Let me repeat: I HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW. TODAY.
With a real company for a real position that pays me real money.
I’m selectively ignoring the fact that I’m not particularly interested in the job or the company, and instead I’m looking at the bright side that someone might want to hire me! Before I even graduate!
The whole job search thing is pretty overwhelming, but I’m glad it’s happening early while I’m still in school. Ideally (obviously) I would like to have something lined up by the time May rolls around and they kick me out of my university bubble.
The job market is tough, but I’m hoping that my resume is strong enough and that things start to open up. The biggest decision I’ve had to think about so far is where I want to be. I figure that’s the easiest way to narrow it down, right? After my wonderful weekend spent in DC (which I justified to my parents by telling them I needed to see if I could live there), my preferences are:
- Chicago
- DC!
- Boston
- Anywhere besides NYC
I know, I know, I’m crazy right? But I just don’t LOVE New York enough justify the ridiculous cost of living. I would need basically my dream job, a huge salary, and many sexual favors to get me to live there.
So here’s where you guys come in. Since this is my first real job interview, I’m a little bit nervous about the questions they’re going to ask me. I know the standard ones, like “What is your weakness?” or “Tell me about a time you struggled with working in a group”, but I need some creative examples! Share the most random question you’ve ever gotten, the hardest, the most thought provoking, whatever. (The interview is for an executive head hunting firm, if that helps.)
And if any of you have any stories about your first job out of college, I’d love to hear those as well!
P.S. If anyone wants to hire a political science major, I know where to find a good one.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
YAY good luck! The market is definitely starting to look up, so hopefully you can line something up before graduation. My worst question on my several interviews (in the past six months) was “So, what was your GPA? Oh, 3.5? Why wasn’t it a 4.0?” Uhhhhh, because I wanted to enjoy my life a little bit? It took me by surprise, but they were just trying to get at what my weaknesses were (why they didn’t phrase it that way, I don’t know). I also later found out that they were technically not allowed to ask me my GPA. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll be fine, just be yourself (could I be a little more cliche?).
Late-Night Drama Queen´s last blog ..pbandtuna owned me… in the best way possible
Do you have questions to ask them? When I graduated, I interviewed with a health insurance company, and I know one of the things I asked was, “If candidate Obama is elected and is successful in pushing for health care reform, how will this effect what this company does?” And I was subjected to such a right-wing screed about socialism and communism and the destruction of America, let me tell you, I was so happy to get the fuck out of there.
I don’t know about specific questions, but be prepared to back up your resume. When you say “made a big fat difference at this company,” be prepared to explain WHAT you did, and how it made a difference. Have a conversation with your interviewer, rather than just let it feel like you’re being drilled. Ask questions about the position, the company, how your interviewer started with the company, etc. Engage! And good luck! :)
Doni´s last blog ..The Good Mood Blogger Gig and a Free Nintendo DSi
ahhhh!! fabulous..good luck girl!
e-mail me the deets! I want to know everything.
Jessica´s last blog ..Senior Spring Ridiculousness
I have the same feeling about NYC. I have to start the whole job search thing soon (I’m terrified), and I’m thinking:
1) Chicago
2) San Francisco
3) Boston
4) DC
I love that our lists are so similar
Alana´s last blog ..Commercials make me cringe…and smile
The hardest thing for me to answer was always the money question. It doesn’t usually come up until later in the game, but you need to be prepared for it. Ask for too little and you “don’t value yourself,” ask for too much and you may take yourself out of the running :p. This is especially difficult with your first job since you don’t have a previous salary to use as a guide.
As someone who worked as a recruiter briefly, one of the most important things you can do is interact with your interviewer (you have smart friends ;). Bring pen and paper, take notes, and be prepared with questions of your own. If you don’t understand something about the job description or want to know about specific things you might be doing, ask. Employers are impressed when you show that you are prepared for their interview.
Good luck! Even if it doesn’t turn out to be the right fit for you, every interview is practice for that one you are dying to nail when the right job comes your way :).
M´s last blog ..Epic
Yay! Good luck with this!
At my interview for my first real job (at Northwestern U.), my boss asked me a lot about music. He’s a musician and just wanted to figure out my personality.
I know being able to give good examples of your skills and how you worked through problems is always a good thing. You can even use non-work examples… You did an awesome project at school? Had to trouble shoot things there? Go for it!
Anyway. I hope I’m making sense, still haven’t felt like I’ve woken up yet!
BUT YAY!!!! Good luck with all of it! :)
Erini´s last blog ..small regrets.
Firstly, GOOD LUCK!! and since I’m the throes of job-searching and going on occasional interviews, the few bits of advice I can offer are: research the company you’re interviewing for extensively and try to relate one of their services/mission/clients/etc to you in some way.
thatShortChick´s last blog ..life and stuff
Name 27 uses for a brick. Most ridiculous/thought provoking interview question ever.
Hope it goes well. Also, being an adult is highly overrated. Which is probably why I drink so much. The upside is you have money to do fun stuff, the downside is you have to work to get that money. Catch 22
Cheddar´s last blog ..Bitterella, Bitterella
That job interview better be for something in DC.
All I’m sayin.
LiLu´s last blog ..No, Really… You Just Had To Be There. #pbandtuna
Wait was the job interview in Chicago? Please say yes :) I agree that NYC is great but I don’t know if I want to live there especially with the cost of living. I just don’t think I could do it.
Jessica´s last blog ..A shirtless man makes me happy
The the most random question I was asked during an interview was, “Is there anything I should know before I google you?”
Not that I have anything to hide, but that question lead to slightly ackward moment.
And I’m trying to narrow down the list of places I ultimately want to be. I’m currently in Chicago, feeling things out, but I can already see from only being here for a day that I’m beginning to fall in love with the city.
She´s last blog ..Chicago Bound.
So…how did it go? Anxious to hear…
Accidentally Me´s last blog ..I am mostly done venting
I was fortunate that my boss who hired me didn’t ask me all those questions. At the time of the interviewing, I was looking for internship which I waited until I was finished with college to do this so I could hopefully get a permanent job afterwards. They hired me and shortly after asked me to stay after my Internship and continue full time. I was elated because looking for a job is a pain in the ass. I’m currently looking just in case I find something better.
Hope it went well!
Imagine how crazy it is if you got one in DC. Hahah countless crazy weekends with Lilu, I bet.
andhari´s last blog ..Douche Of The Year
fingers crossed for you girl! of course I hope you get one in Chicago, even if I’m leaving. as long as you’re making enough money to come visit me in Pittsburgh when I move is all that matters :-)
Maggie´s last blog ..Meet the newest member of my family!
DC NUMBER ONE COME ON!!!
Maxie´s last blog ..when I kiss you so good, why would you wanna break up?
Questions to ask them are HUGE. Even if you think you already know the answer. First round interviews I also like to ask what attracted THEM to the company and if that item held true.
My first job out of college was with Job Corps – a residential educational program for inner city kids. I LOVED IT. And then I burned out after working 18 hour days for about 6 months straight. I planned recreational activities, coached softball, ran the pool, and did intake. Good times.
Cute~Ella´s last blog ..Too Much Going On