First big time job interview. Advice?

[Woodsy]

umm... errr.. actually I could use that negotiating advice by this afternoon if there's anything I need to know.

<fingerscrossed>

dood, you know the deal. I know you have researched comparable salary levels for what you are going to do.

Always ask for more than you think you will get and if dont come off it immeadiatly. if they balk; work to design incentives that could get you to that level of compensation, things that as they win you win.
Have a few ideas when you go in.
they have budgeted X as a part of their payroll based on their y revenues, you should be able to show them that you can grow y by z% and your salary should reflect that when ( not if) you make it happen.

also not sure how it works in your amorphous line of work, but in sales and hospitality 10% of the revenues you personally are responsible for creating is a good target.

and remember, 1 nminute before, in the mirror " I AM GONNA RIP THE SHIT OUTTA THIS"

[KQ]

and remember, 1 nminute before, in the mirror " I AM GONNA RIP THE SHIT OUTTA THIS"

Why does this remind me of those funny commercials where one guy is in the office restroom getting his freak on not realizing the CEO of the company is in one of the stalls?

[warthog]

I always approach an interview from the perspective of "why do I want this job?" or "why should I work for this company?". It is much easier to do if you already have a good job, but getting in this mindset will help you. First off, it brings good questions to mind very easily. Secondly, it gives you a very confident feel. Even if the job is totally what you want, keep repeating those thoughts, and make them prove that this is the job for you.

Next, look for a book called "Knockout Interviewing" (or something like that). This book does a great job breaking down some of those "trick" questions they ask you. It tells you what most interviewers want to hear from those annoying questions. It also gives you a good step by step on the whole process, from dress to follow up. It is a great resource.

Good luck. I went through 7 interviews the first round, 6 the next, and they offered me the job before I even got home from the interview. Nothing like your mom fielding job offers for you, to make you feel like a grown-up.

[Castro's]

Well I had the interview this morning. Showed up at 10:15 for a 10:30 interview. They finally met me in the reception area at 10:40 and I was out of there at 11:03. First thing they told me was that I over dressed. Probably the most informal interview I've had. They only asked me two "interview" questions and basically told me about the job and asked if I enjoy working overtime. The guy interviewer seemed impressed and the girl interviewer seemed indiffernt. They didn't mention salary and I didn't ask. They said I could work 80 hours a week if I wanted. I find out next week.

[lemon boy]

working that much is for chimps.

[KQ]

Well I had the interview this morning. Showed up at 10:15 for a 10:30 interview. They finally met me in the reception area at 10:40 and I was out of there at 11:03. First thing they told me was that I over dressed. Probably the most informal interview I've had. They only asked me two "interview" questions and basically told me about the job and asked if I enjoy working overtime. The guy interviewer seemed impressed and the girl interviewer seemed indiffernt. They didn't mention salary and I didn't ask. They said I could work 80 hours a week if I wanted. I find out next week.

WTF? Well that sounded like it sucked. Said you were overdressed? Did they just blurt it out or did they say "nice suit but here at Lameinterview Inc. you can feel free to dress down."

Well...what do you think about the job?

[Viva]

Showed up at 10:15 for a 10:30 interview. They finally met me in the reception area at 10:40... First thing they told me was that I over dressed.

Did you tell them that they were late?

[Castro's]

They said, "Wow, your kinda overdressed. As you can see we are kind of business casual here. I guess we should have told you before you came." I responded with, "No problem, this gave me a great excuse to dress up." I figured a company that makes hunrdreds of million dolllars a year would be used to seeing people in suits. If I was offered and accepted the job I would have my very own tiny cub along side 22 other accountants. I didn't mind the interview being short. At least I didn't get hammered with all the lame questions only two.

Them: "How do you go about resolving a conflict with a fellow employee?"
Me: "I usually take them out back during break and beat the shit out 'em, just kidding."

Them: "Describe a time when you came up with a creative idea to save the company time or money"
Me: "I tear the unused sections off dirty TP and save it for my next big shit"

[Canuk]

Be yourself. Also remember the interview is for you as well as them - ask intelligent questions.

Best advice here...be sure to have done enough research on their company that you can ask a few intelligent questions about their company.

Make sure you have fun with it too...don't get yourself so nervous that you fall apart.

note to self...read entire thread before posting...

[watersnowdirt]

Them: "Describe a time when you came up with a creative idea to save the company time or money"
Me: "I tear the unused sections off dirty TP off and save it for my next big shit"

Holy crap - that's funny. You should have said it - any employer who doesn't hire you on the spot is a dumbass. .

[Ireallyliketoski2]

My favorite interview question to ask is:
How many thousandths' are in an inch?
My favorite reply so far is:
Hmmmm, they're so small, there must be a million of them.

Director of Keepin it Real

[Stu Gotz]

Castro's,

The interview sounds pretty weak on the company's part. 23 minutes? If someone takes the time to come in for an interview, they should at least schedule a few rounds and make it worth the applicant's effort.

Any serious interview should have various levels of employees involved in the interviewing process. And the employees conducting the interviews should put some effort into it.

[cj001f]

The interview sounds pretty weak on the company's part. 23 minutes? If someone takes the time to come in for an interview, they should at least schedule a few rounds and make it worth the applicant's effort.

You can look at it 2 ways:
1) They already found the canidate they want to hire(either from interviews earlier, or because they were never serious about you)
2) They are trying to see how persistant you are.
Either way it doesn't sound like a place I'd want to work for, but I'm not an accountant. I'd send a follow up message to the people who interviewed you. They did give you a business card, right?

[Castro's]

You can look at it 2 ways:
1) They already found the canidate they want to hire(either from interviews earlier, or because they were never serious about you)
2) They are trying to see how persistant you are.
Either way it doesn't sound like a place I'd want to work for, but I'm not an accountant. I'd send a follow up message to the people who interviewed you. They did give you a business card, right?

3) They just don't give very formal interviews. <-I have a feeling this is it.

I have their home and business phone #'s.

[Viva]

I have their home and business phone #'s.

Post 'em here and we'll take care of the rest. Trust me.

[cj001f]

3) They just don't give very formal interviews. <-I have a feeling this is it.

I have their home and business phone #'s.

Was she cute?

And damn, sounds like you'd be disposable there.

[freshies]

fack that company/job. you are telling me that in this 23 min interview, they asked if you liked working overtime and told you that you could work 80 hrs a week if you wanted?? i would have smiled, stood up, said "thanks" and walked out....

[Oarhead]

fack that company/job. you are telling me that in this 23 min interview, they asked if you liked working overtime and told you that you could work 80 hrs a week if you wanted?? i would have smiled, stood up, said "thanks" and walked out....

Or maybe shit on the desk before you leave. Just so that there is no ambiguity.

Seriously though, this company sounds like shit. Wet shit that won't hold a shape. I realize that it is hard to turn down an offer right out of school, you are pooor and not many people want to deal with fresh grads, they want people with experience. I see a lot of grads taking shit jobs simply because it is the first thing that is offered to them - don't be one of these people. I agree that you ahve to make concessions and have reasonable expectations but desperate times do NOT call for desperate measures. This isa good rule for women too.

[72Twenty]

Just don't get really sweaty and flustered and start screaming that you are a people person. Unless you plan on getting t-boned by a drunk driver while backing out of your driveway and living off the settlement.

[Castro's]

If the money's right I'd work 50-60 hours a week. If the money sucks I just find something else until I pass the CPA exam and then get a better job.

[Castro's]

So, I think I might be offered this job today. At 8 this morning I received a phone call but it showed up as an unavailable number. I don't answer unavailable numbers and there was no message left so I didn't think anything of it. I just checked my e-mail however and at 8 this morning the guy who interviewed me e-mailed wanting for me to call him as soon as possible. I'm going to wait until after the lunch hour to call now as I don't want to start playing phone tag. He could just be calling to tell me I didn't get the job, but I think he would have probably just left a message saying so.

[Arty50]

You button only the top button on a two button suit. Only the middle on a 3 button suit.

Yes and sorta. On a two button suit you only button the top button. On a three button suit, see KQs post: top - sometimes; middle - always; bottom - never. Frankly I always button the top 2 on my 3 button suit. Chances are your suit was fit with the buttons closed that way and I think it looks sloppy otherwise. Closing the top button keeps it sharp, and looking sharp and professional is the whole point of a suit.

Also, always make sure you're buttoned up when standing. Only open up your jacket when sitting...or drunk out of your mind at a wedding.

Edit: This was sort of late. I didn't notice there were 3 pages. So much for my attention to detail...