What to and What NOT to say during a job interview

last SG · 2008-04-07T21:45:25+00:00

since u got hired, time to treat us sgf members something good..

playboy_1985 SG

hi all i just realise i dun really know what to say during a job interview. i've been to a few interviews liao.. the first one i went there non-prepared and totally screwed it. i still remember the person asked me if i ever encounter any of a particular problem during my last time job experience as a waiter and how do i solve it. though i remembered not encountering any of such problem but if i say so the person wun believe mah so i hantam bola and came up with a cock story say got one time serve wrong food to customer and den i use my own money pay for the new food order. damn fatal answer mistake!!

next few i went still okok la.. so far i passed 2. though i know how to abit introduce myself and talk but when faced with tough questions asked by the interviewer i kinda stumbled.. i also realise whenever they say they will call u back within one week or ask u come back for a second interview i know is kanna reject liao -.-

i know most interviewer will first ask, "can u do a brief introduction about yourself" this question how should i answer it correctly? intro urself as in education level? hobbies? character??

den other questions like "why do u LIKE or why do u want to take up this job?" how to answer sia??? what if i never have any work related experience before?

and also "what do u see urself as in the future?" also i dun know how to answer? i can't possibly exaggerate and say i see myself as a big boss of a big company right? :(

so any help?? those dun mind can share ur job interview experience here??

no jokes pls... serious thread thanks!

thoreldan SG

say: i can work 60 hrs a week and willing to take $800 salary per month

sure get the job one!

playboy_1985 SG

say: i can work 60 hrs a week and willing to take $800 salary per month

sure get the job one!

wah liao.. say already right.. no jokes or dumb replies leh... :(

Deino SG

one rule....do not do anything embarrasing.....the rest is up to you....it also depends on wot position you're chasing for.....sometimes you can be smart, sometimes its best not to be too smart........

when you introduce yourself, introduce your background...not hobbies etc......they're not looking for fishing buddies and stuff

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Honesty isn't the best policy sometimes... I screwed a lot by being too honest. But please be honest for stuffs you need to... like your education levels, experience etc.

hao_hao SG

its good to hantam bola n cook up ur own story .. but u gotta be careful not to exaggarate

oreotree SG

dont insult the company

798 SG

do not ask for benefit from the company of 1st interview.

BadzMaro SG

I left after they promoted me.

Borntolive. SG

Hey TS thks for making this thread, i m going for my 1st few interviews soon. Hope to find some tips here.

Borntolive. SG

when you introduce yourself, introduce your background...not hobbies etc......they're not looking for fishing buddies and stuff

So how to intro? Say yr family background? Education history? Yr character traits and weakness?

Daisuke-kun SG

don say that ur a playboy

Miss Tiny SG

i know most interviewer will first ask, "can u do a brief introduction about yourself" this question how should i answer it correctly? intro urself as in education level? hobbies? character??

Reply the interviewer by saying eg. "I'm currently studying/working as a _____ now. I'm a sporty/outgoing (whatever kind of personality u have) person who likes to socialize with friends. Describe some of ur characteristics u have *Note: No need to be long-winded. A short introduction will do.

den other questions like "why do u LIKE or why do u want to take up this job?" how to answer sia??? what if i never have any work related experience before?

If let's say you don't have any work experience, u can say " I believe that I'm interested and willing to learn more in this job so as to gain more experience." *Note: You need to show ur enthusiasm in this job so as to convince the interviewer that u r really interested in this job.

and also "what do u see urself as in the future?" also i dun know how to answer? i can't possibly exaggerate and say i see myself as a big boss of a big company right? :(

Maybe u can say that u see urself as a successful person with a high stable income to support ur family. *Note: You need to know urself what is ur future aim for this, so that u can reply smoothly for this qns.

Cowbaycowboo SG

before going for that interview, find out some background of that company. when introducing yourself, you can briefly crap about how you always like to be in that line the company is in and hope to be able to contribute blah blah blah. there is no harm sharing your past working experience, if any at all, even though not relevant. but be ready to answer why u left your previous job, if you ever did.

in any case, dun overdo anything, it can get irritating. know when to stop. when talking dun gesticulate. keep eyes contact with the interviewer.

playboy_1985 SG

wah thanks Miss Tiny and Cowbaycowboo for the tips!

den what if they ask "what is your weakest point?" must say what leh?? this is the qn i hate most

Deino SG

So how to intro? Say yr family background? Education history? Yr character traits and weakness?

The most polite way to begin with is your name.......jumping straight to anything would be rude.....

Including family would be optional but if i were to include family i would do it after introducing your name......say something like eg. i'm the oldest of 5 siblings or something.....

and then go into your education history.........

never ever reveal your weaknesses.......coz people can actually tell one's weakness from wot they do......so no point in that........

if you have worked in the same field or any other as the job you are pursuing for, then you can state them but try to evade from saying that you have worked for a rival company if you have worked for a rival company.....its all up to you how you say it and stuff lah coz i may be wrong......keep your tone friendly.....you may express your passion towards your work and stuff.....

Prophecy_Master SG

say u got the passion for the job. because u were inspired by someone.

working hard to work your way up, like the person who inspired u.

chose this company as it is "praises praises praises praises"

i just need ONE chance to show u my passion, i have no experience but i will up it make with passion and determination.

caleb_chiang SG

Erm... like if really no experience in the field, can also say that you are willing to learn just like the previous jobs that you had...

Ferret SG

"can u do a brief introduction about yourself"

Hi.. I am <insert name>. (do smile)

I am <insert age> this year.

My previous experience includes ( etc etc briefly hor ).

"why do u LIKE or why do u want to take up this job?"

I believe <FnB /Retail/ Service/admin> is my forte <list the whys> I have prior experience (best if u can list previous jobs done - in details). I believe the company will benefit when i am employed here because <etc etc reasons>

"what do u see urself as in the future?"

Full time : In X years time I see myself in a supervisory/management role blah blah, growing with the company.

Part time : "Paid ?"

Ok lah. If part time u can say that hopefully even after contract, or terms up, u can still return to work for the company, etc. Cos its a bitch when we have to retrain ppl over and over again.

Miss Tiny SG

wah thanks Miss Tiny and Cowbaycowboo for the tips!

den what if they ask "what is your weakest point?" must say what leh?? this is the qn i hate most

This is a qns alot of ppl fear, because u dunno whether to tell the truth or not.

If really have to say one weakness, for me, I would say I am not very good in time management, but am trying to improve.

After that, they will ask me to name one instance which I have problem in time management. Then I said during school projects when there's tight deadlines to cope with..blah blah...

I'm just giving u an example, doesn't mean u have to follow mine.