Brain freeze in Job Interviews
-
plan answers for commonly-asked questions ......Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:I've got a problem here... hope to get some help from you guys.
I have no problem talking about myself most of the time, but in job interviews, I kinda 'freeze up' & my brain goes dead!!
Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you deal with it?
-
Whoops, typo. It's DDI - Development Dimensions International (http://www.ddiworld.com/) - they're the company that made structured interviewing a widesprread practice.Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:Gee, thanks, Ged, for all those tips!
And I've never heard of the STAR structure before... what's PDI by the way?
I'll certainly keep what you said in mind! Thanks!
Their STAR srtucture is aimed at talking about the candidate's actual past experiences. It's a lot better because it gives a more accurate measure of what the candidate's capable of - it's not so much what they do in the examples they provide, but in the way they analyse and describe their examples. If that can do that well, they're showing that they have a good grasp of the job requirement being looked at. Personally, I don't buy into the "what would you do..." questions because it's simply too easy for the candidate to make up a good-sounding BS answer - I'd much sooner ask "what have you done?" because the best indicator of future performance is alwasy past performance. -
SL, you're right about the ang moh's being better at tooting their own horn.
If you work in an American firm with a high proportion of expatriates, you graudally learn to do that too, without wincing. hehehe! 
I've been on both sides of the table - I've been the candidate, as well as part of the interviewing team. Some observations :
- NEVER appear scared! I've seen candidates shivering, literally shivering. Half your battle is lost already because what happens next would usually be stammering, stuttering, requesting simple questions to be repeated followed by a long lag time before an answer is given, etc. A "What's happening, cat got your tongue?" kinda situation.
- Tell yourself that you're a professional and you're NOT DESPERATE for the job. It's ugly when you see how desperate some candidates can be. Sit back comfortably in your chair, be at ease, and remember that like neuros said, you're interviewing the interviewers as well because hey, you're a professional, you have a right to choose the best job and the best working environmnent for you too! That will immediately up the ante on your side and change the entire 'tone' of the interview because then, the interviewers would know that here's someone who's interested in a career and professional development and not just a job.
- Memorised 'stock' answers are blah! The interviewers would have heard the same 'stock' answers a thousand times before you and if you give them the same ol' humdrum stuff, they'll immediately shut you off mentally and you'll be no different from the hundred before you. So, dare to be yourself. Offer answers that are unique because they're not the 'typical' answers.
Lastly, remember that there are lots of reasons why a candidate is not chosen for the job. Sometimes, you'll be surprised, it has nothing to do with you even! I know for a fact that there are firms in Singapore that go through the recruitment process even though they already have an internal candidate in mind who's snagged the job 99% already simply because it's a process / policy they have to adhere to. Sometimes, they choose someone less vibrant because they might think that the person would have a higher chance of staying on in the job, which might turn out to be pretty monotonous in reality. Etc. etc. I can give you a few other scenarios so yeah, don't take rejections personally because it might not even be about you!
One of the most challenging interviews I went for started with grouchy interviewers firing this question at me, straight-faced, 'So, tell us why we should hire you.' I was
but kept my cool composure and I guess they liked my answer cause in the end, I got the job! 
Have courage! -
Hey, the DDI!Originally posted by Gedanken:Whoops, typo. It's DDI - Development Dimensions International (http://www.ddiworld.com/) - they're the company that made structured interviewing a widesprread practice. Drats, used to know all these things by heart as part of my work but now, I can't, for the life of me, remember.
I used to work in an American MNC who would make candidates who've been shortlisted for the 2nd / 3rd round of interviews sit for a Personality Test. Can't remember which one we used but it was pretty interesting. I had tons of fun sitting in the interviews, then administering the personality test and reading the analysis first. hehehe!
Hey, SL, remember that job fit is very very important too. Sometimes, we may not have the requisite experience or personality for a particular job and in such cases, it's best that we walk away from the job, instead of hankering after it. No point getting a job that you'll end up hating. -
Thanks, Rhonda Yes, very often, alot of companies have already chosen the person for the job, just that they need to advertise it to comply with the law! That's how I got my present job as well... they advertised it when I was still temping in it, and when I applied for it, it was more or less mine to have already!
Ah well, hopefully for this present job I applied for, nobody internally has applied!
-
Well, just take all interviews as an opportunity to brush up on your 'personal marketing' skills!Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:Thanks, Rhonda Yes, very often, alot of companies have already chosen the person for the job, just that they need to advertise it to comply with the law! That's how I got my present job as well... they advertised it when I was still temping in it, and when I applied for it, it was more or less mine to have already!
Ah well, hopefully for this present job I applied for, nobody internally has applied! -
I've got an interview next Fri (5 Aug)! Yippee
The lady who called me (chairperson in the interview) was wondering why I didn't apply for the higher job instead of the one I applied for which is one level down... I told her I didn't know if I could do some of the tasks mentioned in the selection criteria as I'd never done such duties before
Paisei, dunno if I said the right thing or not 
But oh well, am ecstatic that they have given me a chance to go for the interviews for both jobs!
Thx again for everyone's gd advice as to how to perform in my job interview -
congrats!!!
make sure you get the job ok? -
Wah... dragg, you put me under alotta stress nowOriginally posted by dragg:congrats!!!
make sure you get the job ok?
But thanks! hopefully I'll get the job!! -
SL, good luck for your job search!
I think you're wise to hold yourself back when you realise that the 'higher' position job might entail responsibilities and duties you're not quite prepared for. It's always better not to bite off more than you can chew otherwise, you'll get choked!
Well, let's see how it goes! Go there, wow them, do your best, then, pray over it and leave the rest to God! -
LOL... I love what you just said! hahaha!Originally posted by Rhonda:SL, good luck for your job search!
I think you're wise to hold yourself back when you realise that the 'higher' position job might entail responsibilities and duties you're not quite prepared for. It's always better not to bite off more than you can chew otherwise, you'll get choked!
Well, let's see how it goes! Go there, wow them, do your best, then, pray over it and leave the rest to God!
Thanks, Rhonda, will start preparing for the interview when I get home tonight! You're right - I'll try my best, and leave the rest to God! If it's not meant to be then He won't give the job to me! -
Interview is of course stressful cos we are scruntised, assess and query on our past and what can offer in future .... the best way to overcome it is to go for a lot of interviews until you are so used to it and an experienced expert in this game... watever they throw at you .. you can also take it cooly and answer them....IMO
But wat I buay tahan is when I apply for a 2k plus job the recruiter ask so many question and have to fill up so many assessment form (9 pages one i attend recently)... write essay ... is like they are employing a CEO or wat??
Me Spend half a day in the interview not even shortlisted for the 2nd round .... Wat a waste of everyone time!!
Another thing is never be demoralised even being rejected.... there is always hope !!! -
i went for an interview recently conducted by one of our major supermarket chain. i left after 3 hrs 45 mins into it. it was still going on when i left.Originally posted by seancannot:Interview is of course stressful cos we are scruntised, assess and query on our past and what can offer in future .... the best way to overcome it is to go for a lot of interviews until you are so used to it and an experienced expert in this game... watever they throw at you .. you can also take it cooly and answer them....IMO
But wat I buay tahan is when I apply for a 2k plus job the recruiter ask so many question and have to fill up so many assessment form (9 pages one i attend recently)... write essay ... is like they are employing a CEO or wat??
Me Spend half a day in the interview not even shortlisted for the 2nd round .... Wat a waste of everyone time!!
Another thing is never be demoralised even being rejected.... there is always hope !!! -
Thx Sean for your good advice!! Yes the best way to overcome my fear of job interviews is to go for more of them!Originally posted by seancannot:Interview is of course stressful cos we are scruntised, assess and query on our past and what can offer in future .... the best way to overcome it is to go for a lot of interviews until you are so used to it and an experienced expert in this game... watever they throw at you .. you can also take it cooly and answer them....IMO
But wat I buay tahan is when I apply for a 2k plus job the recruiter ask so many question and have to fill up so many assessment form (9 pages one i attend recently)... write essay ... is like they are employing a CEO or wat??
Me Spend half a day in the interview not even shortlisted for the 2nd round .... Wat a waste of everyone time!!
Another thing is never be demoralised even being rejected.... there is always hope !!! Same thing with public speaking too, I suppose. -
So did u get the job ?Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:Thx Sean for your good advice!! Yes the best way to overcome my fear of job interviews is to go for more of them! Same thing with public speaking too, I suppose. -
So what did u say ?Originally posted by Rhonda:One of the most challenging interviews I went for started with grouchy interviewers firing this question at me, straight-facedcode:I was, 'So, tell us why we should hire you.'
but kept my cool composure and I guess they liked my answer cause in the end, I got the job!
Have courage! 
-
My interview is tomorrow morning!! I'll know by next week if I get the job.. (or maybe even by the end of the interview tomorrow, just by looking at the interviewers' facesOriginally posted by Dino888:So did u get the job ? )
Am a bit nervous, but that's ok, right? I've almost finished preparing for it... looked at annual reports, management plans, and crafted out some answers to questions I think I'll be asked....
-
you will get the job. i can feel it.
-
I do think luck plays a part, no matter how well prepared one is for job interview questions. During one job interview, I was given several job scenarios and asked how I would handle them. I answered to the best of my knowledge, mostly to the effect of: "Blah..blah, but it all depends on the situation, can't really say for sure during this interview" and yet I got the job - I'm not quite sure why. Maybe the chief interviewer liked my honesty.
Anyway, good luck, SydneyLibrarian! Hope you get the job you desire. -
Thank you, Wanda!Originally posted by Wanda:I do think luck plays a part, no matter how well prepared one is for job interview questions. During one job interview, I was given several job scenarios and asked how I would handle them. I answered to the best of my knowledge, mostly to the effect of: "Blah..blah, but it all depends on the situation, can't really say for sure during this interview" and yet I got the job - I'm not quite sure why. Maybe the chief interviewer liked my honesty.
Anyway, good luck, SydneyLibrarian! Hope you get the job you desire. And thanks too, dragg. I'll let u know how I went with the interview.
Yea perhaps honesty is the best policy eh, Wanda! Perhaps your interviewers value honesty above anything else
I feel that interviews here are more stressful than those conducted in Singapore... I dunno why!
Or maybe it was because they were desperate for librarians in Singapore that they just took in anyone with the right qualifications, whereas here, they can afford to be more choosy cos there's so many of us around
How about those of you who are working overseas... do you think the interviewers don't 'grill' you so much in Singapore compared to overseas? -
Jia you!!
Me oso going interview next monday!!
Was just thinking of dressing down on eve of national day, now have to wear formal shirt -
All the best to you too, Kenashi! May we both get the jobs we are interviewed forOriginally posted by Kenashi:Jia you!!
Me oso going interview next monday!!
Was just thinking of dressing down on eve of national day, now have to wear formally -
Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:All the best to you too, Kenashi! May we both get the jobs we are interviewed for
hope so!! -
can i ask for advice too ?Originally posted by the Bear:yeah.. what elindra said
run the thing through your head over and again...
think of it as some kinda conversation... and hopefully, you'll be okay
Usually i am struck by the question :
1. How do you see or project urself in the near 5 or 10 years down the road ? Where will you be ?
2. And how do you find yourself to be able to contribute fully to the company ?
What is your answer guyz ? -
Humh...
Can i ask.. As an double diploma in business and Private Sec..
with 6yrs of experiences in revelance field asking for the
salary range of $1.8k to $2.2k too much ?
Seems like kena alot of "nails" lately all the company wanna
cheap salary labour..
Even overheard one of the employment agency commenting the co. given such low salary rate "how to hired ?" haa...