I recently attended an interview after a very long time. At first, I thought it would be an informal interview till I got there and saw that there were lots of candidates waiting. We sat there waiting for the interview to start.
I wanted to talk to the lady next to me but I didn't because I felt all of us were nervous.
What do you do before an interview? Do you sit silently waiting to be called or do you make small talk with the people around you? I tend to talk too much...so I felt it was better for me not to talk then to blabber...which was good because it gave me time to help another lady who had come with a child.
[question posted by SViswan]
responses and comments:
It has been a long time since i went to a real job interview... but then again... throughout my career life... i have only been to four... and in both cases... i sat quietly and observed what the other applicants were wearing and what the office workers were doing... I tend to not engage anybody in converstation since i know that all of us are quite nervous... and this is a way for me to relax my mind... gather courage... and imagine what questions will be asked and how i am going to answer them... [aseretdd]
lol..I wasn't even bothered about the questions that might be asked because I THOUGHT it would be an informal interview...and anyways...I can't prepare anything last minute...and I was one of the first ones to be called...so I didn't anticipate anything while I had something to tell the people who were going in next. [SViswan]
Before interview i read newpapers to know new and populars issues. It can make me feel brave because when we read we have a point to talk. I talk with people and discuss a little bit about the question the interviewer will ask. [edaabby]
Before interview i read newpapers to know new and populars issues. It can make me feel brave because when we read we have a point to talk. I talk with people and discuss a little bit about the question the interviewer will ask. [edaabby]
i have experienced 2-3 interviews till date. once it was only me waiting for my interview to be taken. other times there were some people. By nature I do not talk to much with people. But i like to speak a little with those people before attending the interview. it also releases stress. [subha12]
I understand. But if I start talking, I'm basically just trying to find out about the person and I thought that wasn't appropriate at an interview....especially if they were nervous, they might get irritated. [SViswan]
Hello dear Sviswan. I think that it could be of some help to talk with some others who come for the same interview for the same job or a different one in the same company. It could help us to get to know more informaion about each other working experience and the exchanging of working experience might sometimes offer us some hints in giving a better response to the questions to be raised by the interviewer. A friendly and helpful conversation with the same interviewees is a good one. It is only my humble viewpoint. Thanks. [williamjisir]
You are absolutely right! But some people prefer to be left alone when they are nervous. But how are we to know which person likes to talk and which person doesn't. So, to be on the safe side, I didn't talk at all. [SViswan]
Hi Sv well the last interviewd i attended was almost 11 yrs back when i was looking for job. sure i was nervous as it was first time to join practicle field and no doubt fear of UNCERTAINTY was there too the process of hiring for management trainess was Test. board interview and then CEO interview, i did well too in first 2, but CEO really give me tough time. but good thing i was selected and after that i did not leave the job and still grabing it. what was outcome of ur interveiw?? Take care [cupid74]
Hmmmm true if they give ad, then it must be like that take care [cupid74]
Like you I will just sit there all nervous and not say anything The reason being I can think about what they will ask and how I will reply I hope your Interview went well [gabs8513]
Yes, my interview did go well....especially since most of them didn't grill me..lol. Most of the people on the interview panel had seen me work before (I had volunteered at the school around two years back)...so they didn't really need to ask me about my work. The only questions I got were from the people who were not associated with the school and I could answer confidently. Thanks for your response! [SViswan]
me too when attended my first interview was so casual but when i went there it was like pin drop silence which first taught me the seriousness and then the people who were interviewing and the candidates..oh got my heart was about to come out.. [nomoso]
i went for a interview lately..it was a walk in interview and there were many nervous people around..i guess was also one nervous guy...so i gave ma c.v and waited for them to call me in..but what happened was the candidates who came after me went in for interview before..so i asked the hr girl there but could be rude coz it was a girl..and it kept on happening and i just directly walked into the hr room and said the things i wanted to say and walked out... [kvnnashty]
Wow! You just walked in?? That must have required some guts! Well done. [SViswan]
I usually sit quietly to calm my nerves and read over my cv and the job description. [maddysmommy]
If I were waiting to be interviewed along with others, I wouldn't make small talk with the other interviewees as you never know what role they might be interviewing for and you never know who will be listening to your convo. The receptionist might be a member of HR staff who is put there to monitor candidates' behaviour whilst they wait for interview. They could be best friends with the interviewer and report back to them later who was saying what whilst they were waiting. Never take it for granted that all is as it seems. Some companies have rather unothodox ways of seeing how candidates behave. You never know if the other "candidates" waiting there are really interviewees or just other members of staff planted there to see how you behave. Just always be careful about what you say and think about how it might be construed :) I don't mean to make the interview process sound sinister but just think about your own needs rather than worry about someone else sitting beside you who says they're very nervous, just smile politely and tell them "You'll be ok, everyone is nervous when they're going for interviews!" [anonymili]
Wow! I never thought of that aspect....but anyways if there was a 'spy' there for the particular interview....it had to be me! ....lol...because I knew the school better...I had volunteered there earlier and my son goes to the same school...and I was asked to apply for the post by the Principal of the school. That was one of the main reasons for me being silent. I didn't want anyone to think I had an edge and I didn't even talk to any of the staff that I already knew till AFTER the interview. But what you said is something I have to keep in mind if I go for an interview to another place. Thanks! [SViswan]
Most of the time I ever had one I had a time to be there and no one else was waiting So I was lucky and got hired [Lakota12]
Before an interview i just keep thinking about what questions could be asked and if i cam clear all the rounds.My nature is sitting silently so i won't talk to much people.but if the opposite person talks with me freely then i am not silent i also speak with him. [vicky30]
I don't talk to any of them except to smile & say hi..Otherwise I tend to blabber also...Lori [dumblnddzzy]
I havent been for an interview for a few years but I really dont like them. I get so nervous. Even though I prepare well for them. Before an interview I normally read over all the questions and answers I think may come up during the interview. I also chat to other participants if they are willing to have a small chat before the interview. I think this relaxes me beforehand and eases the stress a little as it makes you realise that everyone is in the same position and we are all as nervous as each other. [LauraT2008]
I tend to be very quiet for the very same reasons, afraid I'd talk too much which is a sign of nervous behavior. I'm sure the interviewer expects one to be nervous but they, of course, don't want to see it because it shows weakness. So I'd be a quiet person for that reason and to watch what is going on around me. [CatsandDogs]
thats how it is everywhere,sometimes i feel like not atending interviews again because it looks like as if those who will be chosen have been known already there was an interview i went for at guiness here in africa, i thought i will be chosen because we were not more than 8, until the result came out and just 2 were chosen ,it really pissed me off [emma44]
I usually say, "Hi," smile and sit down. Most of the time, I and the other candidates are looking through our folders or portfolios to refresh our memories about the position. We think about questions that might be asked, etc. So I seem polite and personable, but busy. Take care [writersedge]
I won't be the one to initiate the conversation, but if I was on an interview and waiting with people, I might talk a little to ease the tension. I would talk if there was a conversation going on and if I felt it was appropriate to chime in with my 2 cents too.. but if not I would just be quiet. [OreoCookie3]
When I have an interview, usually I will wait and sit there siliently. In fact at that time you can prepare for the interview in your mind. Such as what to say and how you behave. I wonder how your interview would be. I hope you can succeed it. [youless]
I already went for the interview and it was great...though they did try to break down my confidence a bit. But I was comfortable because I knew most of them on the panel....and they didn't question me. It was only the new people who questioned me and I could come across as confident (but I really wasn't..lol) [SViswan]
I tend to make light conversation with some-one whom is receptive. I left on my own, in total silence, I think I would be a mental "basketcase." Talking to some-one helps alleviate the tension. I don't know why, but interviews, are some-thing in this world that unnerves me. Hope your interview was successful. [pergammano]
Thanks! I'm sure I'll enjoy myself once the kids come in June. [SViswan]
I would make casual conversation if someone was receptive, but wouldn't get into a prolonged discussion. I would do my best to appear confident and at ease (and undermine the other applicants hopefully haha). Too much talking would make me appear nervous and probably actually make me more nervous. I rehearse possible responses in my mind before the interview. And I'm sure that woman with the child was appreciative - not the best idea to bring your child to an interview - let's assume she had no choice. [whittby]
I agree it wasn't a good idea and I felt it probably didn't go well with the interviewers...she wasn't called back. I had a 15 month old and a 7 year old with a fractured leg and no one to take care of them.....and most of the people on the interview panel knew it. I had to make arrangements with 2 sets of neighbours for my kids. [SViswan]
Well, I've only ever had to go to one interview in my life. I was the only one there, so I was very nervous; but it didn't take any time before they called me in. I have been fortunate. Through word of mouth and prayers, I've always been sought after; so I never had to really look. The one interview I went to, I was trying to leave my job because the doctor that I worked for sexually harrassed me. I didn't do anything about it because I was a young single mother and didn't think anyone would believe me anyway. So, god helped me find that job.... It would be cool to work at a place that has Disney Collection And fast, it took me a week from the day I faxed my resume to the interview; to my first day of work... [yoliep]
I've been lucky that most of my interviews have been through word of mouth...but this last one was something unexpected. I'm sorry about what you had to go through at the doctor's. Glad you could get another job soon enough. [SViswan]
First of all, I feel for you. Interviewing is very stressful. But to be sitting with other candidates is extremely awkward. I would think that alone is indicative of some dysfunction. Whay is the reason for that? Are they backed up? Is it going to be a group interview? Or are there several interviews going on at the same time with multiple interviewers?? I will tell you what I do. I observe everything around me. The receptionist answering the phone, the employees walking in and out, also the other applicants. If there is any company literature in the room, I pick it up and read it. I also do what I can to relax ----- breathing, meditation [just don't fall asleep], visual imagery, whatever. But I do not converse with anybody, because I don't want anyone to overhear anything I might say, and I don't want to get into any discussions about anything. If someone talks to me, I respond politely, but I don't initiate anything [fec139]
I'm sorry if I wasn't very clear. Since I was asked to apply for the post by the Principal of the school, I thought it was an informal interview for me alone...till I realized that there were many other candidates for the same post. Anyways, I like competition...so it didn't matter.Some jobs have you use Gardening Supplies There were several interviews on the same day but each set of teachers were given a separate time slot to avoid chaos. Everyone seemed nervous because we were the first set of teachers called. I was comfortable with the environment..because I had been there before (as a volunteer and as a parent). But I could see that the others weren't. I wanted to have some light talk with the two sitting next to me...but didn't do so thinking they were too nervous to talk...or I might let slip that my child goes there and it might work on the minds of the other candidates (I didn't want that). Anyways, like I said, I tend to talk too much sometimes and didn't want that either...and I didn't think there was anything for me to prepare (I do not do that last minute preparing for an exam either). so, I sat there quietly waiting to be called and fortunately I was the second one to be called....and asked to return in the afternoon. [SViswan]
Sometimes getting involved in a conversation with someone will help to ease your tension in this type of situation, SViswan, but at other times it is better to just concentrate on the results you would like to achieve from the interview you are anticipating. [worldwise1]
I have never experience that but i could feel it is a little scary and nervous.I would maybe talk to others as to gain ideas from the interview and to release my tension a bit. I would not know never been to one I just set around and sell my Michael Jackson Memorabilia online. [giePortlandOR_08]
i had experienced that in applying a job..i just keep silent unless somebody ask me to or try to start a casual conversation.. [vanities]
Glad the interview went well; keep us all informed of the results. [fec139]
I got the job:) I start next month...so you won't be seeing me here often. [SViswan]
In an interview I would usually sit silent until I was called unless someone else struck up small talk with me first. You definitely want to be social and outgoing but not over the top loud or anything. That would just turn a potential employer off I think. Good luck hope you got the job.. [skinnychick]
I take my sewing with me. It helps to calm the nerves and focus me more. And yeah! I've been called mad! But I still got the job! [newzealtralian]
lol...good for you! [SViswan]
Hi Sviswan, I have experienced 5 or 6 rounds of interviews and it is very scary. Before the interview, if there is people waiting for it, I will just sit down on the couch reading magazine waiting for my name to be called. If the person besides me who wish to have a small talk, I am glad to chat during the waiting period because as the waiting gets longer and longer, the more nervous you are. Therefore, I always hope there is someone who is going to chat with me while waiting. [titaniumsoul]
Yes, one does get nervous during interviews and small talk can help relieve that tension. [SViswan]
Whenever I go to an interview I always watch myself in everything I do. But not to the point that I am stiff, quiet, and conscious. As soon as I walk into the building I act normal but polite. I greet people I come across, the people at reception, the people I walk past with. This is for the reason that in an interview you never know who will make the decision in the end. There's a saying that say 'first impression lasts', and its never impossible to think that they may take into account how well you carry yourself and being friendly right from the start. All is part in an interview, even body language matters. [jvego7426]
Yes, it's true that you never know who is watching you..and who the decision makers are. Owning a shop that had New Skateboards & Skateboarding Gear would be awesome. As pointed out in one of the responses...some of the people around you might be 'spying' for the organization and watching your every move. [SViswan]
Seems like you knew exactly what to do... kind of you to help that woman with a child. It shows that you can trust yourself and that you are a good and friendly person. Were I an employer, that would have earned you extra points.They also start to go bad for me when I start talking about Star Wars Action Figures I wonder why that is. I am wondering if there was a receptionist there who perhaps saw you being so kind.That should make a tv show where people are interviewing for some big job then a Marching Band Trumpets comes running in. It is sometimes true that the office staff provides information to the employer and that the interview actually starts in the waiting room. [whiteheron]
It sounds like the employer was smart to hire the two of you. Wishing you much success and happiness there. [whiteheron]
I make small talk to people around me most of the time. I'm always nervous before the interview. So having a little small always helps me! Its also a great way to get to know people, they might be your new co-worker! You two might end up being good friends and helping each other. I hope I get this job making acoustic guitarI made a few friends in the waiting room before. If no one is there I usually read magazines and tell myself "You will do fine! Clam down. You got this!" To hype myself up! [CardboardWaves]
I understand small talk....but I end up blabbering when I am nervous because I can't keep my mind on the conversation. But for this particular interview I wasn't nervous at all...but I could see everyone else was....and no one spoke to each other. [SViswan]