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Tips for Job Interview

Blogs > Licmyobelisk
Post a Reply
Licmyobelisk
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Philippines3682 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-26 13:38:54
March 26 2009 13:27 GMT
#1
Ok, guys this is quite serious so please no flaming and such.

Tomorrow is a big event for me, I wasn't going to post this but I was thinking since TL.net is such a good contributor when it comes to life experiences or anything under the sun.. I think that I can get some help from you guys..

Now the thing is.. I was a tech support agent back in the days and I'm planning to shift to a higher level. (e.g. system administrator) but the thing is that my knowledge and weak job experience from my previous work is a disadvantage here.

So, just to make it short.. There will be technical questions, In case I don't remember what is the answer for that... Should I just


[image loading]

Poll: If it's really technical and don't know the answer should I?
(Vote): try to lie and hope for the best
(Vote): just tell the interviewer "I'm sorry can I just get back at that question'?
(Vote): just tell him "Sir/Ma'am, Unfortunately, can't answer right now but I do have the the ability to learn things very quickly"

fanatacist, Yeah I suck a polls but please be friendly this time and use your High IQ to help me out! Peace to everyone and thanks in advance.

Edited the last question: thank you chrome ^_^



*
I don't think I've ever wished my opponent good luck prior to a game. When I play, I play to win. I hope every opponent I ever have is cursed with fucking terrible luck. I hope they're stuck playing underneath a stepladder with a black cat in attendance a
Chromyne
Profile Joined January 2008
Canada561 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-26 13:39:14
March 26 2009 13:35 GMT
#2
I would choose neither of those options.

I would not lie in an interview unless:
1) I am a REALLY good liar, and
2) I can back it up by the time I start my job

The route I choose is to admit that I don't have that knowledge at the moment, but I am diligent enough and have the quick learning capabilities to pick it up quickly on the job. It's important that you show initiative and passion/interest for the job, especially if you don't have the qualifications.

EDIT: Mind you this is coming from very limited interview experience.
Soli Deo gloria.
Licmyobelisk
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Philippines3682 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-26 13:43:48
March 26 2009 13:43 GMT
#3
^ chromyne;

It's ok man but your answer is one of the best I've read or heard, I was thinking of the same thing but you structured the words perfectly. I'll answer that tomorrow for some questions I couldn't answer.
I don't think I've ever wished my opponent good luck prior to a game. When I play, I play to win. I hope every opponent I ever have is cursed with fucking terrible luck. I hope they're stuck playing underneath a stepladder with a black cat in attendance a
Cambium
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
United States16368 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-26 13:50:10
March 26 2009 13:45 GMT
#4
Just tell them you don't know it. But it's a little awkward when you keep on using that line.

It's really hard to wiggle your way out of a technical question, because really, you either know it or you don't. That's sort of the whole point of the interview.

e:

When I was younger, I was at an interview for a developer position at Bloomberg. They asked me something regarding Java, and I tried to bs. The interviewer told me to slow down, and wrote down word for word what I said, and showed me the paper and asked me if that was what I was thinking. Obviously, it made no sense...
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
Licmyobelisk
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Philippines3682 Posts
March 26 2009 13:48 GMT
#5
Yeah, Don't worry I''ve been reviewing for the past 2 weeks and no starcraft except only TL.net (im fucking addicted to reading post here) just that there are some instances when it comes to windows server 2003 that I don't understand that well. Anyway, thanks ^_^
I don't think I've ever wished my opponent good luck prior to a game. When I play, I play to win. I hope every opponent I ever have is cursed with fucking terrible luck. I hope they're stuck playing underneath a stepladder with a black cat in attendance a
StRyKeR
Profile Blog Joined January 2006
United States1756 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-26 14:32:04
March 26 2009 14:29 GMT
#6
Think twice about what you're asking. How is it any beneficial to lie? If the other guy knows what he's doing, he'll be able to detect BS. Plus, it's a technical interview. Once you start lying, you're bound to make epic mistakes that will be easy to catch.

Often, they look for not only intelligence, but humility and a willingness to admit when you don't know something so that you look for help from someone who might. It's impossible to know everything. Sometimes you just need help and a willingness to be helped. Say that you don't know the answer, but you'd work diligently to learn everything that you need in the job.

That's from my experience. If you want a sure way to NOT get hired, lie.

The last remark is: what if you're signing up for a Java job and you don't know Java? Well, you should look elsewhere for a job then. Advice is meant for people who aren't trying to cheat their way into a job.
Ars longa, vita brevis, principia aeturna.
KarlSberg~
Profile Blog Joined September 2003
731 Posts
March 26 2009 14:53 GMT
#7
I've been asked technical questions I couldn't answer at job interviews many many times.
The people who interview don't expect anyone to know everything useful for the specific position. If you know a good part, have a good general idea of the field, it is perfectly ok to admit you don't have expert knowledge in everything.

If you are confident your general knowledge is enough to get you started on the job, don't be ashamed of a few specific things you don't know. You can learn.

If you are not... you probably won't manage to bullshit your way in. And you are likely to regret it if you do.
There are 01 kind of people who know binary. Those who understand little endian and those who don t.
Nazarene
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
Denmark996 Posts
March 26 2009 15:23 GMT
#8
Maybe you can think of some stuff they might ask you now, so you have an answer ready if they actually ask you that.
I've done that at several job interviews, and it has really helped me.
Fen
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
Australia1848 Posts
March 26 2009 15:28 GMT
#9
If its a right or wrong answer, then you cannot lie. The interviewer will know the answer to the question.
Licmyobelisk
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Philippines3682 Posts
March 26 2009 15:29 GMT
#10
Hey everyone, thanks and I'll keep all of the advice you gave to me.. I really like the humility part and asking for help from one of your officemates.. never fails to amaze most of the interviewers ^_^. I'll pop up this thread if ever I get the job tomorrow since it's just a one day process..

Thanks TL ^_^
I don't think I've ever wished my opponent good luck prior to a game. When I play, I play to win. I hope every opponent I ever have is cursed with fucking terrible luck. I hope they're stuck playing underneath a stepladder with a black cat in attendance a
Ingenol
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
United States1328 Posts
March 26 2009 15:54 GMT
#11
Sorry it's a bit late, but I agree with what others have said: if you know part of it, answer that part, recognize that you don't know everything, and state where you would look to find the answer. It's important to a) show you're aware that you don't know everything b) you're confident that not knowing everything is okay and expected and (most importantly) c) you are resourceful and know where to look to learn things you don't already know.
Cloud
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Sexico5880 Posts
March 26 2009 16:10 GMT
#12
Say that you will figure it out rather than you dont know.
BlueLaguna on West, msg for game.
Snet *
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States3573 Posts
March 26 2009 23:33 GMT
#13
You will look soo much better if you man up and admit you don't know the answer, rather than awkwardly trying to pull something out of your ass.
Chromyne
Profile Joined January 2008
Canada561 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-03-27 03:29:18
March 27 2009 03:29 GMT
#14
On March 26 2009 22:43 Licmyobelisk wrote:
^ chromyne;

It's ok man but your answer is one of the best I've read or heard, I was thinking of the same thing but you structured the words perfectly. I'll answer that tomorrow for some questions I couldn't answer.


Haha, thanks and no problem! Good luck on your interview(s).
Soli Deo gloria.
omfghi2u2
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States831 Posts
March 27 2009 04:18 GMT
#15
All I read is the title and I remember a tip my counselor once gave me. As we all know, its important to make eye contact, but when you make eye contact, be sure to look at the interviewer's right eye.

Seems stupid to do it, but I dont see why not. Besides, where else are you gonna stare at them?

Good luck with your interview.
Chromyne
Profile Joined January 2008
Canada561 Posts
March 27 2009 04:31 GMT
#16
On March 27 2009 13:18 omfghi2u2 wrote:
All I read is the title and I remember a tip my counselor once gave me. As we all know, its important to make eye contact, but when you make eye contact, be sure to look at the interviewer's right eye.

Seems stupid to do it, but I dont see why not. Besides, where else are you gonna stare at them?

Good luck with your interview.


That's interesting, your counselor didn't say why?
Soli Deo gloria.
omfghi2u2
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States831 Posts
March 27 2009 04:37 GMT
#17
On March 27 2009 13:31 Chromyne wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 27 2009 13:18 omfghi2u2 wrote:
All I read is the title and I remember a tip my counselor once gave me. As we all know, its important to make eye contact, but when you make eye contact, be sure to look at the interviewer's right eye.

Seems stupid to do it, but I dont see why not. Besides, where else are you gonna stare at them?

Good luck with your interview.


That's interesting, your counselor didn't say why?


Apparently its scientifically proven that it helps with your interview. Not quite sure why, but every time I talk to her, she always looks at my right eye and gives me the heeby jeebies.
EscPlan9
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States2777 Posts
March 27 2009 11:21 GMT
#18
Doesn't matter what eye you look at... eye contact shows interest and confidence. I think that's all there is to it. Just like the importance of a firm handshake.

About how to answer a technical question you don't know - NEVER LIE!! Say something like "I'm not familiar enough to answer that now, but I am a quick learner and will pick it up". That shows you're interested and willing to learn more, are honest, and a quick learner.
Undefeated TL Tecmo Super Bowl League Champion
Phyre
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States1288 Posts
March 27 2009 16:11 GMT
#19
On March 27 2009 20:21 EscPlan9 wrote:
Doesn't matter what eye you look at... eye contact shows interest and confidence. I think that's all there is to it. Just like the importance of a firm handshake.

About how to answer a technical question you don't know - NEVER LIE!! Say something like "I'm not familiar enough to answer that now, but I am a quick learner and will pick it up". That shows you're interested and willing to learn more, are honest, and a quick learner.

I don't have a ton of experience with interviews myself but to expand on how the above, instead of just saying you don't know but you can learn it you could also try to mention how you would go about learning it. Where you would look, who you would ask, how you would approach the problem if someone told you to try to solve it right now as if you were hired.
"Oh no, I got you with your pants... on your face... That's not how you wear pants." - Nintu, catching 1 hatch lurks.
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