Another Job Interview Question

[Pete Incaviglia]

I know of one person who I'll be interviewing for. But should I email the person who arranged the interview and ask who all will be in attendance?

I suspect it's going to be more than just one person.

 

[fishwrapper]

Why not? And/or does it really matter?

 

[beanpole]

I can't imagine why you would ask. Will knowing the names and job titles of who will be in the room change your approach?

I'm assuming that you'll make your best pitch regardless if the managing editor or HR is in the room, so knowing who you'll be talking to ahead of time strikes me as a little trivial. But that's just me.

Best of luck in the interview, Pete.

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

Only matters because I know a lot people who MIGHT be there, so I know their likes and dislikes, what they're specifically looking for.

Plus, I'd like to go in and be able to strike up small talk about them personally. For instance, I know the one guy doing the interviewing is a grad from my college's greatest rival.

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

Forgot to mention, it's not a paper interview, I'm trying to get the hell out.

 

[Ace]

I would not be that blunt.

And I would assume if you are interviewing with multiple people, it would be done separately -- not six people all grilling you at once. I don't think I have ever interviewed with more than two people at a time and those were the potential co-worker types.

So my advice is to get back with them and see if they can give you a schedule of the day Mr. Jones at 9 a.m., lunch with Mrs. Smith, etc.

That would give you the chance to see if you can work up some kin with any.

 

[Sic semper tyrannis]

No, don't ask.

I admit that would have pissed me off -- not completely sure why -- when I was in a hiring position.

It seems presumptious -- I think you are best to show how you cope with whatever hand you are dealt

 

[spikechiquet]

I would not be that blunt.

And I would assume if you are interviewing with multiple people, it would be done separately -- not six people all grilling you at once. I don't think I have ever interviewed with more than two people at a time and those were the potential co-worker types.

So my advice is to get back with them and see if they can give you a schedule of the day Mr. Jones at 9 a.m., lunch with Mrs. Smith, etc.

That would give you the chance to see if you can work up some kin with any.

I interviewed for a public radio station's news director role a few months ago. The whole staff...about 10 in all...were in the room.

Yeah, not intimidating at all.

 

[flexmaster33]

I don't see the need to ask ahead...just roll with the punches.

 

[JackReacher]

For the job I have now, I interviewed with three people at once. For another job I didn't get, I interviewed with eight different people, one at a time. Neither were newspaper gigs.

But to answer the question, no. Just go with it. Prove you can handle **** on the fly.

 

[mustangj17]

I think we need an all-purpose Pete I job thread. Thoughts?

 

[Ace]

I think we need an all-purpose Pete I job thread. Thoughts?

Yeah. And a separate RickStain McDonald's diary.

 

[mustangj17]

I think we need an all-purpose Pete I job thread. Thoughts?

Yeah. And a separate RickStain McDonald's diary.

Followed by Ace's one liner thread.

 

[Drip]

Forgot to mention, it's not a paper interview, I'm trying to get the hell out.

Why are you working yourself up into such a frantic state? It's not worth it. Act like you know and interview with whomever shows up. I know you may be scared thinking that it's your last chance to break out but one of two things are going to happen, you are either going to get it or you won't. If you get it, then you'll leave this screwed up business and think about the good times. If you don't, then you'll learn from the experience and keep trying until something else comes along.
Good Luck.

 

[joe_schmoe]

Not sure how they would take it, but yeah I 'd love to know these things in advance too.

Once interviewed at a university for a position that was in the communications department, not athletics, though would work with athletics and eventually be purely athletics. As if the job description and future of the job weren't difficult enough to deal with, it made the interview hell. Twelve people were there. AD, SID, Communications chair, some VP, HR director, the head baseball coach (still not sure why), and a few other odds and ends. It was quite intimidating just because they are all asking questions from different aspects of the job.

Not sure that knowing all these people would be there woulda helped, but sheesh, I don't see how it woulda made me more nervous.

 

[lone star scribe]

Biggest collection of interviewers I had was eight, set up like a panel discussion, for a govt communications post. The group included the supervisor, the supervisor's director and a smattering of colleagues I would be working with. Felt like I was on Meet The Press, but more confrontational.

I also had four interviewers at once in a conference call phone interview for a university job.

Interesting common thread: Both jobs were never filled because of budget cuts. And I suspect both groups suspected as much. Seemed more like an exercise.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Plus, I'd like to go in and be able to strike up small talk about them personally. For instance, I know the one guy doing the interviewing is a grad from my college's greatest rival.

If you don't wear a shirt from your college days into the interview, I'll be disappointed.

 

[Pete Incaviglia]

This one had two interviewing me. I passed. I'm invited back for another interview as they whittle it down. It's me and two others.

Last month, interviewed in front of four people. Didn't get that job - but I don't think I really wanted it looking back.

But, still in the running for this one. So we shall see.

 

[flexmaster33]

glad it went well...good luck Pete

 

[flexmaster33]

Biggest collection of interviewers I had was eight, set up like a panel discussion, for a govt communications post. The group included the supervisor, the supervisor's director and a smattering of colleagues I would be working with. Felt like I was on Meet The Press, but more confrontational.

When dealing with a government job, take the number of people required to get it done properly and multiply by at least four.

I also had four interviewers at once in a conference call phone interview for a university job.

Interesting common thread: Both jobs were never filled because of budget cuts. And I suspect both groups suspected as much. Seemed more like an exercise.