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[TheOfficeMut]

...do you give the entire rundown or a brief snippet to start the conversation?

I have an interview later today and I'm nervous as hell. It's for a compliance position and I currently work in compliance, and there's a lot that can be said about what I specifically do in my position, what databases we utilize, and so forth, but I don't want to blow my load on my opening statement.

For those of you who have interviewed people, when you ask them, "what is it that you currently do," do you expect a very detailed breakdown or more of a general description so that you can go from there?

My bad habit is wanting to always fill the air because I'm afraid of silence in the room.

 

[Gaz_RB]

Talk about the top 3 things you do and how it affects the company positively. Don't need to go into much detail-let them flesh that out.

 

[Gattsu25]

A general rundown similar to what you already have in the OP.

Talk about the top 3 things you do and how it affects the company positively. Don't need to go into much detail-let them flesh that out.

Also great advice. Advertise yourself but don't go too in depth in the response to that question until the follow up questions (if they are asked).

 

[UCBooties]

Answer questions directly and elaborate if more detail is asked for. Be prepared to talk about your interpersonal skills, problem solving, and possibly examples of times you needed to work outside your comfort zone or deal with the unexpected. Expect them to ask about your career goals and your feelings about company culture.

Stay polite, don't babble, and don't sell smoke.

Go get 'em.

 

[Gattsu25]

Answer questions directly and elaborate if more detail is asked for. Be prepared to talk about your interpersonal skills, problem solving, and possibly examples of times you needed to work outside your comfort zone or deal with the unexpected. Expect them to ask about your career goals and your feelings about company culture.

Stay polite, don't babble, and don't sell smoke.

Go get 'em.

Yepo.

 

[Speevy]

I deal with the god damn customers so the engineers don't have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?

 

[Preezy]

I arrive at work at 8.50am and log into my desktop PC. Whilst my systems are loading up I go and make a drink for the morning and converse with my colleagues about the previous night's television. Once back at my desk I then log onto Neogaf and spend the next 8 hours pretending to work.

Am I hired?

 

[Earthbound64]

I arrive at work at 8.50am and log into my desktop PC. Whilst my systems are loading up I go and make a drink for the morning and converse with my colleagues about the previous night's television. Once back at my desk I then log onto Neogaf and spend the next 8 hours pretending to work.

Am I hired?

Don't forget "I go to the bathroom 6 times, for half an hour each, because getting paid to use the bathroom is awesome."

 

[Skinny Pete]

I usually tell them I like smoking weed, drinking 40's and all types of ill shit.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Talk about the top 3 things you do and how it affects the company positively. Don't need to go into much detail-let them flesh that out.

My idea of an opening statement is: "I work in compliance at [insert company] where I have been for [number of years]. I specifically focus on AML/EDD standards and prepare research reports to satisfy regulatory requirements as defined by the U.S. Patriot Act and other legal statutes. The reports are intended to identify clients considered to be of potential risk to the firm and highlight, amongst other things, exposure to high risk industries/countries, political exposure, lawsuits, fraudulent and criminal activity, and negative media."

How does that sound?

Don't forget "I go to the bathroom 6 times, for half an hour each, because getting paid to use the bathroom is awesome."

This is pretty accurate, too.

 

[Akuun]

Talk about a few main things you do, then mention the more minor stuff in passing. Word the minor stuff in an open-ended way so that people can ask you to elaborate on those things if they're interested.

If your old company isn't well known, you may need to give a very quick rundown of what that company does to provide context too.

My idea of an opening statement is: "I work in compliance at [insert company] where I have been for [number of years]. I specifically focus on AML/EDD standards and prepare research reports to satisfy regulatory requirements as defined by the U.S. Patriot Act and other legal statutes. The reports are intended to identify clients considered to be a potential risk to the firm and highlight, amongst other things, exposure to high risk industries/countries, political exposure, lawsuits, fraudulent and criminal activity, and negative media."

How does that sound?

That sounds good. Not too long, though the wording sounds a little more formal than I'm used to. Formality can be good or bad, depending on the atmosphere of the job you're looking for.

Did you do anything else besides those reports? For example, did you do anything to get the information needed to write them?

 

[Viewt]

As someone who interviews people once or twice a week, I'll echo others who are telling you to keep your answers succinct and direct. When people take a short question and go off on a 10-minute diatribe that covers a bunch of different topics, it tells me that they're scattered and insecure. Believe me - if I want more from your answer, I'll ask.

Also, please please please have 2-3 questions prepared for the end. Nothing worse than asking someone if they have any questions for you and seeing them awkwardly fumble something that they're pulling from their ass. Or worse, when they just say, "Uhh, no, I think I'm good..."

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Talk about a few main things you do, then mention the more minor stuff in passing. Word the minor stuff in an open-ended way so that people can ask you to elaborate on those things if they're interested.

If your old company isn't well known, you may need to give a very quick rundown of what that company does to provide context too.


That sounds good. Not too long, though the wording sounds a little more formal than I'm used to. Formality can be good or bad, depending on the atmosphere of the job you're looking for.

Did you do anything else besides those reports? For example, did you do anything to get the information needed to write them?

Of course. I'm the one doing the research using internal and external databases, which we use a number of. And using whatever it is I find, I compile my information and determine a risk level.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

I tell them that in a given week I do about 15 minutes of real, actual work because I'm Peter Gibbons.

 

[Escape Goat]

Whatever you answer in an interview should be tailored to relate to the job you're applying for.

 

[Mihos]

Usually, I like when they list all of their current responsibilities and keep it short. It allows me to focus follow ups on the parts that match what I am interviewing for and can get a more specific on how much training they will need to catch up on the ones they don't

It also lets me give them a much better feel for how this position would differ. I get a lot of engineers who are great in what they do currently, but usually not in the right discipline or work environment that we will have.

 

[Servbot24]

I'd do anything for this company, and I'll silence anyone who stands in my way!

Works every time.