2004-07-16 - 2:21 p.m.
Top Ten Things Never To Do in a Job Interview.
1. “Mad skillz” is not a sufficient description of one’s abilities.
2. The use of fear and intimidation as a management technique is generally frowned upon.
3. When asked why you should get the job over everyone else, never say, “’Cause I’m the cutest!”
4. No matter how badly it itches, never stick your finger in your ear.
5. Do not grunt like a chimp, unless specifically asked to.
6. Do not set the interviewer on fire.
7. As a response to “Where do you see yourself in five years?” do not say “Sitting in your office, writing a pink slip for your sorry ass.”
8. Do not bring beer to the interview, unless you have enough to share.
9. Hawaiian shirt and lederhosen? Bad idea. Really. Trust me.
10. Do not huff compressed air in an attempt to bolster your courage.
All in all, things went very well. The interview lasted an hour and a half, the longest I’ve ever had. A couple of questions caught me a little off guard, but I fielded them well. When the conversation veered to Gothic architecture in Spain I knew things were going my way. It was very heartening to hear things like “I enjoyed reading your application” and “This has been a wonderful conversation”. Best of all was “I’m glad you applied for this job and I’m looking forward to this interview”.
I’m not gonna say it was a slam-dunk. It helped that I knew the interviewers, and that they knew me. I’ve also just found out that some of the employees in this division have been pulling for me as well. It looks good, it feels good. I’m just gonna hang tight and wait until I get the word.
