Tips for first job interview?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm a final year student studying engineering. On Monday I have my first interview. I've never had an interview before (been in one long term part time job since 17) and this is an odd scenario - so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My interview has come about due to performing incredibly highly in a large piece of coursework for a vehicle dynamics and performance module.
My lecturer is an external lecturer, who runs a (small) race dynamics business (him and a graduate) which creates and utilises software to optimise racing car performance. He is aiming to re-program his software using another program. My coursework created a very primitive version of his software, within the software he is hoping to move his programs into, and impressed very much it seems.
When I received my feedback, he told me they were looking to employ someone, and had discussed me and one other (who I believe is staying with a company he works part-time with when he graduates a year after me). He asked me what my plans were next year, and what I expected to earn. He was very very keen on getting me to visit his premises, and gave me his phone number, asking me to call him to arrange. Only a couple of hours later I got an informal email asking if Monday would be a good day to visit - 'visit' has been used a lot.
I don't know the entirety of the job role, but I want to work there. I'm going to go over the basic vehicle dynamics I have been taught at uni, and my coursework, to ensure its all fresh in my head. I'm planning to dress smart casual, as that is how I will be most comfortable, and that is how they dress. I intend to be myself, and get across my hands-on mechanical experience, which my lecturer will not have gleaned from my coursework. Otherwise, I have no idea what to expect, or what will be asked. I'm not sure it's even an interview, as such!
Any general advice?
I want this job so badly. It's incredibly interesting work, close to home, seems it will pay a typical salary, and within a small business (like I have been since 17 where I am comfortable).
Matt
I'm a final year student studying engineering. On Monday I have my first interview. I've never had an interview before (been in one long term part time job since 17) and this is an odd scenario - so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My interview has come about due to performing incredibly highly in a large piece of coursework for a vehicle dynamics and performance module.
My lecturer is an external lecturer, who runs a (small) race dynamics business (him and a graduate) which creates and utilises software to optimise racing car performance. He is aiming to re-program his software using another program. My coursework created a very primitive version of his software, within the software he is hoping to move his programs into, and impressed very much it seems.
When I received my feedback, he told me they were looking to employ someone, and had discussed me and one other (who I believe is staying with a company he works part-time with when he graduates a year after me). He asked me what my plans were next year, and what I expected to earn. He was very very keen on getting me to visit his premises, and gave me his phone number, asking me to call him to arrange. Only a couple of hours later I got an informal email asking if Monday would be a good day to visit - 'visit' has been used a lot.
I don't know the entirety of the job role, but I want to work there. I'm going to go over the basic vehicle dynamics I have been taught at uni, and my coursework, to ensure its all fresh in my head. I'm planning to dress smart casual, as that is how I will be most comfortable, and that is how they dress. I intend to be myself, and get across my hands-on mechanical experience, which my lecturer will not have gleaned from my coursework. Otherwise, I have no idea what to expect, or what will be asked. I'm not sure it's even an interview, as such!
Any general advice?
I want this job so badly. It's incredibly interesting work, close to home, seems it will pay a typical salary, and within a small business (like I have been since 17 where I am comfortable).
Matt
Edited by 13aines on Wednesday 3rd February 11:36
In interviews, they are generally trying to find out only two things:
CAN you do the job? (Qualifications and experience.)
WILL you do the job? (Work ethic / attitude.)
and
Will you fit in with the existing team?
Don't over-complicate things in your head, focus on working out what their requirements are in these areas, and try to convey how you can meet what they are looking for.
In the situation you are talking about, it looks like they selected you based on the first point. Perhaps think about examples in your life that show a strong work ethic (which could for instance be non-work related like commitment to training for a marathon), and how you have experience joining in and becoming an integral part of a team.
Good luck!
CAN you do the job? (Qualifications and experience.)
WILL you do the job? (Work ethic / attitude.)
and
Will you fit in with the existing team?
Don't over-complicate things in your head, focus on working out what their requirements are in these areas, and try to convey how you can meet what they are looking for.
In the situation you are talking about, it looks like they selected you based on the first point. Perhaps think about examples in your life that show a strong work ethic (which could for instance be non-work related like commitment to training for a marathon), and how you have experience joining in and becoming an integral part of a team.
Good luck!
louiebaby said:
In interviews, they are generally trying to find out only two things:
CAN you do the job? (Qualifications and experience.)
WILL you do the job? (Work ethic / attitude.)
and
Will you fit in with the existing team?
Don't over-complicate things in your head, focus on working out what their requirements are in these areas, and try to convey how you can meet what they are looking for.
In the situation you are talking about, it looks like they selected you based on the first point. Perhaps think about examples in your life that show a strong work ethic (which could for instance be non-work related like commitment to training for a marathon), and how you have experience joining in and becoming an integral part of a team.
Good luck!
This is good advice BUT you also need to ask yourself the same questions, interviews are 2 way, you need to make sure that you feel you are going to be a fit, will be able to do the work and it will further your knowledge, experience and progress you onwards etc. CAN you do the job? (Qualifications and experience.)
WILL you do the job? (Work ethic / attitude.)
and
Will you fit in with the existing team?
Don't over-complicate things in your head, focus on working out what their requirements are in these areas, and try to convey how you can meet what they are looking for.
In the situation you are talking about, it looks like they selected you based on the first point. Perhaps think about examples in your life that show a strong work ethic (which could for instance be non-work related like commitment to training for a marathon), and how you have experience joining in and becoming an integral part of a team.
Good luck!
Write some questions before you go, I find that a lot of the questions get answered before I get chance to ask them. Even simple things like who will be my line manager, how many people will work in my team are worth asking.
Also remember that sometimes its not the answer to the question that matter but how the question is answered, so its always worth a little bit of a probe.
Edited by Foliage on Wednesday 3rd February 11:48
A friend of mine went for a job interview and was asked to wait in the meeting room for the three interviewers to arrive. He was left alone in the room, which comprised a table, four chairs, a jug of water and four glasses. Whilst waiting, he drank the whole jug of water.
The interviewers arrived, sat down and one of them said; "Oh, there doesn't appear to be any water."
To which my friend responded; "There was. I drank it all. That was my power play."
He got the job.
The interviewers arrived, sat down and one of them said; "Oh, there doesn't appear to be any water."
To which my friend responded; "There was. I drank it all. That was my power play."
He got the job.
Firstly, congratulations. Lining up an opportunity like this while still in uni is great going.
An interview is to establish if you have the skills for a job along with the right attitude / work ethos to do the role effectivly. Given he's been impressed enough with your work and that its exactly what he wants to hire you to do it's going to be a cake walk compared to most interviews.
Go the smart side of smart casual, you want to be a bit more formaly dressed than you would be day to day. More professional and shows you cans scrub up well if required.
Chances are he will be asking specific questions about how you would carry out your role, how you'd improve the system you'll be working on. Brushing up on all your skills is a good call, think up a few ideas of things you would like to do to improve the product going forwards too.
If you are using a new package / bit of software to run his product then learn about any new features and patterns that may have come out with any new version you could use to make improvements.
Good luck!
An interview is to establish if you have the skills for a job along with the right attitude / work ethos to do the role effectivly. Given he's been impressed enough with your work and that its exactly what he wants to hire you to do it's going to be a cake walk compared to most interviews.
Go the smart side of smart casual, you want to be a bit more formaly dressed than you would be day to day. More professional and shows you cans scrub up well if required.
Chances are he will be asking specific questions about how you would carry out your role, how you'd improve the system you'll be working on. Brushing up on all your skills is a good call, think up a few ideas of things you would like to do to improve the product going forwards too.
If you are using a new package / bit of software to run his product then learn about any new features and patterns that may have come out with any new version you could use to make improvements.
Good luck!
Sounds more like he's trying to convince you to work there than you asking for a job. You're interviewing him, he's showing you what hes got and can offer so just figure out what you would want out of the job and ask him loads of questions about the work you will be doing. You're already hired, he's trying to take you off the market before you go looking for work so you need to decide if it's the direction you want to go in
The one and only piece of advice I have to give is to be yourself. DO NOT try and be something or someone you aren't - it doesn't come across well at all.
If you don't use fancy language/words in normal everyday life, don't try it at the interview. There's no need.
Also, make sure you do a lot of background research on this business/company if you can. It's always good to know a lot about who you want to work for and how you can help to improve what they already have.
Good luck!
If you don't use fancy language/words in normal everyday life, don't try it at the interview. There's no need.
Also, make sure you do a lot of background research on this business/company if you can. It's always good to know a lot about who you want to work for and how you can help to improve what they already have.
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice, all very sound. It's worth noting again that it's a two/three man operation currently, so no line managers etc. I'll scope the address out online, but i'm expecting a small office, perhaps a unit where the cars are stored while optimised setups are assessed.
I will go on the smarter side. He sees me each week and i'm a jeans, trainers and T-shirt guy with a beard, so with a smart-casual shirt and facial fuzz removal it'll look like i've made a little effort, and i'll be comfortable (not naturally confident).
Interestingly I emailed him early into the semester and asked if there was any jobs going, and a preliminary interview was mentioned for sometime in January. Due to missing my email in the second week of January, this didn't happen.
Now my coursework has been assessed and i've impressed things have been much more focused on a 'visit' as opposed to an 'interview' (not said once in our conversations yesterday) and he seems very keen - this bodes well and is exciting.
Hopefully i've shown enough technical knowledge as is, and that I am a fast learner, and won't be grilled too hard, so if I can show i'm keen, hard working, have practical knowledge and experience too, will be a long-term proposition, and will fit in and be malleable, this will be enough.
I don't know what the role would be so I certainly have questions there. I'll plan some so it doesn't seem like i'm interrogating with question after question as they come to mind.
I will go on the smarter side. He sees me each week and i'm a jeans, trainers and T-shirt guy with a beard, so with a smart-casual shirt and facial fuzz removal it'll look like i've made a little effort, and i'll be comfortable (not naturally confident).
Interestingly I emailed him early into the semester and asked if there was any jobs going, and a preliminary interview was mentioned for sometime in January. Due to missing my email in the second week of January, this didn't happen.
Now my coursework has been assessed and i've impressed things have been much more focused on a 'visit' as opposed to an 'interview' (not said once in our conversations yesterday) and he seems very keen - this bodes well and is exciting.
Hopefully i've shown enough technical knowledge as is, and that I am a fast learner, and won't be grilled too hard, so if I can show i'm keen, hard working, have practical knowledge and experience too, will be a long-term proposition, and will fit in and be malleable, this will be enough.
I don't know what the role would be so I certainly have questions there. I'll plan some so it doesn't seem like i'm interrogating with question after question as they come to mind.
Rawwr said:
A friend of mine went for a job interview and was asked to wait in the meeting room for the three interviewers to arrive. He was left alone in the room, which comprised a table, four chairs, a jug of water and four glasses. Whilst waiting, he drank the whole jug of water.
The interviewers arrived, sat down and one of them said; "Oh, there doesn't appear to be any water."
To which my friend responded; "There was. I drank it all. That was my power play."
He got the job.
LOL.The interviewers arrived, sat down and one of them said; "Oh, there doesn't appear to be any water."
To which my friend responded; "There was. I drank it all. That was my power play."
He got the job.
Hope the interview wasn't lengthy.
"Could I go to the toilet please".....x3
Sorry OP ,as you were.
13aines said:
I'll plan some so it doesn't seem like i'm interrogating with question after question as they come to mind.
You can always ask some fairly open ended questions that lead to a conversation.e.g.
Where do you see the business and market going in the next 5 years?
Working in a small team really appeals to me - what are the main challenges you think we will face together?
etc
If someone asks a question you can't answer just sit quietly with a smile on your face until everyone gets uncomfortable enough to simply move on with the interview.
This is a proven, job winning technique from my friend.
That he was the only applicant, he subsequently found out, meant that short of defecating on the desk, the job was his..
If you're asked about Oracle databases because you foolishly left it on your CV having used it, on a very basic level, a good few years before, don't reply "yes, Oracle 8i... Although it's probably on 9 now?"
<searching the interviewers face for any hint of agreement>
"9i?"
<b
d remains completely inscrutable>
"Maybe even version 10...11?"
"Let's move on shall we?"
(This was around 2004 for those that have any idea of Oracle release dates)
Those things being unlikely in your situation, it does sound rather as though you already have the job, this is more whether the guy wants to find out if you are keen on them.
Nice one, best of luck though it's not needed I don't think.
This is a proven, job winning technique from my friend.
That he was the only applicant, he subsequently found out, meant that short of defecating on the desk, the job was his..
If you're asked about Oracle databases because you foolishly left it on your CV having used it, on a very basic level, a good few years before, don't reply "yes, Oracle 8i... Although it's probably on 9 now?"
<searching the interviewers face for any hint of agreement>
"9i?"
<b
d remains completely inscrutable>"Maybe even version 10...11?"
"Let's move on shall we?"
(This was around 2004 for those that have any idea of Oracle release dates)
Those things being unlikely in your situation, it does sound rather as though you already have the job, this is more whether the guy wants to find out if you are keen on them.
Nice one, best of luck though it's not needed I don't think.
Edited by DrTre on Wednesday 3rd February 13:07
honestly, there is very little difference in comfort between shirt, shoes+jeans compared to shirt shoes, trousers and a tie.
go for the latter. even if they won't expect you to wear that in the job; making an effort is a huge thing.
yes he may be trying to persuade you to take the job, but he will also need to persuade other members of the company to take you on. such a little thing is really easy to do, and really is worth it. First impressions are made straight away, and you will need to make a good impression on the other interviewer(s).
my biggest piece of advice is to practice out loud your answers. not in your head!
secondly, practice telling stories about yourself and things you have done.
Interviewing someone (rather than being interviewed) is really hard. They will ask you questions and see what boxes you tick. The more you talk, the more chance you have to tick those boxes.
For example, for the question of: are you willing to work long hours when required? there are two answers.
1) Yes I am, I don't have an issue with long hours.
2) Yes I am, I don't have an issue with long hours. When I was working for a shop/hotel/company a short while ago, I was often asked at late notice to come in early and leave late to help arrange for special events, ensure there was cover for liaising with contractors and helping everything run to plan. On one occasion we were able to produce/land/run a project/event that was larger than anything they had done before due to this, and following this able to get repeat business/extend a contract.
The second answer will help you build up more of a rapport with them, show you are confident and able to talk. If you could elaborate on the second more with a specific example it would be even better.
They don't want war and peace, but they do want to see your personality.
and practice two answers for every question you think you will get.
go for the latter. even if they won't expect you to wear that in the job; making an effort is a huge thing.
yes he may be trying to persuade you to take the job, but he will also need to persuade other members of the company to take you on. such a little thing is really easy to do, and really is worth it. First impressions are made straight away, and you will need to make a good impression on the other interviewer(s).
my biggest piece of advice is to practice out loud your answers. not in your head!
secondly, practice telling stories about yourself and things you have done.
Interviewing someone (rather than being interviewed) is really hard. They will ask you questions and see what boxes you tick. The more you talk, the more chance you have to tick those boxes.
For example, for the question of: are you willing to work long hours when required? there are two answers.
1) Yes I am, I don't have an issue with long hours.
2) Yes I am, I don't have an issue with long hours. When I was working for a shop/hotel/company a short while ago, I was often asked at late notice to come in early and leave late to help arrange for special events, ensure there was cover for liaising with contractors and helping everything run to plan. On one occasion we were able to produce/land/run a project/event that was larger than anything they had done before due to this, and following this able to get repeat business/extend a contract.
The second answer will help you build up more of a rapport with them, show you are confident and able to talk. If you could elaborate on the second more with a specific example it would be even better.
They don't want war and peace, but they do want to see your personality.
and practice two answers for every question you think you will get.
Again, thanks for all of the advice.
I have just received a job description, written yesterday. This helps, as I'm now even more sure I fit the bill well, and can explain why giving previous experiences etc. - things they don't know about me yet.
I've met the boss and his other member of staff already obviously and get along well with them, so I will just be myself (i'm naturally talkative so thats good so long as I don't over do it) and hopefully I will continue to get on with them well.
The description answers some of my questions, but also poses more, so I will prepare some.
I've been told whatever time suits me is fine, and that I am welcome to join them for lunch.
There is a lot of focus on performance pay over the basic which would get me slightly above what I expected to earn. This is good, so long as it's attainable. Performance targets are based on the company profit, and my performance. There is a lot of emphasis on growing the company. Mention of developing in order to lead a management position in the future.
Plenty of travel also
I have just received a job description, written yesterday. This helps, as I'm now even more sure I fit the bill well, and can explain why giving previous experiences etc. - things they don't know about me yet.
I've met the boss and his other member of staff already obviously and get along well with them, so I will just be myself (i'm naturally talkative so thats good so long as I don't over do it) and hopefully I will continue to get on with them well.
The description answers some of my questions, but also poses more, so I will prepare some.
I've been told whatever time suits me is fine, and that I am welcome to join them for lunch.
There is a lot of focus on performance pay over the basic which would get me slightly above what I expected to earn. This is good, so long as it's attainable. Performance targets are based on the company profit, and my performance. There is a lot of emphasis on growing the company. Mention of developing in order to lead a management position in the future.
Plenty of travel also
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff