Job Interviewing - Do's and Don'ts

[axeman90210]

Do you guys think it's improper form to email my HR contact this week to ask if there's a probation period before I can use vacation days, as I have a vacation in July that was booked and paid for before this job opportunity came up?

[Chino]

Do you guys think it's improper form to email my HR contact this week to ask if there's a probation period before I can use vacation days, as I have a vacation in July that was booked and paid for before this job opportunity came up?

Absolutely not. Just word it professionally.

[millahh]

When do you start?  If it's soon, I might wait until the first day, when you'll be going over policies and whatnot.  If it's further out, then ask.

[axeman90210]

When do you start?  If it's soon, I might wait until the first day, when you'll be going over policies and whatnot.  If it's further out, then ask.

I start next Monday, the 8th.

[millahh]

When do you start?  If it's soon, I might wait until the first day, when you'll be going over policies and whatnot.  If it's further out, then ask.

I start next Monday, the 8th.

I would say wait until then, unless there's a compelling reason to ask in the next four days.

Also, might be preferable to put out a feeler with your boss, rather than HR.  There may be "informal" ways to bend the rules that your boss can use, but about which HR would invariably say "no" because it's not official policy.  Depends on what your read on the boss is, though.

[axeman90210]

Unfortunately I didn't meet my actual boss when I interviewed. The main portion of my interview was with a couple of my soon to be colleagues, and I spoke to the group manager on the phone for about 10-15 minutes afterwards. I just worry that already asking about taking time off right when I get there will create a poor first impression.

[millahh]

Unfortunately I didn't meet my actual boss when I interviewed. The main portion of my interview was with a couple of my soon to be colleagues, and I spoke to the group manager on the phone for about 10-15 minutes afterwards. I just worry that already asking about taking time off right when I get there will create a poor first impression.

You can frame it like this:

"I need to ask a question for clarity regarding vacation policy.  I've had travel plans scheduled for a week in July since before I interviewed for this position.  If the policy doesn't allow taking time off so soon after my start date, I'd like to let my travel companions know so they can adjust their plans accordingly."

This paints you as responsible, considerate, respectful of all involved and have your priorities in the right place.  This is the opposite of coming off as lazy/entitled, and may even contribute to you getting the flexibility you'd like.

[axeman90210]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll hold off on bringing this up until my first week.

[Chino]

Unfortunately I didn't meet my actual boss when I interviewed. The main portion of my interview was with a couple of my soon to be colleagues, and I spoke to the group manager on the phone for about 10-15 minutes afterwards. I just worry that already asking about taking time off right when I get there will create a poor first impression.

You can frame it like this:

"I need to ask a question for clarity regarding vacation policy.  I've had travel plans scheduled for a week in July since before I interviewed for this position.  If the policy doesn't allow taking time off so soon after my start date, I'd like to let my travel companions know so they can adjust their plans accordingly."

This paints you as responsible, considerate, respectful of all involved and have your priorities in the right place.  This is the opposite of coming off as lazy/entitled, and may even contribute to you getting the flexibility you'd like.

+1

[rumborak]

Ideally it would have been raised during the negotiation process.

[axeman90210]

One other question. I'm 95% sure the dress code is business casual (and will confirm this with HR later this week). Should I still wear a full suit on my first day, or is that a bit much?

[rumborak]

Do you know anybody in the company you can ask? Every company is different about it. At my job you'd get laughed at, that's for sure

[Fiery Winds]

One other question. I'm 95% sure the dress code is business casual (and will confirm this with HR later this week). Should I still wear a full suit on my first day, or is that a bit much?

You'll be fine with business casual as long as your clothes are clean, neat, and fit well.

[MetalJunkie]

Ask about where the company sees itself in a few years, or ask about the history or a typical day in the life of an employee. Something to show your interest in the company and the position.

Would you consider asking about advancement potential a good question?

[lordxizor]

Ask about where the company sees itself in a few years, or ask about the history or a typical day in the life of an employee. Something to show your interest in the company and the position.

Would you consider asking about advancement potential a good question?

I've usually asked those types of question because I legitimately care about the answer.

[rumborak]

"Advancement" is maybe not the best word to use, to me it sounds you're already looking to be in the next higher position than the one you're applying for. "Growth" is a better one IMHO.

[millahh]

"Advancement" is maybe not the best word to use, to me it sounds you're already looking to be in the next higher position than the one you're applying for. "Growth" is a better one IMHO.

I'd agree..."advancement" is a tricky word, and could be construed as being more intersted in getting your foot in the door than with the position itself.  We've got one of those now, and she is rapidly closing the door on her future potential precisely because she treated the position she hired onto as a "foot in the door".

It'a slmost a shame...our recent interviewees have all been functional human beings, so I don't have any more stories.  However, in leiu of that, here is a children's treasury of awkward interview stories (in the comments):
https://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/04/12/what_is_the_most_bizarre_job_interview_you_have_ever_been_party_to.html

[rumborak]

Yuck, my workplace is right now in the process of imploding. My boss left a while ago for Amazon, and soon a close coworker will do so too. And I know of two other guys who were at Amazon interviewing (I could have joined them too, but it struck as a all-work-no-life kinda job), and knowing what kind of money they throw at people ($155k for a bachelor in EE with a few years of experience? WTF?) I am assuming those two guys will go there too.

[rumborak]

Reviving an old thread. Went to an interview today, I hope I get the job. It's a company that makes professional audio software, which I'm quite excited about. It would mean losing some quirks that I have at my current job, but it would also be a nice change of work location (actually, much better) and a different field (no more speech recognition).

[zepp-head]

Very nice!  I use and teach audio software for a living more or less.  Best of luck to you.

[King Postwhore]

I've got to say, I am blown away how many people email me about a job using their girlfriend's email.  You know they are looking on their phones so set up a damn email account with your name.  Crazy.  It puts me off right away.

[Orbert]

Wow, that seems like it would be a very basic first step.  If you don't have one already, set up an email account -- with a name that is not stupid, vulgar, or otherwise juvenile -- and use that to send resumes and cover letters.

[rumborak]

Wait, what? They apply for a job with their gf's email address?
Would immediately end up in the junk pile for me.

[cramx3]

I've got to say, I am blown away how many people email me about a job using their girlfriend's email.  You know they are looking on their phones so set up a damn email account with your name.  Crazy.  It puts me off right away.

Wow, Ok let me start by saying, I just started a new job 2 months ago and the company I work for has a really intensive interview process and I ended up having to interview someone for our LA position.  I got an e-mail about 20 minutes before the interview and it was from an email address I didn't know, but it said the guy was going to be late for the interview.  Eventually he told me it was his girlfriend who sent the e-mail while I was doing the interview.  I was wondering how a ~30 year old American man didn't have his own way to email and he was applying for an IT position.

[Anguyen92]

Just read through this whole thread.  Really good information, here, and it helps me learn as well since I'm taking a Business Communications class and we're on the topic of job interviewing and the information, itt, pretty much is what the text stated on the Do's and Don'ts.

I bookmarked this thread and hope that it helps me in the future when I got to go through with this process.

[King Postwhore]

Wait, what? They apply for a job with their gf's email address?
Would immediately end up in the junk pile for me.

Exactly.  You would not believe how many 20 something kids use their Girlfriends email.  Common sense in our youth has gone right out the window.

[Chino]

Wait, what? They apply for a job with their gf's email address?
Would immediately end up in the junk pile for me.

Exactly.  You would not believe how many 20 something kids use their Girlfriends email.  Common sense in our youth has gone right out the window.

Just as bad.... using an email like SickSk8erH2O@Gmail.com

[BlobVanDam]

Why would someone not use their own email? I have at least 3 to choose from.


And I don't have a girlfriend anyway.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Seriously, who doesn't have an email? How is that even possible?

[MoraWintersoul]

Seriously, how does Blob not have a girlfriend? How is that even possible?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Also a valid point.

[BlobVanDam]

Seriously, how does Blob not have a girlfriend? How is that even possible?

Hm, maybe I should start interviewing for the position. But I swear, if they use their boyfriend's emails, they're not getting the job.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

 

[King Postwhore]

Seriously, how does Blob not have a girlfriend? How is that even possible?

Hm, maybe I should start interviewing for the position. But I swear, if they use their boyfriend's emails, they're not getting the job.

   Maybe a dude wants somethin, somethin. 

[millahh]

Good lord...I can't believe I started this thread four and a half years ago...