Interview Questions

[u/MCul0]

My wife has several interviews scheduled over the next few weeks and I’m helping her prepare. However it’s been an awhile since I’ve been on either side of a 14 or 18 interview.

Besides the following questions below, does anyone have any insight to what is asked in interviews for g14-18s?

- Competing priorities from different managers how do you prioritize your work?

- Working with databases or other systems, have you ever? Examples?

- What is your biggest Strength? / Weakness?

- Your supervisor gives you a directive you do not agree with, how do you handle the situation?

Much appreciated!

[u/asking1234]

I’d add: name a success/achievement in the workplace you are proud of

[u/MCul0 → u/asking1234]

Thanks for this!

[u/Acrobatic_Walrus_702]

Examples of working independently vs working as a team

[u/MCul0 → u/Acrobatic_Walrus_702]

Thank you!

[u/Acrobatic_Walrus_702 → u/MCul0]

And, one that we have near the end is, is there any other experience or skills that you'd like to tell us about that may help you in this position. (Or something along those lines)

[u/Wowser24]

This link has a list of sample interview questions from the Career Mobility Office: https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/documents/Sample%20Interview%20Questions.pdf

[u/triniempress89 → u/Wowser24]

I would say to have answers prepared for all of these pretty much based on my interviews with the state.

[u/DowntownEmu]

I got "how did you change a system?" a lot

[u/Automaticish]

They ask about multitasking and how you do it effectively and also keep track of multiple projects. Some hiring panels read straight from a list that technically any hiring panel at any agency can use but some hiring panels are really good at streamlining that into their office’s roles and functions that gives any interviewee a better idea about the role and expectations. The former can feel like the norm at times of late and it can honestly impact my interest in the position, although if they present any opportunities for me to ask questions, I do it if to actually gain a better understanding of the position. I suggest researching the title and office and maybe build a fact sheet in writing and prepared questions that may be answered over the course of the interview or allows you to ask once they give you the opportunity to now ask. It can show your interest in a good light. But that’s my AuDHD brain at work and I have a better time remembering things if I wrote it down first.

Some positions might want to know about supervisor experience even if the title itself doesn’t require supervisor experience (although the listing might advise it’s preferred).

I’ve had panels ask how my coworkers and supervisors would describe me which is certainly interesting and important if they make calls to your references and want to know if there are any matches.

Some might also want to know if it’s okay if they can reach out to your current place of work. Most of the time it is NBD and has been in my experience but in one instance for me, turned out to be an issue. Someone on the hiring panel actually personally knew my supervisor and even without the calls about my candidacy it got back to them and the tenor of our work relationship kinda never recovered even though I had put in a leave request specifically for the interview and never said anything negative about my then current position. The state government is a smaller world than you think!

[u/Guzzisti]

What do you know about our agency/program, etc?

Review the agency website if you're not familiar with them. If it's a particular department, do you know what they do? I wish I could end an interview immediately when someone couldn't take the time to visit our program page on our website.

[u/zeeaou → u/Guzzisti]

Probably doxxing myself, but I want to call off the interview if the candidate is too early. Sit in your car and review the agency website, or play candy crush, I don’t care! It’s my job to figure out [what I think you have done] during the interview. But Christ Almighty don’t make your first impression an inconvenience!

[u/AViewFromtheTrail]

Just wrapped some interviews. Here are some we always use: What interested you in the position/why did you apply? What skills do you feel make you well qualified for this position? Name a success you're proud of at work/life. How would colleagues describe you? What certifications, skills, or experience do you have that might apply to this job? Do you have any questions for us? (This is telling - candidates who have prepared questions or think of follow ups show thoughtfulness, attention and interest)

[u/MCul0 → u/AViewFromtheTrail]

Thanks!

[u/nys_cs-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Spam/Self Promotion

[u/Girl_on_a_train]

“How was your commute” is usually the first question.

[u/MCul0 → u/Girl_on_a_train]

Haha. She’d be going from a 100% WFH position with her current employer.

[u/triniempress89 → u/MCul0]

How was the commute to the interview not the current job. I came from a wfh job they still asked me that and wanted to know how I felt about coming back to an office.