Interviews

mybabyphx

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Well, everyone has either given them or had to go through them. Everyone knows that interviews aren't really fun. I've been to plenty of interviews


The reason why I've started this thread is because I recently was promoted to Office Manager of the office. I have also recently taken over the role of doing the interviews! I've already done a few today and have 5 lined up for tomorrow. Anyone have any good suggestions/questions I should remember when doing these interviews? Maybe there's someone on here that has done interviews before and can give me some good questions?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

BTW: If you want to tell me funny stories about your interviews- feel free to tell me. I love funny stories!
 

babyharley

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BE NICE!!


I've gone to some interviews where the people were just awful!!

Don't ask the 'whats your worst quality' question... I hate that
Totally kidding- thats a good question though, you should know that kinda stuff!


Best of luck! Do you have their resumes and a list of questions regarding them with you during them? That would be a good thing!
 
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mybabyphx

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We have a very laid-back office. We aren't strict or mean at all.
I've just been asking them to bring their resumes when they come to the interview. (If they bring them) I don't have a list of questions, as I always remembered when I went to interviews- I hated that! It seems like they are reading off of a piece of paper, rather then getting to know me on a personal level. So, I just ask questions that pop into my head!
 

babyharley

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Originally Posted by mybabyphx

We have a very laid-back office. We aren't strict or mean at all.
I've just been asking them to bring their resumes when they come to the interview. (If they bring them) I don't have a list of questions, as I always remembered when I went to interviews- I hated that! It seems like they are reading off of a piece of paper, rather then getting to know me on a personal level. So, I just ask questions that pop into my head!
Well I hate that too, but I ment a few questions regarding their resume, if you had any? About their past jobs, ect.

Its always good to have a few basic questions, but nothing too hard!


I dread interviews!!
 

ryanjay

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You could always go to the library and get a interview guide and use the questions(i bought knock em dead interview book and its helped me form answers for some of the more tricky questions...and going over the whole book helped me feel more together/confident that no matter what was asked i could handle.I have gone on quite a few interviews over last few years and so far evertything i have been asked was covered(OK be it i am not seeking a professional job but still
 

tierre0

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I have been interviewing and hiring new staff for almost ten years now. I always take the time to prepare a list of questions that I think are important to the performance of the job I am conducting interviews for. This is helpful because it gives you a guideline that prevents you from missing any information that might be important.
Discuss the individuals qualifications, and ask them why they want this particular job. Enthusiasm is important and the only way you can find out if a person has it is to let them talk about there motivation.
Ask for references and check them..
Hope you find these suggestions helpful..
 
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mybabyphx

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I've just been asking the simple questions like:

"Do you have experience as a receptionist/answering phones?"
"Have you ever worked 3rd Shift?"
"Do you have reliable transportation?"

We aren't really asking questions to 'drill' them. We are trying to just see if they would be compatible with our company. Our company is very laid-back, and understanding. We just need someone that is:

1. Going to show up to work
2. Answer phones and dispatch jobs
3. Not sleep while working
4. Gets along with everyone else

That's pretty much it


Maybe I should make a list? Hmmm....
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by mybabyphx

Well, everyone has either given them or had to go through them. Everyone knows that interviews aren't really fun. I've been to plenty of interviews


The reason why I've started this thread is because I recently was promoted to Office Manager of the office. I have also recently taken over the role of doing the interviews! I've already done a few today and have 5 lined up for tomorrow. Anyone have any good suggestions/questions I should remember when doing these interviews? Maybe there's someone on here that has done interviews before and can give me some good questions?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

BTW: If you want to tell me funny stories about your interviews- feel free to tell me. I love funny stories!
This is not a funny story but one to keep in mind if your are the interviewee rather than the interviewer. If at all possible, schedule your interview on a Friday. Statistics show you are much more likely to get a job offer.
 
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mybabyphx

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Wow, that makes sense. At the beginning of the week, the interview appointments are being made. At the end of the week, they are getting desperate if they haven't found someone. Hmmm. Glad I'm not the one going through the interview process (this time!).
 

catlover19

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The only thing I hate is when they ask what my worst quality is. I don't think when I am trying to get a job that the person needs to know about my worst quality. Maybe ask what they think their best quality is?
 

lunasmom

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Hey congrats on your new title!

That would be so much fun! I would love to drill people!
Sorry Kenz, I might be an awful interviewer


Anyways, if its just the standard job, don't go too far off the way. I always like scenerios and maybe even do something were its role based. One time I had to do a role based scenerio (bad, bad for me), but it was more or less how I would treat others and the comments I make.

Also make sure that you are using consistent questions, because that's the only way you'll hire the right candidate. I.e. if you ask one candidate "What's your worst quality" and you don't ask another candidate that, then you are establishing fairness in the interview.
 
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mybabyphx

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Originally Posted by lunasmom

Hey congrats on your new title!

That would be so much fun! I would love to drill people!
Sorry Kenz, I might be an awful interviewer
Yes, I like being able to do the interviews... I just need to get some practice in since I've never done them before.


Also make sure that you are using consistent questions, because that's the only way you'll hire the right candidate. I.e. if you ask one candidate "What's your worst quality" and you don't ask another candidate that, then you are establishing fairness in the interview.
Good point! Thank you! I will definetly remember that one!


I thought of some questions to ask (what do you guys think?):

**I would start off telling them about the position, then ask questions....


**Tell me about yourself?
**What's your best quality?
**Do you have experience as a receptionist?
**What was your favorite part of being a receptionist?
**What's the worst part?
**Are you OK with working alone 3rd shift?
**Tell me about your last job?
**Tell me about one time that you had to go "above and beyond" to get job done?
**What makes a job enjoyable?
 

lunasmom

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Originally Posted by mybabyphx

Good point! Thank you! I will definetly remember that one!


I thought of some questions to ask (what do you guys think?):

**I would start off telling them about the position, then ask questions....


**Tell me about yourself?
**What's your best quality?
**Do you have experience as a receptionist?
**What was your favorite part of being a receptionist?
**What's the worst part?
**Are you OK with working alone 3rd shift?
**Tell me about your last job?
**Tell me about one time that you had to go "above and beyond" to get job done?
**What makes a job enjoyable?
Oops, I just realised I said "..are establishing fairness.." instead of "..aren't establishing fairness..."


Those are good questions!!! Good luck today!
 
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mybabyphx

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Yeah, it should be a easy day at work. I am training 1 new girl and also doing 6 interviews.
I'm going to be running around like a chicken with his head cut off!











I might not be able to be on TCS quite as much when I'm training someone....
 

calico2222

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The question I always hated is "Where do you see yourself 5 years from now". I tried "doing your job" and "retiring to Hawaii" and neither one went over very well


Sound like your questions are right on the mark. Just get a feel for the applicants and I'm sure you'll choose the right one. Good luck!
 

adymarie

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I would do a list of questions as well - that way everyone you interview has the same questions and it will be easier to compare.

I like the question "what do you feel that you can contribute to this company".

Have fun with the interview - I have done a lot over the last few years.
 

lunasmom

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Originally Posted by calico2222

The question I always hated is "Where do you see yourself 5 years from now". I tried "doing your job"
No ! No ! No!
Bad Answer! That just threatens the interviewer...better to say "established within the company in a supervisor or manager role". Then you're saying that you're willing to grow there without making her/him paranoid about their job!


I like the Hawaii answer though
Very creative!
 

trouts mom

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I think Heather (Luckygirl) used to interview people..I think she used to be a manager of something...
I forget what


I have to interview people, and it feels weird.. I guess my best advice is don't be afriad to ask them to elaborate. The worst thing is people giving short yes or no answers all the time.
 
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mybabyphx

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Originally Posted by adymarie

I would do a list of questions as well - that way everyone you interview has the same questions and it will be easier to compare.

I like the question "what do you feel that you can contribute to this company".

Have fun with the interview - I have done a lot over the last few years.
Thank you for the advice
I love that question! I'm going to start using it!

We're trying to hire two people. 1 girl was supposed to show up to start working today at 8. No show. Now I have another girl on her way to start training today
I still have more interviews for today!
 
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