first ever job interview in 3 days - advice appreciated

[michael dowling]

you better believe that if I were interviewing you, and you didn't show a damn good understanding of what it is we do/how we make money and how you in particular can be an asset to the org, that you wouldn't go very far.

You are really impressed because a candidate can recite some rote history of your company and memorize how many widgets you export or how many millions in assets you handle? I don't know, I have about one million other things to ask that can let me know if he is a good candidate or will be a good fit within the team.

[Mcpie]

You are really impressed because a candidate can recite some rote history of your company and memorize how many widgets you export or how many millions in assets you handle? I don't know, I have about one million other things to ask that can let me know if he is a good candidate or will be a good fit within the team.

No, but I do expect a candidate to know how our org makes money, have a vague idea of what our strategy/big bets are, or at least have some intuition on the direction we should be headed, and in general, show they really give a crap about the opportunity.

Again, it depends on the org, but in my case, I really want people who are genuinely passionate about tech, and the Internet in general. The company in question is more than well known, so not knowing some of these things raises a big red flag.

[StrongLiftMyBalls]

I'm a fresh grad with a business major and I have my first job interview in 3 days.

Could you give some advice? My grades are average so I would like the interview to be perfect.

If it helps, it's for a bank.

How did the interview go?

[simonsky]

The interviewer was very kind. Never asked anything about the company/the position I'm after except for what that position is.

Asked about my family, talk about myself,talk about my parents and their jobs, what differentiates me, my strengths, can I motivate people,etc.

[StrongLiftMyBalls]

The interviewer was very kind. Never asked anything about the company/the position I'm after except for what that position is.

Asked about my family, talk about myself,talk about my parents and their jobs, what differentiates me, my strengths, can I motivate people,etc.

Either very good sign or very bad.

Let us know how you get on and best of luck.

[simonsky]

Either very good sign or very bad.

Let us know how you get on and best of luck.

she said they'd call but it's been a week

i'm already not counting on it

[Mike C]

Sometimes it can take longer than a week. Don't get down just yet

[veryhrm]

The interviewer was very kind. Never asked anything about the company/the position I'm after except for what that position is.

Asked about my family, talk about myself,talk about my parents and their jobs, what differentiates me, my strengths, can I motivate people,etc.

Heh. In the US that stuff about family and parents and their jobs would be quite unusual; not illegal, per se, but pretty gray area.
It could be argued that they are asking about your parents to figure out stuff about their (and your) race or religion etc.

I've been beaten w/ the PC stick enough living here that i must admit it sounds a bit strange to me that a large corporation (which usually has training for mgrs on these things) would ask about stuff like that. I've myself asked questions that i later found out to be verboten (about an applicant's non job related military experience) because i thought it was interesting. I think i also asked once what year someone graduated... also a no-no because it goes to age.

As to response time, with large corporations it can take weeks to hear back, so i echo the "don't get too down yet" thought.

[simonsky]

Sometimes it can take longer than a week. Don't get down just yet

Oh cool.

[HiTekLuddite]

I know this post is a bit late. Here goes. I do the hiring for my company (biotech). I can't speak as to the specifics of your chosen industry (or for anyone other than myself). Here are my personal do and do nots. Take the advice as you will for some random dude on the 'net...

Do
Show up on time (or a few minutes early, even better)
Do be prepared (have copies of your CV or resume, know the difference)
BE HONEST! I WILL check EVERY f&%$ing thing you write and say. Do not exagerate or "fluff". I don't mind hiring a kid that will do nothing but cost me $$$ for 2-3 years, if you don't know how to do something, fine, but DO NOT LIE TO ME!
Leave your cell phone in your car.
Have a good attitude. Most people do not make the cut because of attitude.
Be yourself! Even if you are not a good "fit". The interview is the time to discover that we are not for you or you are not for us.
Be respectful to EVERYONE. The first thing I do after the interview is to see how you treated the receptionist and secretary. I give everyone a say in a new hire, EVERYONE...
Use your best manners at lunch (and I will take you to lunch/dinner). How can I let you take a customer to lunch if your Mama did not teach you basic table manners by now?

Do Not
Bring your kids to the interview (it happens)
Wear casual clothes even though we are a casual company 95% of the time. I expect you to know when to dress up, and an interview is one of those times.
Wear excessive hardware in your face
Answer a text, phone call, or even an e-mail from Jesus himself during the interview.
Waste my time
Ask if we drug test
Complain about your current/past employer

Best of luck to you!!!!

HTL