and follow the instructions listed here.
http://www.perfectinterview.
Instructions:
1. Complete one "short" interview where the selections are chosen for
you. Complete one "short" interview where you make the selections.
Choose at least three areas you'd like to work on the most. Note the
options of the "Alternate Response" and the "Coach" that can be used.
2. You may choose to either use video capture or no video capture. If
you choose no video capture you will be required to type your
responses. Save both interviews.
3. Draft a reflection about your practice interview, commenting on the
questions asked and your responses to the questions. You might comment
on what questions were problematic. What were the strengths of your
responses? What could you improve in your responses? How did you
responses compare to the "Alternate Response"? What did you learn from
the "Coach?"
4. Give one question about interviewing or a piece of advice that
you've gained in your interviewing experiences.
5. Click on "Review Saved Interviews." Click on the "Share" button.
E-mail yourself your interview and include the links in your posting.
Interviews are inevitable when you enter the workforce. Think about
the interviewing process and some of the exercises above. . Post your
thoughts about the results of your interview practice, the best
answers you can come up with for standard and non-standard interview
questions, how you might deal with a phone interview or an interview
in front of a panel, and if and when there is a good time to talk
salary with an interviewer.
Hey everyone, I have only been in one interview before and I did get the job. These questions are hard for me to come up with answers on the spot like that. I think I did semi decent but there is definitely room for improvement. A question I have is do the people interviewing come up with these questions or are they told to ask them?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041058&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041060&type=standard
Kayla Lee
Hi, Kayla Lee. I like that you too were not too wordy. I think it's sometimes hard to answer a question with a short, concise answer. You had some good personal things that you shared about yourself that would be beneficial in selling yourself. That's something I think is important on an interview.
DeleteWhen I worked as an office manager (and this goes back 15 years ago) my boss gave me a list of basic questions that he was interested in and then during the course of the interview, based on the answers I was given, I would ask some of my own. I'm not sure if this is the standard procedure, but I would imagine there has to be some kind of a baseline of questions of potential employees (provided by the interviewers) so that they (interviewees) can be compared with each other besides what's written in their resume or job application.
Stacey Feldman
Do you think it would be easier to have a phone interview or an interview in person?
Thats hard to decide, a phone interview might be less nerve racking for me. In person seems like it would be better just because you could show your personality. So I guess it would be easier to have a phone interview but I would prefer to have the interview in person.
DeleteKayla Lee
Hi Kayla Lee and Stacey,
DeleteI was reading some of the discussion that you two were having and I thought that I would chime in. I think that it is important for an individual that is being interviewed to ask questions. If all you do is answer the questions you are given, you may come of too passive or uninterested. Asking questions of you own could also help you stick in the mind of the employer when it comes down to them making a decision on who to hire out of the applicants.
- Micah O'Steen
Hey Kayla!
DeleteI had multiple interviews before, but I remember this one interview where I ended up crying during the interview. Talk about 'difficult!' Sadly, I did not get the job. I was too emotional and it did not show the emotional stability that the job required. With this interview, I think they intentionally made it difficult.
Catherine Aboyme
I would definitely go for an in-person interview, to be honest. I could have a greater opportunity to show my personality, and perhaps prepare myself better than if I were doing it via phone, as I would probably be a bit more anxious.
Delete-Camilo Echeverri Bernal.
Hey guys, I just finished my interviews and I can say that it was quite easy. The questions they asked were reasonable and simple. However, when I answered the questions I felt as if I could keep going on and on with my answer; so I decided to keep my answer short and to the point. Also in my interviews I felt the questions I were problematic were the previous employment and experience questions. I felt they were complicated because I felt ashamed that I had no prior experience and felt unskilled. However, I felt the strengths to my answers were that they were honest and true and cannot be proven wrong. I feel as if lying is the worst thing you can do in an interview. One way I could improve my responses are by understanding the question better and understand what they are looking for.
ReplyDeleteI so definitely agree that honesty is the only way to go, especially on an interview. If you exaggerate your skills or claim to be able to do something you can't do, then if you get assigned that task or something similar, you are putting yourself in not such a good spot. Not to mention that if they try to verify your information and it turns out to be false, you probably just landed yourself out of a job.
DeleteStacey Feldman
Hi Kemal,
DeleteI think many of us will have the issue with experience. Being that we are still in undergraduate school, many of us just haven't had the time yet to have different work experiences. I think you can always relate to school experience if you do not have the work experience. I've been at my current job for a little over 2 years and that the longest I have worked with a company. My lack of experience was an issue also, but I just focus on what I have learned at my current and how i apply it everyday.
Kassandra Moreta
Kemal,
DeleteYou are right about that, honesty is very important! And sometimes keeping our answers honest, short, and concise is the best thing we can do. When we start to ramble on, useless information and possible too much information can be thrown into the mix, confusing the possible employer and us!
I try to let them do most of the talking and only answer with the information they are asking for.
Great convo guys!
Amber L
Hey Kemal,
DeleteI remember being in interviews that asked about previews experiences and views of the other companies. I learned that they asked this to see if you have anything negative to say about your previous employer. Most of the time, when you do say something negative, this will also reflect negatively towards your personality. So, I think it is invaluable to be honest as long as it positively towards you!
Catherine Aboyme
Sorry guys here are my interviews.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=FA231497-CDFF-4CD5-B52A-9DBD7946319C&mediatype=flv
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=2AFD14F8-E795-4826-B80B-2C3C2BBCB8F4&mediatype=flv
Piece of advice that I gained in my interviewing experience would be to not beat around the question but make the answer direct, short, and simple.
ReplyDeleteKemal,
DeleteThat is very good advice. As a manager, I have interviewed many applicants and if they can't give me a straight answer to a question that I ask it automatically throws up a red flag.
- Micah O'Steen
Hey Kay lee, I looked at your interview and I think you did a good job. I feel that you answered direct and straight to the point. I dont know if thats a negative to other people but would be great with me.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks I was worried I was not writing enough. I was wondering that myself if the person interviewing would have wanted more in depth answers.
DeleteKayla Lee
If anybody hasnt checked out my interview yet, they should check it out and leave feedback.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kemal Ishmael. I think your answers were definitely short and to the point. I think you were honest, and that's a good thing, especially admitting that you look forward to promotions. I think that shows you have a thinking of long term commitment within a company.
DeleteMaybe when trying to sell yourself with regards to previous job experience, you have more experience than you realize, even if it is not in a company or store. I might think a little more about that. For example, do you have computer skills, organizational skills, any leadership skills (maybe a club or organization you volunteered at), just to name a few. I would still acknowledge like you did that this is the first position of this kind you are seeking (so that you are honest) but use other skills you are proficient in to sell yourself. Also, as far as going beyond the call of duty on a job project, that's another great place to sell yourself, maybe utilizing school research, papers written, group projects, team work, anything that might show you are willing work a little harder if needed.
I thought it was great that you shared nothing negative about your boss or anybody. That shows something about a positive personality, not a gossiper.
Stacey Feldman
Thanks Stacey I agree too, and that is a great way for previous experience by using other skills I have. you present allot of great ideas and i appreciate all your comments. Also I try not to say anything negative about anybody cause it can be real troublesome.
Deletehey guys, personally I feel that when you answer questions for an interview you should be honest and tell the truth. I know that some people would lie just to boost there image but I think thats wrong even if you get away with it. Does anybody agree with me?
ReplyDeleteNobody but Kaylee and me have did the blog yet :(.
ReplyDeleteHey Kemal!
DeleteIt's hard for some of us to get on early week, but we will try to be more productive on our end.
Loving all the comments, keep up the good work!
Amber L
Hi, everyone. This was easier than I thought, yet not as easy. I selected to type my answers and I think that gave me a little more time to think about it on some of the questions than I might have had should it have been an actual interview. I did try to be short, but some of my answers began to grow. Having to answer a question about how I believed my previous employer might rate me was difficult because I hate rating myself. I also felt awkward trying to answer the question about sharing something I would like to improve about myself. Most things that I would like to improve I don’t believe should be shared on an interview, so that was tough.
ReplyDeleteHere are my links.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041161&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041165&type=standard
Stacey Feldman.
Hi Stacey,
DeleteJust like you I felt as if having the opportunity to type my answers helped. Sometimes when you are nervous in an interview, you might blurt out an answer without thinking. I think it is ok to share what you to like to improve about yourself. It does not have to be something relating to your personal life, but maybe something that can help you improve your work skills. For example, a shy person may not feel comfortable with being in a leadership position. If they work on being able to delegate duties and speaking to co workers maybe they can develop leadership skills.
Kassandra Moreta
Stacey,
DeleteIt is hard in an interview situation because we have to produce answers on the spot for questions that we are not prepared for. But try to think about what you are going to say for at least a second or two before you start to answer. Nothing wrong with an intellectual pause now and again.
Thanks.
Amber L
Hey Stacy,
DeleteWhat I usually do when I'm asked to answer questions about self-improvement, I answer back with something positive to be toned down. I learned this from my patent mentor, because pageants often come up with "what would you like to improve about yourself" questions. For example, if I was asked what would I like to improve about myself, I would say "decrease my attention to detail." Then I will follow this up with, "because I think I pay too close attention to details that I forget to be a little creative. . ."
Hope this helps.
Catherine Aboyme
Hey everyone!
ReplyDeleteBeing honest in an interview is important. Interviews are very nerve-wrecking, and can make you stress out. Do any of you have jobs right now, or have you been interviewing for internships? This practice activities helped me out a lot when I was in cornerstone.
Jess F
Hey Jess, Honesty is very important. If you are not honest it usually is easy to detect. I believe being as relaxed as possible is another valuable skill to have in interviews.
DeleteAllen Haley
I agree that honesty is very important but there is nothing wrong with not being "too" honest right? I think there are phrases and ways of putting things that might make some trouble spots not as glaring. Sort of how we learned about how to address employment gaps in our coursework this week, by redirecting to volunteer work or something you did during the gap.
Delete- Kyle Greaves
I needed to do some volunteer hours for one of my classes and when I went into PACE the first time, I felt as if I was on a job interview. I was nervous as I was being asked questions even though I knew that once my background and fingerprint clearance went through, they definitely needed my help. Just the idea of it being like an interview was enough to make me worry. Now that I have been there so many times, I am so much more comfortable. Power of suggestion, I guess, is what my nervousness was about.
ReplyDeleteStacey.
One thing I learned from these interviews is that I learned a lot from my current employer. For the first interview I hesitate before I answered some of the questions. I think when you are in an interview your nerves will make you answer a question in a way you don't mean. What I liked most about this is I could take time to think about my question before answering. In my opinion, it is always best to pause for 2 seconds when asked a question. This will allow you to collect your thoughts and come up with an answer. I think I answered the alternative response same as the coach. I did not know what the questions were going to be so I still had to think out my answers.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041215&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041214&type=standard
Kassandra Moreta
Nerves can play a huge factor. It's uncomfortable because you want something from the interviewer, the job, but you have no control over what questions are asked or how they are asked. I'm told it gets easier with practice, but I can't speak to that because I have not had a job interview in over a decade. That is one of the downsides of staying in the same job for a long time I guess. Practice and preperation should help mitigate the nerves some.
DeleteKassandra,
DeleteI thought that your answers were very concise and to the point, which can be a very good thing. I think that you were honest, and selling yourself in a way that did not sound as if you had any kind of misinterpretation in regards to your strengths and weaknesses. The only criticism that I would give would be to try to give a little bit more detail. There were a few questions that were asked of you in regard to your skills and positive attributes and I think those are moments where you can and should go a little bit more in depth in order to give the interviewer an idea of who you are.
Were there any particular questions that were more difficult for you to come up with an answer for?
Good job!
Alyssa
Hi Kessendra,
DeleteI know nerves can get the best of us sometime in an interview. Hesitating when answering a question might not seem to look very good to a potential employer but after each question if you take a moment to think about your response, it might prove beneficial. I have a bad habit of getting in a hurry sometimes when I am answering specific questions and I end up with ummm's and aaaa's and that is just not what you want to come out of your mouth if you want to sound educated and quilified. Pausing, briefly, before I answer has helped me with this. I also think that eye contact is key when speaking to someone who is interviewing you.
-Micah O'Steen
Thanks for this advice there really isn't anything wrong with taking a few seconds to collect your thoughts before you speak but I think I might forget that sometimes in order to try and make it seem like im answering spontaneously or something. That was really useful advice and thanks for sharing!
Delete-Kyle Greaves
I learnt that my answers don't necesarily have to be so long-winded but as long as they have a certain amount of specific information, my reply t the employers questions can be very brief.
ReplyDeleteSokhara Goodall
Hey Sokhara, I agree with you that it is important to keep your responses short and sweet. Last thing a potential employer wants is to sit through long winded answers.
DeleteAllen Haley
I haven't done many interviews before so bare with the corny replies :/
ReplyDeletewww.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041249&type=standard
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041250&type=standard
Sokhara Goodall
The "Coach" definately helped me think about the right way to put all the information I had into a short, efficient answer for the interview questions. I didn't really like the "example answers" becasue I felt they were kinda fake and only what the interview would want to here, but especially because they were boring and just the same thing everyne says. I want to stand out and show the passion I have for the particular industry I want to be in.
ReplyDeleteSokhara Goodall
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=11C9FD64-7B70-485B-8D03-0FF3CD0DE5D6&mediatype=flv
ReplyDeletehttp://www.perfectinterview.com/online/text_viewer.asp?id=365C0AD6-A425-4B02-A992-07D42A237C8B&mediatype=flv
When it comes to interviews I think the most important thing it to go in relaxed and prepared to sell yourself. The goal is to make the potential employer feel like they need you in order to make their company more successful. I have done several interviews and feel that it is important to sell yourself. I also think it is important to make your responses very direct. It is important to give plenty of information about yourself but you need to make sure you do it in a way that doesn’t make it seem like you are rambling on.
Allen Haley
I completely agree with this. I need to make myself indispensable, and the employer needs to see that. I need to bring something fresh and new to the company, so that the employer sees how valuable I would be and how unique I am, etc. Of course, one needs to expand on one's assets, virtues, past success, experiences and sometimes one's values and views if they are pertinent.
DeleteI have yet to go to an interview, though.
-Camilo Echeverri Bernal.
I thought some of the questions presented a bit of a challenge during the practice interview. Mostly those of a personal nature and how I could relate them to my particular job. The question that was perhaps the most problematic was the one in which I was asked to say something about myself that was not on the resume.
ReplyDelete-Camilo Echeverri Bernal.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/online/review_gateway.asp?id=3041283&type=standard
ReplyDeleteI think this was a really valuable application that I was skeptical of at first, but it really almost felt "real"
My main regret is not having a video capture device handy to record the interview as I think that would be the best way to "evaluate" how I would do and ways I can improve.
I think some of my answers were stronger than others but for the most part since I was replying via text it was easier then it could of been. I think the what was your class rank and GPA question would of been the one to throw me off as I didn't know employers would care about that but it makes sense that they would. My GPA is ok but it could be better and I might be nervous about how respond to that one.
I think I will obtain a capture device and take a longer interview and have someone evaluate and give me advice as it really seems like a great idea.
-Kyle Greaves