Comments on: The Importance of Controlling the Interview…and 3 Tips to Do Just That! http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/ Start Attracting Opportunities Instead of Chasing Jobs Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:35:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Donna http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-5008 Donna Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:26:30 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=3779#comment-5008 As an interviewer I've had candidates ask me for an assessment at the conclusion of an interview. As an interview my role is to protect the company's best interest. Besides the fact that the question is ackward, providing feedback may set up a scenario of misunderstandings. As an interviewer I’ve had candidates ask me for an assessment at the conclusion of an interview. As an interview my role is to protect the company’s best interest. Besides the fact that the question is ackward, providing feedback may set up a scenario of misunderstandings.

]]> By: admin http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-5005 admin Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:32:16 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=3779#comment-5005 Katrina, My problem with that phrasing has less to do with it being aggressive than it's built in negativity. Think about the setting. You have spent upwards of an hour building rapport with the interviewer. Getting them to know-like-trust you. Then you end by taking them to a place where they need to contemplate what you aren't. What you don't have. Leaving them with why you shouldn't work there...and putting you on the defensive as you end the interview. If they have reservations, asking if there are "any questions you have for me that we didn't get to" opens the door for them. It is also very harmless if you have established rapport and they are "seeing" you as a for the position. I'd just hate for anyone who was doing so well to throw a wrench in their candidacy by ending on a negative note. Building Your Success, Kevin Katrina,

My problem with that phrasing has less to do with it being aggressive than it’s built in negativity. Think about the setting. You have spent upwards of an hour building rapport with the interviewer. Getting them to know-like-trust you. Then you end by taking them to a place where they need to contemplate what you aren’t. What you don’t have. Leaving them with why you shouldn’t work there…and putting you on the defensive as you end the interview.

If they have reservations, asking if there are “any questions you have for me that we didn’t get to” opens the door for them. It is also very harmless if you have established rapport and they are “seeing” you as a for the position. I’d just hate for anyone who was doing so well to throw a wrench in their candidacy by ending on a negative note.

Building Your Success,

Kevin

]]> By: Katrina http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-5004 Katrina Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:24:11 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=3779#comment-5004 Another advisor also recommended ending with: Thank you so much, based on our conversation today…Is there anything in my background that would cause you to think I’m not the perfect person for this opportunity? However, I think this may be too aggressive and put people on the spot. Does anyone else have any input? Another advisor also recommended ending with: Thank you so much, based on our conversation today…Is there anything in my background that would cause you to think I’m not the perfect person for this opportunity?

However, I think this may be too aggressive and put people on the spot. Does anyone else have any input?

]]> By: Michelle http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-5003 Michelle Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:06:42 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=3779#comment-5003 At the end of an interview I had recently, I asked the interviewer "Was there any reason I could not be hired for the position?". It stumped him where he was actually bumbling his words and said no one had ever asked him that question, once he collected his thoughts he stated no. My comment was Great, what are the next steps At the end of an interview I had recently, I asked the interviewer “Was there any reason I could not
be hired for the position?”. It stumped him where he was actually bumbling his words and said
no one had ever asked him that question,
once he collected his thoughts he stated no.
My comment was Great, what are the next steps

]]> By: admin http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-5002 admin Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:16 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=3779#comment-5002 Martha, Like most thigs, viewing this as an obstacle or an opportunity is all about perspective. The first thing I will say is that you have to give a legitimate weakness. The only thing more tired than the question itself is the cliche answer, "My weakness is actually my strength..." So, take a challenge...an obstacle...and turn it in to an opportunity. Let's say you had a specific problem that points to a weakness. For example, early on as a manager you realized that delegation was easier said than done for you. Recognizing that, you took corrective action. Maybe you sought out guidance from a peer or mentor. Maybe you found some training that you thought would be beneficial and made the investment on your own. You answer the question about the weakness but, more importantly, show how you solve problems. If you work this exercise with yourself and discover you have weaknesses you haven't addresses, then you can take steps to fix them now. No time like the present! Building Your Success, Kevin Martha,

Like most thigs, viewing this as an obstacle or an opportunity is all about perspective. The first thing I will say is that you have to give a legitimate weakness. The only thing more tired than the question itself is the cliche answer, “My weakness is actually my strength…”

So, take a challenge…an obstacle…and turn it in to an opportunity. Let’s say you had a specific problem that points to a weakness. For example, early on as a manager you realized that delegation was easier said than done for you. Recognizing that, you took corrective action. Maybe you sought out guidance from a peer or mentor. Maybe you found some training that you thought would be beneficial and made the investment on your own. You answer the question about the weakness but, more importantly, show how you solve problems.

If you work this exercise with yourself and discover you have weaknesses you haven’t addresses, then you can take steps to fix them now. No time like the present!

Building Your Success,

Kevin

]]> By: Martha Matsuda http://www.careerattraction.com/controlling-the-interview/comment-page-1/#comment-4973 Martha Matsuda Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:37:34 +0000 http://www.careerattraction.com/?p=3779#comment-4973 Hi Kevin, Thank you for this article. My question follows up on this one. What is your suggestion about how to answer the inevitable, "What are your strengths and weakness?" I can easily enumerate my weaknesses but don't think I should say them the way I feel them -- especially now that I've been unemployed for awhile. I also know that I need to work on getting my strengths succinctly verbalized without feeling like I'm bragging. But my main question is about how to deal with the weaknesses question. Thanks again! Hi Kevin,

Thank you for this article. My question follows up on this one. What is your suggestion about how to answer the inevitable, “What are your strengths and weakness?” I can easily enumerate my weaknesses but don’t think I should say them the way I feel them — especially now that I’ve been unemployed for awhile. I also know that I need to work on getting my strengths succinctly verbalized without feeling like I’m bragging. But my main question is about how to deal with the weaknesses question.

Thanks again!

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