Interview help plz

[flounder_al]

I am coming to a point in my life when things are going to change. Hopefully for the better.

I have applied for a new job and have been offered an interview but i have not had one in 17 years. And even then the last one was to join the RAF so it wasn't really a proper interview.

Apart from wearing a suit are there any other really good tips anyone could give me.

I'm parping myself about it.

[Foggy]

As an employer I conduct quite a few interviews and beleive me some of them lose the job before they have even sat down. Door opens and im greeted with "Hiya chief"

I am in the Care home business and i asked one girl what she would do if a patient hit her, "Ide hit them back" came the reply.

You dont say what the job is, but spend a bit of time learning what the company do, look it up on the net. show some interest. be polite. be keen.

Make sure you get a good nights sleep, nothing annoys an employer more that a yawning interviewee. Ask questions, what are the hours, the pay, the holidays, is there a pension scheme, ask about what they do.

You only get one chance, so good luck and go for it.

[BaggieRich]

There are a few "standard" interview questions that seem to crop up time and again, like "What are your career ambitions/what's your biggest failing/What's your best attribute/why do you think you should get the job." You can probably find a better list somewhere on the net. You need to think about these BEFORE you go in. Too much research never hurt anybody.

Be friendly, not familiar. Don't fidget. If they ask you a question you don't know the answer to, don't try and bluff them (Remember, they already know all about the job you're going for, so they'll know if you haven't got a clue.) Tell them "If I'm perfectly honest, I don't know the answer to that, but I would imagine the moon really is made of cheese....." (This is also a good time to push the fact that your a quick learner, and if you're unsure about something you'll ask questions until you understand it. Also, you'd rather put your hand up when something goes wrong and then put it right rather than cover it up and hope no one notices.)

Do *NOT* be late. If you're not sure how long it will take you to get to the interview, do a trial run a few days before.

Most importantly, and for me the hardest of all, relax. The bloke on the other side of the desk is just that..... Just another bloke. You have to be yourself. They'll find out soon enough if the person who got the job at the interview isn't really you.

Try to build a relationship/find some common ground with the interviewer. I had an interview recently and the interviewer asked me to describe myself, so I told him I fished a bit. He said he fished a few years ago and that was it, we chatted about fishing and some of the ice was broken, I relaxed, then interview went quite well and I got the job. Okay, that was a lucky strike, but it work just as well talking about the traffic/weather/holidays.

Believe in yourself. If you don't think you should get the job, they won't either.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[fishypaul]

in my opinion first impressions mean a great deal,meeting the interviewer with a polite,confident handshake and dressing the part mean a lot,
relax and be yourself,don't give him a load of bull***t,you will only be found out sooner or later,
nest of luck mate

[tat]

One thing I have found out is,tell the truth.You will get caught out if you don't.
I don't mean you are a liar,what I mean is don't fib about your skills or qualifications.

[flounder_al]

Thanks for all the tips and advice peeps.

Had my interview today and i personally think it went ok. Struggled on one point (psycosametric maths test) but the rest seemed ok enough.

Just got to keep my fingers crossed now and wait to be told either way.

Thanks again

[Foggy]

Well done chap that sounds promising.

Your correct response to the psychsametric maths test would have been "Jesus is that the fire alarm?"


luv Foggy

[Greenheart]

First point of contact with any new employer is usually when he recieves your CV, so spend a bit of time on it & get it right & Not too long. Also double check spelling & grammar. Theres plenty of advice on this subject on the net too. Failing that, join a masonic lodge & learn the funny handshake LOL Good luck.

[flounder_al]

Just to keep you all updated...

I got verbally offered the job today. It's at a different placed to where i applied to work but it works out closer to home and better hours. Well happy

Thanks for all the tips. They were very useful.

[fishypaul]

well done al