Interview Tips!

[Shermanator]

I've got an interview for a Parts Apprenticeship on Friday, and would love for you guys to give some tips and tricks to interviews!

I have done some before, and whether I think they went alright or I think they went dreadfully nothing ever comes of them (one exception) so I'm hoping a few things I could do this time that I haven't thought of will help. So fire away!

[Shermanator]

MYOB said:

Going through interviews myself. Biggest advice I've given myself is not to think these are interviews, and that you're going in for a chat. This takes the pressure off and if you can relax and converse rather than answer questions, this will reflect positively.

Done that at my last one! I thought it went well.
Actually spoke to 3 people, the main recruitment officer (or whatever the job title is), the workshop manager (it was for an accident repair centre) and the main centre manager. Was brilliant with the first two, but cocked up the third one! Who probably had the most amount of say, which meant I didn't get it (or at least that is what I am wanting to think)

[Shermanator]

Noel said:

Do some research on the company
Dress smartly
Be polite
Make eye contact throughout the interview
Smile
Show enthusiasm - very important if you can't show experience
Sit up straight
Turn up early
And relax

Good advice, eye contact is a bit tricky, I always feel like I'm staring them down! Will try extra hard this time round. Relaxing also isn't exactly the easiest, and very dependent on the interviewer.
I probably have a bit of a head start with this one though, I've already met the person who is going to be interviewing. Hopefully that will help (don't worry, I'm not cocky)

[Shermanator]

swerni said:

Best not do the eye contact for the duration, it might scare them

Haha, I'll be sure to try not to!

[Shermanator]

elanfan said:

Are you good at recalling numbers? This would be particularly useful in the job. Could you prove it by handing over your contacts list and reeling off any persons number they ask you to? Putting customers first will be the most important thing, can you converse confidently face to face and on the phone (No offence, many younger people struggle with this these days).

Have an example or two ready of how you went the extra mile to help someone or how your suggestion changed a system to make things easier or more cost effective. Better if it’s a real example but if not just make one up how are they going to know just don’t make it toooutrageous.

Rubbish memory, currently at least, hopefully it improves. I wouldn't be able to do that whole contacts thing, the only numbers I know are my mobile and house. Everything else is just in my phone to be used, rather than having to type the number (like I'm the olden days ) Conversing face to face and on the phone, yes, never used to be but my previous role (that I was in for just 5 weeks) helped immensely, I'll be sure to slip that in to show how I can progress immensely
I'll be sure to rack my brain for the "make something better", I would rather tell the truth but not get it than lie and get it (wierd thing to say for an unemployed 19 year old but it's the truth)

[Shermanator]

StevieBee said:

megaphone said:

make sure your 'social media' profile is clean

As a an employer, I can't stress this enough. Many a times a decision has been influenced by what we find on social media.

On top of the good advice already given I'd add; 'be interesting'. You will be amongst other equally skilled and qualified candidates and it can sometimes be difficult for the interviewer to choose based upon objective checklists alone. It can often come down to whether you are someone they'd like to have around and generally speaking, nice, interesting people make better colleagues than dullards.

If you're not inherently interesting, then becoming so might be a challenge.

My Facebook for the past year is the occasional post (once every month or so) of my car, that's about it. I use my Facebook for closed car groups.
My Twitter also has my car, and the occasional jokey thing like "my mum picked up a wok and started singing walk this way, don't know how I feel about this". I don't see that being an issue.
I don't enough friends to go out and getting pissed every weekend! (Not that I want to)

I'll try with the interesting part. I am known to be quite boring, but I try to not be!

[Shermanator]

nought2sixty said:

Remember that you're also interviewing them.

For my last few interviews I found a good list of questions for the sector online and saved them to my phone. All of the interviewers were impressed with me for asking so many good questions.

I can't help with the actual questions as I'm in a different industry but I'm sure you should be able to find some examples online.

I'll have a look, and then try and remember them!

[Shermanator]

I just realised I didn't update this yesterday:

So, I got into the building about 12:58, 2 minutes before the scheduled time. Traffic, plus a wrong turn, then the car park being closed caused the journey to take a lot longer than I thought.

Did a basic numeracy and literacy test after waiting about 15 minutes (luckily the interviewer was a bit late so my tardiness was not seen). Easily passed that, it was Primary 6/7 sort of questions...

Got into the interview, interviewer recognised me from last year, which was handy as she sort of half knew me. So I now have a secondary interview with someone else (the actual manager of the place I would work).

Don't know what I'll do if I don't get this!

[Shermanator]

Well, this somehow must have worked. I start on Monday!

[Shermanator]

elanfan said:

Great news for you. Let us know how it goes for you and as I said previously watch out for the wind ups/practical jokes.

I was very careful, but I didn't really have to be! There are very little jokes going around, just a lot of ripping the piss out of each orher, which is perfectly fine. Getting better at the comebacks to!