Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant

Reading the DONT's reminded me to get out of my "negativity space" before the long-awaited job interview. The Do's are useful reminders of the correct way to approach a job opportunity. Thanks for this useful information.

If one of the main reasons people leave jobs is because of management, but nobody is supposed to speak critically about their past managers, then as an interviewer who doesn't think it's okay to talk about it, all you're doing is setting yourself up to hear a bunch of BS answers from candidates. We all know someone who was legitimately mistreated by their manager...are they supposed to blow smoke about it to an interviewer? Surely there is some middle ground.

As a manager, I'd like to think I'm not going to simply end up picking the best BS'er in the group.

It's so true about not being able to come up with anything when asked if you have questions. I've had that happen to me and remember being kind of lost and a look from the interviewer when he noticed my reaction (or the lack of it). And I didn't get the job. I understand now that you can really "sell" yourself by asking a good question. Never drop the ball.

At my first job interview I didn't know about being prepared for the question, "Do you have any questions?" I was young and nervous. Many years and interviews later I am still nervous but I "act" poised. This article reminded me to be more prepared. I also believe that speaking "the sweet truth" rather than the brutal truth is the wisest way to get the job.

I have learned that practicing beforehand is very useful. Having someone ask you questions ... varied and different questions ... will help you be flexible if the interviewer throws you a curve ball. Great article!