Interview Advice????

[Paul]

Anybody got any pearls of wisdom they are willing to share?

I have an interview for a higher profile role at work tomorrow and the nerves are setting in (it has been a while)! I started out just speculating as I never thought I would get an interview as it is such a big step up, but here I am, I didn't want to get my hopes up as it is a long shot, but now I want to get it. Still don't think it is possible, but as they say 'gotta be in it to win it.'

Failing any interview advice, any disaster stories will go a long way to taking my mind off it, providing I don't repeat them tomorrow haha!

 

[Roy]

never had a proper interview only ever had 2 jobs
but all the BEST mate:thumbup1:

 

[Maz]

Some info here http://career-advice.monster.co.uk/job-interview/careers.aspx

Good luck, dont over prep like I have done in the past and totally fluffed it because I was that nervous I couldn't string a sentance together lol

Good luck

 

[GrumpyTwig]

Go in with the belief you are fantastic but maintain a correct level of modesty.

Interviews are BS but be honest, remain confident and make sure your answers are ALWAYS positive.


Disasters stories, I was told of someone who went for the same interview as me who drove there and proceeded to get changed into suit and tie in the car park..... /fail

 

[Graeme GTR]

dont slouch or close yourself up, body language give more away about you than what you say. Mirror the posture of your interviewer. Appear interested, dress smart, be on time, answer questions honestly and dont BS them. Assuming alls going well at the end of the interview when they ask you "Do you have any questions for us?" - always have at least one question, but dont say something stupid. It will leave a lasting impression.

Know a manager of a VW dealership who after a good interview he asked if they had any questions and the reply was "will i get to drive a golf gti ..." - he never got the job because of that one line.


I havent had a lot of jobs, but I was told after I got the job im in now, that the interviewer "my boss" was brickin himself cause I started interviewing him almost, askin about sales figures and future plans, where he wanted to take the branch. I kinda enjoyed it. :lol:


Out of interest what kinda job you going for?

 

[MrDrums]

A technique that has always worked for me is thinking that the interview is a 2-way interview. Interview them about the position as much as they feel the need to question your skills. Employee's end up with an opinion that you are confident and interested in the actual role rather than the prospect of a job or in your case, a promotion..
It also breaks the barrier with that all so awkward "have you got any questions about the role?"

I don't know what sort of industry/area of employment you are in, but for myself in the Sales Industry this has always worked in my advantage.

Just a little technique from experience that you may like to consider. :thumbup1:

EDIT: OH! & Good Luck Fella!

 

[Troopy]

All I can offer is....Do your reasearch into what they can expect from you in a higher role and tell them how you go about using your initiative to bring new ideas to the table and the ability to use your expertise to increase exponential growth in the business.

Good Luck!

 

[Paul]

Thanks for all of the advice guys!

The job I am going for is an Assistant Project Manager role. It is at the same place that I am at now, just a different team etc. I have various questions lined up for the end/when appropriate so that is covered. I suppose the real unknown is that I don't know what to expect in there. All of my previous interviews have been fairly relaxed so I hope this is the same, in some ways I am glad it is someone I haven't met before but at the same time I have proven myself in my role...

Lol at getting changed in the car park... I wont need to do that as I will be working before going to the interview!

 

[Gouldy]

Be confident as fook and always always wear a shirt tie and trousers with smart shoes.

I have always done this and I have never been turned down for a job at all.

 

[Ed...]

right ill give you some advice that i was told to do in job interveiws.

Do's:
wear smart clothes
make sure ure shoes are polished
cleanly shaven
hand shake and these exact words "hi, pleased to meet you"
be confident but not cocky
ask questions but not presumptious ones.
have confidence in ure ability

dont's
cross ure arms
chew gum
slouch
show your nerves
seem to cocky or too confident (no1 likes this)


If you get a question like this its awfull:

So, why should I employ you instead of one of the other applicants . . . .

 

[richandgem]

I've had quite a few interviews, some of them very hard. I don't know if it makes any difference but I'm in manufacturing and i always found honesty the best policy. I got a great job the other year managing a toolroom that made tools I couldn't. I ever turned round to the MD and said that I wouldn't know one if one fell one me (my actual words) but said that I knew within a year I'd would.

Be confident, but not overly. There is a fine line between cockily confident and an arrogant p****. as others have said dress well, it's always better to be overdressed than under. A good firm handshake as well

 

[Gouldy]

Oh and I forgot, always give a manly firm hand shake and make eye contact with a smile.

As someone mentioned body language makes a big impression on an interviewer.

 

[Ed...]

Big day today. Let me know how it goes mate.

 

[Mike]

My words of wisdom that you know already come from the wise ancient Chinese

He who asks is a fool for five minutes, he who doesn't remains a fool forever

 

[BenAG200]

Always try and close the deal at the end, I normally ask "If we switched roles, is there anything you would have done differently today?". This way you get immediate feedback and you can change any reservations they might have about you.

Good luck!

 

[Paul]

Right all, well I have had the interview at 11 and it went pretty well, she didn't give a whole lot away but we were talking for an hour. It started with an introduction to what the job would entail, the role may have been called 'Assistant manager' but there is not team to manage instead it would be dealing with various stakeholders and third parties to ensure business runs smoothly which is interesting for me, BUT its not what was in the description and therefore all of my prep went tout of the window lol! We then moved on to my background which I sold myself well in giving details of successes at uni and in work and also how I have overcome problems faced. There were then 5 competency Q's specific to the role, I cant remember what they were but I gave open and honest answers in plenty of detail from what I can remember. As I say it was not anything I had prepped so Im unsure how I came across. She seemed pleased with the answers I gave and we had a bit of a laugh too.

All in all I gave it my best shot. If I dont get it I think the reason will be down to a lack of relevant experience as I have only been working full-time for 4months. She recognised that I have done a hell of a lot in that time but I think it is 50/50, Im still pleased with how I have done as she said I was 'the youngest by far, to get an interview', which is a victory in itself lol.

 

[Paul]

Oh and thanks once again for the support and advice guys - it is much appreciated! :thumbup:

 

[Troopy]

Well done...another Interview complete (Tick)!!

Glad to hear it went well, shame you prepped for different questions though, but i'm sure you did yourself justice. Keep your fingers crossed, when do you find out if you've got it?

 

[Gouldy]

Glad your feeling it went well matey, fingers crossed.

I have recently got a supervisory position too. Its brilliant tbh and I'm getting treat like a king ATM.

Management positions are where it's at tbh.

 

[Paul]

I should find out on Friday if I am successful or not. Will continue to apply in the meantime though! I feel like I should cover all bases, its not like I dont have or like my current job I just want more, so I am going to keep pushing myself until I get somewhere.