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I've been noticing this question pop up more and more on interviews. The question is, "If we were to contact your previous supervisors, what do you think they would say about you?" What I am going to say? That I showed up late every day, took three hour lunch breaks, and could have improved my accuracy if I didn't come into work stoned everyday. Your thoughts...
Iv had the question before, I usually answer the same way "they would say I showed up on time, was dependable, organized and completed tasks as assigned" iv never left a job in bad terms, so it would be fairly accurate. Not sure why they ask it, not sure why many interview questions are ask since most are repetitive or seem pointless. It's certainly not the hardest question though they ask.
Many HR and hiring manager interviewers don't have sufficient skills to spot a qualified candidate; therefore, they rely on the Standard 101 Interview Questions.
From my years of supporting an HR staff, what is discussed behind the scenes about a candidate is usually how 'social' the individual is; and whether or not the candidate has a positive and 'team oriented' attitude.
As one hiring manager said, "I could care less about skills; just send me people who have a positive attitude and I'll teach them all I want them to know."
I always say something like "Veuve is a great worker that knows how to be a leader and a team player. She is someone that strives for the best. An example of something she did that really impressed me......"
It's basically a question to promote yourself, your skills etc without saying "HEY LOOK AT ME".
What I am going to say? That I showed up late every day, took three hour lunch breaks, and could have improved my accuracy if I didn't come into work stoned everyday. Your thoughts...
LOL, I know right? Seems like a modern day version of "what are your strengths?"
Yep, always just give them what they want to hear. All their dumb questions are an effort to show whether you are smart, articulate, competent, able to do the job.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Another question designed to provide the employer with a way to eliminate you for lies at the interview. When/if they actually contact a previous supervisor and get something different, you are busted. Also, it's one of those questions that allows a well prepared, experienced interviewer to read your body language and determine whether you are making things up, and if you are just giving what you think is an expected answer rather than using it as an opportunity to sell yourself.
If I were to ask that question (I don't) I would not be looking for punctuality, accuracy, or being a team player. I would be looking for innovation, problem solving skills, and examples of having caught problems/errors or come up with improved processes to make or save the company money.
They ask because enough people give answers such as: "I don't really know what they would say, I wasn't a very high profile member of the team" or "Probqbly the usual, that they liked me and Indid my work", or "I would prefe you didn't call them".
I've been noticing this question pop up more and more on interviews. The question is, "If we were to contact your previous supervisors, what do you think they would say about you?" What I am going to say? That I showed up late every day, took three hour lunch breaks, and could have improved my accuracy if I didn't come into work stoned everyday. Your thoughts...
"They would say I am a go-getter, that I always offer to help out others when I am done with my tasks..." add more good points as needed...
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