tactical tests (if you are an entry-level writer, for example, I’d want to see how you handled a short assignment) tell me that you are qualified for the job. So you don’t have to “prove” that to me when we meet.

What I’m looking to learn at the meeting is “is he comfortable in her skin?”, “is she curious?”, “can she focus and still look around?”, “is he a whole person?”

For me, that always meant I’d try to have a conversation with the interviewee. Lots of questions, but lots of time to answer.

I’d be watching to see how you handle your interview nervousness (you are supposed to be nervous, of course, but would you be TOO nervous at a presentation for a potential client? On the other hand, are you too laid back?)

I’d probably mention a good campaign recently run by a competitor to see what you say. Did you even see it and know it was them, or have you studied only my agency? Are your comments about the campaign professionally-based or partisan?

I’d want to know about extracurricular stuff — greek, newspaper, radio station, charity work, summer work — not because I care an iota about your greek affiliation, but because I’d want to hear how you look at school, extracurricular, and future as a unified thing. Can you transfer skills? Will you expand your allegiance?

I’d ask you what you read. Daily, weekly, monthly, books. Mumbles and vagueness on this question are the kiss of death. On the other hand, if you say you read Business Week every week, you’d better be able to explain the last cover story to me.

And I’d ask why you want to be in our business. Why PR? Why corporate comms? Why advertising? Because once I hire you, or a competitor hires you, you are my colleague. What are you going to bring to our profession? What do you want to bring to it?

Oh, and one last thing. Karalyne — your last paragraph is what it is all about.

Thanks for passing on Rob May’s insights, Dale, and I enjoyed your comments as well, Allan. Most of us in Robert’s class are about to graduate in the next year or so (for me, it’s only MONTHS away!!), so information about “real world” job interviews is especially pertinent.

I’m actually not TOO worried about graduating and starting that whole process of finding a job. I am, however, a little nervous — as everyone fresh out of college is bound to be — about those initial interviews. For me, it’s a combination of passion and enthusiasm for the business topped with an odd nervous energy, really because I recognize the significance of the interview and want to take it seriously and do well.

When I encounter something that I’m not too experienced in or not very familiar with, my curiosity drives me to read and research the heck out it! Tara Smith posted some of her favorite interview questions back in July, so that was interesting. (Her post and the comments are worth reading, by the way, if some of you guys haven’t come across them yet.) But it’s good to know, Allan, that the books out there aren’t worth much. Honestly, I’ve found that I get so much more out of a conversation with someone about interviewing or information found in a context such as this — when it’s simply an individual sharing his/her personal experience.

Well, after taking several classes at Auburn that touch on interviewing, I have to admit that I just learned more from reading Allan’s comment than from the classes. I think it is so beneficial to hear from people like Allan, to find out what he is looking for, and what to expect in interviews.

Recently, I had an interview for my internship next semester and was disappointed the type of questions I was asked. I was excited to put what I have learned into my invterview, to really shine and prove to the people at the event planning firm that I was someone they would want to intern with them. However, I was asked just a few simple questions. “What experience do you have with event planning?” was the first. Luckily for me, I do have a bit of experience, otherwise I think the interview would of stopped right there. From the simple questions I was able to expand on my answers, to help them understand and get to know me better. I guess it worked, since I was offered the internship. Either way I was disappointed in their interviewing style.

Hopefully one day I’ll be at a place in my career where I am the one who is interviewing young people who want to sell themselves as a good employee. I know for sure that I’ll think back to my internship experience and be sure to ask what I expected to be asked just the other day.

So far, Allan’s comment has been more beneficial to me than anything I have ever read. I haven’t had a lot of interviewing experience, so the simple thought of interviewing next year in the corporate world scares me to death. However, I think that along with selling yourself in the interview, you also need to make a connection with the person or the company to show how you would fit in and be a vital part to the company you’re looking to work for.

I currently intern at the event planning company where Laura was offered the internship next semester. I never had a formal interview them. I came to know one of the partners through school and simply talked to her one day about her company, its goals and what she expected from employees. In my conversations with the owner of the company, I found that she looks for some type of connection with potential employees and trys to determine how they would fit within the company and if they would work well with the other employees.

I thought this type of informal interview was just as important as a formal one with typical interview questions. During my internship, I’ve found that when working with different types of people, you need to find a common ground in order to better communicate with them. If a person finds it easy and comfortable to work with you, I think you’re work will ultimately be more successful.

I guess it all depends on who you’re interviewing with as to the kind of interview you’ll be in. Some people look for a connection and some look for your practical skills and knowledge. One of the main things I’ve learned is to be prepared. Other than that, I’m completely scared of the thought of all of the interviews I’ll go on soon!

Interviewing….my favorite subject! I enjoy interviewing advice because the advice is not solely applicable to job interviewing, but applies to everyday personal and group communications.

I’ve never had a real job, but I’ve been in very stressful interview situations in a few hometown pageants that I’ve been in. I tended to be more nervous in the interview part knowing that I was being judged on what I was saying than I ever was on stage in a swimsuit. Likewise, I felt worse about getting a lower score on my interview grade than on facial beauty and physical fitness because I personally feel that it’s easier to look better and lose weight than it is to learn how to interview better. The importance of interviewing really hit home with me when I saw girls that weren’t as pretty as other, but interviewed really well place above the prettier girl who didn’t interview so well. I know that many people make fun of the pageant enrivorment but it is no doubt where I learned the importance of interviewing skills.

I agree with the blogger who said that the questions are not about the answers, but there is something deeper the interviewer infers and concludes from the interviewee’s reply. However, I disagree with anyone who says that advice is unhelpful. In my case ANY interviewing advice is great advice. I think maybe the point the blogger was trying to make in saying that books and advice on interviewing weren’t helpful was that there is no way to prepare completely for the interviewing process that it is always going to be spontaneous.

Thank you for passing along Rob’s information. It was interesting to read, and also made me remember how nervous I am about interviewing and getting a real job. I have had many part time jobs, but honestly the interviews were more along the lines of “what days can you work” rather than something like, “explain to me how you would be an asset to this company.” Last Spring I interviewed for my summer internship. That was a more in-depth process for me because I had to research my employer and what I would be doing. However, it was still a laid back interview.

I’ve thought about reading books to prepare for interviewing, but it seems like they aren’t as much help as we all think. Talking to people and getting advice from those who are more experienced has always helped me. I’ve learned that it’s important to make a connection and show a potential employer what you have to offer. I know I will be prepared for an interview, but I’m scared that I will get nervous and not answer the question to the best of my ability. I guess it’s going to take a lot of practice for all of us to get somewhat comfortable with the interview process.

I am terrified of being on my own and leaving the comfort of college behind. I think it’s mainly trying to figure out what you really want to do and where you want to live. But, like Karalyne said, I know I won’t find my dream job right out of college, and I have plenty of time to figure out who I am and what I want out of life.

Like Allan Jenkins commented, there have been countless articles, books and seminars on interviewing. I have taken a few classes here at Auburn that touch on the subject. The classes offered interesting information and advice that will help when I begin interviewing for my internship and job. Nothing, however, will prepare me quite like first-hand experience.

Professors and professionals can lecture all day long on what makes a good interview. They can outline possible questions and give you proper responses. All of this helps tremendously but can never give you a realistic idea of what to expect in an interview. It’s not until you are actually a part of one that you really understand what it’s like and what the interviewer expects.

This is the reason I liked Rob’s post. He gave us real-life examples from his interviewing experience. He also gave us insight into not only what he was thinking as an interviewee but what he thought as an interviewer. This made me feel a little more at ease about the interviewing process. The interviewing experience is full of pressure and expectations for both parties of the interview. When people share real-life experiences it makes interviews seem more personal and laid-back rather than a scary situation to be feared.

I appreciate both Dale’s passing on of Rob May’s article and Allan’s comment. Each post gave me insight into what I have in store for me this next year.

As you are entering back into the workforce and I am preparing to jump into it for my first time, we are in somewhat of the same boat. Of course, you have experience and most likely a lot more confidence in the field then I do.

I too have been thinking a lot about entering the workforce lately. When I graduate college, I want to get the best job that I can. At the firm I interned for last summer, a recent graduate from University of Massachusetts had just landed her first job there. Here she was, barely making 30,000 and what was she doing? She was arranging flights, canceling newspaper subscriptions and ordering office supplies. It made me nervous, is that really what I am going to be doing when I graduate? I don’t mind doing some of the grunt work, but I want to get a job where I treated well and appreciated.

I talked to the girl last night for the first time since I had left my internship in early August. She told me that I need to me straight with my potential employer, find out about benefits, opportunities for advancement, etc. Most importantly, she told me not to take the first job that I am offered, but to take a job that I will truly enjoy.

I appreciate the advice she gives, but I am nervous. The workforce seems to be a cut throat world, especially in public relations. Although I am prepared for long hours and low pay, I want to enjoy the work I do and be able to make a career out of it.

Since you know what the other side thinks like, do you have any tips? What do u suggest for someone entering the workforce for the first time?

I have been interviewing for various clubs, organizations and jobs for about eight years, and I have been on both sides of the process. No interview is easy; in fact, most are nerve-wracking if you have little experience interviewing or have little knowledge about the organization you are interviewing with. Like most of my peers, I’ve been lectured on proper interview etiquette, appropriate interview attire, and the importance of being prepared for an interview. Unfortunately, all interviews are not created equal. Some are short and direct, while others are long and tedious. And there is only so much you can learn in the classroom.

So, it is refreshing to read honest, straightforward advice that only comes from firsthand experience. I especially liked Allen’s insight on company research. Of course, I would research the company I am interviewing for, but it wouldn’t cross my mind to read up on their competitors –although it makes a lot of sense. Most importantly, it is unexpected. In Case Studies, we are taught to always expect the unexpected and prepare for it. In this instance, being prepared shows the interviewer that you have put extra thought into the interview, and are likely to do the same on the job.

In just a few months, I will be sending out resumes and going to interviews for my internship. I know it will be an exciting and taxing process, but I must admit, I am looking forward to it. Particularly after reading the great insights Dale and Allen have provided, as well was learning from the comments of my peers. Education is the key to preparation!

Interviews are something we all face at some point in our lives (and possible throughout our lives if we enjoy the experience…) It is nice to find posting like yours that provide useful, practical and up to date information about the interview process.

Being a senior in college I know I will face several interviews in the very near future and I will certainly take any advice I can get. I, like many others in my situation, have taken classes in preparing for interviews, yet still have the fear of not having the answers interviewers are looking for. Practical advice isn’t the easiest to come by in a classroom setting. It’s nice to have input from those who are already in the field and have been through, or actually do, the interviews. Thanks Allan for providing us with ideas of what interviewers are looking for. It definitely shed some light on questions I had not previously considered.

Although I have actually been through the interview process and have also been in the shoes of an interviewer, I doubt I am prepared for what the PR world will throw at me. Knowing that I might be asked to take a “tactical test” or discuss recent campaigns run by competitors, I feel like I need to seriously look at how I am approaching interviews.

Thank you so much for a post that actually addresses something important to all of us! I will take all the advice I can and hopefully have success in my future interviews.

I love the perspective that “life is a marathon, not a sprint.” I agree completely. It is easy to get frustrated with the day-to-dayness of things, but in the end it will all be worth it. I am in the process of applying for internships right now. Next semester, while interning, I’m sure I will tell myself these things daily.

It is encouraging to know that having your own blog will at least be acknowledged in an interview. Of course, mine is not quite as popular as Rob’s. However, I am still hoping for the nod. Every little bit counts. Right?

The “are you detail oriented” question, is one of those questions that is so basic that I guess they are just seeing where you will go with it. I don’t know exactly how you would knock that one out of the park, but I’m sure it has been done. I needed the heads up on the “what question have you not been asked” part. That is definitely one that I can see myself blurting out all kinds of pointless things instead of just focusing on the few that actually have merit.

Interning in the spring and getting more experience will help my confidence in future interviews. I present myself better when I feel prepared. As, I’m sure most people do. My strategy is to work hard and allow myself to show up at an interview knowing that I have something to offer the particular employer. After my first big interview I may have to change my strategy, but that’s part of the process.

I have been interviewed only a couple times in my life mainly because I have been working in the same place all this time. I would not say that I have a strong sense of the interview process, but I would say that of the three times I have been interviewed many of these issues have come up. Perhaps the hardest question ever asked to me was if I was an animal what would I be and why? I do not know exactly how to answer that question and never really will. I have even interviewed people before, so I know that interviewing someone really isn’t that easy either, so I have in a way seen both sides of the fence. I do know that being interviewed helps the organization or the company find out who you really are. That is what I feel interviewing is all about, finding out who you are.

Everyone dreams of finding their dream job out of college, but the fact is, it is not going to happen to all of us. We will be working hard to move up the corporate ladder and hopefully one day I will reach my dream job. Until then the interview process scares the hell out of me. But then I think about what my boss once told me. She told me that think of every day as an interview. “You are answering questions in class, talking to your friends, and talking with your teachers, what’s the difference”? I really took that to heart, but those people are not going to be paying me and supporting me as I get older.

I am interning in the spring in media relations in the athletic department so hopefully I will gain valuable insight on all these aspects. Very helpful post, thanks a lot.

I think one of the scariest things for me when I think about graduating is going through the interview process. I have held 2 jobs since I was 16 and neither required a professional interview. I am applying for internships right now and I am getting worried about what they will ask me. I have definitely come across plenty of challenging situations that I have overcome, but what if I can’t remember any or I sound stupid?

I have been involved in many organizations on campus and some of which did require an interview. These interviews included questions similar to Josh’s animal question such as, if I were a fruit what would I be? Are these the type of questions likely to come up in a professional setting?

Thanks Josh for sharing the advice that your boss gave you because it is true that every day is like an interview in school and outside with friends and family. Everyone in Public Relations at Auburn goes through series of classes that require interaction and question and answering. Maybe all of this time we have been prepared for interviewing and we will realize it when we are in that situation.

I hope my internship in the spring (and of course my blogging experience) will help me to be more confident when I get to the important interviews where they want to know how detail-oriented I am or perhaps what kind of condiment I would be.