What I should/shouldn't say in an interview?

[whoisjohngalt]

Need opinions/suggestions as I know YM doesn't hold back.

While staying home with the kids was always the plan, it was never my only plan.  I always liked what I did and didn't really wanted to stop completely.  However, I never planned to return to corporate finance, but have my own accounting business.

Over the last year I realized that I am not cut out to have my own business.  So, I revised my plan and started looking for a company that would allow me to do the work that I want from home.

Today I got a call from a owner of a small company and long story short - it would be an absolute PERFECT job for me.  And I mean perfect in every aspect.  She is completely open to remote work, but did say that she would want me to start working on-site until I get up to speed, which could take about a year.  She did ask me how was I planning to handle working and homeschooling and whether I was looking for FT or PT.

We left it at she told me to think about it and email her if I want a sit-down.  Well, I do.  I emailed her this morning.  Still haven't heard back, so this might be moot, but if not....

Here is the question - if she calls me back and is willing to sit down with me - what should I be saying or not saying to her?  I was always great at "regular" interviews, but I never had any "special circumstances" or requirements.  This is different and I don't want to blow it.

So, hit me with your collective wisdom!

[Deleted]

How did you answer her questions about HS and pt/ft? 

[whoisjohngalt]

Not very well 

I think I sounded like a stuttering fool.  I *think* I sad something like I could do either....

[kjto1]

What are you planning to do with the boys while you are at work?  I am guessing that working on-site for about a year would be M-F, 8-5.  After that, I am guessing that working remotely, she would expect some day hours from you?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

If your kids are home, you need to have someone else taking care of them while you are working.  You can't be mom and work at the same time - it's not fair to them and wrong for you to expect them to share your working time with your kids.  So you might want to mention your childcare arrangements to let her know that you've no intention of letting your kids infringe upon your work for her and someone else will be taking care of them while you are working.

[whoisjohngalt]

While we are not in a busy season, I was going to ask from 8-2 in the office (she did say she is willing to do PT in off-season). 

Yes, I would have someone in the house taking care of the kids - my parents at first, but then a nanny of some sort.   Right now, my husband also works from home.

My kids are getting older and I think a huge chunk of work could be done during various hours, so I could manage.

But yes, I fully expect to have some child care coverage during the day.

[beergut]

 If she asks you to work extra hours at home during the busy season, how are you going to separate "your time" and "work time"? Is there an hour at night where you would no longer be available to work?

What is your max available time during the day at home?

I'd have firm answers to those questions.

[gooddecisions]

If you don't want to blow it, you need to make sure your responses to the interview questions are focused on what you can do for the company, not how the company can accommodate your family life style. Ask when the hours are and then work it out with your husband, but do not volunteer any more information about homeschooling or coverage for kids. If you discussed that information because you needed to explain employment gaps, and then she asked how will you handle homeschooling if you were to get this job-- then keep your answers simple "I have somebody taking care of them, being at work during the [hours] won't be a problem, and I have a private space at home free of distractions."

Good luck!

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Make sure to fully describe how you managed to run an accounting business from home while homeschooling -- she will know then that you have experience juggling priorities.  

Be clear about how the kids will successfully cared for, but don't over=focus on that aspect.

Emphasize your accounting skills and your proven desire to work with/for small companies (where accounting processes and procedures might not be as clear cut as in larger and even publicly-held companies).  In other words, you know how to keep the numbers side of the business running so that she can focus more on whatever the company does.  

Tell her that the home accounting business didn't work for you because it was remote from the actual business -- you work best when you are part of a team -- sales, manufacturing/design/whatever, and accounting all working together.

Good luck.  I'm also trying to get back to working -- let us know how it goes.  

[yogiii]

Are you willing to enroll them in public school this fall and supplement at home?  Two of them would be old enough right?  You do live in fancy town ...

Congrats, btw, I hope everything works out!

[gooddecisions]

Jul 29, 2015 21:37:54 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Make sure to fully describe how you managed to run an accounting business from home while homeschooling -- she will know then that you have experience juggling priorities.  

Be clear about how the kids will successfully cared for, but don't over=focus on that aspect.

Emphasize your accounting skills and your proven desire to work with/for small companies (where accounting processes and procedures might not be as clear cut as in larger and even publicly-held companies).  In other words, you know how to keep the numbers side of the business running so that she can focus more on whatever the company does.  

Tell her that the home accounting business didn't work for you because it was remote from the actual business -- you work best when you are part of a team -- sales, manufacturing/design/whatever, and accounting all working together.

Good luck.  I'm also trying to get back to working -- let us know how it goes.  

Well that would blow it for me. I see your point, but I'm not going to hire anyone that's homeschooling while working. It might work if you own your own business and can work your own hours, but if you're working for me, you need to work the hours I need you to work and if it's 9-2, that might be in the middle of teaching social studies.

There are just too many qualified applicants that want jobs to take a gamble on somebody who might be stretched too thin. I'd focus on running a successful accounting business- but leave out the part about homeschooling. Just my point of view- and I do manage people who work from home and do a fair amount of interviewing. With 2 kids of my own and a third on the way, I'm family friendly, but not that family-friendly.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Well, I see your point and would agree going forward, but Lena said she already told the employer she homeschools. So, better to answer any questions (spoken or otherwise) the employer might have about whether Lena can do the job AND home school up front once and for all and move on what skills and knowledge Lena can bring to the job.

[Tennesseer]

Jul 29, 2015 21:12:49 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

If you don't want to blow it, you need to make sure your responses to the interview questions are focused on what you can do for the company, not how the company can accommodate your family life style. Ask when the hours are and then work it out with your husband, but do not volunteer any more information about homeschooling or coverage for kids. If you discussed that information because you needed to explain employment gaps, and then she asked how will you handle homeschooling if you were to get this job-- then keep your answers simple "I have somebody taking care of them, being at work during the [hours] won't be a problem, and I have a private space at home free of distractions."

Good luck!

Both possible employer and applicant are on shaky ground here. The potential employer should not be focusing on the children and homeschooling while their possible employee is working at home. That should be of no concern to the employer-only the job/work to be done during their paid work hours to employee.

The applicant is offering too much information to the employer and giving them any number of reasons not to hire her. Stay far, far, away from bringing up personal/home issues.

[whoisjohngalt]

She knows that I homeschool.

She wants to see me on Monday.

So.....I am going to ask original question again - is there anything you think I should/shouldn't be saying at the interview?

She did say that it's a full time position, though.

[Tennesseer]

How did she know you homeschool?

[whoisjohngalt]

It was in my write-up

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I agree with Good, don't bring up how this job is perfect for you.  Do your homework on the company and make a list of the ways you are good for them.  

There are so many people unemployed right now that a good chunk of employers feel there will be someone better across the horizon if they wait long enough.  There are a lot of unexpected pot holes during job hunting nowadays.

Hopefully you hear from her.  Did she mention what SHE wants as far worker?  If she has focus on how you fit the mold.  Employers don't want to re-design the mold to fit you nowadays, they want you to step into it and be a perfect fit.

[flamingo]

Some of what you should/shouldn't say depends on what you actually want out of this job. It seems she's looking for someone full time. So, if you want full time, then you tailor your answers to fit that. "Yes, my kids are home-schooled, but I have help with that and would be available to you full time. I'm looking for a position that will allow me to work from home and I do have a private office that I will be using during working hours." Or something along those lines. 

If you want part time, then you need to make that clear to her. "I home-school my kids and it's very important to me to continue doing so. Therefore, I'm really looking to work less than 40 hours a week." You can tailor that based on what hours you ideally want, etc. 

I'm unclear if the on-site training period of a year will be full time hours. If so, can you make that work? Make sure you talk about how you can make that work.

Since home-schooling is already a known issue, while I wouldn't totally focus on that, I wouldn't shy away from it. She's already thinking about it, so you want to tailor your answers in a way that puts her mind at ease. At least, if I were the hiring manager, that's what I'd be looking for. I get that it's not her business, and it's up to the employee to make it work, but since it's already out there, you have to address it.

Oh, and I'd focus on how, not only is this the PERFECT position for you, but how you are the perfect fit for the the company and how you'll bring value to the job.

[imawino]

Jul 30, 2015 7:51:41 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

She knows that I homeschool.

She wants to see me on Monday.

So.....I am going to ask original question again - is there anything you think I should/shouldn't be saying at the interview?

She did say that it's a full time position, though.

So seriously, how are you planning to homeschool three children while working from home full-time?  Do you feel this is a realistic plan?  Are you going to do all their homeschooling from 5-9pm? 

[happyhoix]

I'm unclear if the on-site training period of a year will be full time hours. If so, can you make that work? Make sure you talk about how you can make that work.

I'm curious about this, too. If you can't do full time for a year, I wouldn't waste her time and your time with the interview.

If you think you can swing it, I wouldn't bring up home schooling. Focus on how you ran your business, and on your past experience, education, successful projects, etc. If she brings up homeschooling, just say you've talked it over with your DH, who works at home, and the two of you are certain you can make it work. If she presses for details, you could mention briefly that you plan to bring in a sitter/assistant with the kids, that you have your own home office, and then divert back to what a fabulous addition you would be to her company.

You really have to be certain you can do the full time for a year thing, though. It would be better to hold out for the next possibility than jump into this and end up not being able to do justice to either the job or your kids.

[whoisjohngalt]

Jul 30, 2015 13:46:43 GMT -5 imawino said:

Jul 30, 2015 7:51:41 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

She knows that I homeschool.

She wants to see me on Monday.

So.....I am going to ask original question again - is there anything you think I should/shouldn't be saying at the interview?

She did say that it's a full time position, though.

So seriously, how are you planning to homeschool three children while working from home full-time?  Do you feel this is a realistic plan?  Are you going to do all their homeschooling from 5-9pm? 

yep

[milee]

Lots of good advice here. I agree with Gooddecisions points.

My guess is that her talking about you being on-site for a year or so is less to do with training and more to do with her getting to know you and your work ethic before she's totally comfy having you work primarily off site. Knowing this, be sure to address her concerns. When you're working, you need to make sure you're 100% focused on the work and maybe even play the "face time" game. (Meaning, you make dang sure she physically sees you there.) Do that until you've established her trust that she can rely on you.

I'm sending you good wishes that you get this job. In case you don't, you might want to think about not mentioning the homeschooling or any other non-work activities in your application/cover letter.

[bobosensei]

I agree with milee.  I can't imagine it will take a year for you to be up to speed.  I think that was more to see if you could really handle working, but it also gives her time to make sure you are reliable before putting you in a situation where it will be hard to monitor you.  And if you don't get this job take the homeschooling stuff off of everything.  I've helped hire many people, and no matter what an applicant told me if they said they homeschooled their kids I wouldn't take them seriously for full time work.  There are only so many hours in the day and if you have to teach the kids for part of them you can't realistically get everything else done plus a full work day.  And even if this is an unfair assumption, I would think the type of person who wants to homeschool is the type that will prioritize their kids and homelife above work.  I wouldn't want an employee that was trying to squeeze full time work into a couple hour window late at night.  You'd just be stretched too thin.

[milee]

One other thing to add - if she does hire you - make sure that at least for the first 3-4 months you're on the job that you are not the primary "parent" during work hours. Meaning for that time, if one of the kids is sick or has to go to the doctor or whatever that your husband does that. Your employer's concern is that you're going to still be doing all the mom stuff while being paid to do her work. She's going to be watching to see how you and your family handle this arrangement. Even though things happen, if during the first few months you're the parent that's having to be the one to take the time off when a kid is sick or whatever else, the employer is going to assume it will be that way - or worse - when you're later trying to work from home, and she won't trust that you'll be actually working.

[imawino]

Jul 30, 2015 17:20:42 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Jul 30, 2015 13:46:43 GMT -5 imawino said:

So seriously, how are you planning to homeschool three children while working from home full-time?  Do you feel this is a realistic plan?  Are you going to do all their homeschooling from 5-9pm? 

yep

That was a reasonable question.  You want people here to tell you what to say in the interview - but if you can't articulate to anyone here what the plan is to homeschool your kids and work from home full time, I'm not sure that anyone can help you effectively present that plan in an interview process.  It appears that everyone here shares the same concern, do you think that the hiring manager won't ask that question?   Is your plan to answer "yep" in the interview?

[whoisjohngalt]

Jul 31, 2015 7:41:02 GMT -5 imawino said:

Jul 30, 2015 17:20:42 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

yep

That was a reasonable question.  You want people here to tell you what to say in the interview - but if you can't articulate to anyone here what the plan is to homeschool your kids and work from home full time, I'm not sure that anyone can help you effectively present that plan in an interview process.  It appears that everyone here shares the same concern, do you think that the hiring manager won't ask that question?   Is your plan to answer "yep" in the interview?

My OP wasn't asking "how should I explain homeschooling", it was what I should/shouldn't be saying in general in an interview.

YM's ability to super-focus on one aspect of the entire thing never fails.

This woman's first question to me was about homeschooling and evidently it didn't bother her as much as it bothers YM bc she still talked to me after that and she still wants me to come in.

But I haven't interviewed in general in a very long and since things changed - I wanted to get an idea of what is OK/not OK now days.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

This woman's first question to me was about homeschooling and evidently it didn't bother her as much as it bothers YM bc she still talked to me after that and she still wants me to come in

I wouldn't count on that.   You could be filling a quota.  She also may have reservations but isn't quite willing to put you in the shred pile yet.  The fact she even brought up the homeschooling says it is IS a concern.   Employers don't bring up things that would be non-issues.

And it does apply to what is and isn't ok nowadays.   There are so many people unemployed that aren't homeschooling you are REALLY going to have to convince her that you are worth the risk.

I got knocked out of the running for a job b/c I didn't put phone skills down on my resume. It wasn't even brought up in the interview, they decided behind the scenes that it was important.  Tiny ass little stuff like that gets you disqualified nowadays.

I suggest you read the latest edition of What Color is your Parachute.  It's really informative and goes into what has been addressed here in more detail.

I'm not saying you won't get the job, I am saying from an outsider's perspecting there is A LOT in your post that could get you knocked out of the running even if they are interested now.  Since you have been offered a sit down interview your best bet is to go over the job description and any details she gave you over the phone to share how good a fit you'd be for them.  Don't mention anything about how well it'd work for you in regards to homeschooling or anything else.

Employers don't care. There are plenty of fish in the sea right now and ones that will bend over backwards till the snap to please employers just to be gainfully employed again.  They aren't going to pick the candidate that they think is going to want a bunch of exceptions.

If they want you then is the time to start negociating and bring up the remote work again.

[gooddecisions]

I feel like I answered your question for how not to blow the interview, but I can give you other examples of what blew the interview for people I've interviewed. This was after the HR screening as I was the hiring manager. The folks I interview are normally extremely well-educated with masters or PHDs and about mid-level career. The resumes that make it to me are very impressive. Some of these interviews were so bad I had to diplomatically end them after 20 minutes when an hour was scheduled.

What excites you most about this job? Applicants answer- working from home

Applicant asked if we do drug tests

Applicant couldn't articulately speak to skills they claimed expertise on their resumes

Applicant had very low energy

Applicant did not answer the questions that I asked or steered in a totally different direction than what is was that I asked

Applicant answered questions with so much focus on academia that it became clear that they had no business application

Told me up-front all the things they wouldn't be willing to do

People I hired:

Had the skills to do the job

Could articulately speak to everything on their resume

Could articulately speak to how they are the perfect candidate for the job

Understood something about my company

Up-beat positive energy and easy rapport

Nobody has ever done anything obvious like showed up late, dressed inappropriately or said totally inappropriate things. Though, when I interviewed for much lower skilled, lower paid jobs, that was an issue. Good luck, I feel like you got this!

[hoops902]

Jul 31, 2015 7:55:44 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Jul 31, 2015 7:41:02 GMT -5 imawino said:

That was a reasonable question.  You want people here to tell you what to say in the interview - but if you can't articulate to anyone here what the plan is to homeschool your kids and work from home full time, I'm not sure that anyone can help you effectively present that plan in an interview process.  It appears that everyone here shares the same concern, do you think that the hiring manager won't ask that question?   Is your plan to answer "yep" in the interview?

My OP wasn't asking "how should I explain homeschooling", it was what I should/shouldn't be saying in general in an interview.

YM's ability to super-focus on one aspect of the entire thing never fails.

This woman's first question to me was about homeschooling and evidently it didn't bother her as much as it bothers YM bc she still talked to me after that and she still wants me to come in.

But I haven't interviewed in general in a very long and since things changed - I wanted to get an idea of what is OK/not OK now days.

We assume you know that in general you shouldn't admit to smoking meth in the bathroom at your last job, etc.  You presented a story, in that story the most dangerous topic most of us have identified which might keep you from getting hired is the homeschooling piece. 

Just because she asked about it in a first interview doesn't mean she's ok with your answer.  She probably didn't go into tiny detail with anyone about anything in her first round of interviews. 

If you want more general advice, you actually have to be more specific.  What questions are you trying to figure out how to answer?  What specific things are you trying to figure out if it is ok to say or not?  Don't talk about your first sexual encounter.  Don't talk about what your baby's poo looked like as a youngster.  Don't talk about all the people you hated at all your jobs. 

If you had asked what to talk about on your first interview we would have said not to mention homeschooling, wanting to work from home, etc.  But if all you said was "what don't I say", we wouldn't have necessarily known that was even a potential topic.  The list of "what not to say" at an interview is millions of points long.  Absent any direction, people are naturally going to latch on to the obvious potential pitfall you DID mention.

[hoops902]

If you had mentioned in your post that you had a felony conviction, most of us probably would have latched onto that in terms of advice. We have to use something to narrow down "what do I say or not say" to a manageable level of specificity. Absent any specific request, it's going to end up being things you mention in your OP.