Post: #1

I've got a job interview with a Brand Management firm tomorrow. Interviewer will be male. I can pm you my resume if you want more detail, but basically I graduated from High School with honors, did one semester of college, then did construction work for the past few months. As title says, just need some tips.

Post: #2

(04-27-2016 03:46 PM)ModernMaleficarum Wrote:  I've got a job interview with a Brand Management firm tomorrow. Interviewer will be male. I can pm you my resume if you want more detail, but basically I graduated from High School with honors, did one semester of college, then did construction work for the past few months. As title says, just need some tips.

1. Think about what questions the interviewer might have from looking at your resume. Then have an idea of how you would answer those questions.

2. Write down a list of questions for the interviewer(s). While you have very little experience, being driven and being interested in how the company works and why it would be a good fit for you as well can make a good impression.

3. Have examples ready of how you work well with others, how you've managed to overcome challenges, etc... These are all standard interview topics.

4. Introduce yourself to everyone. If you end up waiting with a receptionist, establish some rapport, see what you can find out from them about the company. People like to talk about themselves, give them a chance to.

5. Cut the umms and other extra language out of your response. It's better to wait a moment, say something simple/direct but with confidence than to ramble on forever trying to get to your point and umm'ing along the way.

Post: #3

To add, enjoy silences and don't think you have to say more than you need.

Also, make sure you send a thank you note. A lot of candidates just don't do it. Email AND handwritten.

I have some relatable tips in part 2 of my Finance data sheet. Link in my signature below.

Last but not least. You're new here. We're happy to help you but make sure you come back and add some value for the forum too.

Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

Post: #4

Do a throughout research of the company, prepare answers to the common questions that he can ask you, ask smart questions about the company and your prospect job

Post: #5

AneroidOcean gave solid advice. Ive done lots of interviews, and I instruct various things for the military.

- Posture: sit up straight, shoulders back with confidence. Don't fidget with your hands, keep them clasped in your lap if you get nervous.

- Presence: Speak clearly and concisely. Don't rush to answer and fumble/stutter, take your time, but don't use pause words like "uh" and "um" if you need time to formulate a solid answer keep quiet and take a few seconds to do so.

- Eye contact: This is huge. Look the interviewer in the eye. If you must avert eye contact do so naturally, don't dart your eyes around the room.

- Practice: Try and practice with a friend to see how you do at this. Have them make up some questions and not tell you so as to test your ability to think on your feet. We used to record our lessons and tear each other apart afterward.

- Knowledge: Read up on the history of the company and the specific discipline that the company works in. That way if they ask you an oddball or random question, or you ask one to them it separates you from the pack. That's what interviews are anyway is splitting the wheat from the chaff.

- Appearance: For God's sake shine your shoes. Have your suit dry cleaned and pressed (that it should be well tailored goes without saying). Clean shaven and haircut depending on type of work.

Post: #6

Think of a dozen or so stories where you overcame adversity, worked through a problem, handled a disagreement with a coworker, etc. Write them down and practice explaining them to a mirror or friend.

There is no possible way to prepare for every question you could potentially be asked. Questions can be asked many different ways, which may require the same general answer explained slightly different. If you have those stories ready to go you can easily adapt them to the question without them sounding like a rote answer.

Examples:
How did you handle a disagreement with a coworker in the past?
How would you handle a problem with a coworker?
What methods would you use to improve communication with a dissenting coworker?

Post: #7

Agree with what everyone else has said but I will add two other points.

1. Your coming in at a junior level so your going to be trained. Display coachability. Demonstrate initiative. In other words, pay back the mans investment in you.

2. You won't be adding value initially so be likeable. The airport test (would you want to be stuck in an airport on an 8 hour layover in a non english country with this person) is real. If you pass that, you're on your way.

Good luck!

Post: #8

Don't ask about a drug test. Or if their insurance covers mental health.

This is not a joke.

Aloha!

Post: #9

Update:

I went in for my interview today. I got in late because I ran out of gas, but it ended up not mattering since there were people in front of me. I chatted up the receptionist (she had lots of IOIs, but she's a little too thick for me). I checked out some of my competition: a fatass who came to an interview in a wolf t-shirt and some nervous as hell motherfucker who couldn't even small talk with me. I was called in for my interview, and it went pretty well. I started to "um" but then I caught myself. Made the interviewer laugh a few times, chatted up my work history to make it sound like I was a young Zuckerberg, and did pretty well. He sent me out to do some cold, door to door sales with two guys. This is where it got interesting. The job was a lot more than I expected. As opposed to most wage slave jobs, the company rewards entrepreneurship and "alpha male behavior." Yes... they literally said "alpha male behavior." The guys there were young G's... fucking 19 year olds with GEDs pulling in over 60 grand a year in commissions. The assistant manager who's been there for 7 months and started in my entry level position make 6 figures a year. The job's super easy... pretty much relaxing from 10 to 1, then knocking on a few doors from 2-6 and following a script. We're hired on as independent contractors, so we can pretty much write all of our expenses off on our taxes. So, after spending the day with the guys and having a good time, they told the big boss that I would be a good fit, and just like that, I got hired. I just told my old boss and he begged me to just finish out the week tomorrow. I guess I will endure the drudgery and slave labor for chump change, I kinda owe it to him since he gave me this job as a favor.

Post: #10

(04-28-2016 07:04 PM)ModernMaleficarum Wrote:  Update:

I went in for my interview today. I got in late because I ran out of gas, but it ended up not mattering since there were people in front of me. I chatted up the receptionist (she had lots of IOIs, but she's a little too thick for me). I checked out some of my competition: a fatass who came to an interview in a wolf t-shirt and some nervous as hell motherfucker who couldn't even small talk with me. I was called in for my interview, and it went pretty well. I started to "um" but then I caught myself. Made the interviewer laugh a few times, chatted up my work history to make it sound like I was a young Zuckerberg, and did pretty well. He sent me out to do some cold, door to door sales with two guys. This is where it got interesting. The job was a lot more than I expected. As opposed to most wage slave jobs, the company rewards entrepreneurship and "alpha male behavior." Yes... they literally said "alpha male behavior." The guys there were young G's... fucking 19 year olds with GEDs pulling in over 60 grand a year in commissions. The assistant manager who's been there for 7 months and started in my entry level position make 6 figures a year. The job's super easy... pretty much relaxing from 10 to 1, then knocking on a few doors from 2-6 and following a script. We're hired on as independent contractors, so we can pretty much write all of our expenses off on our taxes. So, after spending the day with the guys and having a good time, they told the big boss that I would be a good fit, and just like that, I got hired. I just told my old boss and he begged me to just finish out the week tomorrow. I guess I will endure the drudgery and slave labor for chump change, I kinda owe it to him since he gave me this job as a favor.

Bro, really? Not to be a dick but come on. I, nor any man I know, has ever run out of gas. Especially not before a job interview.

Post: #11

Red flags all over the place buddy:

"Independent contractors" - So why are the the interview? Also, not everything can be written off.
"Knocking door to door" - Oh, so it's a sales job. It'll be a group of you (2-4) dividing up an area and walking in the heat or cold.
"Following a script" - No description needed.
"Alpha male behaviour" - What kind of reputable company or hiring manager says that?

It's not a brand management job son, you're going to be selling overpriced knives or life insurance policies....door to door. They'll hire anybody, just look at the people you were competing against. Turnover is high and that depends on the business model which explains the large number of people ahead of you. Since you'll be working as a contractor, most of your money will be on commission and you won't get a regular check, hence why most people quit (low sales #s).

Treat it as meeting a bipolar chick with red flags, don't stick your dick in it.

Check these out
http://www.knifeup.com/cutco-knives-and-...is-a-scam/
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/arch...or/388601/
The job ad probably looked like this: http://jobs.jobvite.com/careers/qccinfo/job/owU52fwh

So what were y'all selling?

Post: #12

This sounds more like



than a job

Post: #13

Agreed with Rustler.

What are you selling?

Cable subscriptions? Cutco?

You are an independent contractor so they carry no liability/workmans comp insurance or payroll & unemployment taxes for you.

Whenever you're hired on the spot it basically infers that there are no barriers to entry (not a good thing) and you are 100% replaceable.

All this doesn't matter if you are selling something legit, my boys back in MA are selling solar energy panels and killing it.

If its valuable and you'd sell it to an RVF'r, stick with it.

If not, think long and hard.

Post: #14

(04-28-2016 07:04 PM)ModernMaleficarum Wrote:  Update:

I went in for my interview today. I got in late because I ran out of gas, but it ended up not mattering since there were people in front of me. I chatted up the receptionist (she had lots of IOIs, but she's a little too thick for me). I checked out some of my competition: a fatass who came to an interview in a wolf t-shirt and some nervous as hell motherfucker who couldn't even small talk with me. I was called in for my interview, and it went pretty well. I started to "um" but then I caught myself. Made the interviewer laugh a few times, chatted up my work history to make it sound like I was a young Zuckerberg, and did pretty well. He sent me out to do some cold, door to door sales with two guys. This is where it got interesting. The job was a lot more than I expected. As opposed to most wage slave jobs, the company rewards entrepreneurship and "alpha male behavior." Yes... they literally said "alpha male behavior." The guys there were young G's... fucking 19 year olds with GEDs pulling in over 60 grand a year in commissions. The assistant manager who's been there for 7 months and started in my entry level position make 6 figures a year. The job's super easy... pretty much relaxing from 10 to 1, then knocking on a few doors from 2-6 and following a script. We're hired on as independent contractors, so we can pretty much write all of our expenses off on our taxes. So, after spending the day with the guys and having a good time, they told the big boss that I would be a good fit, and just like that, I got hired. I just told my old boss and he begged me to just finish out the week tomorrow. I guess I will endure the drudgery and slave labor for chump change, I kinda owe it to him since he gave me this job as a favor.

Is this selling Kirby Vacuum Cleaners???

If so, just to start off: The nineteen year olds with GEDs are getting paid minimum wage to be there and tell you they make 60k a year in commissions.

Again, if this is Kirby Vacuums please let me know, and Ill walk you through all of the other scams in that story you just told.

Kirby Vacuums only suck when you work for them.

Aloha!

Post: #15

(04-28-2016 08:07 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  "Alpha male behaviour" - What kind of reputable company or hiring manager says that?

That's an odd comment to make on this site

Post: #16

(04-28-2016 10:40 PM)greekgod Wrote:  Agreed with Rustler.

What are you selling?

Cable subscriptions? Cutco?

You are an independent contractor so they carry no liability/workmans comp insurance or payroll & unemployment taxes for you.

Whenever you're hired on the spot it basically infers that there are no barriers to entry (not a good thing) and you are 100% replaceable.

All this doesn't matter if you are selling something legit, my boys back in MA are selling solar energy panels and killing it.

If its valuable and you'd sell it to an RVF'r, stick with it.

If not, think long and hard.

We technically don't sell anything. In Florida, there is no deductible to get your windshield replaced if there is any damage and you have full or comprehensive coverage. We go around and basically get people to replace their windshields through the glass company we represent. Moneys good so far. He paid me 100 bucks just for tagging along with him yesterday. I hung out with some of the guys after... they're balling.

Edit: To answer your question, yeah, I'd take advantage of a free windshield replacement and recommend everyone else does the same, lol

Post: #17

Anyway, if it turns out to suck, I'll just leave. My old boss already said I could come back if I wanted.

Post: #18

(04-29-2016 07:50 PM)ModernMaleficarum Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 10:40 PM)greekgod Wrote:  Agreed with Rustler.

What are you selling?

Cable subscriptions? Cutco?

You are an independent contractor so they carry no liability/workmans comp insurance or payroll & unemployment taxes for you.

Whenever you're hired on the spot it basically infers that there are no barriers to entry (not a good thing) and you are 100% replaceable.

All this doesn't matter if you are selling something legit, my boys back in MA are selling solar energy panels and killing it.

If its valuable and you'd sell it to an RVF'r, stick with it.

If not, think long and hard.

We technically don't sell anything. In Florida, there is no deductible to get your windshield replaced if there is any damage and you have full or comprehensive coverage. We go around and basically get people to replace their windshields through the glass company we represent. Moneys good so far. He paid me 100 bucks just for tagging along with him yesterday. I hung out with some of the guys after... they're balling.

Edit: To answer your question, yeah, I'd take advantage of a free windshield replacement and recommend everyone else does the same, lol

Ah see, in my line of work, we call that "reg arb". That's short for "regulatory arbitrage" or what a layman might called "scamming a stupid rule that a bureaucracy came up with to everyone's benefit but the bureaucracy". Carry on. Feel free to use everything I just said as part of your sales pitch.

Post: #19

Just got my first paycheck. 700 dollars. Not bad for my first week.

Post: #20

(05-06-2016 08:07 PM)ModernMaleficarum Wrote:  Just got my first paycheck. 700 dollars. Not bad for my first week.

Sounds like you're selling an insurance scam

Quote:We technically don't sell anything. In Florida, there is no deductible to get your windshield replaced if there is any damage and you have full or comprehensive coverage. We go around and basically get people to replace their windshields through the glass company we represent. Moneys good so far. He paid me 100 bucks just for tagging along with him yesterday. I hung out with some of the guys after... they're balling.

I hate insurance companies as much as anyone, but this sounds even shadier than the insurance industry itself, which is a pretty darn hard thing to trump!

Post: #21

(04-29-2016 01:33 AM)dogthom Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 08:07 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  "Alpha male behaviour" - What kind of reputable company or hiring manager says that?

That's an odd comment to make on this site

Things that you can freely say on this site can cause you trouble if you say them to the wrong people. And them saying "alpha male behavior" is a psychological technique rather than a statement of what they're looking for. For example if a new guy is uncomfortable about some of the terms, he's already thinking of himself as an "alpha male". And an alpha male isn't going to chicken out, he's going to do what it takes and not ask too many questions.

The other big red flag is the independent contractor aspect. In Australia it's become very common for companies to require people to get an ABN(Australian business Number) and work as a contractor. They pay them the the same as if they were employees. But employees also get superannuation, sick pay, liability insurance, workcover (if you get injured at work you don't have to pay medical costs). Basically the company gets all the profit and the subcontractor gets lumped with all the risk. It's dodgy as hell but it skates right on the line of legality. I'm guessing it's very similar in the U.S.

If you have to sign on as an independent contractor it is not a job.


When it comes to the windshield insurance thing, I have no idea about the legality of it but if you type "florida windshield scam" into google there are numerous links talking about this exact situation.

Could be a good idea to do a bit of research into the legality of this

Post: #22

I'd start interviewing for another job.

That being said, you can learn a lot grinding door to door

Post: #23

I know for a fact it's not a scam. I did it to my own car. The new windshield is great. Factory glass.

Post: #24

Are all of the windshields broken?

Tell the truth, no hard feelings. This will answer all your questions.

Aloha!