Why do I **** up interviews?
Discussion
I'm not desperate to move on as I'm employed in a nice steady job with regular income and little hassle, but recently I've been for a couple interviews for jobs I'd prefer to be doing and have been sort of on/off ambitions since leaving school, and for which I'm well suited given previous very specific roles and experience.
The application processes have involved various numeracy and literacy tests and other desk top selection procedures, all of which I breeze through, then when I get to interview it all goes tits up.
I just get the feeling I'm not "saying the right words" to match the interviewers' criteria, despite the underlying message of what I'm trying to convey still being on target.
Its like a Miss World contestant saying she wants a career with minors less fortunate or in need, and then gets rejected because the specific words "I want to work with disadvantaged children" weren't uttered somewhere down the line.
On both occasions I've also managed to make a total dogs dinner of discussing various key skills, for which I've got some solid gold anecdotal examples. I've got a text book answer to the classic "Tell us about a time you had to make a difficult decision" and yet when I answer, what comes out is some lame, slightly vague b
ks and I end up sounding like I'm rambling on, making it up as I go. In my head I'm shouting at myself saying "What the hell are you going on about?! This isn't what we agreed to say!"
Is it just a case not being match-fit in interview terms due to not being on an urgent job-hunt, or am I missing something?
The application processes have involved various numeracy and literacy tests and other desk top selection procedures, all of which I breeze through, then when I get to interview it all goes tits up.
I just get the feeling I'm not "saying the right words" to match the interviewers' criteria, despite the underlying message of what I'm trying to convey still being on target.
Its like a Miss World contestant saying she wants a career with minors less fortunate or in need, and then gets rejected because the specific words "I want to work with disadvantaged children" weren't uttered somewhere down the line.
On both occasions I've also managed to make a total dogs dinner of discussing various key skills, for which I've got some solid gold anecdotal examples. I've got a text book answer to the classic "Tell us about a time you had to make a difficult decision" and yet when I answer, what comes out is some lame, slightly vague b
ks and I end up sounding like I'm rambling on, making it up as I go. In my head I'm shouting at myself saying "What the hell are you going on about?! This isn't what we agreed to say!"Is it just a case not being match-fit in interview terms due to not being on an urgent job-hunt, or am I missing something?
Crossflow Kid said:
On both occasions I've also managed to make a total dogs dinner of discussing various key skills, for which I've got some solid gold anecdotal examples. I've got a text book answer to the classic "Tell us about a time you had to make a difficult decision" and yet when I answer, what comes out is some lame, slightly vague bks and I end up sounding like I'm rambling on, making it up as I go. In my head I'm shouting at myself saying "What the hell are you going on about?! This isn't what we agreed to say!"
You can always say "Actually, I've thought of a much better example, do you mind?"ks and I end up sounding like I'm rambling on, making it up as I go. In my head I'm shouting at myself saying "What the hell are you going on about?! This isn't what we agreed to say!"Crossflow Kid said:
D'you mean have them out in front of me to refer to during interview?
Always thought that was a bit frowned upon, a bit like cheating in an exam, or is it more a case of write stuff down to better commit it to memory, even if I don't ever look at it again?
In an interview your not going to remember, I usually have pre-prepared questions that id want to ask.Always thought that was a bit frowned upon, a bit like cheating in an exam, or is it more a case of write stuff down to better commit it to memory, even if I don't ever look at it again?
I've done it a few times, but never got the jobs, have never been told that's why. Last interview I went to I had pages and pages of notes and questions following the previous phone interview, lots of the points where address as we went along so at the end I only had a couple of questions, but usually when I'm interviewed its the person interviewing me that gets a grilling from me.
Mr MXT said:
You can always say "Actually, I've thought of a much better example, do you mind?"
Nice. I think I might be making the mistake of thinking the conversation is a single track road with nowhere to do a u-turn.Will keep that in mind for the next time (for which I've already passed the aforementioned pen'n'paper tests and had confirmation that I'll be getting an interview)
0000 said:
Crossflow Kid said:
I've got a text book answer to the classic "Tell us about a time you had to make a difficult decision"
That is a classic, is anyone really still using it?!Must admit I'm usually expecting more of a grilling and end up getting 30 seconds in the microwave.
Maybe I'm aiming too high with my intended reply and missing the obvious as a result?
I am not well practised at interview, but have several key 'stories' I tell. You sound well prepared but maybe 'the way you tell them' is your stumbling block.
Try being concise, rather than rambling. Make sure you are definitely answering the question asked. Let the interviewer ask more questions through being too concise is a good tactic. This can build a better rapport with the interviewer and allowing interaction. Being concise can give the impression of confidence too.
Humour can be appropriate but towards the end of the interview. Again this can relax the situation and the interviewer (who will probably be your future manager) will need to 'like' you too. (Don't tell jokes, though.....
)
Have prepared questions (maybe related to the industry, growth, company approach to things). A little research to ask relevant questions is a must. I tend not to ask about wages, Ts and Cs, holiday leave, pensions etc. If these eventually turn out to be deal breakers you can walk away after the offer is made or negotiate. Far easier to do when you have an offer and they want you.
Like I say, I am no guru. But have got jobs 9or job offers) from about 50% of my interviews.
Good luck
Mike
Try being concise, rather than rambling. Make sure you are definitely answering the question asked. Let the interviewer ask more questions through being too concise is a good tactic. This can build a better rapport with the interviewer and allowing interaction. Being concise can give the impression of confidence too.
Humour can be appropriate but towards the end of the interview. Again this can relax the situation and the interviewer (who will probably be your future manager) will need to 'like' you too. (Don't tell jokes, though.....
)Have prepared questions (maybe related to the industry, growth, company approach to things). A little research to ask relevant questions is a must. I tend not to ask about wages, Ts and Cs, holiday leave, pensions etc. If these eventually turn out to be deal breakers you can walk away after the offer is made or negotiate. Far easier to do when you have an offer and they want you.
Like I say, I am no guru. But have got jobs 9or job offers) from about 50% of my interviews.
Good luck
Mike
Munter said:
0000 said:
Crossflow Kid said:
I've got a text book answer to the classic "Tell us about a time you had to make a difficult decision"
That is a classic, is anyone really still using it?!
And wait for the offers to roll in!
Whilst I take the point of over-rehearsing; you do need to practice (and practice again) and be coached like any other skill if you want to be the very best at it.
Notwithstanding the fact that using interviews alone to confirm suitability is not best practice, they can add value but only if you get to find out as much as you can about a candidate's attitude (following the mantra of 'hire for attitude above skill set').
When I coach interview techniques, it's gratifying to see the improvements that can be made in very quick time.
A quick win would be to ask to sit in on, or better still if you have the skills, take part in interviewing others; you would get a lot from it.
Good luck!
Notwithstanding the fact that using interviews alone to confirm suitability is not best practice, they can add value but only if you get to find out as much as you can about a candidate's attitude (following the mantra of 'hire for attitude above skill set').
When I coach interview techniques, it's gratifying to see the improvements that can be made in very quick time.
A quick win would be to ask to sit in on, or better still if you have the skills, take part in interviewing others; you would get a lot from it.
Good luck!
Its practice and preparation, I usually take some material to illustrate real life case studies etc, research the company so I can take the lead in the interview, I pretty much aim to interview them
I usually get through the interview and stuff up the numeracy test. The last one was a job I really wanted, I did well in interview well in pyscho tests, badly in numeracy (but they said that was ok), and then failed at the last stage where I had to present to the non exec board. I completely mis understood the point of the subject. Was totally gutted
I usually get through the interview and stuff up the numeracy test. The last one was a job I really wanted, I did well in interview well in pyscho tests, badly in numeracy (but they said that was ok), and then failed at the last stage where I had to present to the non exec board. I completely mis understood the point of the subject. Was totally gutted
In constructing your answer, consider using a standard framework of structure for interview question answering
Eg, I have used STAR in the past successfully....
S : situation, describing what you were facing, maybe what obstacles where in the way and any pertinent info for the listener to give them a flavour of the situation you were in.
T : target, what you were trying to get to at the end
A : actions....what specifically you did to get from start to finish
R : what was the end result, in comparison to what you intended, including specifics of £, timing or whatever identified that you had been successful
You still need to tell a story in a conversational manner but if you can mentally structure it to cover those points, it may help stop any rambling.
Eg, I have used STAR in the past successfully....
S : situation, describing what you were facing, maybe what obstacles where in the way and any pertinent info for the listener to give them a flavour of the situation you were in.
T : target, what you were trying to get to at the end
A : actions....what specifically you did to get from start to finish
R : what was the end result, in comparison to what you intended, including specifics of £, timing or whatever identified that you had been successful
You still need to tell a story in a conversational manner but if you can mentally structure it to cover those points, it may help stop any rambling.
Hmm, all good stuff. Thanks chaps 
I like the STAR structure, will try using that next time. The "be concise" comment also struck a chord. I'm pretty sure that at a couple of points in the last interview they were sitting opposite thinking "Come on, come on.....get to the point"
I've been notified that I've passed the initial assessment for another role I'm looking at and will be called for interview soon. Will update accordingly.
I like the STAR structure, will try using that next time. The "be concise" comment also struck a chord. I'm pretty sure that at a couple of points in the last interview they were sitting opposite thinking "Come on, come on.....get to the point"
I've been notified that I've passed the initial assessment for another role I'm looking at and will be called for interview soon. Will update accordingly.
If you are the sort of person that prefers to rehearse then suggest getting a friend to practice interviewing you.
You could film yourself to pick up on any details that even your friend may not notice at the time.
If not then just keep setting up interviews, the right job/ interview performance will come.
You could film yourself to pick up on any details that even your friend may not notice at the time.
If not then just keep setting up interviews, the right job/ interview performance will come.
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