interview tomorrow, brickin' it?
Discussion
so tomorrow i've got my first proper formal interview.
i've got my suit and tie ready but thats the least of my worries.
simple things really i guess, having never worn a suit for any length of time or for anything more formal than a cocktail party i dont really no how to conduct myself.
so i sit down, do i unbutton my jacket?
should my jacket already be undone?
how do i sit?/what do i do with my hands? <--sensible answers only
hand shake. gotta be careful, not too manly as im being interviewed by a woman,
one leutenant richards <-- to give you a clue about the job its for
general job interview advice all welcome.
also any calming, im-going-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep type comments welcome
thanks in advance
SD
p.s. and yes i feel rather silly asking such anal questions but i really wanna do well tomorrow
i've got my suit and tie ready but thats the least of my worries.
simple things really i guess, having never worn a suit for any length of time or for anything more formal than a cocktail party i dont really no how to conduct myself.
so i sit down, do i unbutton my jacket?
should my jacket already be undone?
how do i sit?/what do i do with my hands? <--sensible answers only
hand shake. gotta be careful, not too manly as im being interviewed by a woman,
one leutenant richards <-- to give you a clue about the job its for
general job interview advice all welcome.
also any calming, im-going-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep type comments welcome
thanks in advance
SD
p.s. and yes i feel rather silly asking such anal questions but i really wanna do well tomorrow
samdale said:
so tomorrow i've got my first proper formal interview.
i've got my suit and tie ready but thats the least of my worries.
simple things really i guess, having never worn a suit for any length of time or for anything more formal than a cocktail party i dont really no how to conduct myself.
so i sit down, do i unbutton my jacket?
should my jacket already be undone?
Never do up your jacket.
how do i sit?/what do i do with my hands? <--sensible answers only
Pull up your trousers as you sit down.
hand shake. gotta be careful, not too manly as im being interviewed by a woman,
one leutenant richards <-- to give you a clue about the job its for
General handshake..
general job interview advice all welcome.
also any calming, im-going-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep type comments welcome
Deep breaths, just be confident.
thanks in advance
SD
p.s. and yes i feel rather silly asking such anal questions but i really wanna do well tomorrow
i've got my suit and tie ready but thats the least of my worries.
simple things really i guess, having never worn a suit for any length of time or for anything more formal than a cocktail party i dont really no how to conduct myself.
so i sit down, do i unbutton my jacket?
should my jacket already be undone?
Never do up your jacket.
how do i sit?/what do i do with my hands? <--sensible answers only
Pull up your trousers as you sit down.
hand shake. gotta be careful, not too manly as im being interviewed by a woman,
one leutenant richards <-- to give you a clue about the job its for
General handshake..
general job interview advice all welcome.
also any calming, im-going-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep type comments welcome
Deep breaths, just be confident.
thanks in advance
SD
p.s. and yes i feel rather silly asking such anal questions but i really wanna do well tomorrow
Mind over matter Sam!
It takes a while to get into the interview mind-set, but just remember they have invited you in to 'meet' you... its not the spanish inquizition and you are not on trial. Until they employ you - they don't own you, so try to relax a bit and enjoy it... treat everyone around the table as your equal (but don't confuse that with being cocky
)
All the best!
It takes a while to get into the interview mind-set, but just remember they have invited you in to 'meet' you... its not the spanish inquizition and you are not on trial. Until they employ you - they don't own you, so try to relax a bit and enjoy it... treat everyone around the table as your equal (but don't confuse that with being cocky
)All the best!
Crimson Tide said:
Can I just say congratulations to the poster of the first reply. Not only did you unnecessarily quote the OP in full, you also didn't write anything of your own.
To the OP. Best of luck. Don't worry about your suit.
Yes he did, it's just intermingled in the original post.To the OP. Best of luck. Don't worry about your suit.
There is a lot to be said about all the things you manage to communicate in an interview without even opening your mouth, think about your body language, especially as you are being interviewed by a female.
Would you give the impression of being knowledgable, approachable etc?
Gear your responses to the position you are applying for, be accurate, embellish a little if you think that helps, but don't get caught out in an outright untruth.
Remember the interview is the time that you ask questions too.
And finally....Good luck!!!!
Would you give the impression of being knowledgable, approachable etc?
Gear your responses to the position you are applying for, be accurate, embellish a little if you think that helps, but don't get caught out in an outright untruth.
Remember the interview is the time that you ask questions too.
And finally....Good luck!!!!
Confidence is the key..
Appearing confident on the outside even if you don't necessarily feel that way on the inside. If you feel confident, the right answers, correct body language will flow more naturally.
Eye contact, firm handshake helps start things off well.
I'm sure I read another thread on here where some PHers recommended a drink or two beforehand to settle the nerves...;)
Appearing confident on the outside even if you don't necessarily feel that way on the inside. If you feel confident, the right answers, correct body language will flow more naturally.
Eye contact, firm handshake helps start things off well.
I'm sure I read another thread on here where some PHers recommended a drink or two beforehand to settle the nerves...;)
samdale said:
one leutenant richards <-- to give you a clue about the job its for
Spelling 'lieutenant' properly would be good start (And in the UK it's pronounced Left not Loot)samdale said:
also any calming, im-going-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep type comments welcome
Prepare your pitch. Relax quickly by taking long, deep, slow breaths. Keep a paper and pencil by your bed just in case you have a flash of inspiration as you drift off - you won't remember it in the morning. Some of my best ideas and 'killer sentences' happen as I doze off.After a question, give yourself a moments to consider your reply rather than diving in and losing the plot.
The one question I could never figure out was 'Why do you want the job?' so be ready for that one!
Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 16th February 22:17
What's the job? I would suggest making sure you have some good questions to ask. Not "what are the benefits like?". I was asked that once by a candidate and it was a struggle not to simply say "you'll never find out".
Potential useful closing questions - "have I convinced you that I can do the job?" , "what can I expect at the second interview?" , "how do I compare to the other candidates?" - these might seem bold, bordering on blasé but personally I would give you credit for having the balls to put me on the spot and ask some straightforward questions.
If you haven't already done so, find out something about the company and, when they inevitably ask you what you know about the company, tell them a bit, and ask them a question about it too, to get them to talk to you a bit, it should relax you.
Finally, if they ask you "what is your biggest weakness?" please do have the ballcocks to say "well yours appears to be asking crappy clichéd interview questions" and walk out.
Potential useful closing questions - "have I convinced you that I can do the job?" , "what can I expect at the second interview?" , "how do I compare to the other candidates?" - these might seem bold, bordering on blasé but personally I would give you credit for having the balls to put me on the spot and ask some straightforward questions.
If you haven't already done so, find out something about the company and, when they inevitably ask you what you know about the company, tell them a bit, and ask them a question about it too, to get them to talk to you a bit, it should relax you.
Finally, if they ask you "what is your biggest weakness?" please do have the ballcocks to say "well yours appears to be asking crappy clichéd interview questions" and walk out.
Crimson Tide said:
cottonfoo said:
Yes he did, it's just intermingled in the original post.
Apologies. Snotty remark removed.Ironically edited to add my good luck wishes to the OP.
Edited by Tunku on Monday 16th February 22:28
Keep eye contact!
Don't stare at her tits!
Lean Forward! It makes you look in control. It works!!
Especially if they lean back, as in on the opposite side of the table.
KEY WORDS!!
Don't know what your job is, but make a list of key words that apply to the job and show you know what your talking about and use them in answering questions.
For instance - "Can you re-shim cams"?
Answer - "Yeh done loads of them". NOT GOOD.
Answer - "Yes bucket and shim cams are quite time consuming to set properly and it is critical to maintain the cam timing correctly, but I have worked in a TVR main dealer for 6 years and undertaken this task on a number of occassions". GOOD
Think how YOU can make it easier for the interviewer to make notes!
Believe me it is often harder to do interviews than be interviewed!
Good Luck
Don't stare at her tits!
Lean Forward! It makes you look in control. It works!!
Especially if they lean back, as in on the opposite side of the table.
KEY WORDS!!
Don't know what your job is, but make a list of key words that apply to the job and show you know what your talking about and use them in answering questions.
For instance - "Can you re-shim cams"?
Answer - "Yeh done loads of them". NOT GOOD.
Answer - "Yes bucket and shim cams are quite time consuming to set properly and it is critical to maintain the cam timing correctly, but I have worked in a TVR main dealer for 6 years and undertaken this task on a number of occassions". GOOD
Think how YOU can make it easier for the interviewer to make notes!
Believe me it is often harder to do interviews than be interviewed!
Good Luck
VPower said:
Keep eye contact!
Don't stare at her tits!
I did eye them up in an interview and got the job. In fact i was worried ms personnel would take offence if i didn't 'admire' them. There are no hard and fast rules - you really have to size up the situation.Don't stare at her tits!
Edited by fido on Monday 16th February 22:45
I follow two simple rules:
1) Go there like you own the place.
2) Go there knowing you don't need them.
Just relax, be yourself. Sit down when you're told, unbutton your jacket at this time, don't play with your hands, and try to be charming while at the same time answering everything with a certain bit of vagueness without going on too long. Talk slowly and confidently.
Good luck.
1) Go there like you own the place.
2) Go there knowing you don't need them.
Just relax, be yourself. Sit down when you're told, unbutton your jacket at this time, don't play with your hands, and try to be charming while at the same time answering everything with a certain bit of vagueness without going on too long. Talk slowly and confidently.
Good luck.
Have a pee and a good fart before you go....I remember once letting a squeek out in an interview which I tried to hide with a cough because I knew I couldnt hold it back.
Take your jacket off before you get in the car so it doesnt look a rumpled mess when you get out, be carefull how you sit in reception.
Undo it before you sit down and pull your trouser up slightly as you sit (wear black, plain socks) and dont sit with your legs splayed like your on the couch. She does not want to have a new breed of plum advertised to her!
Make sure you dont have random hair sticking out...the interviwer will kep looking at it and make you uncomfortable.
Dont wear a sheet load of aftershave or deodorant.
Take a pen and paper with your own questions and make notes of your own...dont forget that part of an interview is the company trying to sell themselves to you and convince you that you want to make a career with them. This seems to be forgotten far to often!
Just a normal handshake will do...she wont snap. I tend to let my hands rest on the arms of the chair or on my legs. Dont make fists or interlock your fingers because then you get sweaty paws, I hate shaking a sweaty hand!
Learn about the company and ask questions about its history and future growth or upcoming projects and how you will fit in with that or grow with the company.
Remember its mind over matter. Tell yourself you are cool and confident and remember that the person on the other side of the desk is just doing a day at work and is probably worried they will ask the wrong thing or be unable to keep the conversation moving..if you are confident it makes you easier to be chatty with.
I have been in interviews where the interviewer got a bit out of step and lost his place so I got things going again by asking one of my 'end of interview' questions which started a new line of questions.
With time you will get better at it and each interview will feel less like being in trouble at school!
Take your jacket off before you get in the car so it doesnt look a rumpled mess when you get out, be carefull how you sit in reception.
Undo it before you sit down and pull your trouser up slightly as you sit (wear black, plain socks) and dont sit with your legs splayed like your on the couch. She does not want to have a new breed of plum advertised to her!
Make sure you dont have random hair sticking out...the interviwer will kep looking at it and make you uncomfortable.
Dont wear a sheet load of aftershave or deodorant.
Take a pen and paper with your own questions and make notes of your own...dont forget that part of an interview is the company trying to sell themselves to you and convince you that you want to make a career with them. This seems to be forgotten far to often!
Just a normal handshake will do...she wont snap. I tend to let my hands rest on the arms of the chair or on my legs. Dont make fists or interlock your fingers because then you get sweaty paws, I hate shaking a sweaty hand!
Learn about the company and ask questions about its history and future growth or upcoming projects and how you will fit in with that or grow with the company.
Remember its mind over matter. Tell yourself you are cool and confident and remember that the person on the other side of the desk is just doing a day at work and is probably worried they will ask the wrong thing or be unable to keep the conversation moving..if you are confident it makes you easier to be chatty with.
I have been in interviews where the interviewer got a bit out of step and lost his place so I got things going again by asking one of my 'end of interview' questions which started a new line of questions.
With time you will get better at it and each interview will feel less like being in trouble at school!
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