interviewing for jobs

[ShawtyCat]

I was asked that question once and answered truthfully by stating that I worked overtime and was told that I would not be paid, so I quit without notice due to breach of contract. (I was working for a law firm) All the interviewer said was "At least you are honest. Welcome aboard." Seems she was also the owner.

From what I know from being a former recruiter. Sometimes they check into your answer and sometimes they don't. I guess Im a little brazen but I don't think I have anything to hide. Plus, I never could lie with a straight face. Is there really a right or wrong way to answer that question? I don't think so.

[angrychef]

From my experience I usually go for the truth(looking people straight in the eye), just choose your words carefully. Eeeyore, I see nothing wrong with your answer.

First impressions do count, so dress well. Since I work in a catering co. where there dress code is quite casual, I've seen cooks come in in t-shirts and jeans for interviews or their chef coats. For myself, I choose to go to interviews in dress slacks(I'm female) or skirt with a dressy shirt and maybe a coat(depending on how hot it is. Low heels since I'm more comfortable in them.

[annie]

I'm in an uncomfortable position while I'm looking for a new job in pastry. (and I wear nice polished low heels, a comfortable skirt, and a dressy jacket/sweater to interviews - just to keep up! Formal, but not sloppy or over dressed? I don't usually ever wear pants, but pantsuits are fine in this neck of the woods.)
My last job was as HR director for a start-up biotech company.
It's hard to say I left a start-up because of the stress or long hours, when I'm looking for a job in a pastry kitchen!

Teh old company asked me to deny Family Medical Leave time off for drs appointments to a woman diagnosed with probably terminal cancer. Let alone the ethics, this is illegal, and is one of the decisons that HR can be held PERSONALLY liable for, i.e. if she sued, my family could loose the house, etc. So I tell the interviewer that, tell them what I did to handle it.

Right now I think my old employer is giving me a bad reference, even though I know I handled the situation with professionalism, grace, and adequate notice - while others just walked out the door! So I'm going to find out for sure, and then pay a lawyer to send a letter telling them to stop it!

Every culinary application asks for the phone # of my previous employer. Should I just have a sheet of references to attach to the application?

Thanks -

[danno]

ann Im int the same position as you almost. Im not getting a bad rap from a former employer. with all the resumes i have sent or given out i have a letter with all reliable, strong references.

a friend and a former executive chef that i worked under has been out of work for a few years, mainly because he wont just work for anybody or just anywhere. but he thinks he is also getting a bad reference from someone. I suggested to a mutual friend of ours the he could have a reliable friend pose as a potential employer to check all his references to snuf out the bad apple or apples. good luck

Danno

[panini]

annie,
I'm not so sure I would not tell a potential employer of what you just stated and give them a heads up to a possible bad reference.The worst thing that could happen is for the potential employer asking for specific details just why your separation occured. Its not very hard to figure out if they are hiding something with vague or generic answers.

[W.DeBord]

Interesting topic....I think most of use leave jobs for all the same reasons...your not leaving because you had a better offer or a step up, if that was so you wouldn't be sitting there.

Don't you think any potenial employer really wonders about the answer we just gave...how truthful it is? "I left because I was happy there, yeah right...."

Actually specificly there seems to always be a list of reasons why we most people leave jobs, right? Which 'excuses' are the least harmful and which should we never tell?

I left because of a personality difference?
I left because the differences between the job description and the jobs realities?
I left because of the drive?
I left because it was a negative atmophere?
I left because I found out someone in a less demanding position was getting paid far more then I?
I left because of cultural differences or felt the atmophere allowed sexist dicriminations?

Are any of these o.k. to say? What do you hide at all costs?

Do you like written letters of recomendation? Or are they red flags to check deeper? how about copies of your employee reviews?

[snakelady1]

Danno sometimes you are asked strange questions to see how well you think on the fly. Try not to start the answer with an umm or err or well. Form the answer in your head and speak confidently. These questions are part of psych evals and they judge not so much what you say but how you say it. Hope this helps

[danno]

thanks snake. Ya know some of the questions were so off the wall and didnt really have much to do with my practical experience, skills, physical ability or dependibility. then after answering some of these questions they want you to explain a situation in which you were in. for example if you were to walk into a room full of people, what would you do to cheer them up? and tha questins could not be repharased or intrerpreted. I guess i was a little nervous to begin with and comming up with examples within a second or two. Im sure I had a few Uhs and a few well lets see.
If anybody has interviewed with the Ritz, or 4 seasons within the last 10 years or so im sure you had the same deal.
If it doesnt happen Im sure it will be just as good for them as it will be for me. Nothing in this world happens by mistake.
Danno

[annie]

Definitely thank you to Snakelady!

I just interviewed at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, and was asked questions like: What were your parents dreams for you? what favors have you done for your firends in the past month? I think the questions were to deal with whatever an appropriate level of openess the hotel was going for, but blegh. I think I will be better ready for them next time.

Is this mostly a hotel thing? Is there some secret HR conference, book,or handshake for hotels that has them passing around peudo-psych evaluations?

[panini]

Annie,
My grand parents dream for my Father was never go into food service.NOT. My parents dream for me was never to go into food service.NOT. My dream for my son is never to take my business. I can only hope.

[danno]

panini I want on an interview today, it was a small independent, but do good food, from what i have heard, i have only been in town for a month or so. I must have been really spoiled at my last job, as far as space and the quality of equipment goes. not sure how to deal with that reality? to get to some of the points that you have made in this thread, I made sure to trim my nails and get my hair cut and dress to my comfort level. no you must know that im old enough and have been around just long enough that these tasks would have been taken care of reguardless. so when i met the executive chef I was taken at first he seemed so young 25 at most. throughout the 20 minute conversation the chef made eye contact with me for about a total of about 25 seconds. I founf that suspicious, then i remembering someone saying the they check the fingernails during an interview. now I didnt ask him to hold out his hands but i was able to glance down and notice that they were pretty long longer than the ones my wife has. then i had to look again to see if there was as much dirt under them as there was on his hands.
thanks for the pointers. Im getting ready for the big one on thurs. it the job i want afterall.
Danno

[panini]

danno,
good luck Thurs. Be composed, relaxed and confident.
A lot here will probably disagree but I have to be honest with you, as far as I'm concerned hiring anyone is a crap shoot at best. I'm not a believer in profiling and I have been dead wrong on first impressions. One tip, if you do come upon someone like your young chef who probably dosn't have a lot of hiring experience, ask him his interests and why he likes working there. Befriend him, most young ecec. chef don't have a lot of time for friends. Be a good listener. Then once your on board, go after his job Just kidding I think.