Sunnyday
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Joined: Aug 3, 2013 0:36:39 GMT -5
Posts: 1,425
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Post by Sunnyday on Jun 6, 2014 10:45:56 GMT -5
Me at the top of it I like that answer! I'm guessing, just guessing, that they're trying to find out if you prefer a very hierarchical organization, clear chain of command, or something flatter, fewer managers, maybe people shifting around depending on the project. But I do think it's a bizarre question. And hard to guess what the "best" answer would be, unless you already know something about their organizational structure. That is what I figured! So I gave them two answers, I said that I would split the organizational chart into two. One with a traditional organizational chart with management and administration (the people who make the work possible), and another one where pretty much everyone else was on same level for the engineers and technical people (you know the people who do the actual work) because the skill sets were't comparable and you couldn't value them the same way. It was the best and honest answer that I could come up with on the spot.
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midwestlily
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 8, 2011 14:46:07 GMT -5
Posts: 157
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Post by midwestlily on Jun 6, 2014 10:55:52 GMT -5
I like that answer! I'm guessing, just guessing, that they're trying to find out if you prefer a very hierarchical organization, clear chain of command, or something flatter, fewer managers, maybe people shifting around depending on the project. But I do think it's a bizarre question. And hard to guess what the "best" answer would be, unless you already know something about their organizational structure. That is what I figured! So I gave them two answers, I said that I would split the organizational chart into two. One with a traditional organizational chart with management and administration (the people who make the work possible), and another one where pretty much everyone else was on same level for the engineers and technical people (you know the people who do the actual work) because the skill sets were't comparable and you couldn't value them the same way. It was the best and honest answer that I could come up with on the spot. Sounds like a good answer to me!
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jkapp
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 12:05:08 GMT -5
Posts: 5,416
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Post by jkapp on Jun 6, 2014 11:45:02 GMT -5
Yeah that "what are your weaknesses?" question always bugs me...I'm always tempted to answer, "Resisting the urge to kill anyone who asks stupid questions like that!"
SInce watching the movie 'Ted' though I so want to answer an interview question the way Ted does with the grocery store owner
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movingforward
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Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,385
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Post by movingforward on Jun 6, 2014 13:37:47 GMT -5
The one I hate is 'Where do you see yourself in another 5 years?'
I wonder what the correct answer is. Agreed. That is the dumbest question and I never ask it. Everyone has the same BS answer that I had back when I was the interviewee. My supervisor and I typically do interviews together and every now and then she will ask it just see if anyone has anything honest or unique to say. About 2 yrs ago we were interviewing a new college grad for a communications position and my supervisor asked the 5 yr question and the girl said "In 5 yrs I see myself working toward my Ph.D. in English. Probably by that time I will be a TA and working on my dissertation. My goal is to eventually be a college professor." We hired her! The honesty was so refreshing and she was extremely well put together. We knew we wouldn't have her forever but most people move on in 3-5 yrs anyway so looking for a candidate this day and age that is going to stay for 20 yrs is ridiculous. She is still with the company and does a wonderful job. She been accepted to a graduate program and will start in Jan 2015 so we will have her until then and have plenty of notice to find someone else.
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tskeeter
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Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
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Post by tskeeter on Jun 6, 2014 17:37:44 GMT -5
The one I never liked was "What are your greatest weaknesses?"
Actually, that can be a pretty good question. The way a person answers can tell you if they are painfully honest, but socially graceless. A real BSer, whose every word should be taken with a lot of skepticism. Or politically and socially sophisticated enough to provide an acceptable answer that will not disqualify them from consideration for the job.
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tskeeter
Junior Associate
Joined: Mar 20, 2011 19:37:45 GMT -5
Posts: 6,831
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Post by tskeeter on Jun 6, 2014 17:45:25 GMT -5
The where do u see yourself in 5 years is code for you would probably be considered to move up for succession planning so they want to see if you are thinking ahead and offer the info that you want to take on higher leadership roles. Or do you have a direction in life and what might that be? We had one person say that she wanted to be independently wealthy. Follow up question "How to you plan on achieving that". She said quite seriously " I'm going to win the lottery. I buy $100 in tickets every week, so it's just a matter of time. I don't really want to work so I have to make it happen" Probably not the answer you want from a prospective financial analyst or actuary. But, if you're hiring for a receptionist job, they're likely to be around for a while.
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moneymaven
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Joined: Dec 26, 2010 10:05:04 GMT -5
Posts: 1,864
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Post by moneymaven on Jun 7, 2014 9:55:54 GMT -5
The HR director from an old company would occasionally ask interviewees to create a visual resume on the spot. I was on the interview panel and it was very interesting to see how they'd use that drawing throughout the interview. I did think to myself that I would fail miserably if asked to do it myself.
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