I got a call from an environmental company in northern Ohio. They got my resume via Monster.com (or usajobs.gov, not sure which) and said they want me to come up for an interview. So, I'm heading up on the 16th.
Do you have any suggestions as to what to ask, bring, etc?
I'm wanting to make a good impression - It would be great to get something right out of school.
I can think of a good question: how much are you going to pay me? (not me, as in Gus, but them, as in your potential employers - I know what I mean.)
Good job you do. No one else seems to
Well done on the interview! I can rarely think of questions at an interview, so I'm not the best to ask for advice. I recently had an interview in the States for a job in Boston. Most of the questions I asked were about working hours, holidays, etc, just because the work culture over there is so much different to the UK.
Yeah, I was always told to be assertive with interviews and act as though I were interviewing them with questions of how the company could benefit me and what it could offer me. *shrugs*
Right now, my game plan is to get a nice haircut, wear my new suit and be as friendly and confident as I can be while I'm there. It's a 3 hour drive from here, but it's worth it. I think my girlfriend wants to go along, so that'll keep me company and not get too overly excited, hehe.
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"No vestige of a beginning and no prospect of an end"
-James Hutton (1795)
The best piece of advice I've ever been told about interviews is to stay positive. So even if they ask you a negative question, like, what did you dislike most about your last job? or what do you consider to be your weaknesses? then you have to turn the question around somehow, like this;
Q - "What did you dislike most about your last job?"
A - "It was a very busy and demanding place to work, but I do feel that has increased my ability to cope under pressure."
Q - "What do you consider to be your greatest weakness?"
A - "I tend to think of myself as a bit of a perfectionist; I always find myself double checking what I'm doing to make sure it's right so that I don't make mistakes."
Something like that. Hope that helps, and good luck with the interview!
Well, the interview went well! Thanks for all your tips!
The guy basically gave me an overview of the company and what they do (risk assessment, well monitoring, etc) and looked over my resume. He liked what he saw until he figured out that I won't be graduated until June. He told me that he needs to hire people in the next few days and asked if I would be able to do any part time work while in school, and of course, I can't.
He said that if I'm still interested to contact him near the end of May to set up another interview so I can tour the place and meet some other people. He also gave me good info on what to look for in companies (as far as salaries, work time to raises, etc) and help on my resume.
One thing I learned is this - if you want to go into an environmental company, look for one that has around 15-30 employees. He said that his company's Technician to Junior Project Management promotions are on the order of 4-6 months. If I were to join a company with many offices around the country, it would be more in the order of years, rather than months.
He seemed very excited that I showed interest this early on and am looking now. So, at least I know I have an option if my plans to move out west don't work out right away
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"No vestige of a beginning and no prospect of an end"
-James Hutton (1795)
I have only just found this forum, so I am couple of days late with an answer, but anyway....
A good question to ask at interview is about the training and professional development that the company/institution will offer you. It shows that you are serious about developing your skills and knowledge; and the response will show you how the company views you (as another piece of semi-skilled profit-generating meat or as a human being whose changing needs and abilities will be nutured in a mutually beneficial way).
Rank: Apatite
Joined: 02/08/2005
Points: 906
Well done mate!
I can think of a good question: how much are you going to pay me? (not me, as in Gus, but them, as in your potential employers - I know what I mean.)
Gus
Rank: Topaz
Joined: 18/12/2006
Points: 2986
I can think of a good question: how much are you going to pay me? (not me, as in Gus, but them, as in your potential employers - I know what I mean.)
Good job you do. No one else seems to
Well done on the interview! I can rarely think of questions at an interview, so I'm not the best to ask for advice. I recently had an interview in the States for a job in Boston. Most of the questions I asked were about working hours, holidays, etc, just because the work culture over there is so much different to the UK.
Jon
Geologists are gneiss!!
Rank: Talc
Joined: 19/12/2005
Points: 37
Yeah, I was always told to be assertive with interviews and act as though I were interviewing them with questions of how the company could benefit me and what it could offer me. *shrugs*
Right now, my game plan is to get a nice haircut, wear my new suit and be as friendly and confident as I can be while I'm there. It's a 3 hour drive from here, but it's worth it. I think my girlfriend wants to go along, so that'll keep me company and not get too overly excited, hehe.
"No vestige of a beginning and no prospect of an end"
-James Hutton (1795)
Rank: Apatite
Joined: 08/09/2004
Points: 695
Good Luck with the interview!
~Jenny~
Rainbow Stitching Club - why not pop in for a visit?
---
Archerfish - get paid for clicking your mouse!
Rank: Feldspar
Joined: 01/06/2004
Points: 1090
I don't have any advice other than what the others have said, just wanted to wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes
"Nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution" - T. Dobzhansky
Rank: Fluorite
Joined: 13/10/2005
Points: 392
Well done!
The best piece of advice I've ever been told about interviews is to stay positive. So even if they ask you a negative question, like, what did you dislike most about your last job? or what do you consider to be your weaknesses? then you have to turn the question around somehow, like this;
Q - "What did you dislike most about your last job?"
A - "It was a very busy and demanding place to work, but I do feel that has increased my ability to cope under pressure."
Q - "What do you consider to be your greatest weakness?"
A - "I tend to think of myself as a bit of a perfectionist; I always find myself double checking what I'm doing to make sure it's right so that I don't make mistakes."
Something like that. Hope that helps, and good luck with the interview!
I'm a proud Trowels & Hammers member!
Are you?
Rank: Talc
Joined: 19/12/2005
Points: 37
Well, the interview went well! Thanks for all your tips!
The guy basically gave me an overview of the company and what they do (risk assessment, well monitoring, etc) and looked over my resume. He liked what he saw until he figured out that I won't be graduated until June. He told me that he needs to hire people in the next few days and asked if I would be able to do any part time work while in school, and of course, I can't.
He said that if I'm still interested to contact him near the end of May to set up another interview so I can tour the place and meet some other people. He also gave me good info on what to look for in companies (as far as salaries, work time to raises, etc) and help on my resume.
One thing I learned is this - if you want to go into an environmental company, look for one that has around 15-30 employees. He said that his company's Technician to Junior Project Management promotions are on the order of 4-6 months. If I were to join a company with many offices around the country, it would be more in the order of years, rather than months.
He seemed very excited that I showed interest this early on and am looking now. So, at least I know I have an option if my plans to move out west don't work out right away
"No vestige of a beginning and no prospect of an end"
-James Hutton (1795)
Rank: Feldspar
Joined: 01/06/2004
Points: 1090
Glad to hear it went well. Good luck with the rest of the school year too, it's always good to know you have options for after graduation!
"Nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution" - T. Dobzhansky
Rank: Talc
Joined: 22/01/2006
Points: 17
I have only just found this forum, so I am couple of days late with an answer, but anyway....
A good question to ask at interview is about the training and professional development that the company/institution will offer you. It shows that you are serious about developing your skills and knowledge; and the response will show you how the company views you (as another piece of semi-skilled profit-generating meat or as a human being whose changing needs and abilities will be nutured in a mutually beneficial way).
The only constant is change