i would like to deepen that scenario...

Some people tend to get 'stuck' when they hear these kinds of questions. If the scenario fits, I would go by the 2nd option. If I would to entertain the customer myself, the interviewer might think I am focusing on the wrong areas. (I have staff to do that, why am I doing the nitty gritty details when I am supposed to be guiding my staff to handle that through my leadership role instead).

However in interviews I try not to leave any dead silence after questions, which is by answering as quick as possible. This however means less time thinking = less thoughts to present. (Which might actually be bad depending on the situation)

What do you guys think? I know a lil dead silence is not extremely harmful, but let's say an interviewer poses you a tough question (even to a point that the question's really tricky). You rack your mind to understand the question, you feel the points you want to say out are somewhere buried on your grey matter, but you are just not finding it. Would you keep trying to find your answer thus allowing prolonged dead sillence (you are not even sure if you can find the answer or not), or do you think it would be better if after some thinking, you admit you do not know the answer.

So really the situation is:-

Prolonged silence with possibility(?) of answering the question VS Short silence with admitting 'defeat'.

So, what' it be?

This post has been edited by wlcling: Jan 25 2006, 11:47 AM

I once had a phone interview in which the interviewer was talking too soft, or rather my environment must had been too noisy. I found myself requesting himself to speak louder frequently, but really, my requests didn't make any difference. In this manner, I found it hard to communicate and clarify items. In relation to your scenario above, I find it convenient to blame the interviewer on failure to express, sometimes causing dead silence when trying to respond, because I'm still thinking of what he was trying to convey.

An exception to this rule is my last interview. It was a 2nd interview session, and the interviewer said, "This interview is for you to ask questions". I must say, I wasn't quite that prepared for this. So, I got the generals' out. Working environment, Company Expansion, Future opportunities. Anything you guys feel I missed out? (The interview lasted 1 hour with these basic questions)

Cool as that might be, I didn't get selected.

I don't think its appropriate to ask too early, but one time or another this question needs to be answered... when is this moment?

Firstly talk about the skills you might have probably gained during this timeframe... Let's say you are on a sales line, then you might go on about how you will have acquired excellent negotiating skills, as well as handling people skills, gaining experience with Operational issues, etc... Having both of these qualities might put yourself in a very suitable position that utilizes this skills, possibly a Branch Manager.

It's all about ambition + plans to achieve it, so if you're ambitious, you might say a Company Director? (Why not? Just have the arguments why you see yourself this way, rather than looking like you're a pointless dreamer without any plans to achieve it)

Just put these into a nicely phrased manner, and I believe you have answered this question appropriately!

I think that happens to everyone, where you look back at your interview and think, "Ah!! I should have talked about that... I should have mentioned about this, etc, etc..."

For e.g, I might be well prepared for the interview, where I have a general idea what to say if faced with some common questions, but at the time itself I can sometimes forget the points!

thumbs up, if you feel you thought you did perfectly well, but even if you didn't, you are now more prepared to face your future interviews...

Brilliant!

Just to share some things that I noticed from a few interviews:-

Some interviewers are very smart and play tricks on your mind. They twist questions, and sometimes in those moments of your brain freezing up, you realize that you can't answer the question (but really, you know the answer, but the moment of panic has set in already).

Have you guys encountered with an interviewer who in the middle of the conversation opens up and becomes more friendly, suddenly starts making small jokes? Do you think that means the interviewer suddenly feels comfortable with you, and relaxes on the formality of the interview itself -OR- is he playing mind tricks on you, to see how you react, and we all know in interviews you have to act as professional as possible where work is work, and play is play. He could be hoping for some slang slips too for all you know... In that 'relaxed' mood, you could suddenly say words like "lah". "Ya loh..."

What I'm trying to say is that, don't underestimate your interviewer. They are smart people. They are interested in the manner you react. And you don't go wrong no matter what,- if you know how to "present yourself well" and don't think of the interviewer as a fool. *Clap Clap

Let's say you are being interviewed for a job, lets say in Singapore, and the question is asked, "Why do you want to work in 'Singapore'?"

Any good responses to this?

true reason is the higher pay and the fact S$ > RM. I can't tell that can I?

This post has been edited by wlcling: Feb 23 2006, 03:24 PM

since he's from LYN, i suppose it was a geeky presentation...

j' kiddin

just know when and how to ask. Maybe set it as your last questions...

Ask, ask, and ask.

You can ask anything under the sun from work environment to company structure. Just don't ask personal questions...lol..

Ask questions that are not general, but perhaps more in-depth.

(I'm not really good in IT so this paragraph is a bit vague)
For e.g, in the IT line, let's say network field, you can ask about the current infrastructure. But then you really need to ask like you're asking something that's relevant to you... for e.g, if the answer is somehow implying that the infrastructure is really big/crucial, then make relevant comments like "Seems that the current structure is complying for the demand of a high-paced workforce". Most possibly your reply will be something like "Yup, its crucial that networks are not congested since we particularly focus on having instantaneous transactions for our XXX system since they support customer enquiries, etc, etc" From there, you can start saying things that can actually prove that you did your research like "I heard of the XXX system before, i believe its the backbone for global operations, correct?".... wooo... see how it goes??? You're actually having a very nice 'chat' session that will look good on your part....

Weaknesses? That's a tough one... Really needs to depend on what you're applying for.
Brain freezeBrain freezeBrain freezeBrain freeze

lunch session...? just enjoy your free lunch and get along (chit-chat) with the rest...