Permie interview

[VectraMan]

Just had one.

I got on okay with the techie manager, but there was also an HR numptie asking all sorts of HR numptie questions. I did okay through all the "strengths and weaknesses" BS, apart from "tell us something unusual about yourself" for which my mind went entirely blank and I couldn't think of a thing.

Even the techie guy was more interested in talking about my career progression than anything technical.

And if I'm successful, there'll be a second interview with other non-techy senior managers.

Weird how different it is. It goes far beyond selling your skill for money. It's not just that I was being expected to sell my soul to them, I was being asked to justify why they should accept my offer to sell my soul to them.

[Bear]

Permie Interview

Just had one.

Stone 'im

[HairyArsedBloke]

"tell us something unusual about yourself" for which my mind went entirely blank and I couldn't think of a thing.

That swung it for you – definite permie material.

[TheFaQQer]

My last permie interview asked "when was the last time you lost your temper, and why?"

I blamed it on my 15 month old.

[Bob Dalek]

My last permie interview asked "when was the last time you lost your temper, and why?"

I blamed it on my 15 month old.

The correct answer is "I got a bit ratty with myself for not solving a problem in my own, self-assigned, very short time limit."

[rootsnall]

Just had one.

I can only assume you must have a large and very worrying mortgage ?

[original PM]

I love the HR questions in an interview!

What could they possibly have found out about you from the question
"Tell me something unusual about yourself?"

They will say it is to enable you to think on your feet but this is absolute rubbish - any muppet knows that if asked a question during the course of a normal business day that puts you on the spot the correct answer is "Not sure - I will look into it and get back to you" and then as long as you keep the person informed of your progress all is fine.

This type of question is trotted out by HR muppets as they think putting people on the spot during an interview with a pointless question shows who is the boss.

Obviously they should be entitled to ask you some questions about a specific skill set designed to put you on the spot as if you have the skill you should be able to answer.

An interview is a conversation with a purpose - the purpose being to ascertain whether you are suitable for the job - what bearing does having something unusual to tell about yourself have on whether you will be suitable for the job you are being interviewed for?

[VectraMan]

I can only assume you must have a large and very worrying mortgage ?

Not at all, and I have a new contract lined up too. But it's a particularly interesting company to work for, and having been invited to an interview I thought I'd go along and see.

But TBH the new contract is a crap rate, and this permie job is a pretty good salary and wouldn't be that much less take home pay. So it's tempting, if only to get the longer term security. If I can make it through the interview process without screaming that is.

[TheBigYinJames]

But TBH the new contract is a crap rate, and this permie job is a pretty good salary and wouldn't be that much less take home pay. So it's tempting, if only to get the longer term security.

Yeh because permies never get laid off, obviously.

[SallyAnne]

Not at all, and I have a new contract lined up too. But it's a particularly interesting company to work for, and having been invited to an interview I thought I'd go along and see.

But TBH the new contract is a crap rate, and this permie job is a pretty good salary and wouldn't be that much less take home pay. So it's tempting, if only to get the longer term security. If I can make it through the interview process without screaming that is.

Good luck Vectra - I hope you get what you want.

How long have you been a contractor for? Do you thnk you'll find it a culture shock?


ps - I dont think the HR questions are there to trip you up, or for them to show you who's boss - I thnk they're there to try and get a feel for your personality. See if you're a nice person, and if you'll fit in with the team etc. Some of you lot are very paranoid and angry towards the permie world. It's not *that* bad!