Why do interviewers ask hard questions for entry level jobs?

[scottischicken]

Why do interviewers ask hard questions for entry level easy jobs? For example, this entry level job is basically opening and sorting mail and entering data onto a computer. Why the heck do interviewers ask hard questions for a simple job? Why can't they ask, "How experienced are you with opening mail on a daily basis?" rather than "Name a time in which you experienced a problem and how did you solve it?" Also, the difficulty of their questions is more appropriate for someone who is applying for a job as a CEO, not a bottom ranking office clerk.

 

[Toothpick]

Well.....Exactly how hard is it to open mail?

They just want to know if you can handle stress. If you answered "We had 9000 customers to deal with and I was by myself because 5 other people called out and I freaked out and went to the back and cried and quit 2 hours later". ....yeah...well...

I can promise you the difficultly of their questions are not at all appropriate for a CEO. And if presented to a CEO candidate he should get the hell out of there ASAP. Just the fact that you think so means they are not.

Where are you applying? What jobs you trying to get? I bet we can help.

 

[Mirrium]

It's mostly just to see your way of thinking. For example if you answer with something really basic like idk opening a jar for example they'll take it as you being a very private and closed off person because you don't want to share any details about past experiences. That would tell them that you might not be a good fit in a role where teamwork is vital. Whereas if you answer with something really crazy like being in a life or death situation they might see you as someone who jumps to extremes and therefore wouldn't fit well in a role where information extraction and interpretation is important.
Try to answer based on the job your applying for and don't worry it doesn't actually have to be a real thing that happened to you, they are just gauging how you work as a person.
Think about it from their perspective their interviewing hundreds of people a day and that one question helps them to get a better look into the thought processes of the person their talking to, that person might have come in for a Janitor job for example but if they give an example where they displayed a level head and stayed composed, they might instead recommend them for a job where rational thinking in intense situations is a must.
Not all the jobs that need candidates are going to be posted so they'll always be keeping an eye out for special people who can do better in areas they need.

 

[Toothpick]

Just FYI...as an example of CEO interview questions.....they will ask about the P&L statement of the last company the CEO was in charge of. Financials, Assets, Losses, blah blah blah. And frankly...it probably won't even be the typical interview Q&A every other employee is subject to. It will be a meet and greet cause most always they already know who they are hiring.

 

[scottischicken]

How do you deal with different kinds of advice on getting a job?

For example, someone says you should call the employer after an interview to follow up on the job.

Another person said employers don't like phone call follow ups because it puts pressure on them, and they will get the next person instead.

 

[AGeese]

How do you deal with different kinds of advice on getting a job?

For example, someone says you should call the employer after an interview to follow up on the job.

Another person said employers don't like phone call follow ups because it puts pressure on them, and they will get the next person instead.

No phone calls please. Send a follow up email. Keep it brief, and thank them for the interview. Reiterate your interest and availability.

 

[Mirrium]

No phone calls please. Send a follow up email. Keep it brief, and thank them for the interview. Reiterate your interest and availability.

This ^ completely agree, short simple email. Try include something that was said during the interview because it let's them know that you were paying proper attention and are genuinely interested

 

[Toothpick]

IMO...don't follow up at all. But it really depends on the type of job you are applying for. All my hiring manager experience comes from Retail. We don't give AF if you call, email, send a letter, send a pigeon, ..you are just annoying us.

And also..more TBH...you should be applying for so many jobs you don't know who to keep up with.

This is just my experience - I spent 20 years in retail, 15 in retail management and when I wanted to get out of retail I made a bookmark of every city, county, utility, industrial, etc. job website within 30 miles of my home. Anything not retail. Everyday I made time to look at every job opportunity website in that bookmarks folder and apply for anything I thought I could do. Anything I thought I was qualified for. And anything I wanted even though I wasn't qualified for. I applied for any job I wanted regardless of qualifications.

I only went on a handful of interviews where I didn't get the job and I never followed up. Because why? They have my resume, they have all my qualifications, they have everything they need to make a decision on me. I'm not waiting on ABC Company to hire me. I'm out there applying for 10 more jobs, I'm setting up 5 more interviews.

I was already hired and had a start date at one company when another company called me for an interview and I took the interview because I didn't have a paycheck yet and wanted to see what they had to offer. I called Company A and said, "sorry, I got a better offer and I won't be starting Monday for you".

IMO...Don't waste your time following up. Apply for the job, do the interview, say thanks it was a real pleasure I look forward to hearing from you. THEN APPLY FOR 20 OTHER JOBS and don't look back. You don't owe them anything, they don't owe you anything. Your priority is YOURSELF. Get a job!

 

[Mirrium]

IMO...don't follow up at all. But it really depends on the type of job you are applying for. All my hiring manager experience comes from Retail. We don't give AF if you call, email, send a letter, send a pigeon, ..you are just annoying us.

And also..more TBH...you should be applying for so many jobs you don't know who to keep up with.

This is just my experience - I spent 20 years in retail, 15 in retail management and when I wanted to get out of retail I made a bookmark of every city, county, utility, industrial, etc. job website within 30 miles of my home. Anything not retail. Everyday I made time to look at every job opportunity website in that bookmarks folder and apply for anything I thought I could do. Anything I thought I was qualified for. And anything I wanted even though I wasn't qualified for. I applied for any job I wanted regardless of qualifications.

I only went on a handful of interviews where I didn't get the job and I never followed up. Because why? They have my resume, they have all my qualifications, they have everything they need to make a decision on me. I'm not waiting on ABC Company to hire me. I'm out there applying for 10 more jobs, I'm setting up 5 more interviews.

I was already hired and had a start date at one company when another company called me for an interview and I took the interview because I didn't have a paycheck yet and wanted to see what they had to offer. I called Company A and said, "sorry, I got a better offer and I won't be starting Monday for you".

IMO...Don't waste your time following up. Apply for the job, do the interview, say thanks it was a real pleasure I look forward to hearing from you. THEN APPLY FOR 20 OTHER JOBS and don't look back. You don't owe them anything, they don't owe you anything. Your priority is YOURSELF. Get a job!

It's decent advice, if you choose to play it that way, the numbers game can definitely work out for you. I was trying to support op to get the specific job they wanted/were applying for but if op is just looking for any job this is a valid method in achieving that goal.

 

[AGeese]

It's decent advice, if you choose to play it that way, the numbers game can definitely work out for you. I was trying to support op to get the specific job they wanted/were applying for but if op is just looking for any job this is a valid method in achieving that goal.

It's about the same with online dating some people spam and others are more thoughtful.