Hey there Group 4!
I’m Caitlin and I’ll be guiding you through your blog posts this week.
So, you found some jobs to apply to, turned in your beautiful resume, and the company liked you enough to request an interview! For some of you, this may be a chance to shine and show off your dazzling people skills(and snazzy business attire!) but for others it could be your worst nightmare. Not to worry! There are plenty of things you can do to polish and perfect your skills so that you’ll be sure to snag the job of your dreams. For starters, check out the UCF Career Services interview page and give the practice interview a try. Write about your experience. Was it helpful? Did you find anything else helpful on the page?
Because that page covers most of the interview basics such as what to wear and what to say, I’d like to spend the rest of our conversation this week focusing on unexpected elements in an interview.Go ahead and share some thoughts on what you should never do or say in an interview. Think outside the box for this one! What mistakes have you made in interviews in the past? How much information about yourself is too much?
For example, one classic mistake I always hear about is the way people answer that dreaded question: “What is your greatest weakness?” Never EVER say that your biggest weakness is being too hard working. Employers see right through this. My dad used to interview for the Air Force Academy and he told me the best thing to do when it comes to a tough question like that is to be honest and always end on a positive note.
What are some unexpected or difficult questions you may be asked?It may be helpful to think through how you would explain your degree to a potential employer, or what questions they may ask that are unique to the job you are applying for.
I can’t wait to read your responses and wish you the best of luck in your future interviews!
I think the practice interview was helpful and I am glad that the university provides us students with helpful tools to help us in our future.
ReplyDeleteI have always been told that you should never go to an interview when you are not bathed, shaved, and look tired. I have also been told to not wear strong perfume as well as not wear a lot of makeup. Also, I have heard that you should never answer a question an interviewer didn't ask you, stick to what they want to hear. One time when I was getting interviewed, I forgot to being a pen thinking I didn't need one because I had already filled out an application and everything but the manager asked me to write down his secretary's name and office number in case I had any questions and I had to ask to borrow a pen and he didn't like that I did not come prepared. Again I would stick to answering the questions you are asked, so if an interviewer asks you your family background, then stick to saying what your parents do for a living, how many members are in your family and that should rap it up. There is no need to say ages, ethnicity, or talk about aunts and uncles unless they ask you specifically. You should always feel comfortable answering the questions and if you think that the question is to personal then simply say that you don't feel comfortable answering that question. Interviewers do not want to listen to you talk every second, they like to hear themselves talk too.
IDS is always hard to explain when talking to someone who has never heard of it before. I have heard that interviewers may ask math questions or questions that do no have a direct answer just to see how you think analytically.
Hailey,
Deleteyou definitely gave great thoughts on what's too much and what's just enough. It's super important to not push away the interviewer with unnecessary information, they've taken timeto pick out the questions so there's reason why they ask about certain things and not others. Thanks for the great advice.
Val
Hailey,
DeleteAlthough I have never been asked about my family background, the advice you gave is great! Sticking to the basics is always good advice. However, depending on the position you are applying for stating whether you are the oldest child, youngest child, only child or even middle child could be helpful as well. I once told a potential employer that I am the oldest child in my family and I feel that I am a natural born leader and I can handle a lot of responsibility. So, depending on the position this could be helpful. also, I really liked the personal story about the pen because that sounds like something I would do. In interviews I am always so worried about my phone being on silent and what not that I forget the basics like to bring a pen and a notepad.
Nicole you brought up a good point, I tend to always forget a pen in the midst of worrying about everything else. I actually have an interview so I will not be forgetting my pen this time!
DeleteHailey,
I haven't been to too many interviews so I had never been asked about my family or personal life. But I think its important to make it a conversation instead of a one sided question and answer. An interview is also your chance to find out how well the company can help you also so ask them questions back when you feel like its appropriate. I make it a point to have questions ready so I can let them know how interested I am.
Thanks for sharing guys!
Hailey, I never have had to bring a pen into an interview before but that is a great idea. Being prepared is a huge thing when you go into an interview!
DeleteI have had most of these questions on the page asked before in a interview, along with some odder ones. Doing the practice interview was easier since I have had to answer these before, although I now know some of my answers should be changed. I found that the "perfect interview" page was very helpful in showing me things I will be changing for my next interview.
ReplyDeleteA few hinge you should never say are your age, anything about your former employers or anything that Woukd be taken in a negative way about the company. You should also never take about religion, politics or controversial topics. I think we all can get carried away with talking about ourselves, The easiest topic for someone to talk about is themself. You shouldn't tell the person too much info about yourself like your age, your race, or what you did this weekend. I have also heard that you shouldn't talk about your GPA because it could be lower than the interviewers or higher which could intimidate them. I have also heard that you shouldn't talk about your High school if you are in college because it's not the most relevant and if your in college it is very apparent that you got a high school degree some way.
One interesting question I was asked was"if you could be a piece of furniture what piece would you be?" This was at a group interview at abercrombie and the answers that were given where way more interesting than the original question. Other than that I have been pretty lucky and haven't had to many difficult or shocking questions.
As for explaining my degree I say it is a diverse degree that give students to study more than one area of study that they are interested in and it is tailored to each individual student.
Jacqui, Hahaha they asked you what furniture you would be? What was your answer?
DeleteSometimes employers throw questions at you to see how you react and how quick of a thinker you are! I once got the question, If you were an ice cream what ice cream would you be? That question was a little bit easier than the furniture one. I picked cookies and creme. I have the vanilla the sweet and bubbly side but I also have the dark side the more conservative and professional!
The question about the furniture is a hard question! I do not know what I would answer but it would probably be a lamp because I can enlighten and share informiton with others and I make it possible to see a future path! lol
DeleteI know its kind of immature but i was only 17 when i went to this interview so i said i would be a couch so guys with nice buts could sit on me haha but others had way more interesting answers, it was the most fun i've ever had on an interview.
DeleteJacqui, i like the way you explain an IDS degree as a "diverse degree". I think that if i was asked what kind of furniture i would want to be i would be so put on the spot i wouldnt know what to say. you would defenetly have to be good at thinking on your toes. I guess when ur doing practice interviews you can get the person interviewing you to throw you curb ball questions to keep you allert and ready for anything.
DeleteI have heard of most of these questions asked in an interview before and some of them still stump me when I get them asked again. The site is quite helpful. I'm glad that UCF offers sites like these to prepare students for the real world.
ReplyDeleteI've always been told to dress up for an interview. No piercings, no nail poilish, clean face, nice clothes, hair done, just a clean cut you. I always say dress for the part. Like for an audition, say I was auditioning for the part of a simple 18 year old girl in high school who has social problems, I'm not going to dress up in a suite pants and jacket for the audition (or interview you could say). I'm going to dress the part.
One question that I dont like answering is "Tell me about yourself". I sometimes dont know where to start, how much to tell and what they want to here. I feel like I always mess that question up. I normally just say Im a college student and that I've been dancing since the age of 3. I never really know what else they want to hear because once I tell them about how long I've been dancing they ask more questions about that then anything else.
I havn't had the chance to explain my degree in an interview per se but I do get asked a lot by people what I'm studying and I tell them IDS is basically like building my own major instead of just focusing on one main area I can focus on several which makes me diverse.
Ashley,
DeleteI know exactly what you mean! That same question kills me every time. But I like to be honest with them and make it a conversation. I say ::
My name is Marlyne Emmanuel and I am a senior at the University of Central Florida. I am a last semester senior and I'm going to graduate in May. I major in marketing and communication with minors in leadership studies and mass communication. I have a huge passion to help others and right now I'm just an honest, hard working student trying to create the professional woman I want to be while making experiences along the way.
I love how detailed you were about what do to and not to do for an interview and you brought up some very good points. The "Tell me about yourself" question is very difficult to answer because you don't want to tute your own horn but at the same time you want to sell yourself the job. But great job on the blog!
Delete-Hailey
Ashley,I agree with not knowing what to say with the "tell me about yourself" question, i never know where to start or what to include. I dont want to say too much that is irrelivent or blabber on about boring things. My question is where do you draw the line?
DeleteI agree that the "tell me about yourself question is the hardest, because we can go on and on about ourselves but its hard to find a place to start and in an interview we really need to think how the information we tell them about ourselves will influence their opinions of us. Its a tough one but i think that the practice interview deffenatly helps us "preplan" for that question.
DeleteGood Luck on your next interview,
Jacqui
The tell me about yourself is a tough question, I reccomend practicing that question before hand. I always do before an interview. Also, really about the nail polish? I've heard that it's okay to wear nail polish as long as it's not chipped and your nails are well groomed.
DeleteThe practical interview was fairly helpful. I feel that it covers the more standard questions that employers might be asking, which are very good to practice because you can be almost certain that they will come up in some shape or form.
ReplyDeleteI think that you should not go to an interview too dressed up especially in clothes that are too tight or lose or just don’t look to good on, I don’t think it would be a good thing to be fidgeting with you clothes during an interview. I think another mistake is if you talk too much off topic or don’t talk enough the employer might think your unfocused or just not interested in the job and give it to one of the many other people interviewing, however I would definitely ask some questions. You also probably need to be careful about the topics you chose to talk about. I wouldn’t be bringing something up about politics, religion or tell bad jokes unless I was asked, I would also not bad mouth any past employers. I guess the biggest thing is arrive clean, well rested and ON TIME to any interviews.
I have been pretty lucky with all the interviews I have done and haven’t been asked to many tricky questions. However now that I’m an IDS major I can certainly see some tricky questions about why I am more qualified for a job in nutrition than say a preclinical major a tricky question that hopefully I will be able to answer at the end of this course. Some other tricky situations you might get into in an interview is trying to make your experience in the field sound greater or better than someone else’s who has been in the field linger or did more internships.
Anita,
Deletereally like how you look at things; your take on why we shouldn't wear certain things and why we should talk a certain way are different. Thinking about fidgeting usually doesn't cross our minds instead we think about perception of appearance, but wearing something uncomfortable will absolutely throw us off. Also seeming unfocused or uninterested, because of the way we talk instead of coming off as not confident isn't normally talked about. Enjoyed the insight.
Val
Anita,
DeleteI agree with you 100%! Being on time to an interview is a great way to start off the interview. It shows the employer that you are punctual and if you are on time for the interview it shows the employer that you want the job and that you will be on time if hired. My dad always suggests that if it takes you 15 minutes to get to the interview, then you should give yourself 30 minutes tog et their because their could be traffic, and he says that you should take into consideration walking from your car to the receptionist desk because that will take time as well. Also, I am a very grouchy and unpleasant person if I don;t get enough sleep so being well rested could ultimately determine whether or not I get the job. This is great advice!
I definitely agree what you said about how to dress. As far as the talking goes, you're so right, all interviewers want to do is hear themselves talk so don't be the one talking the whole time. My best advice would be to be honest. Its one thing to talk yourself up, but you don't want to make yourself better than you really are because then they will hold you to a standard that you are not at yet. But great job answering the post!!
Delete-Hailey
Being on time is definitely a Great impression! Wearing the right clothes is key as well. Like i said in my blog, "dress the part". You want to wear clothes that compliment you and fit you properly and that fit the job you are applying for. Don't go overboard but don't dress down either.
DeleteI can't agree with you more that showing up on time and dressed appropriately is one of the most important parts of any interview, you only get one chance to make a first impression. I know i personally hate to be late to things and make people wait on me so i always try to make it to everything at least 10 mins early, it shows responsibility and respect.
DeleteGood luck on your next interview,
Jacqui
I definitely agree with what you said about talking off topic. I think sometimes it's unconscious and you just start talking and you accidently take yourself off topic.
DeleteThe Career Services website is extremely helpful! I found many different and challenging interview questions that I would have never thought that I would be asked in an interview. It is always good to be prepared so when I came across a question or two that really made me think I took the time to think about an appropriate answer so, that way if I was ever asked that question in an interview I would be prepared to answer it under pressure. I feel that the most important things to keep in mind when going into an interview is to be yourself, be honest, and I know that this may seem odd but, never let them see you sweat. Being yourself is extremely important because this is your one opportunity to really sell yourself and to give the employer insight about who you are. The only things I would avoid discussing would be age, religious views, and your opinions about politics. I would make sure to let my personality shine through and cater my responses and topics of discussions for the job that I am applying for. Also, I would be honest. If an employer asks "Are u fluent in spanish?" and you took a few spanish classes in high school; do NOT say that you are fluent in spanish. Be honest, and let them know that you have had experience with the language. Also, the last thing and what I think is the most important thing, is that you should never let your potential employer 'see you sweat.' For example, if you go on a blind date with someone you are going to make sure you look your best, you feel your best, and you are going to put your best foot forward. I think that you should treat interviews the same way; like a blind date! On a blind date you wouldn't let your date see you stress out, or ramble on about your ex, or talk about your negative qualities. So, do not let an employer know how nervous you are, and do not talk about all of the problems you had with your previous employer, and do not highlight any of your negative qualities. Instead, highlight your best qualities and let them know why you would be an asset to their company. Some of the best advice I have ever received about interviews is to take my time when I have to answer a challenging question. It is okay to say to the employer "Wow! That is a tough question, let tme think about that for a moment." Remember to think before you speak to avoid saying something you wish you didn't say. Overall, I think being confident and enthusiastic should always be your 'go to' for any interview!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I couldn't have said it better my self. Great job explaining an interview. I have never heard it being called a blind date but you covered it up really good! Great job, I especially like your last line, overall, I think being confident and enthusiastic should always be your 'go to' for any interview!
DeleteI believe that all interviews are different some expect their prospects to be bubbly and have an out going personality and others expect you to be more reserved but either way all interviewers want to see that you are confident and yourself.
Nicole you did an awsome job comparing an interview to a blind date. I never thought about it that way but it is totally true, if you go in there with confidence and that you really want it to work out your interview will go so much smoother!
DeleteThe practice interview that UCF provides was a helpful tool; however before you do a real interview you might want to think of some more specific questions that could be asked to you. Regardless, these general practice questions are a great starting point.
ReplyDeleteSome things that you should never say at an interview are personal problems. The interviewer does not need to know about personal problems you are having because if you are willing to bring them up in an interview I am sure they will think that means you are willing to take work time to discuss them with your colleagues. Another thing you never want to say is problems you have. If the interviewer asks you about your weaknesses try your hardest to put your weaknesses into strengths or mention how you already plan to overcome those weaknesses in this job setting. You do not want to give too much information like about certain interests, religion, or favorite sports teams because even though it may seem petty, it might put a bad taste in the interviewer’s mouth and make them sway to a different candidate.
You always want to make sure you are listening to the question that is asked. I was once in an interview and I was so nervous I was thinking about the answers I had practice in my head to questions I thought they would ask me, when the interviewer asked me a different question I did not hear him and I had to have him repeat it. This makes it seem like you are not an attentive person and could be easily distracted from your job.
Some questions you could be asked would be:
-If you were a car what kind would you be?
-If you were an animal what type would you be?
-If you had to decide between your family or the welfare of the company, which would it be?
I agree, talking about personal information is not a smart idea. Unless they ask, still make it professional. Listening to the question is key, when they ask off the wall questions, like the one you posted "if you were a car what kind would you be?", they are usually just looking for confidence in your response than your choice in car you would be if you could be one.
DeleteI actually had to complete a mock interview for my Business and Professional Communications class this semester and I can honestly say that I think this is an invaluable opportunity that UCF offers us as Undergraduate Students. It is, perhaps, more important for us as IDS students to take advantage of this opportunity because we don’t necessarily have one set of criteria that we will fit. Our non-conventional approach to our degree is both a help and a hindrance. On the one hand, we can create an academic and professional profile that we can uniquely fit into, but if we don’t know how to create that profile, we can be at a loss for finding a position that we fit. The chance to choose a position you want to do your mock interview for can help prepare you for the real deal!
DeleteSome definite No’s for interviewing: Age, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Graduation Date, Will you/Do you have children
Some definite Yes’s for interviewing: Sell yourself ! Don’t be afraid to (modestly and appropriately) brag about accomplishments and struggles that you’ve overcome. If you had some major setback and you’ve managed to move past it, THIS IS A SELLING POINT! This shows that you know how to overcome adversity and strive for a better tomorrow, both in your professional and personal lives.
I know that in the past, I’ve been unable to answer this question: What is my weakness? Since that interview when I was at a loss for words (literally) I managed to come up with something that I know to be a weakness of mine, but that my academic and professional pursuits are currently helping overcome.
Some of the hardest questions I know to be part of the interviewing process are the oddballs, the ones you can’t anticipate. The best thing to do for this is to develop your critical thinking skills.
The more you do something the easier it gets. One resource is to have your friends and/or family interview you. They have most likely been through a couple of interviews and can ask some very good questions. It as always important to listen to the question being asked; it is also important that you understand what is being asked. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification of a question.
DeleteI thought the practice interview was very helpful. I think it’s important to always have answers ready for what potential employers may ask for. The practice interview helped me practice how to think on feet.
ReplyDeleteDuring an interview I think you should never where anything too revealing. I also think you should never wear too high of a heel if it’s a professional job. In addition I also think that you should never arrive late, bad mouth previous employers, or share too much information. Which brings me to the next point, which is when are you over sharing? I think you over share when you talk too much about your family or too much about what you like to do when it’s not relevant to the job. Some mistakes I have made is not talking enough. Sometimes I feel my answers are too brief and it doesn’t give the employer a chance to get to know me.
Some unexpected questions you may be asked during an interview is what cereal are you and why?
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Also, some employers may give you a problem and ask you how you would solve it.