The type of job interview that sucks
 

I went on a job interview today. Its for a government position so I had to apply through an archaic set of rules and write essays about my experience. Since I made it through that hurdle, this was the first round of in person interviews.

I was interviewed by two people and they had a pre-formed list of questions that they told me they were asking everyone that was being interviewed. (This is how the government does it). I was interviewing with the decisionmaker (and their peer) but we really didn't discuss the specifics of the job until after the questions directed at me. The job sounded really good and interesting. But, I could not "read" the interviewer very well who apparently was in the middle of a really busy day (assistant interrupted us even...).

I would have preferred to discuss the job (aside from the written posting I applied for) before we discussed my skills and applicability for the position. It's so much easier that way. I'm usually pretty decent at interviews and think fast on my feet, I felt like I just could not connect today. Having less of a baseline for the demands of the job made it much harder for me to sell myself. Maybe they wanted it that way on purpose?..who knows.

I mean it's all over now (hopefully, I'll make it to the next round) but I feel like I need to vent or solicit comments or encouragement or similar tales or something... :)

That type of interview reward people are qualified and prevents the best actor from getting the job. You probably did fine because you were being yourself and knew what you were doing.

At least it wasn't this kind of interview:

YouTube - Human Giant: Escalating Interview

I had a phone interview for a position last Monday and I started this Monday. I really don't like phone interviews at all, but I must have done alright on this one. They asked me questions and I asked them questions, so I guess we all got the answers we wanted. No body language to read so it was hard to tell how I was doing, so I just focused on my message and representing myself and my skills and abilities...

Government agencies need to protect themselves from malicious and/or frivolous lawasuits based on their hiring practices. That's why there are standard questions asked of everyone, and written tasks. All of it leaves a paper-trail that can be used to justify and defend the hiring choice.

At least you didn't have to take one of those "personality profile" things and answer a bunch of idiotic questions by self-important HR morons like "if you were a bird, what kind of bird would you be" or "explain why the sky is blue".

I actually know people that were asked the above questions, BTW. Yes, it has really gotten that stupid.

Given it was for a government job, you were probably perfect.

Sorry. Hope you did OK.

Les

I think if I had an interview where they asked me "Why is the sky blue," I'd probably be pretty happy to not get the job.

I always like interviews best when it's a two-way conversation, a discussion about what the job entails and whether or not I'll be able to do it. I must exude honesty, because people always seem to believe me. ... But then, so far, I've been right.

The craziest "interviews" ever were Hyman Rickover's interviews for people who wanted into the Navy's nuclear power program. He was rumored to have done all kinds of crazy things to people to find out if they were fit. He'd lock them in a closet, or shorten one of their chair legs, or feed them soup. Their responses would determine their fitness, and he was a little arbitrary. Weird.

Dan

A good interviewer should be able to pick up on hints of someone's personality flaws, and test them in creative ways to identify whether they will affect job performance.

For example, if the tallest, handsomest, most patient, Harvard cum laude passes every test with flying colors but has a mental tick where he compulsively starts making oragami with paperwork on any black shiny tables, then perhaps he's better suited to remain behind the scenes.

I am fortunate to be on the other side of the fence. Here is the hairy - fairy question I wrap up my interviews with, "If you were financially secure and didn't have to work, what would you do?"

I am hiring mostly technical staff, typically mechanical engineers or technologists.

Guys, who say that they would lay on a beach someplace typically don't get any further whereas the guys who would restore cars or do something productive go to the next stage in the hiring process.

Run of the mill government job interviews are so structured that they can't look for the best person for the job - they have to ask a prescribed set of questions to ensure that the affirmative action requirements are met.

If you're smart, engaging, self starting and generally FANTASTIC it doesn't matter.

What they are really doing is holding your resume up to the light over the 'job description' and so long as they match up you'll get an interview where they will do the verbal equivalent of the same thing. Your personality, drive and worth ethic really have nothing to do with the interview.

I gave up on regular government work within a couple of years - I'm a capitalist not a bump on a log.

Despondent, choreographed, & cold? Sounds like a government atmosphere to me, get used to it. :D

I was applying for a teaching position at the local college and they have panel interviews. They have 7-9 people on the panel with pre-determined questions. I was told they have to ask the same set of questions to all of the applicants. Different nowadays.

Good luck and I hope you get the job!

I flew to Kennedy last year for a job interview with NASA... no not a brainiac job... OIG Special Agent position. I endured three sets of interviews (RAC, ARAC, field agents) and even got to write an essay before hand. KSA's are no fun though.

Oddly enough, what turned me off was that it really looked like Jackie Kennedy was the last person to decorate the HQ building. It was moldy and really out of date. NASA certainly puts every time they get into their programs.

Good luck with your job application, Steve. I've got a few in with the USDA and DoE... just in case this sales job with Pelican doesn't pan out.

;)

Thanks guys. I know deep down that they have these listed questions for a reason and were perhaps guarded for that reason. (Plus I have a little background on the org.) I have been on the other side as well. We even make sure that we have a diverse panel. The process is challenging for both the interviewer (I have been on a panel) and the interviewee (as it was for me yesterday). When I'm on the panel, I try to put myself in the person's shoes and try and sell them on the organization or at least what we do. We had a guy start recently at my location and he was interviewed twice....wasn't even sure about what the job was until he got there. But who's fault is that?