Interviews

I have become increasingly intrigued by the whole interview process. I just had one for a job at the DCC. The extremely funny situation has arisen with my past interviews there and this one is no exception, I had already had an interview with this person. As I entered today the lady mentioned, pretend that we haven't met before. It seemed like a sordid love affair had taken place, or something of that exciting nature, when infact it hadn't.

This causes several problems as it is difficult to keep repeating the same stories and you can't remember what you told them last time and or whether they remember what you told them! They have avoided asking me the unenviable question which I often get is name a weakness you have and how you get over it. It is a matter of telling the truth but also not having a weakness which would affect your ability to get the job. Several ideal answers spring to mind. Myself and friend Aaron Crampton decided on the answer "chocolate" which then requires the candidate to reach into your pocket and pull out a choclate bar and start eating it. More serious answers include I overwork or am a perfectionist. These however are totally cheesy and inappropriate for someone harbouring my work ethic.

Today I found myself cranking out cliches, which potentially have lost their meaning, but seem to make you sound more intellectual than one actually is and if used in a one off situation is fine but if they have heard it all before then it defeats the purpose. I also find myself rephrasing the job requirements like must be able to prioritise tasks, team player and communication skills. This time it was more situational questions like "What would you do when blah, blah," I would then pull out the cliched "Prioritise tasks""The customer is always right" and my personal favourite "a great team is one that helps each other out. We all have different strengths and weaknesses so it is important to help someone in a weak area if you are strong in that area. They in turn will repeat the favour should the need arise. This way we can work together to achieve our common goal."

What a cop out. You end up thinking of interview as "Being an interview of two halves".

Anyway I hear back next week!