Help please, Job interview questions.

[Wraithen]

Ok so I have a job interview tomorrow, I'm just having a look at their website so I can sound like I know about the place and I'm getting worried about the worst part of the interview... that point where they say, "so then, do you have any questions for us?"

That's the part where I freeze up and my mind goes blank. So I figured I'd write some down in case that happens tomorrow... and you know what? My mind's gone blank.

So please, anyone have any good ideas for things to ask... ranging from the obvious to the boarderline intelligent.

Comic relief answers are also welcome, but serious ones would be great too!

Thanks.

 

[Fat Tony!]

erm you could just say: when will I know that if I have been accepted or not? or "no thanks *smile*, thank you very much"

 

[Ryjalon5k]

ask them if they like orange juice...if they dont, proceed to beat them with a crowbar.

 

[AntiAnto]

"Do you want a puff?" [while lighting your marijuana stick]

 

[oldagerocker]

If you dont know already, you could ask them what hours you'd be working, overtime pay, sick days, holidays, what company you looking to work for by the way?

 

[Ryjalon5k]

i want a puff.

 

[Wraithen]

If you dont know already, you could ask them what hours you'd be working, overtime pay, sick days, holidays, what company you looking to work for by the way?

Good questions... and it's a lab that does genetic profiling... I'd be a Dr. Breen... I mean Lab Administrator.

God I hope no one interviewing me is a Half Life 2 adict reading this site

 

[Kangy]

Good questions... and it's a lab that does genetic profiling... I'd be a Dr. Breen... I mean Lab Administrator.

God I hope no one interviewing me is a Half Life 2 adict reading this site

I hope you get the job, but if you ever order the overpowering of a mysterious crystal, I'll kill you.

 

[Fat Tony!]

hah why? that would be an advantage

 

[oldagerocker]

Good questions... and it's a lab that does genetic profiling... I'd be a Dr. Breen... I mean Lab Administrator.

God I hope no one interviewing me is a Half Life 2 adict reading this site

You could try to impress them by asking something technical to do with your everyday work, show you take a real interest, like.. "where do you keep the petri dishes?" i dont know, but show you can apply your previous training/education/experience.

 

[Wraithen]

You could try to impress them by asking something technical to do with your everyday work, show you take a real interest, like.. "where do you keep the petri dishes?" i dont know, but show you can apply your previous training/education/experience.

"Where do you keep your cellular recombombulator? Oh haven't you started using them yet?"

 

[oldagerocker]

Thats it

 

[jverne]

I hope you get the job, but if you ever order the overpowering of a mysterious crystal, I'll kill you.

oh yea, and watch ouf for a man dressed in a blue suit carrying a suitcase!

 

[Wraithen]

I hope you get the job, but if you ever order the overpowering of a mysterious crystal, I'll kill you.

question for the interview;

"Can you take this to the boys in the lab? Resonance cascade? No, that'll never happen"

 

[KagePrototype]

Just say you don't have any, and that everything seemed to be pretty much covered during the interview (unless everything blatantly wasn't, in which case ask away what you think was missing ).

 

[Tinneth]

i want a puff.

Try a gay bar.

 

[Wraithen]

Just say you don't have any, and that everything seemed to be pretty much covered during the interview (unless everything blatantly wasn't, in which case ask away what you think was missing ).

Yeah, I was talking about it to a friend ans she said I should say the job sounds wonderful and that they've covered everything I wanted to ask about, and I'll contact them if another question should arise.

Sounded too easy... but also, it sounded easy.

 

[Seeky]

You should absolutely ask at least one question. If you don't ask anything at all, the employer will likely think that you either have not been paying attention to them during the interview, or that you have not taken your research on the company very seriously.

You can even think rather broad. Try questions like,

How would you describe the mood of a typical day? Busy? Lax? Stressful? Friendly?

What do you think is the most satisfying part about your job here?

What sort of hopes do you have for the lab in a few years from now?

What sort of opportunities do I have for advancement, in this position?

How closely will I be working with the administrators? I am capable of working independently, but what people can I approach if I have further questions?

What will be the first project I'll be working on, if I am hired?


These are general questions I can think of off the top of my head, without knowing much about the lab. Build off them based on what you know, and figure out what you want to know. Remember, the interview is just as much of a chance to find out if you really want the position, as much as it is for the employer to see if you are qualified.

Anyway, just pay close attention to what the interviewers tell you during the interview, you'll likely think of questions that you can ask them, to explain in further detail anything they may have mentioned.

The most interesting job interview I'd ever attended - after a telephone screening, I was given a logic problem (explain how you might determine the weight of a typical car, using only a ruler). After that, he asked, "Now, what questions do you have for me?"

A frightful experience, but I was prepared. I asked most of the questions then, and realized I was no longer interested in the position, based on the responses I heard. That made the rest of the interview easy.

 

[Wraithen]

You should absolutely ask at least one question. If you don't ask anything at all, the employer will likely think that you either have not been paying attention to them during the interview, or that you have not taken your research on the company very seriously.

You can even think rather broad. Try questions like,

How would you describe the mood of a typical day? Busy? Lax? Stressful? Friendly?

What do you think is the most satisfying part about your job here?

What sort of hopes do you have for the lab in a few years from now?

What sort of opportunities do I have for advancement, in this position?

How closely will I be working with the administrators? I am capable of working independently, but what people can I approach if I have further questions?

What will be the first project I'll be working on, if I am hired?


These are general questions I can think of off the top of my head, without knowing much about the lab. Build off them based on what you know, and figure out what you want to know. Remember, the interview is just as much of a chance to find out if you really want the position, as much as it is for the employer to see if you are qualified.

Anyway, just pay close attention to what the interviewers tell you during the interview, you'll likely think of questions that you can ask them, to explain in further detail anything they may have mentioned.

The most interesting job interview I'd ever attended - after a telephone screening, I was given a logic problem (explain how you might determine the weight of a typical car, using only a ruler). After that, he asked, "Now, what questions do you have for me?"

A frightful experience, but I was prepared. I asked most of the questions then, and realized I was no longer interested in the position, based on the responses I heard. That made the rest of the interview easy.

I almost came on before the interview this morning to see if anyone had written anything useful, but time and haircuts did not allow it... but now I wish I had.

I think/hope it went OK though... not quite the job I was expecting but cool anyway... working with DNA... regardless, thanks for the hints on the questions, Seeky. Good advice indeed.

And now I'm conflicted. Do I really want this job? I mean, being unemployed is crap with the no money and all, but the hours are great

 

[ApHeX_]

I agree with you there Wraithen, about being unemployed

 

[Bad^Hat]

Funny thing about weekends when you're unemployed... they don't mean quite so much

When I went for my last job interview I got my haircut right at the last minute. It was hella long and the hairdresser took awhile even though I rushed her a bit. I made it to the interview in the nick of time. Infact I was in such a rush that it was only after the interview I realised she'd left the back on. I had this stupid little rat tail thing...

Anyway, I didn't get it, so now I'm growing it long again :E To hell with progress.

 

[Wraithen]

I got the job... so whoot... I guess... at least I'll have some money coming in.

Thanks for the advice and good lucks

 

[Seeky]

Great to hear, let us know how things are going there!