What do I say when asked...?

"Can you tell of a time when you had to help a fellow employee do their job?" when I really can't - I've worked in Costumer Service, typically by myself, and in a daycare, where it is just me and the owner..

how about when they ask, "Why do you want to work here?" The obvious, honest answer is, hey, I need a job so I can afford to live, but clearly that's not acceptable.

Sara,

I agree with you. I have not wanted to answer that question honestly, either. So...I went into teaching as a professor.

If you can not say "I am passionate about this"...move on. The money is not worth the agony you feel while you work day in and out for a place you don't respect or care to remain at.

If you can say "Well, I am looking for experience and I bring certain skills to the table in trade...", well that is an honest answer, but it the ONLY reason is for the $8.50 an hr. do anything else until you can find your passion...Money really will follow. It did for me.

I started teaching in exchange for meals in college, and I continued doing sub work at any school that needed a teacher for the day. I got my graduate work done while I tutored and finally landed at a good local teaching university where I believe that I make a difference.

I was not happy working for industry where I felt used even though, at first, I made more money.

Don't settle, please.

gl-and be well-
Fred

Oh, groan.
I am too old for that kind of crap.
If questions like that start coming up, I try to play the little game, but my patience wears thin pretty fast.
That's right, I want to work for your organization because I am hungry and it is you who has the help wanted sign out front. Duh.
Weren't these jerkoffs ever interviewed for a job? Or maybe this is their way of exacting revenge for their own dismal careers.
Yeah, I can tell you of a time when I had to help a fellow employee do their job. At my last job, when I did all the boss's work for her, so she could spend her days down at Macy's trying on make-up.
Sorry I'm not much help. The last time I was out interviewing for a job, I started actually just being myself, and it got some interesting results. One woman asked me if I how proficient I was with Excel, and I told her, flatly, that it was the Antichrist. She had been in the act of taking a swallow of her coffee, and the surprise of my reply caused her to spew the contents of her mouthful across the desk and she hired me on the spot (after she stopped choking)!

You really don't want to lie. So, for the first question, I would reply, "In my work experience, I've never really had fellow employees as it was only the owner and myself. However, I do have instances where I've helped the children at the daycare sort their issues. Would you appreciate hearing that story?"

Was there ever an instance when you and the owner worked together to sort out a larger issue??

For you second question, yes the honest answer is we want to be able to live. But why did you pick this establishment over another? Perhaps this is a field that you enjoy. Perhaps the company was one of the top 50 companies. Perhaps this job seemed like something you'd really be interested in since it's different from your previous experiences. Perhaps you're really passionate about selling fast food...whatever, you do really have to dig to find these answers.

I really hate these type of interviews. Honestly, I don't do well making up answers, but give me a task and I'll take care of it. I also get super nervous, so I can't think. Can't the interviewer just see that I'm qualified and not spend an hour playing storytime.

You need to just put a good spin on your answers. Say that you feel you would be a valuable part of their team, because of your experience/personality traits (outgoing, leader, ect)... And that you would love the experience of working there.

As far as helping a co-worker out... if you don't work with anyone, then you don't work with anyone... but you can say you set up a report or plan or some system that made the job more efficient or easier...

It's all about word play.

No you need to say.. I really love to interact with children.. I see it as my vocation, it gives me pleasure to teach the children new values, help them discovering and developing new creative ideas or hobbies.... it is a challenge that brings with it a lot of responsibility but also is very gratifying and brings great joy ( especially when they all go home and I can go home and do what I want to do and forget all about them and payday is the best day..) but leave that last bit out.... of course !! LOL xx