Job Interview

[92U 3406]

Believe it or not, 10 years wrenching and I've never had a formal job interview. Well that's about to change. Any tips anyone can provide? This will be for a major company and I'm fairly certain I won't just be sitting around, shooting the breeze with the owner/forman/leadhand. More than likely an HR manager of sorts.

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[Numbfingers]

Be ready to explain why they should hire you. Also do a little background reading on the company and work that into your interview to show that you're really interested. Don't forget, you're interviewing them as a potential employer as well so have a few questions ready.

 

[funwithfuel]

Some interviewers try to needle you to provoke a response. Kinda try to get under your skin. Some will lay out a hypothetical situation and ask how you would handle it. Some do the cop thing, try to befriend you to get you to lower your guard.
The challenge is, what kind of person is doing the interview. A solid old hand, whose been there, done that or a shirt and tie guy out of college who has no idea what your job would entail. Some things have no place in an interview. No politics, no personal beliefs stuff like that. Kinda like Christmas with the in-laws
BTW ... GOOD LUCK!

 

[Vetech63]

I've been self employed too long now. I would fail an interview horribly.

 

[Junkyard]

If it were me I’d go in like this.......

That being said I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Be polite, don’t bs them. They need you worse than you need them. Mechanics are in very short supply! Good luck!

 

[92U 3406]

I should mention that I technically already work for the company, I'm just trying to transfer over to a different position in a different part of the business. I still have to go through the interview process though. I did look up the person doing the interview and he seems like a pretty decent fellow.

Any ideas on what would be appropriate to wear? I'm thinking a nice pair of dress jeans and a nice button up shirt. Want to look good but I'm interviewing for shop mechanic, not a corporate position. Don't see how wearing a nice suit would help (might even be a hinderance).

 

[colson04]

Certainly be prepared and research the company you are interviewing with. Websites like glassdoor.com have reviews of a company by it's employees, or former employees, and can provide a lot of information about work conditions, management, and even what their interview process is like. I used this method when I landed an interview with Schlumberger to find they have a very unusual 2nd round interview. So when I got the 2nd interview invitation, I wasn't surprised at what they put us through and was able to breeze right through it.

Also, Silence is acceptable after a question while you formulate a response. I'm not talking 10 minutes of silence with a blank stare, but a brief pause while you form a solid response is acceptable and shows you thought through the question and didn't just blurt out an answer or stutter and stammer your way through it. That said, if you do have a ready response, answer the question and keep the interview moving along. Absolutely have some questions ready, and if you arent sure what to ask, google is your friend. Reserve compensation and benefits questions for the 2nd interview, unless they bring it up. There will be time for negotiations after they are convinced that you are THE candidate to hire. Try to let them initiate negotiations and make the first offer.

 

[colson04]

Hmm, didn't see your last post.

As for appearance, well groomed, clean, wrinkle free clothing. Fresh, clean pair of jeans, collared shirt, belt and proper posture will come off better than a suit. Thats actually what I wore to all of my interviews with Schlumberger. I interviewed for a Field Engineer position, not a desk job so I felt a suit and tie were distinctly out of place given that circumstance.

 

[wornout wrench]

I had way too many interviews during my career. I usually got the job I was trying for.
I would say the Number 1 thing is to stay cool, don't get all uptight about the job. If you can go into the interview relaxed you will do much better.

You already have a decent job, so if they decide on another applicant, will it affect how you feel about your employer?
Not having to need the job should make it easier.

Just be yourself, don't put on airs to make yourself look better.
Be honest and polite.

They might ask you some questions that make no sense to you, sometimes these are asked to see how you react, not so much for the answer. Take a second to think about your response, but not too long. If you have water or something, take the time to have a drink and think about what you are going to say.

I have found one of the standard questions is
"Where do you see yourself being in X number of years"
Have you thought about the future?
Now is your chance, if you like the company, tell them and give them an idea what you would like to do with your career.

HR keeps track of this kind of thing.
Maybe you don't get this job but you might have impressed HR and at some point they might have something else that comes along.

As the others have said, dress in nice clean clothing. Jeans and a nice shirt. Spend some times on your hands and try to get the grease out from under your nails and such. My hands never came clean. I wore them as a badge of honor, proud that I use my hands to keep my family feed and the world running. But I always got them as clean as I could for an interview.

Go in and be yourself.
Don't try to be who you think they are looking for.

Good luck.

 

[92U 3406]

All great advice everyone. Thanks!

 

[Trashman]

I have interviewed people for jobs since 1985. Since that time I have developed interview questions that tend to get me the people I want. These questions pertain to a Director of Utilities but could be adapted to any job. If you can answer these questions about the job you are seeking, you should have no problem. Good luck!!!

Education/Experience

1. Briefly tell us about your education and experience that qualifies you for this position.

2. Tell us about a new program that you initiated. How did you get buy-in, educate and implement the program in the department?

3. What is your greatest weakness? What have you done to overcome it and improve?

4. How do you involve staff when an important strategy decision needs to be made?

5. What particularly attracted you to this job?

Job Knowledge

6. How many years have you worked in the water/wastewater field?

7. What is the best job you ever had? What made it the best?

8. Give an example of the most successful negotiation you participated in and why it was successful. Give an example of the worst negotiation you participated in and why it was unsuccessful.

9. When I contact your last supervisor and ask which area of your work needs the most improvement, what will I learn?

10. Have you ever had a conflict with a supervisor? How was it resolved?

Finance and Control

11. What is the largest budget you have been directly responsible for creating and managing?

12. Give an example of when you were asked to cut expenses. How did you determine what to cut?

13. Have you been successful in acquiring alternative funding for water or wastewater projects? Give an example.

Problem Solving and Analytical Skill

14. What is the worst work decision you ever made and what did you do to correct it.

15. What was the hardest decision you have made as an administrator? Are you proud of the decision you made?

16. Describe a situation when someone challenged a decision you made. How did you respond?

17. What is your view about the role of the city when it comes to economic and residential growth – specifically in providing utilities? What are some names of the developers that you have worked with in the past?

18. Have you ever had to follow a policy you didn’t fully agree with? What did you do?

19. Evaluate this statement: The boss is always right….

20. What motivates you? What frustrates you?

Leadership & Employee Relations

21. What is your leadership style? Give examples.

22. Give an example of how you built bridges with other agencies or organizations where there was tension or distrust?

23. Turnover within the water and wastewater departments suggest low morale. How will you asses this challenge and address it?

24. What are your professional core values and how do you model those?

25. What kind of employee recognition efforts or programs have you created and implemented? What were the results?

 

[funwithfuel]

I have interviewed people for jobs since 1985. Since that time I have developed interview questions that tend to get me the people I want. These questions pertain to a Director of Utilities but could be adapted to any job. If you can answer these questions about the job you are seeking, you should have no problem. Good luck!!!

Education/Experience

1. Briefly tell us about your education and experience that qualifies you for this position.

2. Tell us about a new program that you initiated. How did you get buy-in, educate and implement the program in the department?

3. What is your greatest weakness? What have you done to overcome it and improve?

4. How do you involve staff when an important strategy decision needs to be made?

5. What particularly attracted you to this job?

Job Knowledge

6. How many years have you worked in the water/wastewater field?

7. What is the best job you ever had? What made it the best?

8. Give an example of the most successful negotiation you participated in and why it was successful. Give an example of the worst negotiation you participated in and why it was unsuccessful.

9. When I contact your last supervisor and ask which area of your work needs the most improvement, what will I learn?

10. Have you ever had a conflict with a supervisor? How was it resolved?

Finance and Control

11. What is the largest budget you have been directly responsible for creating and managing?

12. Give an example of when you were asked to cut expenses. How did you determine what to cut?

13. Have you been successful in acquiring alternative funding for water or wastewater projects? Give an example.

Problem Solving and Analytical Skill

14. What is the worst work decision you ever made and what did you do to correct it.

15. What was the hardest decision you have made as an administrator? Are you proud of the decision you made?

16. Describe a situation when someone challenged a decision you made. How did you respond?

17. What is your view about the role of the city when it comes to economic and residential growth – specifically in providing utilities? What are some names of the developers that you have worked with in the past?

18. Have you ever had to follow a policy you didn’t fully agree with? What did you do?

19. Evaluate this statement: The boss is always right….

20. What motivates you? What frustrates you?

Leadership & Employee Relations

21. What is your leadership style? Give examples.

22. Give an example of how you built bridges with other agencies or organizations where there was tension or distrust?

23. Turnover within the water and wastewater departments suggest low morale. How will you asses this challenge and address it?

24. What are your professional core values and how do you model those?

25. What kind of employee recognition efforts or programs have you created and implemented? What were the results?

Well, ...... I didn't get that job.

 

[ianjoub]

I have interviewed people for jobs since 1985. Since that time I have developed interview questions that tend to get me the people I want. These questions pertain to a Director of Utilities but could be adapted to any job. If you can answer these questions about the job you are seeking, you should have no problem. Good luck!!!

That had better be a $1m+/yr. job with additional incentives or I wouldn't be bothered answering those questions.

 

[Vetech63]

What if an applicant has facial tattoos? Yah?...……….or Nay?

 

[thepumpguysc]

I like to go to job interviews after a hard nite of drinkin, smelling like booze..
If I get the job.. I know what to expect & where I stand.. hahaha

Facial tattoos.. What is the worst decision you've made.?? {#14}

 

[Junkyard]

What if an applicant has facial tattoos? Yah?...……….or Nay?

Look for the MS13 tats. They’re good workers and surely here legally!!

 

[DMiller]

Basic established interview responses, when asked a question you cannot answer explain you can't and why, if can and do make sure NOT to embellish as is considered same level as a lie, be pleasant do not show protection body language(crossing arms and or legs tightly) or anger, Do NOT slouch or cross legs at all but sit comfortably once seated. Explain those aspects of your capabilities they ask of that depict a positive for the job in question. And for whatever reason DO NOT JOKE around, be careful with any responses to seemingly ask for a joke answer, respond with 'Pardon?' or 'Excuse me?' to off topic directions.

And yes I interviewed A LOT as changed positions a lot in the 80's/70's, interviewed as contractor for side work, did interviews for additional staff and was schooled on interviewing in the 80's by the company I worked for as the HR department did NOT understand my department's functions and had in no way any clue as to what to ask prospective's so left it up to staff members

 

[thepumpguysc]

Catch-up old man.. he didn't get the job.. Lol

When I went for those "corporate" job interviews.. 2 & 3 call-backs.. they didn't know what to ask me. AND TOLD ME SO..
The place was a production line outfit.. & they've never interviewed someone w/ my capabilities before..
It was rather humorous..
They were use to> anybody that could read & write & had 2 hands was hired to do production work..
After the 2nd "call-back" & having to take off work & drive 200 miles R/T.. I waited about a week & I called their HR.. Asked them IF I had gotten the job or should I "put this behind me" & start looking elsewhere because "I'm ready to make a move"..
THAT lite a fire under their azz's & I was hired the next day..

 

[92U 3406]

Interview went really well. Conversation flowed really well and the interviewers seemed fairly impressed with my answers.

 

[thepumpguysc]

OH SORRY DUDE.. I was lookin at FWF's answer.. #12.. I gotch u guys confused..
GOOD LUCK,, & SORRY Miller..