What, during your interview, do think was the main reason that you got hired?

2015-10-26T08:47:35-04:00

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Oct 26 at 2015 8:49 AM

2015-10-26T08:49:26-04:00

Honesty!

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Oct 26 at 2015 9:09 AM

2015-10-26T09:09:59-04:00

Showing respect for the interviewer. Showing up on time, dressed and prepared. Really listening to the questions and paraphrasing back when needed, in order to ensure you have a common understanding.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 26 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-10-26T10:30:58-04:00

I have generally known the exact point during the interview that the decision had been made to hire me. In each case it was because I perfectly fit the unspoken needs the employer was looking for.

At the same time, I was well aware of the very answer that lost me the job in unsuccessful interviews. Generally when my confidence in my abilities was seen as cockiness.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 26 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-10-26T10:58:05-04:00

The secret question was what got me hired.

"How many balls does it take to fill up a 747 jet?"

The answer is not what they were looking for, but rather your thought process behind it. You must express your thought process out loud before a board.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 26 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-10-26T11:14:19-04:00

General demeanor developed over the years in the Navy. Two incidents that I recall, one of the businesses we were co-located with sent a representative to discuss an issue, they stopped me to talk. I asked them why they contacted me and the person said they thought I must be the senior person due to appearance and the way I managed the office. I was third in the pecking order. Another, was getting my car worked on and a gentleman came up to me and asked if I were a Marine, I asked him why he thought that. He said the way I carried myself. He was a Marine. Plus, lots of leadership and actual job experience helped a bit.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 26 at 2015 11:54 AM

2015-10-26T11:54:05-04:00

I was "hired" many times to do contract work simply because I was able to communicate my competence effectively. I took control of the interview to find out what the client needed and they were usually surprised to learn that I understood what they wanted (or, at least, what they thought they wanted) and then, after being hired, delivered. Thus, I built a reputation that helped reinforce that image. Too many interviewees are passive, responding only when asked. Keep in mind that the interviewer is constantly adjusting their view of what they want with each interview. By taking control away from the interviewer, you can direct their attention to see what they want is you.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 26 at 2015 1:05 PM

2015-10-26T13:05:43-04:00

You get hired because the interviewer (most likely your future boss) made the decision. Decisions come from the gut with input from the brain and heart. So the total package you put in front of him/her was the best of all worlds given the pool of people sifted through. So the interviewer is assessing whether you'll be a help or hindrance, supportive or not, cultural fit or not, etc. Interviews are like professional skating. Your technical skills are the short program and the kind of person you are is the long program.

Watch out for desperate hiring situations, either way. It will almost always guarantee and parting of ways and you'll have wasted another 18 months getting to where you should have been.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Oct 26 at 2015 2:25 PM

2015-10-26T14:25:20-04:00

When I was told they were looking for someone younger I had to smile. My response? "Oh, so you want someone that can't be trusted to have rock solid on time performance, doesn't have real conflict resolution skills, can't communicate without a cell phone in hand, and really just wants to get paid instead of performing a service for the company? Interesting hiring concept." I was hired on the spot.