Job Interview - Panic Stage

[LeeThr]

I have a job interview tommorow for B&Q, nothing major i know but it's a source of income whilst im in college. Anyway, only got asked to come on Saturday, so not really much time to prep etc. But I am starting to worry about what im going to say. I know some questions will be straight forward whats bugging me is if they ask something like "What can i do for the company?" etc.

So i'm calling out to the PH massive for any advice thata anybody can give me in regards to what they are likely to ask, also just any interview advice in general. This will be my first official Job Interview.

P.S the job I have applied for is checkout work.

Appreciate any advice given Thanks

[missdiane]

Just sell yourself... reliability, good customer service skills, flexibility, eager to learn, technologically capable, previous experience(?)

Dress smart, turn your phone off, talk properly, use eye contact, appear eager, if you are filling out forms, check your spelling

Wouldn't worry too much, they should be able to tell if someone is right before even speaking to you

[Navery]

Always important to show some personality and it is very important to smile, you are after all going to be the face of B&Q

[eightseventhree]

No doubt they will ask you the standard interview questions which shows no imagination:

Such as

What are your worst qualities
Tell me when you have worked as a team
Tell me when you have used initiative

Have a think of what you would answer to these questions before you go in

Read over the job spec and tailor your answeres to suite it

relax and be yourself (unless yourself is a mass murdering psycho)

[Soovy]

LeeThr said:

P.S the job I have applied for is checkout work.

Appreciate any advice given Thanks

Turn up washed, shaved, and smartly dressed (no comedy socks or ripped jeans) with no visible jewellery or piercings, and be polite. Take a decent pen and a smart notebook as there may be a numeracy and writing test (you can add up, I take it!!)


These alone will mark you out as better than the other 49 applicants, who will neither wash, shave, change out of their pyjamas or bother to do anything other than grunt.


Do the above, say "good morning" at the start, and "thank you for taking the time to see me, I'm very keen to pursue this opportunity" at the end and I guarantee you'll get it. Also have a question ready at the end like "what is the remainder of the hiring process and when will you select the successful applicant".


You can send me a beer out of your first week's wages.


Let us know how you get on.

Edited by Soovy on Tuesday 16th November 09:07

[snotrag]

Soovy's bang on.

Shave, comb your hair, clean shirt and tie, polish your shoes. Be polite to everyone, firm handshakes and dont sit down till your asked to.

This bit is not rocket science, and it puts your head and shoulders over the bunch of morons they've already seen, before you've barely said a word.

Its retail so they'll be wanting to know how you deal with irate customers, how you deal with people who want refunds etc.

Its all about being polite, friendly, mediating at times, staying calm and being a good face for the company.

You'll be fine.

[missdiane]

Soovy and snotrag are right, most of the others won't be able to spell or even be worried about the interview, anytime I have advertised; out of 10 applicants only 1 is able to compile a decent cv with all spellings and grammar correct. Just make sure you are that 1!

[Soovy]

missdiane said:

Soovy and snotrag are right, most of the others won't be able to spell or even be worried about the interview, anytime I have advertised; out of 10 applicants only 1 is able to compile a decent cv with all spellings and grammar correct. Just make sure you are that 1!

Are you hiring?

-pant-

[missdiane]

Soovy said:

missdiane said:

Soovy and snotrag are right, most of the others won't be able to spell or even be worried about the interview, anytime I have advertised; out of 10 applicants only 1 is able to compile a decent cv with all spellings and grammar correct. Just make sure you are that 1!

Are you hiring?

-pant-

You just don't make the cut, sorry

[recalluk]

Also when asked how was your trip .. How's the weather etc .... Be positive. The walk to the room can often mean yes or no before any questions are asked. The trip was always fine the weather is as good as you can expect etc etc .... Never be negative.

Edit to add ....... The simple fact your bothered will put you above most candidates. Be confident not cocky and we look forward to you writing back to say cheers guys.

Edited by recalluk on Tuesday 16th November 23:26

[deevlash]

dress smart, be polite, turn up on time and appear keen and make it obvious you don't just view it as some crappy job that's beneath you. If the last round of folk we interviewed for similar job are anything to go buy your competitors will be a bunch of slack jawed retards and chavs who would clearly phone in sick as soon as they had a shift that clashed with a night on the bacardi breezers.

[Soovy]

missdiane said:

Soovy said:

missdiane said:

Soovy and snotrag are right, most of the others won't be able to spell or even be worried about the interview, anytime I have advertised; out of 10 applicants only 1 is able to compile a decent cv with all spellings and grammar correct. Just make sure you are that 1!

Are you hiring?

-pant-

You just don't make the cut, sorry

You have, to the bone, right there.

[The real Apache]

Well?

[LeeThr]

Thanks for the advice guys, have been looking at it, but being confined to my mobile replys do tend to be minimal. The Interview went quite well, only lasted about 20 minuites or so. Only real question that got me was the classic "Tell me about yourself" this is one question i seriously hate. I never really know what to say.

I should hear by the end of the week. So will keep you posted on what happens.

[dontfollowme]

I think that tell me about yourself question is supposed to put you at ease - something I only found out recently. There is no harm in drafting something beforehand and thinking back to it when you get asked that question.

[LeeThr]

dontfollowme said:

I think that tell me about yourself question is supposed to put you at ease - something I only found out recently. There is no harm in drafting something beforehand and thinking back to it when you get asked that question.

Thanks, i'll deffinatally take this onboard for next time.

[Negative Creep]

Had a (successful) interview last week and one of the first things they asked me was what I knew about the company and where they stood in the market. So a bit of research won't go amiss!