Panel interviews...

[melissa]

Does anyone have any experience with panel interviews? I have my second interview at AAA for a HR position on Thursday and it'll be conducted by the HR team. I've never done this before and I was wondering if anyone has any advice. I do pretty good in interviews, but I really need/want this job so any help would be appreciated.

[zero]

there's a scene in that movie "fatal attraction" which may be helpful

[melissa]

Thanks. I've never seen that movie. Maybe I'll watch it for research.

[zero]

yes i watched it "for research" too

[lapietra]

http://blortland.netserv.com/BlortBellyLaugh.gif

[Frieda]

what the hell is that thing?? :eek:

[lapietra]

It's a blort.

And I think the movie you're thinking of, zero, is "Basic Instinct". And melissa - I think you should watch the movie *after* your interview - that is, if time is of the essence in terms of your research... ;) I don't think you'll find anything of practical use... but it is *very* entertaining. :D

[melissa]

Lapietra, I haven't seen Basic Instinct either, but I'll put it on my list. Not so helpful for research purposes, though?

[lapietra]

Nope. ;)

Prolly about as useful as, say, "Flashdance"...

[Smartypants]

Originally posted by lapietra
And I think the movie you're thinking of, zero, is "Basic Instinct". And melissa - I think you should watch the movie *after* your interview

Although if she sees it BEFORE the interview, it could give her some wardrobe ideas. ;)

[daverbee]

Or "Showgirls"

[melissa]

Aaw, Showgirls. Now that is a movie in a class all by itself.

I can't believe I watched the entire thing.

[daverbee]

I've never watched it. I'm afraid my brain would melt from just how bad it's supposed to be.

[melissa]

I don't know if I've learned any words in the English language that properly describe just how bad it is.

[melissa]

Not only is it horrible, but it is really long too. I guess they wanted to have enough time for character development.

[lapietra]

Is it worse than "Johnny Mnemonic"?

That was just plain stinky.

I even watched it when I was sick, when my powers of judgement are compromised... and it was tres stinky. Peeee-yew.

[melissa]

It was way worse than "J M", I think. At least "J M" had an interesting premise. I think I was able to enjoy that one a little by turning my brain off.

[daverbee]

Sounds like good MST3K material. Maybe I'll have a captioning party at my house and show those two...

[melissa]

I had to do that last night when my b/f and I went to see Troy. It would have been so much better as a comedy.

[lapietra]

I'm afraid the new "King Arthur" movie's gonna be like that... a shame too, 'cos it's got some good peeps in it.

[melissa]

King Arthur should have been called "Sensitive Warriors".

[priceyfatprude]

Originally posted by melissa
I've never done this before and I was wondering if anyone has any advice. Bring your kneepads & your chapstick. Good luck!!!

[melissa]

HA!!

Chapstick is my #1 addiction. Can't leave the house without it, no matter what is planned for my day.

[dinzdale]

Lend some to PFP will ya?

[Spicy Jack]

http://www.sorrynorefund.com/patrizia/chapstick_transit.jpg

[melissa]

NEVER!!

[Spicy Jack]

http://www.citizenlunchbox.com/monkey/adventures/pix/mst4-chapstick.jpg

[melissa]

That monkey is stealing my chapstick!!

[trisherina]

I've done a number of panel interviews, as an interviewer.

Don't take coffee if they offer it to you.

Don't sit in one of the interviewer's seats by accident.

Do some research about the nature of the position beforehand, and what the organization does. If you don't know the answer to a question, give it your best common sense and say I'd need to give that some more thought to do the question proper justice.

When asked what weaknesses you have, don't say perfectionism or a tendency to be a workaholic unless you actually have these tendencies and can expand on them convincingly. A fairly value-neutral weakness that many people can own up to without sounding unemployable is time management: "Until I am really familiar with a job it helps to have guidance with time management, for instance, when is the best time to perform x and x task." Managers like to hear this because it sounds like you are open to being managed.

If the position is way out of your skill range, don't tell the interviewers that you are a fast learner. Give an example of how you have done this.

Be as honest as possible and don't exaggerate.

[rmr]

Originally posted by trisherina
A fairly value-neutral weakness that many people can own up to without sounding unemployable is time management: "Until I am really familiar with a job it helps to have guidance with time management, for instance, when is the best time to perform x and x task." Managers like to hear this because it sounds like you are open to being managed.

I love this response Trish.....I'm totally stealing it ok?

[trisherina]

It's free for the taking!

[Aphrodite]

I have experience on both sides of panel interviews.

As the interviewee, you are brought in and introduced to a bunch of distantly, polite people. One person leads the interview and directs the panel as they take turns asking you a few questions each. It is a little unnerving, but imagine you are leading a presentation. Talk to them all. Smile at them. Include everyone in your response and enthusiasm. Keep your answers brief and to the point. If you find yourself fishing for the correct response, be honest. Say that you are familiar with 'whatever' and give a few details to ensure that you don't look like you have no idea. If you are unfamiliar with the premise of the statement, admit that and offer your willingness to learn.

As the interviewer. I had a list of questions. The Executive Director led the interview and we (the board of directors) asked the questions. We listened for the correct responses, as well as the manner in which they were relayed. We knew the applicant would be nervous and we made allowances for that. We looked for appropriate appearance, clean nails, appropriate clothing, etc..

Interviews are wierd for everyone. Just be prepared for the questions related to the specific job you are applying for. Research the company. If they have other branches of the same job in other areas, call and ask if you may speak to the person in the same postion you are applying for. They are often more than happy to fill you in.

I hope this helped.

[rmr]

why shouldn't you ask for a cup of coffee or water??? i'm just curious.

[Aphrodite]

You might spill it, or choke on it. You are probably nervous and should avoid potential accidents.

It is also not thought of as very professional.

[melissa]

Trisherina and Aphrodite, thanks so much for the advice. I really appreciate it.

I actually like interviews. It's kind of like a first date: everyone's on their best behavior and looks nice and tries really hard to make a good first impression.

It'll be nice to have a job instead of looking for one.

[nycwriters]

I can't add to anything more that anyone else has said, other than I had to do the panel thing, then three one-on-one interviews to get this job.

Just be yourself. If you really want this job, tell them that. You'd be surprised how much they like hearing that you really want it, and it makes you stick in their minds at decision time.

[melissa]

So, I should emphasize that I'm looking for a long term position and am eager to start work, instead of babbling about my fear of being a long-term unemployed recent graduate?

[madasacutsnake]

So, I should emphasize that I'm looking for a long term position and am eager to start work, instead of babbling about my fear of being a long-term unemployed recent graduate?

Sure. And don't forget to add on how working at Subway has taught you time management.

I once had a really bad, bad, bad panel interview. There was a nice lady taking notes shorthand but she didn't understand any Pitjantjatjara (just go with me on this one, it was relevant to the job). I ended up spending the majority of the interview spelling the words out for her, hoping like hell I was getting them right, getting distracted by the spelling bee and losing my whole train of thought.

So I suppose my tip is to ask for a shorthand typist who speaks the language that the interview is to be conducted in. Do this as you enter the room, before you even sit down. It will make an impression.