Interview with an ex-colleague.
Discussion
It sounds like the perfect opportunity doesn't it - you are being interviewed at your old place of employment by an ex-colleague and she is a colleague that you used to get along with.
It sounds like the perfect interview because she already knows your work ethic (well regarded in my case) and you already know what the job entails and have shown that you can work along with their code of conduct and have an understanding of the procedures. Like I said, it sounds perfect...
...but, I actually think it could potentially put you at a disadvantage. I attended the job interview this afternoon and I found it hard on how to approach it. Would it be formal? Would it be more relaxed style of interview? Would she tailor (or even bypass) the work ethic and organisational questions as she have prior knowledge of the above? Would she stay loyal to their set of interview questions that they ask each candidate?
I chose to view the interview like any other and adapt my approach if the interviewee was more relaxed. I did my research on the organisation, in case any developments arose since I was employed by them. I then thought about my qualities in which I could bring to the role. If I get the job, I would like to think I got it on merit, not because I know a few of the employees....if that makes sense.
As it happened, she stayed true to her questions - asking me the pre-set questions she had and I felt the interview went well. As always, you drive away thinking of ways of giving a better and more eloquent answer.
I am 19 and I was curious to see if I dealt with the interview the right way or whether you would have approached it differently.
Note: If you are interviewed by your ex-colleague, be prepared to be reminded about any light-hearted remark that you may have made previously...like me likening her Hyundai i10 to a shopping trolley. She felt it was appropriate to remind me.
It sounds like the perfect interview because she already knows your work ethic (well regarded in my case) and you already know what the job entails and have shown that you can work along with their code of conduct and have an understanding of the procedures. Like I said, it sounds perfect...
...but, I actually think it could potentially put you at a disadvantage. I attended the job interview this afternoon and I found it hard on how to approach it. Would it be formal? Would it be more relaxed style of interview? Would she tailor (or even bypass) the work ethic and organisational questions as she have prior knowledge of the above? Would she stay loyal to their set of interview questions that they ask each candidate?
I chose to view the interview like any other and adapt my approach if the interviewee was more relaxed. I did my research on the organisation, in case any developments arose since I was employed by them. I then thought about my qualities in which I could bring to the role. If I get the job, I would like to think I got it on merit, not because I know a few of the employees....if that makes sense.
As it happened, she stayed true to her questions - asking me the pre-set questions she had and I felt the interview went well. As always, you drive away thinking of ways of giving a better and more eloquent answer.
I am 19 and I was curious to see if I dealt with the interview the right way or whether you would have approached it differently.
Note: If you are interviewed by your ex-colleague, be prepared to be reminded about any light-hearted remark that you may have made previously...like me likening her Hyundai i10 to a shopping trolley. She felt it was appropriate to remind me.
Burrow01 said:
Sounds like you got it spot on - the fact that they stuck to their script shows that they were treating it as a normal interview with a potential new recruit, pretty much ignoring the history (apart from the shopping trolley jibe;) - how did you handle that? )
Yes, it felt good. I smiled and laughed at the Hyundai remark - it was meant as a joke and no offence was caused. elanfan said:
OP - why did you leave last time? I guess that will be uppermost in their minds along with the fact that you are young and have left them once already.
They may prefer a candidate that is possibly a more long term employee.
My reason for leaving was due to me being on a temporary contract through Adecco and when my project that I was working on came to an end, my job role did also. I was surplus to their requirements as they had an adequate number of staff on board - they were sad to see me go and I was highly regarded. I left on good ground and still keep in touch with some colleagues away from the work setting. Although I was interviewed by the same employer, I will be working in a different department. They may prefer a candidate that is possibly a more long term employee.
Oh, I start at 8:30am tomorrow too!
Fun Bus said:
Well done on getting the role. May I ask why no notice period as I thought you were working on another role?!
Thank you. Unfortunately I have been unemployed since April 1st 2014 (cruel joke, eh) as my last role finished on March 31st. Hence why I am available for an immediate start and why no notice period is required. That reminds me, I must update LinkedIn later this week too.
Thats excellent that you've got the job.
For anyone being interviewed by an ex colleague I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much - I reckon they've already decided whether you've got the job or not before you turn up, and it would take something spectacularly good or bad at the interview to change that.
For anyone being interviewed by an ex colleague I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much - I reckon they've already decided whether you've got the job or not before you turn up, and it would take something spectacularly good or bad at the interview to change that.
KFC said:
Thats excellent that you've got the job.
For anyone being interviewed by an ex colleague I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much - I reckon they've already decided whether you've got the job or not before you turn up, and it would take something spectacularly good or bad at the interview to change that.
To be honest if it was me, I would not even interview an ex employee if I did not think they would get the job.For anyone being interviewed by an ex colleague I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much - I reckon they've already decided whether you've got the job or not before you turn up, and it would take something spectacularly good or bad at the interview to change that.
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