This was at a magazine that no longer exists (okay, it was called Boards magazine). I went through two interviews, before making to the office of the editor-in-chief who brought in the managing editor for the final (third) interview. The editor-in-chief seemed quite relaxed and asked great questions, which I answered with ease. I thought the interview was going well till the managing editor said, "Do you have any hobbies?"

Do I have any hobbies? Hobbies?! Hobbies?! I remember thinking and frantically going through every activity and thing in my life that could be considered a hobby. I was passionate about so much but I couldn't think of anything because hobbies -- what the hell is "hobbies?" I smiled as brightly as I could and let the data in my brain percolate as I simultaneously wondered (in panic) if my silence indicated that I wasn't perhaps serious about my hobbies and therefore not a serious person, period. Or not a fun person? If I didn't have any hobbies? Oh, god, what did they want?

(Meanwhile in my brain: I write a lot. But it's not a hobby, it's what I do. Is reading a hobby? I don't know. I read a lot. But it doesn't seem like a hobby -- reading seems like a chore, well, not to me, but to some people it may. Oh god. I listen to music. I go out to all-night shows a lot and dance but that doesn't require any skill unlike a hobby, which requires skills and usually involves knitting, no? Or should I say, photography since I like taking pictures, but then, again, I've zero formal training in that and it's not a regular thing, and ...)

In any case, I didn't answer the question. I said I had no hobbies, the managing editor made a face, the editor-in-chief smiled cheerfully and we shook hands and I left. In retrospect, I know that I should've just named a bunch of things I was passionate about because it wasn't what I did, specifically, that they were looking for but some indication of extracurricular life. (Btw, I still dislike the word "hobby" till this day but will probably not make the mistake of getting hung up on semantics like that again.)

Jowita

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When it comes to asking the right questions many of us are baffled when this comes up in a job interview. I remember going to an interview years ago at a lovely downtown office location and the interviewer wanted to know if I had any questions. I said no because I thought she'd appreciate me trying to save her time and not appear as a nuisance.

"No?"
"God, no," I said as cheerfully as I could.

I never saw the inside of that office again. I don't know if it was because I asked no questions but probably -- now that I've been on the other side of the table (as an interviewer) I know that there's nothing more discouraging than a potential employee who seems completely disinterested. A friend of mine who's going for an interview soon had some concerns. She said, "But what if I ask a question that I could possibly find an answer to by researching it online?" Good point, but a so-so question is still better than no question. The Questions to Ask Employers During Interviews article has some great suggestions, among them:

• Show you've done your homework. This will allow you to, both, ask an interesting question and display knowledge. Ask questions based on something you know about the company, for example, by saying, "I read that XY is going to expand next year and I was wondering how that would affect this department?"
• Know the nature of the organization and appropriate terminology. Are you applying to a company, an organization, an institution?. You don't need to know the jargon but knowing the appropriate terminology may give you some bonus points.
• Never ask about salary and benefits. Yeah, just don't.
• "Good questions are open-ended, and thus cannot be answered with a 'yes' or 'no.'" You want the person responding to be able to elaborate.

Jowita

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Most of the time in journalism school we talked about how to ask the right questions and what the right questions were exactly (open-ended: good, close-ended: not so good). This was aimed at teaching us this primary method of getting material for writing articles. I still remember finally getting on the phone with this guy I'd been chasing for weeks about an article I was writing, and asking him if it was true that he felt okay about doing a bad thing that he was doing.

His answer? "Yes."

I wanted to ask why he felt okay, but he said he had to go and he hung up, and that was that. End of the interview. Had I said that I heard it was true that he felt okay about doing the bad thing he was doing, and I was wondering why, I might've gotten a bit more than the falling-guillotine-like "yes."

A local (Toronto) thinker, Misha Glouberman, wrote a book about how to ask a good question. It's called The Chairs are Where the People Go. His collaborator, author Sheila Heti, "transcribed his [Glouberman’s] unorthodox ideas," and helped to make the book out of them, according to the review by Carolyn Kellogg for the the Los Angeles Times. Interesting fact: Glouberman, Kellogg writes, may be the only charades instructor around. (To be more specific, he considers himself to be Canada's foremost charades instructor.)

In job interviews, people are often asked if they have any questions and it's generally a good practice to be prepared and have some. It shows your involvement and interest in the place you intend to work for besides, of course, serving you in getting the information you need about the place. In How to Ask a Smart Question, S. Snyder writes in great detail about perfecting the art of a good question.

Personally, I can't wait to get a hold of The Chairs book and learn more about being a good question-asker. After all, the quality of the answer usually depends on the asking and I want to have all the answers.

Jowita

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Three things that I am self aware about: I'm a hard-core introvert, I instinctively recoil from talking about myself to strangers, and I can hardly remember what I ate for dinner last night, let alone what I did in my past work life. Needless to say, the last time I sat across the table from three Human Resources types who were grilling me (it seemed) in a job interview I didn’t particularly shine or sparkle.

But there is hope for sad cases like mine. Enter the interview coach. I had never thought much about this until I discovered that a new friend of mine does interview coaching on the side.

According to my friend Lindsey, interviews can be a breeze if you follow the "five strengths and one-weakness-which-really-isn't-a-weakness" formula (related to the STAR Method [PDF]). In Lindsey's approach, interviewees identify and write down their five top strengths, backing them up with examples or stories that are short, snappy, specific and are not bogged down with detail. Once you have your five strengths outlined, look for opportunities to insert these key selling points in the interview. Interviewees should also be prepared to talk about one weakness . All this done, of course, with a well-practised and smooth delivery.

A job interview is all about sales: selling your experience, skills and personality to an employer. According to Lindsey, even when you are short on the desired experience, always present the facts with a positive spin.

Example: When interviewing for a baker's position you're asked whether you have ever baked bread (which you haven't). Instead of lying (horrors!) or apologizing profusely for your lack of skills, let the employer know what you do have. That is, you’ve spent the last three years baking muffins and you've read several books about bread making. Plus, you're really interested (in fact, you’re darn near excited) about the opportunity to learn how to bake bread.

Despite the interview tips I'm still skeptical about my ability to knock the socks off an employer anytime soon. But who knows, maybe if I just let go of my inner Eyoore I could bubble over with the best of them.

kathyo

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Recently I was asked to give a short interview on Internet TV. Having used Skype in the past I knew it would be a great idea to do a test run but somehow the host's assistant and I could not find a time to meet on line. So I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best on the day it was happening live. Not surprisingly we had a lot of technical difficulties -- sound, camera, microphone -- nothing seemed to work. I went off the air twice and had to talk to the technical staff and guess quickly how to fix what was happening before I finally went live again. I could hear a terrible delay echo in my headphones but I just decided to plough through. I have no idea what I said.

In When Skyping Do Put On Some Clothes Russell Smith talks about treating video conferences and video interviews the same way we would treat them in real life: "We will go to our computers as we would go to work. If your workplace is now everywhere, then everywhere you are must be respectable." He suggests shaving and showering and getting rid of all the questionable stuff that may be visible on camera -- your camera image is who you are now to the world. I would add to that: checking your equipment beforehand to avoid technical disasters that might befall you.

Years ago, I did a Skype job interview and it was an interesting experience. It was for a newspaper that was supposed to launch in Montenegro -- they were looking for English-speaking writers to help bring the publication to life. I was interviewed by a surly man who kept getting interrupted by his secretary who'd occasionally peek into the camera to check me out, her face filling out the screen making me feel like a fish in the aquarium. It was weird but I kept thinking that it was also really cool too and that once we perfect the videophone art, it will probably become a norm to use this form of communication in the employment world.

Jowita

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Seven years ago I heard about an opening for a writer for a new, cool TV show. I had no experience writing for TV but someone recommended me to the development producer, so I went and met with her to talk. She explained what the show was going to be about and said they were still working on episode ideas. I went home and spent the next 12 hours (I worked all night) writing out potential ideas. I came up with 96 and emailed them to the producer. Unfortunately, the show was pulled before it even launched (hopefully, not due to some of my suggestions). I'm still recovering from that night -- I think I might've fried my brain.

This is probably the most extreme I've ever gone to get a job but there are some people out there who will go to any lengths. A CareerBuilder.com survey found that people have done things like bringing a video recommendation from a former boss, designing the prospective employer's entire portfolio and, in one case, a woman dealt cards and pretended to interact with clients -- this in order to get hired as a blackjack dealer. Not to forget the man who sang his resumé.

Of course, like with everything, trying to impress the future boss should probably be done within reason. CareerBuilder.com lists some hilarious (and scary) things that were actually said in job interviews. One candidate being asked why he wanted to work for the person interviewing him responded: "My old boss didn't like me, so one day, I just left and never came back. And here I am!"

Jowita

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When I was younger I thought that talking highly of yourself meant that you were stuck up and possibly an egomaniac. Even if it worked toward your advantage to let others know how capable you were, the best thing was to just keep it to yourself. I have this built-in instant depreciator that I sometimes have a hard time controlling. It took some self-discipline to get it to be less obnoxious and it takes almost constant practice to balance it out with its other strange pairing: an overblown ego. Both of them stem from insecurities, I'm sure, but we all have them and there's enough help out there to work these things out. Either way, don't let one override the other because in the job market that's a sure way to fail. Without sounding like an egomaniac, you can talk about yourself in a job interview and be proud. And never confuse saying "I" with being egotistical -- in a job interview, taking credit for accomplishments is favourably looked upon.

In the article Use "I", not "we", in a job interview, Moshin Manji stresses the importance of referring to yourself in the singular form as you want to stand out in the interview. The interviewer doesn't want to know how the whole team dealt with a problem -- they are asking about your specific involvement. Don't downplay or joke about your role but also -- unless it's true -- don't take credit for all the work done by the entire team. Balance is the key to success.

Jowita

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I do realize that the present job market is very competitive. I was still surprised to recently see a job opening for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) posted for only 24 hours. Is it a reflection on the state of the labour market? Or, was it because it was a full-time permanent job -- a rare bird especially in the cultural field? It may be a little of both.

I remember being equally astonished that the main recommendation put forth at a workshop I attended on how to apply for the federal government -- a fairly complicated process with very precise guidelines -- was to search through the available positions daily. Some positions, particularly entry-level ones, attract so many candidates that they are only posted for 24 hours or even less. And, we're not talking about the 24 hours in the life of TV character Jack Bauer, which stretches on for weeks, months and even years.

Today's work climate gives a whole new definition to the saying "looking for work is a full-time job;" nowadays it requires a little overtime. Competition is fierce and being ready requires special training. From producing impeccable personalized resumés to acing behavioural interviews, there's a long way to go. Do not hesitate to seek professional help from a career centre. Take each job application that you sent as training and each interview that you get as practice. The important thing is not to get discouraged and to persevere. The more you do it, the better you'll get at it.

The race to employment doesn't start the day the job is posted but months before. The more time you put in getting ready, the more you increase your chances of success. The better prepared you are, the more stellar your performance will be. As a sportscaster recently commented on Olympic athletes, "What makes them so special is that they can perform under pressure." I would add to that, what allows them to perform under pressure and deliver is the intense preparation.

Watching the Olympics the last couple of weeks I found myself feeling sorry for the athletes who put in so much effort but ended up coming fourth, fifth or even twentieth. But if everybody who enters a race wins, it wouldn't be a competition. Not everybody has a hand at the gold metal or at the one specific job posting, but there's always tomorrow's competition.

Josée

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Most of us feel a little twinge of trepidation upon starting a new job. My first day at my former workplace was no exception. I wasn't nervous about being able to handle the work—I knew I fit the role to a tee—but I worried about whether I'd mesh with a corporate setting, which is not really my thing.

Much to my surprise, that office turned out to be my dream work environment. I felt instantly comfortable as I was first introduced to new staff, met directors and VPs, and was invited to join co-workers for a coffee break. The feeling of camaraderie continued until my last day there.

I've often asked myself why that particular workplace felt so great. The answer recently came to me while reading Klaus Kneale's article "CEOs Reveal How They Hire". You may be surprised to read that some CEOs "match personality to culture" as they strive to "shape their companies' personalities." Similarly, a New York Times interview with Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, highlights how she places personality at the top of her list of priorities when interviewing candidates: "I don't think about interviewing them for work. I first try to understand who they are as people. I usually have someone's résumé, but I never look at it until they sit down. Then I say, 'O.K., take me through the resumé.'"

While I didn't realize it at the time, when I interviewed with the director of the department I would soon be working in, I was auditioning for a role alongside the company's other main actors. Although I was put through a rigorous interview (followed by a skills test—it was an editing position, after all), I felt relaxed and comfortable enough to express my views and values. By the end, we were chatting and laughing, and it became clear I was the right fit for the role.

I have a sneaking suspicion that creating and maintaining a positive workplace culture is not something that happens by chance. Creating the right vibe actually requires some strategizing in the same way movie directors search for just the right actor to join the cast of their next box office hit. Perhaps handpicking employees with personalities and values that resonate with the company's work culture, as Kneale suggests, helps to ensure employee happiness while cutting down on office drama.

Veronica

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In a former life I was a camp director. While my friends and family would tell you that I’m just writing about this so that I have yet another excuse to reminisce about camp – it’s actually relevant this time. (I swear!) Camp has helped me to get jobs.

And no, I’m not about to wax nostalgic about how I developed strong social skills early on because I learned to share my soap and candy, participated in trust circles and sang fireside folks songs in rounds. My actual greatest camp-related life lesson stems from a simple-yet-perfect abbreviation: E.G.E, or Enthusiasm Generates Enthusiasm. It’s a phrase I learned as a counsellor-in-training, and even though my camp days have long passed, I’ve used this saying to achieve loftier goals than just getting campers to make their beds.

Following every successful interview (and even some unsuccessful ones), my potential employers have intimated that they were impressed by my energy and enthusiasm. Granted, I think I’m a fairly enthusiastic person by nature, but it didn’t really occur to me that this could help me land a job. As it turns out, lack of enthusiasm can cost a highly qualified candidate a position for which she is well-suited.

After interviewing candidates, a colleague of mine wrote (on this site): "…another candidate seemed so bored, I felt deflated afterwards. She wanted a job, any job, not particularly one with our organization, and it showed." (July 2009 p.s. Life on the Other Side)

So how can you achieve a high degree of enthusiasm if it’s not really there? You could try faking it, but most observant types would probably see right through you. The best way to show excitement is to actually be excited! While preparing for an interview, don’t just anticipate questions, but take the time to consider why you actually want the job. Then, keep these thoughts in mind on the day of your interview. If you can’t think of an honest answer, the job may not be the right fit –- but if it is, don’t forget to show it, and yay! -- go get that job! Woo hoo!

SKY

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How to Answer the 64 Toughest Interview Questions is one of the best articles I've seen on how to prepare for interviews where you are asked ruthlessly probing questions. Essentially, the article takes questions meant to render you into a dithering blob of jello and turns them on their head, giving you a chance to market yourself. Here's a sample of some of the questions addressed:

Question 1: Tell me about yourself?
Although this question seems benign, even friendly -- it's not. If you don't answer this one well, you could trip yourself up and reveal things that are better left unsaid. As the article points out: Many candidates "skewer themselves by rambling, recapping their life story, delving into ancient work history or personal matters." Ouch! Instead of heading down such treacherous paths, halt the running-off-at-the mouth before it begins. As the article exhorts: stay in the present, explain your qualifications for the position and "sell what the buyer is buying."

Question 8: Aren't you overqualified for this position?
Underneath this "compliment" likely lies a fear that you will bail as soon as a more appealing job comes along. To combat this fear, you need to demonstrate your commitment to the employer and to "teach the interviewer a new way to think about this situation." For example, let the employer know that your strong background in, say, accounting, means you wouldn't need additional training and could hit the ground running.

Question 13: Why have you been out of work so long?
Hmm ... this question has a decidedly less friendly feel to it. But "What's it to ya?" is not going to win you points. Instead, try to keep cool and, if you can, spin your answer so it seems like you chose to be out of work for this time period. (Perhaps some version of the following: "I decided to take whatever time I needed to think through what I do best, what I most want to do [and] where I'd like to do it ...")

Fortify yourself for a good long read; there are 61 more questions to go, including the dreaded silent treatment. (Memories of childhood, anyone?)

kathyo

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Are friends and family on your case about your incessant touch-pad typing? If you're doing it at the dinner table or in the middle of a conversation -- they've probably got a point. Nevertheless, there are a few iPhone applications out there that can help you with your job search. Mashable: The Social Media Guide has a top ten list, but here are three of my favourites:

iJob (99 cents): According to Apple, this app allows you to search "millions of jobs from thousands of job boards, newspapers, classifieds and company websites all from your iPhone or iPod touch." Using your iPhone's GPS technology, the program automatically determines your location and searches within a specified radius of your position. With iJob you can save favourites and filter job results by category, company, title, industry and employee type.

Job Finder (99 cents): Instead of visiting multiple sites a day, you can rely on Job Finder to aggregate postings from various sites for you. With 73 categories to search through, just specify your location and other preferences, and the app organizes the information for you. You can then go about your search whenever and wherever (even from the dinner table, but you didn't hear that from me).

Interview Pro ($1.99): I like that this app not only supplies you with the 65 most asked interview questions, but it also provides sample answers for them. Interview Pro also lists "focus areas" that the interviewer expects you to touch on under each question (e.g., years of experience, education). You can also tag your favourite questions and easily review them on the go.

So the next time you're being chastised about your iPhone addiction, tell your friends to back off -- this is a business call.

SKY

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Several years ago, while watching a videotape of myself doing a mock interview, I cringed; I was as stiff and wooden as Pinocchio before he sprung to life.

My awareness of my less-than-stellar oral communication skills was immediately heightened. I vowed to fix this problem and shortly thereafter started attending a Toastmasters public speaking group. My confidence grew as I "took first place" in an informal contest held by my very supportive group. I would have kept on going ... but, of all things, I got a job, where my writing skills mattered more than my public speaking abilities, and ... Toastmasters went by the wayside.

Recently I got reconnected to public speaking when I attended a workshop on communication skills put on by Skills for Change in conjunction with the Ebony Toastmasters.

In case your speaking style is about as dynamic as your average wooden puppet, here's a bit about what I learned.

I found out about the importance of timing. People being interviewed don't always know when to stop, said Rita, a workshop leader. "That can be a killer at an interview." (I''m usually a woman of few words, but I can ramble on with the best of them in a tense social situation such as a job interview.)

I also learned that you should have a smile in your voice. (According to Tips for Improving the Tone of Your Voice [PDF], "When you smile, the vocal cords are pulled differently and the voice automatically sounds friendlier.") Another tip: when faced with a panel interview one way to relax is to look at the person who is smiling.

We also practiced impromptu speaking. I was asked to speak about whether I preferred sunsets over sunrises. (Since I never get up early enough to see the sunrise, the answer was obvious.) But the group wanted more details. Since I didn't take notes the last time I watched the sun melt into the night, I proceeded to somberly babble on about how great sunsets were -- not a great performance, I'm afraid to say.

So, in the end, going to that workshop taught me another lesson. Public speaking is a lot like basketball; if you're not on the court shooting baskets (i.e., on the podium giving speeches) you lose your skills. But the good thing is that these skills can easily be revived -- all it takes is joining a public speaking group.

kathyo

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The last time I was hunting for jobs I did a lot right: I networked, I tailored my resumé to job postings, I wrote succinct cover letters, and so on. But after chancing upon several job search articles, I now see there was a chink in my armour; namely, I spent too little time preparing questions to ask interviewers. (To be sure, I was equipped with questions, but they were perfunctory, things like, "When does the job begin?")

You may think the aim in a job interview is to come up with good answers to potential questions. True as this is, it's a limited view. As the Interview the Interviewer article points out, asking questions can demonstrate your sophistication and qualifications, and it can help build rapport, something that could give you the nod.

After perusing a few articles, I've come up with a few questions that could give you an edge in a job interview:

A Starter Question
Tell me how the job has been performed in the past and what improvements you'd like to see happen? (According to Questions to Ask During an HR Interview, this is a chance for you to explain why you are an excellent fit.)

If You Stand Out (and of Course You Do)
Is there someone in this organization you think is outstanding? If so, what makes him or her so remarkable? (This is your opportunity to tell the interviewer about how you distinguished yourself.)

For Those With Moxie
"Do you have any reservations about my fit for the position?" (As the What to Ask at Your Interview article points out, this question gives you the chance to deal with any concerns the employer might have. According to the first article mentioned, this is ultra-important as "[u]nstated objections will doom you every time."

Definitely Not For the Faint of Heart
How do my skills compare with those of the other candidates you have interviewed? (If your interviewer doesn't think you measure up, this is the time to show how very wrong s/he is.)

Finally, Something Not to Ask Your Interviewer -- Ever
Courtesy of 43 Weird Things Said in Job Interviews: "If this doesn't work out can I call you to go out."(No explanation needed -- I hope.)

kathyo

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A young man appeared at our office door today. Dressed in a dark suit two sizes too big and briefcase in hands, he wandered in looking for Alison. I have an appointment with Alison, he said. This is the address she gave me, he insisted, uttering the street name and number. But, you see, no one by the name of Alison works here.

Our building houses several small businesses and the sole street number won't do you any good. Do you have a phone number for Alison? I asked. I could call her for you, I added. It's at home, he replied. How about an email address? No, but this is the address she gave me, he persisted in saying.

I felt sorry for my lost Little Prince who was asking of me the impossible. I'm convinced that my unexpected visitor was well prepared for this important meeting, carrying in his briefcase everything he could possibly need. He had however forgotten the essential, the complete contact information of the person whom he was supposed to meet.

I don't know if my little prince made it to his appointment with Alison, but I'm quite sure he will always take the phone number of the person that he's meeting with him from now on.

Josée

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According to a blog from Penelope Trunk, who writes career advice for a "new generation of workers," social skills matter today more than ever in the workplace. "Until the 1970s, a smart child uninterested in playground politics was considered eccentric but okay. Since the 1980s, educators see the playground as essential training for the future, and kids who can't navigate are often sent to experts for extra help with social skills." Trunk also contends that fields that used to be havens for loners increasingly require exceptional people skills.

I'm sure there are a few techies out there who may find this unnerving -- not to mention a few writers.

When I was growing up, I always found books and animals a lot easier to deal with than people. But, thankfully, in recent years I've pushed myself and made an effort to develop my social skills.

For instance, the last time I was out of work, I networked by calling up strangers and asking for an information interview. I also (briefly) joined a Toastmasters public speaking group, where the other members were very kind and supportive. (The stint at Toastmasters was brief only because I found work and no longer had free time.)

I've also placed myself in countless group situations; for instance, I join committees in my housing co-op and, no matter how painful it feels, I always stay and mingle after the general meetings. I'm no Bill Clinton (gawd, not even close), but my comfort level around people has increased; I'm a little better at small talk, and I have learned how to participate in groups without alienating myself from others.

I'm still more comfortable around books and critters, but withdrawing from people when I feel ill at ease is no longer my modus operandi.

kathyo

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Interviewing job applicants is a lot like shopping for clothes. The cut, style and colour of a dress might be really flattering, but if it comes in size 18 (I'm barely a 12) it's going back on the rack.

From the perspective of interviewing, I wouldn’t "buy" a candidate with superb technical skills if I thought her personality would collide with the work culture -- in other words, if she seemed to be the wrong fit.

(True Confession: I'm really not a hiring manager but having recently taken part on an interviewing committee the subject has been top of mind lately.)

Of the people we interviewed for one position, the person at the bottom of the interviewing pile had the most experience. But about 20 minutes into the interview I could see how her Type A personality would irk and irritate some of the members on our team -- and friction on a team is generally something you want to avoid.

So what exactly is "fit." According to the Interviewing for Fit article, "fit" reflects an organization's culture and core values, something that is different for every company.

The article contends that in order to find the right fit hiring managers are getting creative in the interview process, asking such questions as: "When was the last time you laughed at yourself?" (I wish we had thought of that one.) The article also says that some companies put multiple applicants together for group interviews or take candidates out for a meal to see how they react in a more relaxed situation. Yikes!

kathyo

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Being a writer and all, I have written some pretty good cover letters and resumés in my time -- only to wipe out during the interview. As the cliché says; a resumé only gets you in the door. If you flub your answers or don't connect with your interviewers, there's a good chance that your finely crafted resumé and cover letter will be tossed into the "sorry" pile. At least that's the way I see it after a week of helping interview people for a vacant position.

Another cliché job hunters should pay attention to: be enthusiastic. During the interviews, the top choice candidate was so positive and enthusiastic that it affected my serotonin levels. I couldn't wait to work with her. Conversely, another candidate seemed so bored, I felt deflated afterwards. She wanted a job, any job, not particularly one with our organization, and it showed.

This last choice candidate (with scads more experience than the front-runner) also implied that one of our competitors was more sophisticated and had higher standards than us. It's perfectly fine to mention a few ways you think a company could improve but you're not going to win points by comparing an organization unfavourably to a competitor or emphatically stating how a company should change.

If you ever get the chance to sit on a hiring committee, take it. It gives you the chance to be on the "other side" and see what works and what does not when it comes to interviews, resumés and cover letters.

kathyo

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Okay, seriously now, how would a fascination with some not-so-mainstream things affect anyone's job performance? How is it anybody's business if a person ever had suicidal thoughts (didn't we all, the second time W. was elected?). And why would anyone ask you this during a job interview? Well, it turns out that some places do ask the most bizarre questions. Not only that -- they check if you're telling the truth.

The press release Halifax to Conduct Review of Use of Polygraph Tests for Job Applicants, talks about how the Halifax Regional Municipality requires anyone applying for a public service job (police officers, firefighters, bylaw officers, animal control workers) or for a civilian job on the police force to take a polygraph test. Some of the questions on the test ask about tax fraud, drug use, illicit sex or domestic disputes.

Thankfully, there were complaints about this process, so right now the municipality is conducting a review of the use of lie detectors to test job applicants.

ttyl

Jowita

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When I was in school most journalism programs had a mandatory internship. In my first year, I went to work at a newspaper in a small town where I had a chance to sit in on editorial meetings, contribute story ideas and, of course, write. I found it really useful to be able to experience what my dream job was going to be about. Ironically, it was while I was at that newspaper, helping another reporter cover a deadly car crash, that I got turned off of reporting. I am so glad that I got to experience the job firsthand because it showed me that I am not what I thought I was (a reporter).

If you can't apprentice somewhere or get an internship, there's another way to find out what it's like to do your dream job. The purpose of an informational interview is to offer a kind of "window" into the job that you're after. According to Creative Job Hunting is Not For Everybody, the most direct way to research a particular field is to talk to the experts -- the people who spend their days working in the field.

The article points out that such interviews differ significantly from job interviews. For one thing, the job seeker, not the employer requests the meeting, and the job seeker takes responsibility for the question-and-answer process. In this type of interview you can ask questions such as: "What does your work day look like?" or "How do you see work of this kind changing in the future?"

Keep in mind that the person who agrees to be interviewed is doing you a great favour, so have questions ready, keep the interview down to an agreed time (30 minutes is suggested) and always dress and act professionally.

ttyl

Jowita

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