BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!

Subject: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 09:53 AM

I am going today for a job interview at Vanderbilt Medical Center, for an administrative assistant position. A friend who works there recommended me. I'm not sure if it's the job I want, but I figure it won't hurt to go find out, and to meet a few people. If this isn't the job for me, perhaps they would keep me in mind for something else in the future.

Anyhow, I haven't done this in 7 years and I'm petrified! So please cross your fingers that if it's the right thing, it will work out. :-)

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Jeanie
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 10:01 AM

Good Luck, Kim !

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 10:27 AM

Thanks!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 10:28 AM

Good Luck!!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: freda underhill
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 11:02 AM

good luck Kim. hints:

if you're nervous & can't meet their eyes, try looking at the spot between their eyebrows - it'll give them the impression you're looking at them, without being so confronting

(old habit used in india, middle east)

best wishes

fred

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 11:39 AM

Hey, that's a good trick. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Allan C.
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 11:54 AM

Besta luck, Kim. I'm about to have a similar experience.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 12:04 PM

Good Luck Allan too!!!

Lets us know how you both get on!

Khatt

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Sooz
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 12:37 PM

Tell them how great you are, mean it and then prove it!
Good luck both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 01:27 PM

I am fixin to go here in a minute.

I figure, I'm not putting on any airs for anyone. I mean, I dressed nicely and all that, but not any differently than I would on any other day. If they don't like me the way I am, I don't want to work there anyhow.

Good luck Allan, I'm cheering for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 03:17 PM

All right - first interview went well. They want me to meet with the other doctors I'd be working with.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: DougR
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 03:44 PM

Hey Kim, I got EVERYTHING crossed! (That I can cross of course).

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 04:19 PM

When I was in Kentucky I put together a presentation on interviewing for the job support group there. Here follows the handout, which includes the toughest legal questions anyone could think of, the illegal ones, and various tips on interviewing.

Hope it helps!!


        The Nastiest, Meanest, Toughest Interview Questions
        (in no particular order)
                                                
        The LEGAL Ones...

▸        Why should we hire you?

▸        What would your last boss have said about you? What would your subordinates have said?

▸        Why haven't you been successful in getting a job so far?

▸        What are your (one, two, three...) biggest accomplishments?

▸        Have you fired anyone? How did you do it?

▸        Cite examples of your creativity. Show me how you've saved money for firms you've worked for.

▸        What is the most important thing you've learned from past jobs?

▸        What are your weak points? How do you overcome them?

▸         What are your strengths? How will they help us if we hire you?

▸        Tell me about yourself.

▸        How do you motivate people?

▸        What did you think of your last company and your last boss?

▸        Why did you apply to us?

▸        What do you know about our firm/industry? What problems are we facing and how would you overcome them?

▸        Are you willing to relocate? To travel? To work weekends or evenings?

▸        Describe your management style.

▸        Tell me about a problem you faced on the job and how you solved it.

▸        How would you deal with a very upset customer or co-worker?

▸        Give me an example of when you had to show good leadership.

▸        What salary and benefits do you expect?

▸        How long would you stay with us? What might cause you to leave?

▸        Are you decisive? Prove it with examples!

▸        How do you set priorities?

▸        Tell me about your oral presentations.

▸        How do you handle stress?

▸        What was the last book you read? What did you like/dislike about it?

▸        How did you find out about this job?

▸        What frustrates you? What do you do about it?
        
        ...and ILLEGAL Ones

▸        Are you a US citizen?

▸        That's an unusual name. Where's it from?

▸        How old are you? When were you born? When did you graduate?

▸        Are you married, engaged, divorced? Who do you live with?

▸        When do you plan to have a family? What are your childcare arrangements?

▸        How tall are you? What do you weigh?

▸        Do you have any disabilities? Have you ever been treated for a mental condition? What medicines do you take?

▸        What organizations do you belong to?

▸        Have you ever been arrested?

▸        Were you honorably discharged from the military?


        INTERVIEW SUBTLETIES
        
1.        Relax. An interview is not an interrogation.

2.        Be prepared for professional and personal discussion. Small talk is important.

3.        Interview the company as completely as they are interviewing you.

4.        When in doubt, always overdress in conventional business attire (suit and tie for men, the equivalent for women).

5.        Everyone you meet and encounter counts!

6.        Do your homework before you go and while you are there.

7.        Get cards from everyone and take notes when and where applicable.

8.        At lunch or dinner – you're NOT there for the food. Stay focused on the career objective. And NO alcohol.

9.        Always write a thank-you note or letter to each person you talked with. Make them unique to the person – this is an important factor.

10.        Know where you're going – do a trial run.

        BE IMPECCABLE:

        1. Absolute personal integrity

        2. Don't take it personally

        3. Don't assume anything

        4. Always do your best

        5. No excuses

        6. Always be ready to interview

        7. Effort isn't results

        8. Reacting isn't responding

        9. Anticipate disaster.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 04:23 PM

I hope things go well. No hints, just my best.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 04:43 PM

Rapaire, I thought they could ask you if you've ever been arrested. I believe that's pretty standard on job applications, or used to be, anyway.

That's a great list!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 06:10 PM

Not arrested. They CAN ask if you've been convicted of a felony.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 10:51 PM

Aha. But if you've been convicted of a felony, wouldn't it stand to reason you had been arrested first? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: lady penelope
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 08:59 AM

They can only ask about actual convictions. Any body can arrested for any crime. It dosen't mean you are guilty or even of a criminal nature (if such a thing exists).

It sounds good if they want you to meet other people you would be working with.

I agree with Rapaire. Interview your prospective employers as much as they would you. You may find the post isn't for you. I would also asked to see where you would be working, if possible. This has saved me from two disasters of posts in the past.

If you are offered the posistion, make sure everything they have verbally offered you is in writing. Do not turn up to work for them without a formal written offer!

I don't know how it works in the States but in Britain your employer has 13 weeks to provide a formal written contract. Without that contract you have no employment rights. On the other hand, neither do your employers.

Good luck TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 09:57 AM

Okay. All good points. Here is another question...

They called me this morning to come meet with one of the other doctors on Monday. The time they want me to come is not my usual lunchtime so I will have to make explanation as to why I am changing my lunchtime for the second time in just a few days. Do I go ahead and tell my supervisor I'm going for a job interview? It wouldn't be an untruth to say it was a surprise opportunity, and she is aware of some of the frustrations I have had here.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:00 AM

I would tell her only if she asks for a reason.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:13 AM

No!!! Nononononooo!

"I'm very sorry to inconvenience everyone but I need to take another personal day" or something to that effect. And "Yes everything is all right, thank you for your concern." And then you SHUT UP. Keep it separate. Your co-workers and superiors have a duty to protect the organization, and no matter how nice they are, they are NOT looking out for your interests.

Might want to make a note, also, that it's only the interview time period and already these new folks are imposing on your time and availablility. Cuz you know (wink wink) the doctors' time is more important than yours (wink wink). And always will be. Right????? No???? "Im really interested in knowing more about your organization and what it would be like to work with you, but I'm committed to fulfilling my current responsibilities and I CAN meet with you xxxx (time)."

You have the luxury of already having a job-- you don;t actually have to let them jerk you around as the opening salvo. They may hire someone else they CAN jerk around. Let them! :~) You-- you're VALUABLE, you're someone they should want to pursue on MUTUALLY beneficial terms. They're tryig to lure you out of another job! Make 'em pay! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:30 AM

If you walk in knowing that you don't particularly care whether you get the job, you will be much more relaxed than if you worry. It rarely fails.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:41 AM

Susan, it ain't that big of a deal... actually they wanted to see me today and I said, no, sorry, I can't. Which is true. And it's not necessarily unusual for us to swap lunchtimes & such - I am probably being overly sensitive, just 'cause I don't want anyone to be suspicious! I'm not real concerned about the doctor's time, but I do value the time of his patients & students. The job itself is actually pretty independent and has more interaction with the students than the doctors.

And don't worry, I am going to make them pay if they decide to offer me the job. I already have a vacation scheduled with Mister, and a couple of other commitments I have made, based on my current availabilty of vacation. They guarantee me those days off, or no deal.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:44 AM

Good luck! Good idea about "negotiating" for vacation upfront. I did that quite unknowingly at one new job. I sure was glad later that I thought of it. It was no big deal to them, but very important to me. When I saw how easy it was to get that (because they wanted me) I wondered if I should have asked for more!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:49 AM

Good, Kim! Make 'em pay! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 11:04 AM

So how did it go? And did they ask you any of those horrible questions?

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 11:05 AM

y'know, I can say I'm going to see a doctor, and that would be the truth! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: mg
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 12:30 PM

if you are ever snarled at or asked questions designed to intimidate you or are treated rudely in an interview, run for the door. They will treat you that way on the job.   I have walked out on abusive interviews and will continue to do so, if God forbid, I ever have another one in my life. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 01:36 PM

Oh, absolutely!

I am pleased to say, I had a very good vibe about the office I visited yesterday. The only reason the present person is vacating the position is that her husband's job has transferred him to another state. They have an extremely low turnover, and the friend who recommended me has worked there for years.

But first, I am going to find out everything I can.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: GUEST,harlowpoet
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 03:29 PM

Kim, good luck!

I went for two job interviews recently in London, both in gov depts. Admin. Got similar replies to each. I was successful at the interview, but others were more successful. I was more annoyed at the replies than not getting thejob. Especially when I was asked about my letter draughting skills.

I had to read TWO paragraphs down on their letters' to tell me I didn't get the job. Even then, it was ambiguous.

Best wishes Kim, hope I haven't rained on your parade.

Simon

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 04:08 PM

'Course not Simon... I have got letters like that before!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 05:11 PM

A joke:

An attractive female receptionist worked for a male doctor and a male dentist; her desk was in the common room between their two offices. Both tried to make time with her. When the dentist had to leave town for two weeks, he placed fourteen apples on her desk.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Hollowfox
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 05:50 PM

I just read this, so you know there'll be a @#$%-reduction candle going for you tonight, and tomorrow (my day off).

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 06:32 PM

Good luck, Kim. It sounds as if they are definitely interested. A quick follow-up interview is always a good sign.

Make sure that you are interviewing them at the same time. And a simple tip: Get there early and sit in the reception area watching. Check out the laidies room. You can learn a lot about "reality" just by watching how people treat each other and listening to the conversations.

M.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 11:01 PM

Oh how right you are, Mary Garvey. I was interviewed by three people once when in dire need of a job; in the middle of the interview, tea and biscuits were served - to them - and they ate and drank in front of me without offering me a bite.

I should have known, I should have known! Four years of misery followed!

Incidentally, in Ireland those no-thanks letters are known as PFOs; the P stands for Please and the O for Off.

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: freda underhill
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 03:01 AM

It sounds like you're doing well, Kim. Meeting the other doctors could be a final clearance before you hear.

And yes, i think you could say you have a medical appointment. it's the truth!

best wishes

fred


ps Rapaire - your job hints & questions were great - I have saved them!

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 03:32 AM

All the best from the fB

Subject: RE: BS: Job Interview - Good thoughts please!
From: Kim C
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 08:32 AM

Thanks guys!

For what it's worth, the ladies' room is fab, and it would be right around the corner from my office. :-)