General Question

Lovefirst's avatar

What can I say at my interview?

Asked by Lovefirst (116points) November 30th, 2016 from iPhone

I have been working at a company for years and I’ve been feeling like it is my time for a change. So many reasons like the manager not doing his part and killing the team spirit and also the fact thats its unstable is bothering me. So i started applying for jobs, got a few calls and i got an interview booked soon.

The thing is I already had vacation planned mid February (its has been years I havent been on vacation) im wondering how I could go around it do I mention it after the interview when im signing papers or during the interview? I already told them I would be needing 2 weeks notice but thats for my curent job.

Also, when they ask why do you want to work here,why do you want to leave your current job and what’s your flaw. What would be the best answer?

Thank you

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12 Answers

CWOTUS's avatar

First of all, when interviewing with the potential new employer do not mention “all of the problems with your current employer”. Every employer has problems and shortcomings – and so will your new one – no one wants to hear a litany of “what’s wrong at such-and-such company”.

Feel free to mention “time for a change” (or a new challenge, or new goals, whatever) and leave it at that. (That is, unless asked to name some of your “new goals”, in which case you should have one or two on the tip of your tongue, or be outed as a big-talking liar, even though that wouldn’t be expressed overtly by a diplomatic interviewer.)

Second, depending on the position that you’re being hired for, the process can frequently take months, literally, for a full-time permanent staff position. Even in a project-based company such as ours, where semi-permanent professionals are hired to fulfill contract positions of absolute necessity to meet milestone objectives, we often have to start the process months in advance to be certain to complete it by the time of actual need. But that’s often because those hiring decisions cross international lines, and employment visas and immigration issues are part of it. Presumably that won’t apply to you, but still… hiring processes often take longer now than they used to. Even our US permanent staff hiring among nominal American citizens still has to start with a budgeting slot in the year before the hire is made, then a multi-step interview process, etc.

Assuming your hiring process will normally be quicker, say, for an administrative or lower-tier production-type employee, it is perfectly fair to mention to the interviewer that you have “a long-planned family event” (I would not use the term “vacation”, because it cuts across the Calvinist grain of a lot of corporate types) scheduled for February, and that your availability is limited by that one event.

Alternatively, if you have not yet paid for or made firm arrangements for the vacation, I’d suggest simply putting it off, because starting a new job is adventure enough for a lot of people. You won’t have gotten into the long-term grind and stress of the new job, and its novelty should keep you fresh for awhile.

I never worry about those “personal revelation” open-ended questions that interviewers ask, because they’re only about getting you to speak about something to hear how you express yourself, the vocabulary and tone that you use, a revelation of your thought processes. No one actually cares about your biggest flaw, your personal goals and your insights into life itself; what they do care about is “how do you think and speak and marshal an argument”, so work on those things. A good way to do that is to participate more here, and in just this way.

Lovefirst's avatar

Thank you @cwotus for taking the time to answer !

I will definitely not be speaking negatively of my employer and advise need for changing and wanted to have the possibility to advance in a company.

The position I’m applying for is human resources. I thought it would be a long process but I got a phone interview then the next day I was booked for face to face interview. They want to fill the position as soon as possible.

I haven’t booked anything yet since I realise wanting to change job but i need those two weeks off since I’ve been workigg few years non stop. I’m heavily due lol!

Okay good then i will practice talking and expressing myself im somewhat good at it.

I hope it all works out maybe I will have to sacrifice, we’ll see.

marinelife's avatar

If you are offered the job, then tell then that you already have a trip scheduled in Feb. that you have to take. If you have not accrued any vacation yet, perhaps they will let you take a dificit or perhaps you will have to take the time as unpaid. But only tell them after you are offered the job.

Why do you want to work there? Is there anything attractive about the company? The company culture? The benefits? Good management? Think about what you like about the company and formulate your answer in advance.

As to why you want to leave your current job, do not badmouth your current employer in the interview with the new company. If there is more chance of advancement at the new company, say that. If there is a better, positive work environment say that. You can say that after several years, you felt you needed a change.

For a flaw, say that it is also a benefit. Say that you are a perfectionist, if you are, and you have a hard time letting go of a project sometimes.

janbb's avatar

I second @marinelife in that I would not mention a planned trip until you are offered the job and negotiating conditions.

Response moderated (Spam)
Lovefirst's avatar

@marinelife How do I introduce it when they offering the job ? When I’m signing papers I say oh by the way i have an upcoming event or ?

I want all to go smoothly

janbb's avatar

When they make you a verbal offer, you can say, “I have a family event I had committed to attending in February. Would it be possible for me to take two weeks off then or will it be a problem?” That’s when I would do it.

marinelife's avatar

@janbb has it just right, as always. Good luck on getting the job.

Lovefirst's avatar

Thank you everyone :)

Lovefirst's avatar

When they make that offer verbally is it face to face or directly on the phone ?

janbb's avatar

@Lovefirst It can be either.

Lovefirst's avatar

cool thaank you @janbb

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