Updated: what to "teach" interviewers? (Non-teaching job)

[applecrispy]

I quit my job in October of last year (https://pandce.proboards.com/thread/634624/quit-job-another-lined) and it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I didn't realize HOW stressed I was until I wasn't stressed anymore... I've been gardening and I volunteer at a non-profit museum 2 days a week which I absolutely love doing. 

I've been casually applying for jobs and have gotten to the final interview twice now, and lost out to the other candidate which is frustrating. I have another interview in 2 weeks for a entry level job doing data entry. It's not my dream job but it is a non-stressful job that will get me in the door to the employer I want to work for long term. I'm over-qualified for this position but they like to promote internally and there are so many great opportunities once I'm in. (Large University with multiple campuses on the non-faculty side). 

For the interview I need to teach the panel of interviewers (6 people, mixed genders aged 20s to mid 50s) something I enjoy doing in my personal life. Examples from the hiring manager included sports, hobbies, art, baking, etc. I only need to "teach" for 2-4 minutes and I won't have a laptop to do slides, etc. I've never been asked to prepare something like this and I'm probably overthinking it, but I'm having trouble thinking of something to teach. I'm not a good baker/cook. I am not an artsy/crafty person. My hobbies include gardening, doing puzzles, reading, genealogy, solitary things that I can't really teach about. Any ideas on what subject to present and any ideas on how to present this?  

[archiethedragon]

puzzles seems like a good topic to me.

[orval]

Maybe pick something from gardening. I am not a big gardener but how to transplant a plant, proper pruning a rose bush(or whatever plant). Google some youtube videos for a gardening idea.

[minzy]

Gardening? How to do compost/explain how it works and why it’s preferable to landfilling food waste?

[jinkies]

Is there anything you've learned from volunteering at the non-profit museum that you could teach them about? Not sure what you do there, but if it is, say, an art museum, maybe you could print out a favorite painting and give some history on the artist, the painting, the time period, etc. Or for a history museum, pick a specific thing you found especially interesting about the museum and talk about it? Or really, maybe just teaching them about the nonprofit that you are volunteering with in general, like why you find their work important for the community, what opportunities there are for people who visit, etc.

[gt7301b]

I would select a topic that you are really passionate about. I doubt they care about what you present but more looking at your presentation skills and how you relate to the panel and respond to their questions. I am sure there are tons of gardening related things you could use in your presentation.

[just]

This is so common in my world.

I would definitely not do something work-related. I would do something that is fully teachable in the time allotted and that will give them something concrete to walk away with either in their hands, or that they can use in the future.

Previously I've done an origami crane, how to reverse image search in google, how to say 5 phrases in Irish.

Getting them to do it/something is important. Giving them a takeaway - a one pager on how to do it, is gold level. The presentation should be organized, clear, and well-practiced, but try to engage with the individuals as much as is possible.

ETA: Some thoughts based on your interests - how to sign up for an online library card if possible, 3 tips for getting better at wordle/crosswords/etc, 

[dr.girlfriend]

If puzzles includes something simple like Wordle, Sodoku, or the Pangram thing I always see at the bottom of the NYT newsletter but can never find instructions on how to do then I think that could be good!

Otherwise, maybe a simple gardening thing, like how to plan a small squre-foot vegetable garden, or how to make a succulent garden in a dish, or something else gardening-related you're knowledgeable about? Maybe a brief presentation on native plants and best areas (e.g. which are for sunny spots, which are for shady spots) or pollinator gardens or something environmentally-focused?

Are you allowed any visuals at all, like a whiteboard or something?  Seems hard to teach without ANYTHING to focus on visually.

[krystee]

I would do a handout. Bonus points if there is a hands-on element they could do right in front of you (I’m thinking like how to make a paper crane or paper airplane) or something you can demonstrate.

But am I the only one annoyed that this level of effort is required for an entry level position? Most people are having to interview for multiple jobs before getting an offer. If candidates had to do this every time, it would be so exhausting.

If the position had anything to do with teaching, I’d get it. But you should be able to tell from a good interview if a data analyst has enough skill to tell the story around the data.

[livinitup]

Do you enjoy dunking cookies in milk? I do. The only presentation I ever got full credit for in Spanish was when I showed everyone how to properly eat an Oreo.

[flygirl]

Could you teach anything about researching genealogy? I find that interesting but I wouldn’t know how to start.

[mpm]

Jul 3, 2023 20:10:01 GMT -5 krystee said:

But am I the only one annoyed that this level of effort is required for an entry level position? Most people are having to interview for multiple jobs before getting an offer. If candidates had to do this every time, it would be so exhausting.

If the position had anything to do with teaching, I’d get it. But you should be able to tell from a good interview if a data analyst has enough skill to tell the story around the data.

Agree! I’ve politely removed myself from consideration from other jobs for much less. My time is valuable, and I expect a potential employer to respect that and to understand that interviewing is a two-way process where we’re both deciding whether we want to work together.

[konapoppy]

I am lost as to how facilitating a brief training is at all job related to an entry level data entry role 🤔

Do whatever is easiest for you.

[wildrice]

Jul 3, 2023 20:10:01 GMT -5 krystee said:

I would do a handout. Bonus points if there is a hands-on element they could do right in front of you (I’m thinking like how to make a paper crane or paper airplane) or something you can demonstrate.

But am I the only one annoyed that this level of effort is required for an entry level position? Most people are having to interview for multiple jobs before getting an offer. If candidates had to do this every time, it would be so exhausting.

If the position had anything to do with teaching, I’d get it. But you should be able to tell from a good interview if a data analyst has enough skill to tell the story around the data.

Yeah I am really questioning the job relatedness of this whole exercise. Especially without a visual aspect - I was going to suggest teaching something you'd actually do in your role, like an Excel formula or something, but that would be really hard without a computer! 

I've had to do a short training for job interviews before, but that was for actual trainer positions. And even then, it's kind of a lot to ask of a candidate if they don't end up with the job. I worked so hard for an interview back in 2014 that I ultimately ended up losing out on to an internal candidate. 

OP I agree with something you can demonstrate. Or maybe something with helping a patron at the museum, if there are any processes or step by step activities that you perform?

[applecrispy]

Crazy update: Thank you everyone for your ideas! jinkies and krystee I ended up doing a behind the scenes "tour" of the non-profit I volunteer at with a handout and it was very well received. I got a lot of compliments at the end of the interview. Everyone was familiar with the museum but not of some of the original history and cool stuff that's not on display that I got permission to share. That interview was Monday. They are interviewing more people throughout next week and won't make a decision until the second week of August.

Here is where the craziness comes in- I had applied for another job, same University but different department more than a month ago. "Job B" was a stretch, I have a similar skill set but no direct experience. I had a screening interview last week and interviewed with the faculty and administrative team Wednesday in 3 back to back interviews. I got an email this afternoon saying I was their preferred candidate and an offer will be extended pending my references and background check.

HOLY CRAP. I went from being stressed, overworked, and bullied in my last job to possibly working at my dream job at an amazing employer with a manager who advocates for her team. Thank you to the awful few people at my previous job because I would have never quit and gone elsewhere.

I'm completely exhausted from doing so many interviews this week but so excited to see what happens next week!

TLDR: Did awesome presentation for job a (haven't heard back yet), but got an offer for job b.

[minzy]

Congrats!! That’s great!

[krystee]

Congratulations!!

[dr.girlfriend]

Hooray!!!

[sadlebred]

Congratulations!!!!!

[heygrey]

Congratulations! That is amazing!