Interview feedback
Discussion
Rollcage said:
AJS- said:
Alternatively, you can of course make up for this by subtly hinting that you would be the office bike, and encouraging a sweepstake on who will sleep with you first.
Just cut your hair short and wear a pair of dungarees and DM's to the interview!
Well I know I am being interviewed by a male today so office bike route it is, you say it like I would be making it up
Potential employers are worried about how long you will stay with them, as well as your ability to do the job.
The most important questions that you may be asked are "Why do you want this job?" and "How soon can you start?".
The answer to the first question is definitely NOT "Because I need the money."
The answer to the second question is "Now".
Also, do not be afraid to contact the employer directly. This will only show them that you are keen, which is a very good thing.
Don
--
The most important questions that you may be asked are "Why do you want this job?" and "How soon can you start?".
The answer to the first question is definitely NOT "Because I need the money."
The answer to the second question is "Now".
Also, do not be afraid to contact the employer directly. This will only show them that you are keen, which is a very good thing.
Don
--
TheArchitect said:
I've skimmed this but could it be that they feel your salary requirements maybe more than other candidates? the only reason i have my current job is because i was willing to take basically minimum wage to stay in the industry. (I'm still quite early on in my career)
This was a sticking issue with one of the first interviews I had. I was well paid for my last role but it was at a higher level, I thought I said all the right things that the job was more important and who I worked for was more important to me and I even made it to the second interview to this and the wages was bought up at several points again. I pushed for feedback and it was the money issue. Even though it was not an issue for me. They think I will keep looking for a better paid job.I don't see how I can get round this without blatent lying about my last pay, don't get me wrong I stretch the truth as much as possible where I need to (and oddly it seems to be in the downwards direction more than up) but how big of an issue is it to lie about my last wage?
don4l said:
Potential employers are worried about how long you will stay with them, as well as your ability to do the job.
The most important questions that you may be asked are "Why do you want this job?" and "How soon can you start?".
The answer to the first question is definitely NOT "Because I need the money."
The answer to the second question is "Now".
Also, do not be afraid to contact the employer directly. This will only show them that you are keen, which is a very good thing.
Don
--
As in my previous post how long I will stay seems to be an issue. The most important questions that you may be asked are "Why do you want this job?" and "How soon can you start?".
The answer to the first question is definitely NOT "Because I need the money."
The answer to the second question is "Now".
Also, do not be afraid to contact the employer directly. This will only show them that you are keen, which is a very good thing.
Don
--
The answer to the first one is always tailored to the type of company or the role pointing out the positives of the company ie reputable, progressive etc and also my enjoyment/passion to do the role.
And the answer second to the question is usually "as soon as possible".
For those who discriminate being female, 29, divorced with a child ticks all the wrong boxes. Not only the possibility of maternity leave in the future but then there is the leaving on the dot to go look after the child and the sudden days off when the child is ill. Then if you used to earn more as well that can be a problem with the expectation that you won't hang around if a better job is offered.
But it can work both ways, I employ quite a few women in their 20s, often they are the best candidate perhaps because others do discriminate.
But it can work both ways, I employ quite a few women in their 20s, often they are the best candidate perhaps because others do discriminate.
Kit80 said:
don4l said:
Potential employers are worried about how long you will stay with them, as well as your ability to do the job.
The most important questions that you may be asked are "Why do you want this job?" and "How soon can you start?".
The answer to the first question is definitely NOT "Because I need the money."
The answer to the second question is "Now".
Also, do not be afraid to contact the employer directly. This will only show them that you are keen, which is a very good thing.
Don
--
The answer to the first one is always tailored to the type of company or the role pointing out the positives of the company ie reputable, progressive etc and also my enjoyment/passion to do the role. The most important questions that you may be asked are "Why do you want this job?" and "How soon can you start?".
The answer to the first question is definitely NOT "Because I need the money."
The answer to the second question is "Now".
Also, do not be afraid to contact the employer directly. This will only show them that you are keen, which is a very good thing.
Don
--
Don
--
siscar said:
For those who discriminate being female, 29, divorced with a child ticks all the wrong boxes. Not only the possibility of maternity leave in the future but then there is the leaving on the dot to go look after the child and the sudden days off when the child is ill. Then if you used to earn more as well that can be a problem with the expectation that you won't hang around if a better job is offered.
But it can work both ways, I employ quite a few women in their 20s, often they are the best candidate perhaps because others do discriminate.
Well I know everyone will have a different experince and opinion but if you are in a position of employing people and you weigh such factors highly when making a decision then you are missing out on some potentially good staff. I could count the days I have had off in the past 10 years on one hand and 90% was my illness not my childs. But it can work both ways, I employ quite a few women in their 20s, often they are the best candidate perhaps because others do discriminate.
I am the first to arrive and the last to leave to work. I have been promoted to a more senior role in every position I have ever been in. I have brought millions of pounds in funding and business to my employers. I would say there was a 3% chance I would have a child in the next ten years. (Percentage based on the approximate failure rate of modern contraceptives). If I was in a position of hiring me and looking for the best for my business then I think the potential risk over reward here would be worth it. But then I am biased
crofty1984 said:
Kit80 said:
lol can I send a picture and see what you think?
You've been here long enough to know better....don4l said:
This sounds like it could be the source of your problem. Have you actually found a company that you would really want to work for? ... where you can see yourself spending the next 10 years?
Don
--
At my current rate of success in the next ten years I see myself in camper van I travelling Europe making a deluded attempt to be a photographer. Don
--
I know what companies I would like to work for and have approached them directly but I think I am fairly good at lying if it is not the right company, are you saying my potential enthusiam for the role/company will show through?
Kit80 said:
don4l said:
This sounds like it could be the source of your problem. Have you actually found a company that you would really want to work for? ... where you can see yourself spending the next 10 years?
Don
--
At my current rate of success in the next ten years I see myself in camper van I travelling Europe making a deluded attempt to be a photographer. Don
--
I know what companies I would like to work for and have approached them directly but I think I am fairly good at lying if it is not the right company, are you saying my potential enthusiam for the role/company will show through?
Do you have a long term plan? If so, then look at each prospective employer and try to see how they might help you to achieve your own personal goals. This could help you to generate some real enthusiasm.
Don
--
don4l said:
Kit80 said:
don4l said:
This sounds like it could be the source of your problem. Have you actually found a company that you would really want to work for? ... where you can see yourself spending the next 10 years?
Don
--
At my current rate of success in the next ten years I see myself in camper van I travelling Europe making a deluded attempt to be a photographer. Don
--
I know what companies I would like to work for and have approached them directly but I think I am fairly good at lying if it is not the right company, are you saying my potential enthusiam for the role/company will show through?
Do you have a long term plan? If so, then look at each prospective employer and try to see how they might help you to achieve your own personal goals. This could help you to generate some real enthusiasm.
Don
--
You are in a bit of an awkward situation if you have so far changed jobs every year or two. The thing that would make it most believable that you are ready to make a long term commitment would be that you are ready to start a family. This would be great if you were a man, but since that would mean the best part of a year off work for you, then it's not good.
Agree with the above post that having a medium term plan that involves staying in one job for a while would help a lot. I prefer 5 years as 20 is too unknowable, and a solid 5 year commitment would be enough for most employers. Stuff like buying a house, wanting to do motor racing at the weekends, anything that will commit you to being in one place and having a job.
Agree with the above post that having a medium term plan that involves staying in one job for a while would help a lot. I prefer 5 years as 20 is too unknowable, and a solid 5 year commitment would be enough for most employers. Stuff like buying a house, wanting to do motor racing at the weekends, anything that will commit you to being in one place and having a job.
It is a fair point AJS, I was in my last job for three years and the one before two years, but as said I was in marketing. I was successful in my role and the project no longer needed marketing it over recruited without doing anything. Hence being made redundant. Similarly my others roles have been more project management which don't tend to have a long life span either.
I could make some long term plans personally in what I want to acheive like the samples of you have given but it could be because I have now been unemployed for the first time in my life I am having a whole midlife crisis type thoughts with my career.
I could make some long term plans personally in what I want to acheive like the samples of you have given but it could be because I have now been unemployed for the first time in my life I am having a whole midlife crisis type thoughts with my career.
Edited by Kit80 on Friday 26th February 10:02
Lots of good stuff said. When interviewing I've always expected a professional job from the interviewee - good smart businesslike dress sense, there is no damage done by well-fitted clothing for either the men or the ladies, sound answers to the routine silly "what is your greatest weakness" type questions. This is the baseline - no points for that - just a pass. As a man I find overly sexy clothing rather insulting - like I'm that pathetic that I'd be easily influenced by a cleavage or a bit of leg. I'm sure female interviewers feel the same about men. (obviously not cleavages - you know what I mean...)
Assuming all relevant knowledge and experience is there, things that scared me off candidates were over-confident (hard to manage), over qualified (how happy are they going to be working at a lower level for less money?) and no real sign of enthusiasm for the job and emitting an aura of it's just a job to make money to feed mouths.
Genuine friendliness and seeming to be someone I'd like to work with, who would form a genuine partnership is the ideal. As already said, enthusiasm is hard to fake. If you're really interested in the job and it's interesting to you then you'll start to ask all sorts of questions about it. This goes down well, not only are you showing interest but the interviewers get to show off their knowledge and what a great place/thing/project they have. It's a bit like asking a date about themselves
I'm not so sure that having a child is an issue in more modern outfits. There has been a load of research showing that employers that offer their staff flexible hours to fit in with their childcare arrangements gain a disproportionate level of commitment, loyalty and effort. Most smart employers have not been slow to take advantage. In less enlightened outfits it might be worth pointing this out in a diplomatic way as an opportunity for them to extract exceptional value.
Assuming all relevant knowledge and experience is there, things that scared me off candidates were over-confident (hard to manage), over qualified (how happy are they going to be working at a lower level for less money?) and no real sign of enthusiasm for the job and emitting an aura of it's just a job to make money to feed mouths.
Genuine friendliness and seeming to be someone I'd like to work with, who would form a genuine partnership is the ideal. As already said, enthusiasm is hard to fake. If you're really interested in the job and it's interesting to you then you'll start to ask all sorts of questions about it. This goes down well, not only are you showing interest but the interviewers get to show off their knowledge and what a great place/thing/project they have. It's a bit like asking a date about themselves
I'm not so sure that having a child is an issue in more modern outfits. There has been a load of research showing that employers that offer their staff flexible hours to fit in with their childcare arrangements gain a disproportionate level of commitment, loyalty and effort. Most smart employers have not been slow to take advantage. In less enlightened outfits it might be worth pointing this out in a diplomatic way as an opportunity for them to extract exceptional value.
I think females interview better with males, and males interview better with females, so good luck with your latest interview!!!
The agency get paid if their candidate gets the job, and more than one agency may submit candidates, so if there are any problems you need to fix in your interview technique, they should be honest with you. If you feel this is not happening, is there anyone else at the agency to talk to? Or is it the right agency?#
One technique i think is good is a mock interview on video... can you find an agency who will do this for you? You get to see how you come accross to the interviewer, you might be surprised... For me, I was doing some weird holding my arm behind my back thing... never knew I was doing it, easy to fix when i saw how weird it looked.
The agency get paid if their candidate gets the job, and more than one agency may submit candidates, so if there are any problems you need to fix in your interview technique, they should be honest with you. If you feel this is not happening, is there anyone else at the agency to talk to? Or is it the right agency?#
One technique i think is good is a mock interview on video... can you find an agency who will do this for you? You get to see how you come accross to the interviewer, you might be surprised... For me, I was doing some weird holding my arm behind my back thing... never knew I was doing it, easy to fix when i saw how weird it looked.
Kit80 said:
I could make some long term plans personally in what I want to acheive like the samples of you have given but it could be because I have now been unemployed for the first time in my life I am having a whole midlife crisis type thoughts with my career.
This.... I'm sorry, but a skilled interviewer will identify this!Edited by Kit80 on Friday 26th February 10:02
I conduct assessments for senior managers and I am paid to identify bulls
t and uncertainty. No matter how good you think you are at being convincing with your answers, I will guarantee that a good interviewer will spot that you are just trying to get working again while you make up your mind what you really want to do next!I am sure there are financial pressures to get back into employment ASAP, but, if I were you, I would really sort out in your own mind what you really want to do with the rest of your life and then devise a plan to achieve it.
I wouldn't worry about the child bearing age thing, they wouldn't bother interviewing you then and even if it is that there's nothing you can do about it.
Do get a mock interview with someone who has had a few jobs and will be brutally honest with you.
Do ask at the end of the interview if they have any concerns or if there are any areas they'd like you to expand upon.
Do take an interest in the company, the role, the position of the interviewers and really make the most of asking some questions at the end.
Make it clear, if they bring up salary, that you really want to work there and so for them you'd be open to offers - better to turn down an offer for too little money than not get an offer at all.
If you're getting desperate I would consider politely emailing the interviewer/company directly for feedback when turned down, only once. You've not got the job there so although you risk them turning their noses up a bit it's unlikely to matter too much.
Most of this you probably know I guess, I think to some extent it's just a game of statistics. Keep at it and get yourself to enough relevant interviews and you'll find something.
That's my take anyway. Good luck.
Do get a mock interview with someone who has had a few jobs and will be brutally honest with you.
Do ask at the end of the interview if they have any concerns or if there are any areas they'd like you to expand upon.
Do take an interest in the company, the role, the position of the interviewers and really make the most of asking some questions at the end.
Make it clear, if they bring up salary, that you really want to work there and so for them you'd be open to offers - better to turn down an offer for too little money than not get an offer at all.
If you're getting desperate I would consider politely emailing the interviewer/company directly for feedback when turned down, only once. You've not got the job there so although you risk them turning their noses up a bit it's unlikely to matter too much.
Most of this you probably know I guess, I think to some extent it's just a game of statistics. Keep at it and get yourself to enough relevant interviews and you'll find something.
That's my take anyway. Good luck.
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