Interview Help

[countrygirl12]

Okay so I applied for a job at a company and have been interviewed twice.  Once several months ago and once a couple of days ago.  Different branches.  The first one will not consider me for a job because I apparently gave too short of answers.  The second, exact same questions, and I was told I did not get the job because my answers were too long.  It was all describe a time when questions.  I am having a hard time not believing it is just a personal thing with me.  Any suggestions other than find a happy medium.  That was the reply I got when I told the interviewer that the other branch said my answers were too short. 

[aflyingmonkey]

The more interviews you do, the better you get, it's a learning curve.  I would apply for all kinds of jobs & go through the interview process, just to get the experience from jobs you don't even care about.

There are typical interview questions with good responses on the internet, it's good to peruse them & learn some good responses.  & then rehearse them.   

Some places/community centers/colleges have mock interviews where they will walk you through a typical interview.   Interviewers all ask basically the same questions.

Good Luck

[southernhorizons]

I know you don't want to hear it, but finding a happy medium is what you'll have to do. Like Flying Monkey suggested, do a search online for interview questions, to see how others have answered them. Also, there are a lot of other good tips, like how to present yourself, how to remain calm if you are nervous, etc. Don't give up yet, just focus on improving your interviews.

[dbsaus1]

Research the company you are interveiwing for.  There is free help online help. 
Some libraries and colleges have free courses   on job hunting and interveiwing skills.

[crystal80524]

The more interviews you do, the better you get, it's a learning curve.

[alina6]

Definitely keep interviewing. Check the companies website and the linked in profiles of the people you are going to interview with. A lot of times (Unless it is a very specific occupation like an accountant) your ability to make a connection with the interviewer is the most important aspect to getting the job.

Good Luck!!!!!

[kapeh12]

Couple things to keep in mind.  First, interviewing (both question and response) is more of an art form.  For the questioner, they need to organize the interview to allow a better flow of information to gather the information needed to determine if the candidate is a good fit for the position.  For the responder, to provide sufficient information to let the interviewer believe you are the best fit.

The other thing to keep in mind is the process if very subjective.  An interesting thought - what if the first interviewer would have thought your second interview responses were perfect; and the second interviewer thought your first interview questions were perfect.  Two different people looking for two different things.

Some tips to help with gauging this "happy medium" - pay attention to how the interviewer reacts.  If you complete a question or two and it appears they are waiting for you to say more, they may be seeking longer answers.  If you think this is the case, add a little more information in your next answers until it seems they are engaged with your answers and move straight to the next question (no pausing or looking at you like they are waiting for something).  Conversely, if the interviewer appears to be distracted, eyes "glaze" over or seems to lose focus - your answers may be too long.  If the interviewer appears to not be paying attention to you, you've lost them - time to make your answers more brief and to the point for this person.

Judging this takes time to learn that balance.  It's part preparation and part psychology.

Ways to prepare - make sure you know about the position for which you are interviewing.  The mind set is you are basically being a salesperson - you are selling yourself to the company - convincing them you are the best for the job.  If you can find ways to have responses that speak to how you would be a better candidate than anyone else, based on previous experience, your quick learning, your dedication, etc - the better you get at selling yourself, the better chance the interviewer will remember you and consider you for the position.

I know when I was interviewing, I would include a story about some activities I participated in (and some I still do) and how those hobbies honed skills I could use on the job.  Examples were that I was a competitive ballroom dancer in college (an unusual hobby that people would remember), also that I was part of a top team in a major trivia contest (another odd hobby that would make me memorable).  I find using examples of hobbies or activities that you do that may be considered unusual makes you more memorable compared to others.  If you can get the interviewer engaged with your story - perk up and become interested in you in a good way - that's what you want.

Remember to stay upbeat and positive - more confident vs "bubbly".  If you are confident and smile, that puts people at ease.  Being too nervous or doubtful or forgetting to smile and relax puts the interviewer on edge as well.  It the interviewer is on edge, they may end with a more negative perception of you and you would be less likely to get the job.  If you can make them comfortable, at ease, and interested in you - they will have a more positive feeling about you and that will increase your likelihood of being hired.

These tips won't always work - just some ways to increase your odds of getting the job.

Good luck!

[mjdoug03]

It seems silly to judge someone by the length of their answers to the ridiculous questions.

[countrygirl12]

The more interviews you do, the better you get, it's a learning curve.  I would apply for all kinds of jobs & go through the interview process, just to get the experience from jobs you don't even care about.

There are typical interview questions with good responses on the internet, it's good to peruse them & learn some good responses.  & then rehearse them.   

Some places/community centers/colleges have mock interviews where they will walk you through a typical interview.   Interviewers all ask basically the same questions.

Good Luck

All of the questions are "describe a time when this or that happened".   

[countrygirl12]

I know you don't want to hear it, but finding a happy medium is what you'll have to do. Like Flying Monkey suggested, do a search online for interview questions, to see how others have answered them. Also, there are a lot of other good tips, like how to present yourself, how to remain calm if you are nervous, etc. Don't give up yet, just focus on improving your interviews.

Honestly, I have racked my brain looking for these questions online and how people answer. Mostly all I can get is they are easy to answer and I should have no problem.  Thing is they are not easy and they are looking for specific answers.  I need to know what those answers are. lol.  I was not nervous.  The last interview was a phone interview which was not fair.  I want to see the person and you can gauge their reactions and if you need to expand an answer or shut up. lol

[countrygirl12]

Couple things to keep in mind.  First, interviewing (both question and response) is more of an art form.  For the questioner, they need to organize the interview to allow a better flow of information to gather the information needed to determine if the candidate is a good fit for the position.  For the responder, to provide sufficient information to let the interviewer believe you are the best fit.

The other thing to keep in mind is the process if very subjective.  An interesting thought - what if the first interviewer would have thought your second interview responses were perfect; and the second interviewer thought your first interview questions were perfect.  Two different people looking for two different things.

Some tips to help with gauging this "happy medium" - pay attention to how the interviewer reacts.  If you complete a question or two and it appears they are waiting for you to say more, they may be seeking longer answers.  If you think this is the case, add a little more information in your next answers until it seems they are engaged with your answers and move straight to the next question (no pausing or looking at you like they are waiting for something).  Conversely, if the interviewer appears to be distracted, eyes "glaze" over or seems to lose focus - your answers may be too long.  If the interviewer appears to not be paying attention to you, you've lost them - time to make your answers more brief and to the point for this person.

Judging this takes time to learn that balance.  It's part preparation and part psychology.

Ways to prepare - make sure you know about the position for which you are interviewing.  The mind set is you are basically being a salesperson - you are selling yourself to the company - convincing them you are the best for the job.  If you can find ways to have responses that speak to how you would be a better candidate than anyone else, based on previous experience, your quick learning, your dedication, etc - the better you get at selling yourself, the better chance the interviewer will remember you and consider you for the position.

I know when I was interviewing, I would include a story about some activities I participated in (and some I still do) and how those hobbies honed skills I could use on the job.  Examples were that I was a competitive ballroom dancer in college (an unusual hobby that people would remember), also that I was part of a top team in a major trivia contest (another odd hobby that would make me memorable).  I find using examples of hobbies or activities that you do that may be considered unusual makes you more memorable compared to others.  If you can get the interviewer engaged with your story - perk up and become interested in you in a good way - that's what you want.

Remember to stay upbeat and positive - more confident vs "bubbly".  If you are confident and smile, that puts people at ease.  Being too nervous or doubtful or forgetting to smile and relax puts the interviewer on edge as well.  It the interviewer is on edge, they may end with a more negative perception of you and you would be less likely to get the job.  If you can make them comfortable, at ease, and interested in you - they will have a more positive feeling about you and that will increase your likelihood of being hired.

These tips won't always work - just some ways to increase your odds of getting the job.

Good luck!

Thanks.  And you are right.  It depends on the person doing the interview.  People like different things.  And sometimes people judge you right off by the way you look.  You are too short, too fat, to slim, to blonde, to whatever.  They just look at a person and decide off the bat that they do not like them.  OR they hear something negative from someone else who does not like them and they form a negative opinion based on a lie.

I always try to go into any interview with the thinking this if formality and I already have the job.  Not being cocky buy in a way of being positive.  Trying to not come off as I know there is no way they will hire me. lol

But when I am up against 40 other people ...  *sigh*

[lucky382001]

It sounds like either you are being tested or jerked around.

[countrygirl12]

It sounds like either you are being tested or jerked around.

I am going with jerked around.  It is a way to get around giving you a reason for not hiring you or not just saying "we do not like you or want to hire you".  They can do whatever they want, I get that.  But they do not want to be sued so they have to be careful how they word things.