July 8th, 2008
Final Interview Questions
I used to have a job title of Senior Recruitment Manager for Abbott Diagnostics Division. It was a position I enjoyed and it consisted mainly of doing interviews. After a while the same old questions, asked the same old way, provided the same old programmed responses.
I would still ask the same old questions, things like, what did you like about your previous job, why are you looking, what are your weaknesses? For variety I would throw in things like; do you find that you always have to win? Why or why not? What do you do when people bitch, bitch bitch? I am looking for a superstar not just another salesperson, what about you make you a star? Give me some examples!
If the interview went well at the end I would ask the candidates to, “Tell me a story, about anything you would like.”
I wanted a story to see, how quickly they thought on their feet, how spontaneous they were, were they of interest, did they have energy and enthusiasm. I heard some great stories and some duds.
I have a candidate going on a final interview tomorrow with a strong biotech company as a candidate for their vacant position of director of global sales and marketing. She was asked to provide a committee a presentation about herself as a part of the interview process. The presentation is to end with examples of 3 things she wants to do in life prior to her last day of life.
Think about it, you want this great job, it is an interview and you are asked to think about your mortality and aspects of your legacy that you still need to fulfill. And you cannot say one of the things is to get the job.
How would you answer?
July 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Being that I consider myself a spiritual person(strong religous upbringing)my first response is that I would want to fulfill whatever purpose for my life that God has ordained me to do. The most miserable people in life in my opinion is those who have no clue the purpose that they have while they are this earth. Therefore yielding a person that is in a constant struggle with the inevitable. Secondly, I would want to provide financial security for my family and the love ones with whom I am dearest, for there is nothing greater than family. Taking care of my family has always been my number one concern and prority (This is why so many young African Americans choose the atheletic path, because it allows them to free their family from financial worry for generations with the proper management; sasly education has taken the back burner in the minds of younger generations). Lastly, I would want my legacy to potray the character of an individual who despite whatever challenge that was ahead faced each with boldness and without fear for what could happen if they failed. I once read a quote the stated something to the effect of (this is my rewording of the statement) “There are no great men in this world only ordinary men who face extrodinary challenges yet find the strength and will to overcome them. These are the principles upon which I live my life, which I belive to be the foundation of my success.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Hi Josiah, your important things to do are honorable and you have prepared well for the task.Thanks for your comment and visit.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Thats kind of tough. But it shows who really has the personality and enthusiasm to think on their feet
July 14th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Lab testing, thanks for the comment, your point is the point, my candidate did well and will receive her job offer