I believe this question is another way of asking you about your strength. Just boast. “Even without experience, I’m good at brainstorming/quick thinker/etc..”

Actually, I never contact the past employer of the interviewee. But if I choose to call in the future, it must be someone that fits the criteria (and none of the interviewee except for you fits the criteria) but at the same time I need a confirmation. My company doesn’t have such practice. So, I think it’s okay to lie. Oops~ I’ll rephrase it. I think it’s okay to change the story a little bit. But make sure you don’t make same mistake in the new company. Because “not getting along with colleagues” is kind of unacceptable. It’s not like you’re going to a matchmaking session with your colleagues. Just be nice. Don’t so choosy about your colleague.

how to answer when in the interviewer asked, why choose to join our audit firm? why not xxx audit firm?

My worst interview experience was when the interviewer asked an IQ question, something about filling a few bottles

I panicked and didnt have time to think thru.

Long story short, i didnt get that job.

Did you ever figure out the answer?

You could just answer truthfully and tactfully - usually, the best answers are the simple, straightforward ones.

During the interview i panicked because i was trying to give a quick answer.

But it took me awhile to figure out the answer after that. This was a story 10 years ago when i was a fresh grad.

I been quite nervous for my coming up interview. I have problem of memorizing especially tell me about yourself ...

Can share some good examples of " Tell me about yourself"?

Well, if that’s an opening question, I’d usually answer from a short structured template - essentially a brief intro about my family structure (eg I’m the eldest of 3 siblings, and my parents are retired or working as whatever).

I’ll then move on to my educational background, but the emphasis wouldn’t be on grades - rather the take away experiences and camaraderie with my best mates, usually high school and university level.

I might also briefly relate any memorable experiences I encountered in any part time jobs I might have done as a student.

Finally I’ll conclude with my hobbies and interests outside of work.

All this is to avoid repeating what can already be found on my CV, and also to set up potential questions which I can answer and make myself look good. (Eg. “As the eldest sibling, I’m no stranger to responsibilities and duties - and even the proper delegation of house chores” etc).

Hope that helps.

Guys...For second interview, what are the questions looks like? I am being invited for second interview and I have zero idea to handle.

Who are you being interviewed with? What was your first interview like?

Thus far, the few rounds I've been to, I have just been talking about my CV and experience, just to different folks.

My first interview was with the hiring manager and team lead..Is like asking those standard interview questions...That's y I m wondering what they will ask for second interview..

I have to disagree here.

Tell me about yourself means a quick 5 minutes brief chat aimed to ease you down but also assess your presentation skill, most don't really care about all you have mentioned above and worse, it takes the shine away from you as a professional.

Either you can pop something very interesting or just stick to a general brief about yourself. E.g. I'm a 20 year veteran in the area of cancer research, having published 10 researches over the course of my career, and I am currently the Head of Oncology in XYZ, where I am tasked to do things no one else would be tasked to do. I also recently successfully climbed Mount Kinabalu after a three year battle with obesity.

Something like that cukup.

Given I'm not sure about your role, they are likely going to ask very similar questions, but asked by the Head of Division / HR.

You should be likely oging to run through your CV again with them asking some weird questions if any.

Unless if its a technical role, which you might be required to answer those.

That's a good point you brought up. I was pegging my response the way I did it as a freshly minted graduate with zip to show for work experience or work achievements on my resume (my interpretation of TS' background - I apologize if my original assumption was mistaken).

If I had a list of achievements to summarize, I'd definitely go with your approach - short, sweet and precise. If not, and if the interviewers wanted to know me as a person, I'd probably fall back on the template that served me well during my undergraduate scholarship interviews.

Perhaps it just goes to show that there's really more than a way to skin a cat.

I sit through a few fair bit of interviews and even myself stumble at this tell me about yourself stuff.

But imagine it as your elevator pitch, if you only have that few min to impress upon someone you really want to work with, what will you tell them?

You've definitely raised an excellent point! Here's my take/view on the matter:

To be honest, the only reason why I shared what I did with Pizza Hut was because as a fresh faced house officer seated across the table from 5 stern looking professors, I was asked this exact same question when I applied for my specialist training. I gave the answers according to the template I just shared, and well, I got the position.

I guess it depends also what field/job position one is applying for. Now, obviously, the tables are turned - and now I am one of the stern looking old fogeys seated across the table - and I'd expect to hear more than a sales pitch from a doctor who wants to be a potential specialist. I would want to learn about the human being behind the list of achievement - academic &/or professional - else why would I ask that question?

Like I said, more than one way to skin a cat - different requirements for different professions.

That too, depends on how long you stayed. If you stayed "long enough", then you can say you felt it was time to move on to the next phase/stage of your career development.

If you "hopped", then ... well... maybe others with more experience in this matter can help out

I think my previous interview didn't go well because I couldn't answer "How do you see yourself in the next 5/10 years?" properly. Because in all honesty I just want to make a living wage and take care of my families, and I don't really care how I make it in the company.

I probably should find a better answer for that question next time.

That is probably one of the awful interview questions. There is no better answer than being honest like your good self but some interviewers just love candidates to give them the answer they want to hear. Sometimes maybe honesty is not the best policy?



This post has been edited by Bearberry: Aug 11 2020, 05:42 PM