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| Thread: I'm finally done filling out my college applications! |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 · «PREV / NEXT» |
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william
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
LummoxLewis
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posted January 20, 2009 04:51 AM |
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I was asked the question "Why should we hire you" when I went for my job interview and I was susprirsed at how well I actually gave my answer. Just be cool, relaxed and try to act professional. Like Omega said, dress properly, shine the shoes, tuck your shirt in etc. It gives a good impression on the people interviewing you.
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~Ticking away the moments that
make up a dull day, Fritter and
waste the hours in an off-hand
way~
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 05:17 AM |
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So, what am I supposed to answer to those two questions? You know me quite well, HC. Give me some advice. 
For "biggest weakness", I could say something like "I get too engrossed in my studies."  Is that a good idea?
But I have no idea what to say to "Why should we accept you?"
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Eccentric Opinion
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OmegaDestroyer
Hero of Order
Fox or Chicken?
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posted January 20, 2009 05:40 AM |
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Well, why should they accept you? What do you bring to the table?
____________
The giant has awakened
You drink my blood and drown
Wrath and raving I will not stop
You'll never take me down
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 05:47 AM |
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It's because mvass is a pretty cool guy. eh debate all the time and doesnt afraid of anything.
But what do I bring to the table? To be honest, I bring $45,000 a year of tuition. But so does nearly every other student, so what do I bring besides that? My, uh... inquisitive mind and eagerness to explore an idea? Too generic and not modest. My deep interest in economics? But how does that benefit them?
How should I express it?
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Eccentric Opinion
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Binabik
Responsible
Legendary Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 05:47 AM |
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"I get too engrossed in my studies." Sounds like a good answer to me. It's a weakness and a positive at the same time.
As for answering why they should accept you. Hmmmm, I'd say this is when you're allowed to brag without it seeming TOO much like bragging, if that makes sense. Others may disagree but I don't think this is the time to be humble. State your positives without being too dry (adjectives are allowed).
I think the "style" for this answer depends on you and what you are comfortable with. IMO it should be concise and not ramble on. (off the top of my head I'd say no more than 1-2 minutes max and as short as 30 seconds might be OK, but I'd have to actually hear it to judge the time better) It could be somewhat of a list of qualities in paragraph form. Or if it's your style it could be more flowing and conversational.
It should be 100% positive.
Personally I don't like canned answers. I'm sure you saw what happened to that S Carolina girl at the beauty pageant. I think it's good to think about the questions and answers ahead of time and know them well. But even slight changes in the wording of the question could change things. So knowing the types of things you might say can be readily adapted as needed when the time comes.
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 05:50 AM |
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30 seconds?  How am I going to brag without bragging for 30 seconds?
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Eccentric Opinion
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Nikita
Famous Hero
Meepo is underrated
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posted January 20, 2009 05:51 AM |
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Quote:
Well, why should they accept you?
Because i want to persue my career and this is the perfect place?!?!Or just give them your own idea of why you are going to them and not other college.
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I havent lost my mind... I have it backed up somewhere 8-)
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OmegaDestroyer
Hero of Order
Fox or Chicken?
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posted January 20, 2009 05:51 AM |
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These are questions we can't answer Mvass. You're going to have to look inward and pull them out.
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The giant has awakened
You drink my blood and drown
Wrath and raving I will not stop
You'll never take me down
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phoenixreborn
Promising
Legendary Hero
Unicorn
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posted January 20, 2009 06:17 AM |
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I interviewed with a Harvard alum. The only question I remember that she asked was "What is your greatest accomplishment in life so far?"
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Celfious
Promising
Legendary Hero
From earth
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posted January 20, 2009 06:20 AM |
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SHould I call you Ken, or Kenneth?
"You can call me kenny"
Tell me two quirks and two perks about yourself.
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What are you up to
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Binabik
Responsible
Legendary Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 06:57 AM |
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Edited by Binabik at 06:58, 20 Jan 2009.
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OD is right. You have to do it yourself. It's good that you are asking questions and asking for advice. But advice is just someone else's opinion. It may be good advice or it may be total bull****. Either way you are ultimately responsible.
IMO questions like "why should we accept you?", "what are your strengths?", "What are your weaknesses?", etc are not critical questions. They're not deal makers or deal breakers either one. They are just common standard questions.
One thing to consider is that the interviewer may be just as nervous or awkward as you. Just like you might have some canned answers, they have some canned questions. In both cases it beats just sitting there awkwardly staring at each other with nothing to say.
This might be a SLIGHTLY exaggerated analogy. But consider that when you meet it will start with some chit chat and pleasantries. "Hi, how are you doing?" "Pleased to meet you." "How was the drive from Tulsa?" "Did you catch the Sooner's game last night?" These are all just canned questions with largely canned answers. It's all part of a weird social phenomena that's not to be taken too seriously.
I don't know if you know anything about the person who will interview you. But it really could be a hot 30 year old babe in a little black dress. Or it could be a 75 year old retired man. Or a 40 year old long haired hippie.
If the answer itself is really what's critical, it could simply be asked on a paper application or in a phone interview. The reason the interview is in person is because they want to meet YOU. The fact that you are being interviewed means they already consider you a good candidate from the dry factual information they already have. They just want to know that you are a real person who lives and breathes like a normal human being. And yes, a normal human being also has flaws and will be nervous and imperfect. They already know you are intelligent. They already know you have worked hard. They don't expect an immortal. They only expect a fellow human and they'd like to meet you.
Set out your clothes the night before and have everything ready. On the day of the interview get dressed and ready well ahead of time so you aren't rushed. Then sit and relax playing a computer game before the interview. Do you like people? Well you get to meet someone new. And they might be really cool. Just relax and be yourself (except for the arguing politics part)
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Doomforge
Admirable
Undefeatable Hero
Retired Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 10:41 AM |
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God, how I hate those stupid interview questions.
"what is your attitude towards work" -> do they actually EXPECT someone to say something different than "I'm diligent, conscientious, blahblahblah"? Why can I never say the truth "I hate working, I am gonna slack off all the time" >_>
to Mvass: just don't quote them and you'll do fine 
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We reached to the stars and everything is now ours
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted January 20, 2009 02:59 PM |
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All right, guys, thanks. 
The only thing I know about the guy is his name, that he's in his 60s, and that he's going to be wearing a Harvard baseball cap.
Update:
Well, I had the interview. It went pretty well. He didn't ask any really stupid questions, and he seemed to be a pretty cool guy. He told me that his first roommate became a drug dealer. And I basically told him about myself.
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Eccentric Opinion
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winterfate
Supreme Hero
Water-marked Champion!
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posted January 25, 2009 08:07 AM |
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Good to hear!
See? It wasn't so bad after all. 
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If you supposedly care about someone, then don't push them out of your life. Acting like you're not doing it doesn't exempt you from what I just said. - Winterfate
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Doomforge
Admirable
Undefeatable Hero
Retired Hero
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posted January 25, 2009 11:29 AM |
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Is it just me, or is American highschool/college life much more interesting than Polish? :E
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We reached to the stars and everything is now ours
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mvassilev
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
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posted January 25, 2009 05:46 PM |
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It would appear so. What's Polish high school life like?
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Eccentric Opinion
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OmegaDestroyer
Hero of Order
Fox or Chicken?
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posted January 25, 2009 05:56 PM |
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Sounds like it went well, Mvass. Well done.
As to my own interview (probably should have mentioned something sooner, eh?), it also went well. Unfortunately there is only one job and I believe 6+ individuals seeking employment. I'll know in 2-3 weeks either way, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
____________
The giant has awakened
You drink my blood and drown
Wrath and raving I will not stop
You'll never take me down
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Doomforge
Admirable
Undefeatable Hero
Retired Hero
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posted January 25, 2009 06:34 PM |
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Quote:
It would appear so. What's Polish high school life like?
you know, it's rather dull. The lessons are long, the periods are short, and after the lessons, everyone either goes home to his own little world, or tries to act sociable. But since polish teens are rather clueless about what to do in their free time, unless they do some sports or smth similar together, it mainly means drinking excessive amounts of beer in the nearest pub.
Aside from school, people do party a lot, some do it every saturday, but it's extremely repetitive. Go to the club or friend's flat, act cool, drink a lot, puke in the toilet (also sometimes: have sex with a random person, if possible - but it's not that common). next day, wake up with a major hangover and complain all the day on polish msn equivalent (gadu gadu) how bad you feel and what a great night it has been.
Yeah, I know. Boring.
I know about US high school life mainly from movies, books and fanfics, so my info is most likely exaggerated and incorrect ;p Still, it seems much more.. well, interesting.
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We reached to the stars and everything is now ours
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Cepheus
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Far-flung Keeper
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posted January 25, 2009 06:45 PM |
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Quote:
For "biggest weakness", I could say something like "I get too engrossed in my studies." Is that a good idea?
Should have tried: Kryptonite
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phoenixreborn
Promising
Legendary Hero
Unicorn
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posted January 25, 2009 07:03 PM |
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Doomforge some teens do that in the US. Even some adults. Not so different.
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