So I have an interview tomorrow

[zenbabe]

..and I have been warned that they are going to ask all those bullshit interview questions like

where do you see yourself in 5 years (cough...doing your job bitch)

What is the worst experience you have had on a job

what do you think your worst personality trait is


blah blah blah...

What are your best answers to these questions?

[nycwriters]

where do you see yourself in 5 years (cough...doing your job bitch)

Actually, "doing your job," said in the right cocky tone and big smile is a good answer in my books. But then again, I don't feel threatened when people who I hire are ambitious ... I encourage that kind of thing -- means they'll work harder.


What is the worst experience you have had on a job

Something innocuous. Like a coworker who played music too loud in her cubicle. Keep details on this one to a minimum -- they want to see if you're a chronic complainer or a "team player" with this question.

what do you think your worst personality trait is

The best cheesy answer is "that I'm a bit of a perfectionist" ... it's a safe bet to use that one.

That help?

[zenbabe]

yeah, I always pull the perfectionist bit, even though I totally am not.

I hate the 5 years question though....who knew I would be back in san diego 6 months ago......

[sparticle]

NYC's answers are perfect.

Good luck tomorrow!

[zenbabe]

Thank you!!

I want massive dinz and beale commentary on this subject.

[trisherina]

The "where do you see yourself in five years?" question is putatively aimed at asking you about your career aspirations, but really they are hoping you will be ditzy enough to tell them if you are planning to start a family, move away, whatever. It's kinda slimy from a human rights/labour relations perspective. Your average employee is not going to sit down a make a five year plan prior to starting a new job, so it's at best a dumb question. I'd use it to talk about any longer-term career plans you might have, including skills you plan to acquire or round out, and plans for education, if any.

I'd outright deny that I've ever had any really bad experiences on a job (unless you have an iffy reference out there), "nothing I couldn't manage, though my first job (delivering papers or whatever it was), was not the easiest," chuckle. Again, really dumb question, hoping you're ditzy enough to tell them about the time you bitch-slapped the doorknob in the next cube for whistling the chorus to Beat It through his teeth all the time. I mean, come on.

I always mentally roll my eyes if someone answers that their worst trait is perfectionism or a tendency to overwork, especially if they don't present as an anxiety-ridden Type As. It has an element of cuteness, but I prefer elements of honesty. Pick a forgivable human trait that lots of people can relate to, like a tendency to "worry too much", or feeling personally affected by the world's injustices, or sometimes torturing your gerbils too much. No, maybe not that last one, come to think of it. Maybe "overthinking" would be better than the gerbil thing. Your call.

Best of luck to you!

[melissa]

Good luck Zen. Interviews are a pain. I was thrown for a loop at the last one when he asked me what I had wanted to be when I grew up (as a child, dreaming about my adulthood). I nearly panicked b/c I couldn't tell him that my anti-establishment parents took me out of school and weren't teaching me any skills to survive in the real world or encouraging me to think about the future. I guess I faked it good enough to get the job, though.

I know you'll do fine. Keep us posted. What is the job? Details, please!!

[priceyfatprude]

I hate these questions too.

GOOD LUCK ZENNIE!!!!!!!!!!

[zenbabe]

Originally posted by trisherina
The "where do you see yourself in five years?" question is putatively aimed at asking you about your career aspirations, but really they are hoping you will be ditzy enough to tell them if you are planning to start a family, move away, whatever. It's kinda slimy from a human rights/labour relations perspective. Your average employee is not going to sit down a make a five year plan prior to starting a new job, so it's at best a dumb question. I'd use it to talk about any longer-term career plans you might have, including skills you plan to acquire or round out, and plans for education, if any.

I'd outright deny that I've ever had any really bad experiences on a job (unless you have an iffy reference out there), "nothing I couldn't manage, though my first job (delivering papers or whatever it was), was not the easiest," chuckle. Again, really dumb question, hoping you're ditzy enough to tell them about the time you bitch-slapped the doorknob in the next cube for whistling the chorus to Beat It through his teeth all the time. I mean, come on.

I always mentally roll my eyes if someone answers that their worst trait is perfectionism or a tendency to overwork, especially if they don't present as an anxiety-ridden Type As. It has an element of cuteness, but I prefer elements of honesty. Pick a forgivable human trait that lots of people can relate to, like a tendency to "worry too much", or feeling personally affected by the world's injustices, or sometimes torturing your gerbils too much. No, maybe not that last one, come to think of it. Maybe "overthinking" would be better than the gerbil thing. Your call.

Best of luck to you!

I am an uber thinker!!!!

[zenbabe]

Originally posted by melissa
Good luck Zen. Interviews are a pain. I was thrown for a loop at the last one when he asked me what I had wanted to be when I grew up (as a child, dreaming about my adulthood). I nearly panicked b/c I couldn't tell him that my anti-establishment parents took me out of school and weren't teaching me any skills to survive in the real world or encouraging me to think about the future. I guess I faked it good enough to get the job, though.

I know you'll do fine. Keep us posted. What is the job? Details, please!!

I wanted to marry a horse!!!

[Hermione]

Good luck Zen!! I hope you get the job

[zenbabe]

I almost don't want it, even though I need it.

please give me some more obnoxious answers, I want to see how far I can take it with these people!

[Clytie]

biggest blunder

i was asked what my weakness was

i said "skittles and men in uniform" good thing the interviewer had a sense of humor!!!

[zenbabe]

men in uniform!!!!

[zenbabe]

where do you see yourself in 5 years: a bomb shelter, waiting out the nuclear holocaust

What is the worst experience you have had on a job: had to work with people

what do you think your worst personality trait is: i am an optimist