Going for an interview tomorrow

[Pulse]

Just wanting some advice really, as to what you should and shouldn't do in an interview, etc.

I already have my own ideas obviously, but wondering on other people's opinions. Perhaps there's a few on here who have interviewed people before.

Stuff like:

What to wear
What to ask
What not to ask
Etc

Help much appreciated.

[okgo]

Type of job and role woudl be a good thing to list also, can give more accurate advice then

[Pulse]

I figured that might be the case, but wasn't sure, so didn't post it up.

It's a role as an Operations Manager/Project Co-Ordinator.

[bint]

Suit & Tie - proper shoes (no Timbalands etc), clean, neat hair, nails and face.

Smile and be honest as much as you can.

Oh and if they ask you tricky questions (it's an interview so duh) - blag it.

Works for me

[Pulse]

bint said:

Suit & Tie - proper shoes (no Timbalands etc), clean, neat hair, nails and face.

Smile and be honest as much as you can.

Oh and if they ask you tricky questions (it's an interview so duh) - blag it.

Works for me

I'm not so hot on the whole 'blagging' thing, although I'm quite good at it. I'm trying to prepare as much as possible. The agency I'm going through have actually sent me some stuff over to think about, which is great. Nice agency to use, so far.

As for the rest, yeah, I'd definitely got all that much. I already have my suit pressed, my shoes shined (black, not brown), and I'm trying to get a hair cut after work today... But I finish at 4.30!

I won't be looking my freshest perhaps for the interview, as I can't book time off work, so am going after work tomorrow.

[Mr POD]

I went to lots of interviews last year whilst sober and suited. The job I got this year ? I had a terrible hangover (first time drunk for years TBH) was sick on my way to it, and looked like st (although I had my suit on.

I think my belief that there was no way I'd get the job, so I'd try NOT to impress them might have worked in my favour.

I even said on the factory tour "fk me, I've never seen anything like that before, I'm used to high volume, and this is completely different. I'm not going to be able to use any of my assembly skills (I'm a manufacturing engineer who specialises in assembly system design) on this" and "No I really don't understand what you mean"

Apparently this endeared me to my new boss.

[Pulse]

Mr POD said:

I went to lots of interviews last year whilst sober and suited. The job I got this year ? I had a terrible hangover (first time drunk for years TBH) was sick on my way to it, and looked like st (although I had my suit on.

I think my belief that there was no way I'd get the job, so I'd try NOT to impress them might have worked in my favour.

I even said on the factory tour "fk me, I've never seen anything like that before, I'm used to high volume, and this is completely different. I'm not going to be able to use any of my assembly skills (I'm a manufacturing engineer who specialises in assembly system design) on this" and "No I really don't understand what you mean"

Apparently this endeared me to my new boss.

That's kind of what happened with my current role. I wasn't all that interested in the job, and thus gave frank and honest answers, etc. When they asked me how much I would like to get paid, I said a figure that I thought "There's no way in hell they'll go for this", and they said "Fine". So, I ended up here!

[Pulse]

Here is what the agency sent me to ask them... Now, I've covered most of the questions so far, but just wondering what other people would generally answer to them... If that's possible.

Can you tell me about your current / last job?
Can you tell me something you have achieved that you are proud of?
Can you tell me about something that you have done that you feel can be
improved?
Can you tell me about something which interests you in your current / last
job?
How do you see your career developing in the future?
How would your friends describe you?
How do you adapt to working with different people?
Can you think of examples of where you have anticipated problems in advance?

How do you organise your time at work?
Give examples of where you have worked as part of a team?
How do you deal with difficult people?
What has been your toughest experience?
Why do you want THIS job?
Why THIS company?


Also, what questions should I ask of them?

[Planet Claire]

Turn up early, there's nothing worse than having to rush for an interview. Make sure you know your route, which bus/train to catch, have you got enough money for car parking etc.

Dress smartly, smile and relax (as much as you can be!).

For follow up questions, there may be some you could ask regarding the specific role/company, or how about asking what prospects there are for promotion; what opportunities are there for developing your skills and learning new ones. Also, you could ask whether there is an induction programme for new starters, and what does that entail (eg, tour of the workplace, meeting relevant people, regular daily/weekly meetings/supervision with the manager etc).

Good luck!

[Pulse]

Planet Claire said:

Turn up early, there's nothing worse than having to rush for an interview. Make sure you know your route, which bus/train to catch, have you got enough money for car parking etc.

Dress smartly, smile and relax (as much as you can be!).

For follow up questions, there may be some you could ask regarding the specific role/company, or how about asking what prospects there are for promotion; what opportunities are there for developing your skills and learning new ones. Also, you could ask whether there is an induction programme for new starters, and what does that entail (eg, tour of the workplace, meeting relevant people, regular daily/weekly meetings/supervision with the manager etc).

Good luck!

Cheers.

I'm going to try to turn up as early as possible, as I normally say 15-20 minutes is adequate. This isn't going to be possible this time around, although I am hoping (if I get a clear run) to get there 10 minutes before. They are aware I'm coming straight from work.

I had thought about asking about prospects, although I would be reporting to the MD, no manager above me. If I got the job, I would be using it as experience to move on to another company, in a year or so's time. Presumably, I should NOT mention this to them.

The agency mentioned that the pay goes up after you've been there 'a while'. I'm not sure what this is defined by, but ideally sooner rather than later, as I'd already be making a huge loss per month to go for the job. Any ideas anyone?

With regards to supervision from the manager, as above, that won't happen, as I will only have the MD above me. Somewhat unfortunate I guess, but would hopefully work to my advantage.

[Pulse]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I've got my interview in a few hours.

I've read up as much as I feel is sensible, as I don't want to over do it.

[bint]

So how did it go and is the job what you expected from the description the agency gave?

[Pulse]

bint said:

So how did it go and is the job what you expected from the description the agency gave?

Unfortunately the job wasn't really what was described. In two minds wether to go for it or not, as it's slightly better than being at my current place, but then I can't get another job straight away, as it'll look bad on my CV. But, worried that my job is just dead. I do nothing all day, and don't want to waste my time.

[bint]

I quit a job like that to move down here - felt I was stagnating as there really wasn't enough for me to do.

I'm sure you've mentioned it before - what is it you're after - for some reason Project Management comes to mind.

ETA - Ahh found the thread further down - yes I remembered correctly. Sorry, all I can offer is moral support, not my area I'm afraid - unless you fancy corporate relocation

Edited by bint on Saturday 10th May 17:26

[Pulse]

bint said:

I quit a job like that to move down here - felt I was stagnating as there really wasn't enough for me to do.

I'm sure you've mentioned it before - what is it you're after - for some reason Project Management comes to mind.

ETA - Ahh found the thread further down - yes I remembered correctly. Sorry, all I can offer is moral support, not my area I'm afraid - unless you fancy corporate relocation

Edited by bint on Saturday 10th May 17:26

For the right job, I'd live somewhere else during the week. But then, it'd have to pay enough to do so

Thanks for the moral support though! Much appreciated

I'm going to have to keep looking. Ideally I want to find something that requires SC clearance anyway, as otherwise it'll expire in January. Not worth losing it, when it's until 2015!

[bint]

Have you applied to the Defence Academy in Shrivenham? They frequently have 'civilian' roles there, having the SC would help too as you say.

[Pulse]

bint said:

Have you applied to the Defence Academy in Shrivenham? They frequently have 'civilian' roles there, having the SC would help too as you say.

They almost always only have desktop roles, which isn't where I want to be going, unfortunately. I was offered a job there once before, but it was desktop, so not ideal.

[Dave_M]

It's not too wise to discuss much in the way of issues relating to SC and the like on here, but naturally it is time bound. There are various employers that work in environments that require that.

You will find project related work in those areas, for example some of the contractors that deal with housing and the like. Many responsibilities have been devolved to the private sector. Also, the relevant Departments may have vacancies.

If you search, there is a site that deals with that type of recruitment.

Good luck