The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: ponybabe on May 11, 2012, 07:43:38 AM
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So as some of you may know, I have both a Master's Degree in Biotechnology (2007) and recently got my Lab Tech degree (2011). Also some of you may know I've been to about 3 interviews in the past 6½ months I've been unemployed. The most recent one I was hopeful but got rejected due to lack of experience even though they really liked me. So tired of that excuse :stressed: :pullhair:
Anyway I just got called in for an interview for a Lab Tech job at a university on Tuesday the 22nd and need some advice on the whole "3 weaknesses and 3 strengths" question. Luckily last time they only asked for one weakness and I stupidly enough used self-critical which one of the interviewers understood as me being insecure even though that's not what I meant so bad answer I guess :huh: I also have listed perfectionist since I can use it also as a positive thing but not sure if it's the best answer. My third weakness was impatient but that's probably not a good answer :huh: Strengths I have analytical mind-set, thorough and my persistence but are those the best ones for a Lab Tech job. So any guesses on what I can use for weaknesses and strengths (would like to have 3 of each prepared) and would be good for a Lab Tech job :what:
Also I don't have much experience some of the methods (some have experience in from my Lab Tech and M. Sc. studies and during my 1 year trainee period and the 3-month extension at the company I was at) while the others I have theoretical knowledge which I was upfront about in my application. So how do I sell myself well enough that they'll want to hire me despite the fact I'm not very experienced?
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Maybe try giving them a list of weaknesses they will already know and then using the strengths to counter them? Like your lack of experience and then counter it with an desire and willingness to learn new things or the ability to learn quickly?
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Our teachers always said to use weaknesses that are not a huge setback (so if you were applying as a roofer, don't list a fear of heights), but instead to use ones that you can easily remedy. Basically like Kat's example :)
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Maybe try giving them a list of weaknesses they will already know and then using the strengths to counter them? Like your lack of experience and then counter it with an desire and willingness to learn new things or the ability to learn quickly?
I was going to say EXACTLY this. Kat, you're so wise. :)
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What about being too detailed oriented? Pushing yourself too hard?
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Perhaps something like I am a very hands on learner-visual learner-auditory learner... whichever applies to you. That can be a setback for me in training programs that are specifically catered to -the opposite of what you are.
So if it was me I'd say: I am a very hands on learner and it takes a little more time for me to learn things if I am only given auditory instructions. I learn the most efficiently when I can see and work with the objects and techniques that are explained to me. (Now of course first make sure their training program is not strictly auditory) lol.
Just because learning best a particular way isn't really a fault but it is something that could hinder you. The hope woudl be they will say oh we have a variety of teaching techniques, or oh that is easy to overcome. I don't know other opinions?
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The thing to keep in mind is to think of it in their perspective. You will want to list out weaknesses that you can improve on--and take action to it. They dont want to hear that you have none either..thats a blatant lie and a huge nono.
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Sounds like some good advice here! Best of luck to you!
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Maybe try giving them a list of weaknesses they will already know and then using the strengths to counter them? Like your lack of experience and then counter it with an desire and willingness to learn new things or the ability to learn quickly?
What about being too detailed oriented? Pushing yourself too hard?
This is good advice, just remember not to make yourself sound generic. If you do a google search for common interview answers I guarantee these will pop up. So expect interviewers to have heard them over and over again. Even though you may indeed be a fast learner, who at an interview is going to say they are slow and don't work hard?
Make sure the things you say are unique enough to you that the interviewer is not going to sit there thinking you rehearsed a page off the internet. Giving real life examples for certain situations is good. Just make them quick, not long winded stories!
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Maybe try giving them a list of weaknesses they will already know and then using the strengths to counter them? Like your lack of experience and then counter it with an desire and willingness to learn new things or the ability to learn quickly?
What about being too detailed oriented? Pushing yourself too hard?
This is good advice, just remember not to make yourself sound generic. If you do a google search for common interview answers I guarantee these will pop up. So expect interviewers to have heard them over and over again. Even though you may indeed be a fast learner, who at an interview is going to say they are slow and don't work hard?
Make sure the things you say are unique enough to you that the interviewer is not going to sit there thinking you rehearsed a page off the internet. Giving real life examples for certain situations is good. Just make them quick, not long winded stories!
The problem is I'm having a tough time even figuring out what are good weaknesses to mention without it sounding too generic. I've asked my husband but he's also been suggesting more generic answers. I don't know if I should try contacting a couple of my former colleagues and ask them if they have any suggestions since they've worked with me :huh:
I had actually thought a bit about mentioning my lack of experience as a weakness and then turning it into something positive like kaoskat suggested. But I've been unsure if it's a good thing to keep reminding them of it since they'll probably ask me a bit more about the little experience I have in the different methods during the interview. So I've been thinking if it's a good idea to keep bringing my lack of experience up in the interview more than need be so they keep thinking about it and end up giving the job to an experienced person because I've kept reminding them that I lack experience. Hope people know what I mean here :P
I remember after my second interview where I got rejected, he mentioned that the experienced people are a lot ahead in points before the interview and the inexperienced have to sell themselves really well to get ahead, mostly by selling their personality. I'm still not sure how to do that effectively since I though I did exactly that at my 3rd interview and still didn't get the job due to lack of experience :drunk: :what:
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As someone that's hired, fired and been to interviews, those that have a presence, charisma and positive aura toward me or who they're talking to, tend to win over. I won't pretend to know anything about what you study xD but as a general rule of thumb, if you can get the interviewer to talk more about their company, their ambitons and plans, they already trust you. I've learned to talk more about them instead of myself, so I can invision myself there or they can. I tell a little about myself, then I ask about them.
I like those that are passionate. If you're truly interested in what this job has to offer, it'll show. When someone lists their weaknesses and strengths, it's ok, but don't ramble or put yourself down. Talk about them in a way that shows you're willing to grow or correct them through this company, that the company is valuable to YOU. Companies don't really like hiring perfection in my department, because they don't feel they will learn and are 'above' others, which makes them terrible team players. Usually "B" average students are hired, ones that are good, but show they're still learning.
My brother also works in HR and tells me he likes people that act like they're already part of the company or have done research of the company before the interview. This has worked for me. I did a week study for one of the companies I work for now, and it was easy to say, "So tell me a little about this project ____, and where you see it going." It surprises people and makes them feel important. And everyone's favorite subject to talk about is themselves.
As for me, I like hearing strengths and weaknesses to a detail that benefits the rest of the team when producing an animation, so I don't put someone in the wrong place. If someone lies to me and tells me they know this program or can model this or animate that and can't, this puts production behind and ruins some trust. I dismissed a team member in two weeks due to something like this (among other reasons, he showed up smelling of liquor and had an attitude toward a disabled team member).
Sorry if I'm rambling or not much help, I can't really put it into the perspective you'd probably need, but hopefully I gave a little perspective on the interviewer's end.
Also, vitamin C is a huge stress reliever. Most people in my department eat a lot of fruit or drink juice before they start their day. I usually have it before interviews. It helps relax and to help focus. :)
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All of the above is very good advice.
Make sure the things you say are unique enough to you that the interviewer is not going to sit there thinking you rehearsed a page off the internet. Giving real life examples for certain situations is good. Just make them quick, not long winded stories!
I just wanted to add to this. Even if you don't have experience in your specific field, take any previous experience you have: internships, volunteering, school/church group/ club participation, summer jobs; and apply them to your field.
I have degrees in both engineering and HR so my work experience can look fractured unless I show the interviewer how both apply to each other.
I've been out of HR for a few years but when I interviewed recent grads and others with little to no experience in their chosen fields, I like to see that they had any other experience like those I listed above. Good luck! :)
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As someone that's hired, fired and been to interviews, those that have a presence, charisma and positive aura toward me or who they're talking to, tend to win over. I won't pretend to know anything about what you study xD but as a general rule of thumb, if you can get the interviewer to talk more about their company, their ambitons and plans, they already trust you. I've learned to talk more about them instead of myself, so I can invision myself there or they can. I tell a little about myself, then I ask about them.
I like those that are passionate. If you're truly interested in what this job has to offer, it'll show. When someone lists their weaknesses and strengths, it's ok, but don't ramble or put yourself down. Talk about them in a way that shows you're willing to grow or correct them through this company, that the company is valuable to YOU. Companies don't really like hiring perfection in my department, because they don't feel they will learn and are 'above' others, which makes them terrible team players. Usually "B" average students are hired, ones that are good, but show they're still learning.
My brother also works in HR and tells me he likes people that act like they're already part of the company or have done research of the company before the interview. This has worked for me. I did a week study for one of the companies I work for now, and it was easy to say, "So tell me a little about this project ____, and where you see it going." It surprises people and makes them feel important. And everyone's favorite subject to talk about is themselves.
As for me, I like hearing strengths and weaknesses to a detail that benefits the rest of the team when producing an animation, so I don't put someone in the wrong place. If someone lies to me and tells me they know this program or can model this or animate that and can't, this puts production behind and ruins some trust. I dismissed a team member in two weeks due to something like this (among other reasons, he showed up smelling of liquor and had an attitude toward a disabled team member).
Sorry if I'm rambling or not much help, I can't really put it into the perspective you'd probably need, but hopefully I gave a little perspective on the interviewer's end.
Also, vitamin C is a huge stress reliever. Most people in my department eat a lot of fruit or drink juice before they start their day. I usually have it before interviews. It helps relax and to help focus. :)
Yes! Be charismatic, go into the interview in a good mood, be level, be honest. Don't say 'you work too hard', that's not a weakness, no one will believe that. When someone asks me that, I level with them, and I usually tell them 'You know, man, I have problems with motivation. Most of the time, I'm on it, but sometimes, I'm not going to care, and it's going to show'. That's totally honest, and it's a problem everyone has.
When I go into an interview, I go in with a big personality, a big ego, and I act like I've already gotten the job. It works. Poise and confidence are hugely important in a job interview. It comes down to if there are two people of equal skill, one of whom says 'I will be totally awesome at this job, better than most people', and the other is squeamish and doesn't have a lot of confidence, who's getting the job?
Confidence, and poise are two of the most important things you can have going into an interview.
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So sorry I haven't been on the Arena lately, there's been so much this weekend that I've been really busy :)
I just wanted to add to this. Even if you don't have experience in your specific field, take any previous experience you have: internships, volunteering, school/church group/ club participation, summer jobs; and apply them to your field.
I have degrees in both engineering and HR so my work experience can look fractured unless I show the interviewer how both apply to each other.
I've been out of HR for a few years but when I interviewed recent grads and others with little to no experience in their chosen fields, I like to see that they had any other experience like those I listed above. Good luck! :)
The problem is I never had a any summer jobs or even a job while I was studying :( So the only thing I have is my 1 year trainee period plus the 3 month extension. I regretted not having a job while getting my Master's, so I applied for numerous student jobs when I started my Lab Tech studies but no one wanted to hire me due to 1) too over qualified since I have my Master's and 2) they always wanted someone who could be in the job longer than 1-1½ years (they knew I'd start my trainee period 1 year later).
Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll try to keep everything in mind :)
Last question: any advice on what I should wear, also colorwise :what: I read blue is good since it signals loyalty (something I'm sure they're thinking of since they probably don't want to troubble training me if I leave 2-3 years later) but also that yellow is good if it's a knowledge based job. It's really warm at this time of year so I need something I won't be cooking in :silly: Maybe also advice on shoes, accesories ect. It's a Lab Tech job at a university doing research where, if I get the job, I'll be analyzing plants and soil samples for inorganic and organic compounds :) Won't bore anyone with which methods I'll be tinkering with unless someone really wants to know :lol:
By the way, I'm naturally a dark brown in hair color but it's dyed more blondeish (roots are showing a bit at the moment) and have dark brown eyes :)
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Blue is supposed to be a good colour - but don't go with anything too bright or over the top. Typical professional business dress is good, no matter what the job. But be comfortable, if you're not it will show.
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When it comes to clothes, I once asked a former coworker who used to work with recruiting people when I was going for a few interviews and she said she prefered people who were clean, proper and didn't show up in their sweatpants. Jeans would be ok as long as they're not slackertype. Avoid clevage, shortshort and party outfits and I think you'll be fine. I read somewhere that one should avoid red but I forgot why.
When I went I used a nice pair of pants, a t-shirt with no print and a sweater with zipper, all black and wore high heeled shoes. I almost always wear heels anyway because I'm short. I don't know if the cloths did the trick but I got the job which interview I had first. I also had my hair in a ponytail as not to look like I was hiding behind the hair but was "open for inspection" so to speak.
Ooh, tomorrow is the big day! Yaaay! Good luck!
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I read somewhere that one should avoid red but I forgot why.
I've read it's because when people see red, they think of intensity, passion, spite and aggression. So maybe not the best message to send :P
When I went I used a nice pair of pants, a t-shirt with no print and a sweater with zipper, all black and wore high heeled shoes. I almost always wear heels anyway because I'm short. I don't know if the cloths did the trick but I got the job which interview I had first. I also had my hair in a ponytail as not to look like I was hiding behind the hair but was "open for inspection" so to speak.
Ooh, tomorrow is the big day! Yaaay! Good luck!
It'll be around 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) so I'm trying to keep my outfit somewhat cool. Also it doesn't look like people wear anything fancy like suits or anything, it looks fairly casual. I've been thinking a bit about a royal blue strap top (wide straps) with a nice white cardigan (so the straps are hidden) and maybe my beige cotton slacks. But it might be too warm though :hot: . Not sure what else is appropriate. Unfortunately I don't have any nice tunic tops or anything like that, my wardrobe is mostly t-shirts, strap tops, cardigans, jeans and a few denim skirts and shorts. I have a nice long white skirt that stops mid-calf but perhaps it's too long or not professional enough???? I have a pair of blue pumps with a very small heel but am having problems finding them at the moment :what: My hair is a little over shoulder length and it's really thin so since it'll be very hot, I was planning on putting it up using an ibis hair clip or a hair claw.
The problem is some websites recommend not wearing strap tops or t-shirts (or jeans) so I'm getting very unsure if my idea is not ideal :huh:
Thanks Beldarna, I'm really hoping to get the job this time :hope:
Post Merge: May 22, 2012, 05:18:46 AM
Ok so I just got home from my interview :)
For the curious, I arrived on time and was really nervous (think they could tell but I mentioned it afterwards anyway and we laughed about it :lol: ). They were really nice and seemed to think even though I lack experience that I'm a good candidate for the job. They didn't see my Master's Degree as a problem (some companies have told me it means I'm too over qualified to be a Lab Tech), they saw it as a positive asset to the job. They asked me the dreaded "how much would you expect in salary" at the end of the interview and a tour of the labs and I answered minimum wage for a newly-educated Lab Tech as a starting point. No problem. They asked when could I start and I said "Tomorrow would work for me" :) I think they liked that and started saying that they should then call the 4 others and cancel their interviews :lol: I was the first one of the 5 called in, don't know if that's an advantage :huh: Also they asked if they could call my 1 of or maybe even both of my references from my trainee period and 3 month extension and I said that would be fine, I'm sure they're gonna sell me real good :)
They don't want to promise anything but they said they got a really good impression of me and will call tomorrow late afternoon with the decision :yikes:
I'm not counting on anything so as not to get too disappointed if it's a no but I'm glad it went well and that they saw the positives instead of focusing on my lack of experience :P
Post Merge: May 22, 2012, 05:20:17 AM
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