Positive Reinforcement? Big interview...

triumph5 wrote: Good luck, and yes, be yourself; try to read the interviewer a little bit (did he laugh at a tiny joke, smile when he talks, look you in the eye....) This is not your first interview for the job, is it? I mean 800 miles and no pre-screening/phone interviews (which I find really weird...) And don't have run-off-at-the-mouth! I really wish you well on this. I'm in the same boat, but not an 800 mile ride; yes, it can be nerve wracking--even for those who have done it before. I hope you're not up reading this. Hey, a few new icons!! Nice addition, Tom.

It's not the first interview with one of the guys, but he wants to bring his brother (family owned, the brothers own it together) in on the face-to-face interview. With the first guy, I have had 2 phone interviews and a series of at least 30 e-mails exchanged over the last 2 weeks.

The first criteria for the job was ENTHUSIASM, and I have that in spades!

You will do fine. Just be yourself and be enthusiastic.

I am looking for a sales guy and I cut people because they don't see this as a decent opportunity. If they don't see it up front; I am not going to bother to convince them this is a good opportunity.

Reach deep into your soul and heart and tell them why you want to work there. Tell them why this is why you want this job. I look for passion from a person.

Maroon92 wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: As long as you don't try to drive the entire 800 mi in the suit, you'll be OK, Brad. RELAX.

Naw, I am driving up the day before.

I was hoping for in the suit, on the MB5 ...if only for the hilarious image.

Sounds like it's in the bag, but good luck anyhow!

Luke wrote:

Maroon92 wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: As long as you don't try to drive the entire 800 mi in the suit, you'll be OK, Brad. RELAX.

Naw, I am driving up the day before.

I was hoping for in the suit, on the MB5 ...if only for the hilarious image. Sounds like it's in the bag, but good luck anyhow!

The MB took me 3 hours just to get to Road Atlanta... It would be AT LEAST 2 days to get to Ohio.

I am driving a bright copper 1986 5.0 GT Four Eyes hatch. Kickin' it old school!

In my experience, I always get jittery and borderline nauseous before an interview. But when the time comes, I typically leave my nerves int he waiting room. You seem like a confident guy, and I think that will play a big role. Believe in yourself, focus on your achievements, and the interviewer will too.

Good luck bro!

You can do it! /Waterboy

93EXCivic wrote: Drink a fourty before it.

Bad idea. Unless you bring a few to share.

Maroon92 wrote:

triumph5 wrote: Good luck, and yes, be yourself; try to read the interviewer a little bit (did he laugh at a tiny joke, smile when he talks, look you in the eye....) This is not your first interview for the job, is it? I mean 800 miles and no pre-screening/phone interviews (which I find really weird...) And don't have run-off-at-the-mouth! I really wish you well on this. I'm in the same boat, but not an 800 mile ride; yes, it can be nerve wracking--even for those who have done it before. I hope you're not up reading this. Hey, a few new icons!! Nice addition, Tom.

It's not the first interview with one of the guys, but he wants to bring his brother (family owned, the brothers own it together) in on the face-to-face interview. With the first guy, I have had 2 phone interviews and a series of at least 30 e-mails exchanged over the last 2 weeks. The first criteria for the job was ENTHUSIASM, and I have that in spades!

Sounds to me like you've already got the job brother. This just sounds like the final stamp of approval from the other half of the company. Just keep doing what you've been doing with the other brother and you'll be fine. He's already talked you up. He's already tried to sell you to his brother, now it's your job to seal the deal. Just relax and remember, as said before, you have something they want. Otherwise they wouldn't have invited you all the way up there.

You got it bro!

this interview is about how your personality fits with theirs. they already know you're qualified. i think you've done well to put so much thought into the customer base, because you can't develop a successful business strategy without knowing the customers.

Just to echo what the Angry one said, there are 3 basic unspoken questions that need to be answered during the interview process.

1. Can you do the job? (Do you have the knowledge skill and abilities?)
2. Will you do the job? (What is your motivation level?)
3. Can we stand you while you are doing the job? (Does your personality fit well)

I doubt they would have you driving 800 miles if they weren't pretty convinced of number one. Driving 800 miles to meet them pretty well answers number 2. So that means you need to be relaxed and yourself enough for them to get a real picture of who you are and how you work.

The Silicon Valley economy has given me ample opportunity to interview. Here is what I found keeps me relaxed, focused and effective. Understand the interview is not about you personally, but about the work they want/need done. They are talking to you because there have a business need (or an opportunity) and they are trying to figure if you are best the solution. I treat every interview like a business meeting and focus on understanding what needs to be done and offering whatever I have at that moment to help interviewer move forward. By taking my focus of of me and putting on "How can help here?", it puts me mentally in a place where I am strong because I good at problem solving. The other thing this approach does for me is, if I don't get me an offer, I don't it personally. Its disappointing, but in the end, the interviewers had to make a business decision based the information they had and they chose a different solution than I was offering. That's the end of the story. You work in sales, I am guessing you are used to this.

I hope this helps.

Good luck, it sounds like a fun job.

Go get em Brad! If you want me to get my tuxedo and we can interview as a team, just let me know...

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Go get em Brad! If you want me to get my tuxedo and we can interview as a team, just let me know...

I'm leaving tomorrow morning. There is still time for me to swing by and pick you up! Just say the word!

This could be us. (NSFW language)

In reply to Maroon92:

haha, i wish. Im prepping the NSX, 993 Twin, BMW for the Chin Motorsports track day tomorrow and Sunday. Or else, id be down for a road trip..

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: In reply to Maroon92: haha, i wish. Im prepping the NSX, 993 Twin, BMW for the Chin Motorsports track day tomorrow and Sunday. Or else, id be down for a road trip..

Well, I'm on my way! Stopped in Indianapolis to visit my dad who is here on business. Driving the 5 hours to Ohio tomorrow. (Bonus, I grabbed a great anniversary gift for my girlfriend of 8 years)

We are all waiting anxiously to hear the (good) results. Don't need to wish you good luck, as luck will have nothing to do with the results. Just be yourself.

ppddppdd wrote: Pro tips: don't bad mouth your current or past jobs. You're the sort of person who gets along well with everyone!

OP, feel free to use quotes from the Jerky Boys during the interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXWo6jXmRO8

"...well right not I just had to leave a old job because of differences with my fukin boss!"

Are you comfortable in a suit? Will you ever wear one in the job?

It IS possible to overdress for an interview. If what they are looking for is a get-it-done kind of guy who's not afraid to get dirty when necessary, the suit could be a put-off. I've had good success in a button-down shirt wearing work boots for a git-r-done kind of job.

The BEST advice was to be yourself. They want it to be a good fit. If it's not, you won't want the job for very long.

If they hire you thinking you are something you are not, it won't be a good fit.

You've got what it takes. Good luck!

Considering that you're driving a car that's nearly 30 years old to your interveiw.

Perhaps you should take some tools, a TFI module or Duraspark box and some disposable coveralls as well.

Even the most reliable car breaks down.

Shawn

Hotel is 3 miles from the business. Even if the car breaks down, I could walk the rest of the way with plenty of time to spare!

Honestly, the car has been bang on since I started driving it last week. absolutely perfect (aside from the lack of air con).

(and HEY...it's not "nearly 30" its 25...its only a year older than me, and I am NOT a year from "nearly 30"! LOL)

Maroon92 wrote: Well, I'm on my way! Stopped in Indianapolis to visit my dad who is here on business. Driving the 5 hours to Ohio tomorrow. (Bonus, I grabbed a great anniversary gift for my girlfriend of 8 years)

The wife kept saying a great gift for a girlfriend of 8 years would be a ring. Good luck on the interwiew

In reply to Wally:

Well, if I get the job, that may well be the case... (she deserves a better ring than I can afford at the moment.)