BIG interview on Tuesday - Tips?
Discussion
Wow I managed to get an interview for an ideal job with a company in Wokingham. Will be going up there on tuesday (hmm I feel a touch of 24 hour flu coming on.... ;)) for it.
I have not done an interview for about 5 years and this is a biggy - one hour techincal interview and one hour HR interview.
I know all the usual basic stuff, be confident, dress smart, dont slap the interviewer round the face with a large cod etc, - any other tips from the pros to help me? I REALLY want this job :D
Gh0st
I have not done an interview for about 5 years and this is a biggy - one hour techincal interview and one hour HR interview.
I know all the usual basic stuff, be confident, dress smart, dont slap the interviewer round the face with a large cod etc, - any other tips from the pros to help me? I REALLY want this job :D
Gh0st
Research , research and research
Print off loads of info off their website and make sure that they know that you have done the work
Do a small PowerPoint presentation on yourself and leave them a copy when you leave.
Also, make sure that you have questions to ask them, it shows that you care about your next job and you're not taking the job just because of the money, car etc.
Apart from that, be cool!
John
Print off loads of info off their website and make sure that they know that you have done the work
Do a small PowerPoint presentation on yourself and leave them a copy when you leave.
Also, make sure that you have questions to ask them, it shows that you care about your next job and you're not taking the job just because of the money, car etc.
Apart from that, be cool!
John
gh0st said:
Research , research and research
Do a small PowerPoint presentation on yourself and leave them a copy when you leave.
John
I like this idea - what sort of thing should I focus on in it?
The idea is that it shows that you are organised and you are prepared to 'go the extra mile'
Just concentrate on trying to 'animate' your cv by putting it into a PowerPoint presentation.
Does that make sense?
John
Found this has worked a couple of times - especially if your job is high enough up the food chain:-
as much as they are interviewing you , you interview them. (nominally this is more the remit of a second interview but it can still be applied on the first(to a lesser degree of course, remember you are selling yourself to them initially))
Treat the interviewers as equals, not your betters.
Oh, and don't use a cod. Sea Bass is much better
Good luck
as much as they are interviewing you , you interview them. (nominally this is more the remit of a second interview but it can still be applied on the first(to a lesser degree of course, remember you are selling yourself to them initially))
Treat the interviewers as equals, not your betters.
Oh, and don't use a cod. Sea Bass is much better
Good luck
Hopefully next week iwill find myself in the same boat - 1st interview in 5 years for a big job that i really want, only this ones internal, so i already know two of the likely interviewers.Other stuff.
Eye contact, not more than 5 seconds a hit, otherwise intimidates peeps...Ask me how I know that one.
Open body language, but lean slightly forward, positive but not overly confident.
salient questions about the position, the company, and what you can bring to the party, this gells with the previously mentioned, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.....
You may get asked for examples of your previous, get some answers down about what you have already mentioned on your CV, examples about behaviour, how you deal with situations, not just stuff....People type situations.
Remember Leaders lead, managers manage, if they want a leader, it's someone who has the charisma and ability to understand the situaion and get others to follow....mangaers are like shepards, they manage a flock, leaders peeps will follow...different ball game..
Good luck
kevin
Eye contact, not more than 5 seconds a hit, otherwise intimidates peeps...Ask me how I know that one.
Open body language, but lean slightly forward, positive but not overly confident.
salient questions about the position, the company, and what you can bring to the party, this gells with the previously mentioned, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.....
You may get asked for examples of your previous, get some answers down about what you have already mentioned on your CV, examples about behaviour, how you deal with situations, not just stuff....People type situations.
Remember Leaders lead, managers manage, if they want a leader, it's someone who has the charisma and ability to understand the situaion and get others to follow....mangaers are like shepards, they manage a flock, leaders peeps will follow...different ball game..
Good luck
kevin
Get your answers ready, they will probably ask you what your three best and three worst qualities are.
Dont cross your arms or legs, its a defensive posture and you want to appear open and interested. Make eye contact when they are talking to you it makes them think you are listening
Dont cross your arms or legs, its a defensive posture and you want to appear open and interested. Make eye contact when they are talking to you it makes them think you are listening
gh0st said:
Wow I managed to get an interview for an ideal job with a company in Wokingham. Will be going up there on tuesday (hmm I feel a touch of 24 hour flu coming on.... ) for it.
I have not done an interview for about 5 years and this is a biggy - one hour techincal interview and one hour HR interview.
I know all the usual basic stuff, be confident, dress smart, dont slap the interviewer round the face with a large cod etc, - any other tips from the pros to help me? I REALLY want this job
Gh0st
Make the point of questioning them as to the benefits of working for this company, talk about their culture and how you think you would fit in, but don't do so without knowing that your answer fits with their expectations.
I have always found mirroring body language works in a sales environment, and an interview is just selling yourself. This will only work some of the time and if your not confident it will just look what it is... false.
If your not used to interviews, I would just say be yourself (plus) to make sure your good points shine. There is no point exaggerating the truth as you will find yourself hired for a role in which you don't like or are uncomfortable in.
Hope my ramblings help...
Oh yeah, and good luck!
Most of what has been said already is fine.
One thing that always depresses me when I interview prospective staff is how ignorant many of them are about the company/college/university they are hoping to join. So - research it and be ready to say something off your on bat about it, also working aspects of the organisation you have researched into your responses to questions shows a) you have researched and b)(hopefully) understood what you have found out.
One thing that worked really well for me some years back when applying for a senior post was:
THEM: "Well Mr Beard, why do you want to join the University of Poppleton?"
ME: "Well, I'm not sure I do, I'm progressing well where I am, but there were some interesting aspects to the job as advertised/described in the details, so I thought I'd come along and see what we might have to offer each other"
It put them on the back foot and enabled me to "lead" much of the discussion.
Prof Beard
One thing that always depresses me when I interview prospective staff is how ignorant many of them are about the company/college/university they are hoping to join. So - research it and be ready to say something off your on bat about it, also working aspects of the organisation you have researched into your responses to questions shows a) you have researched and b)(hopefully) understood what you have found out.
One thing that worked really well for me some years back when applying for a senior post was:
THEM: "Well Mr Beard, why do you want to join the University of Poppleton?"
ME: "Well, I'm not sure I do, I'm progressing well where I am, but there were some interesting aspects to the job as advertised/described in the details, so I thought I'd come along and see what we might have to offer each other"
It put them on the back foot and enabled me to "lead" much of the discussion.
Prof Beard
Have a pint and a cigarette before you do any kind of test, including a driving test, it'll sort you right out. That's what my piano teacher used to say and I pulled the cat out of the bag in this way with my last biggun. The more important the interview is, the more you shit yourself and the more you're likely to 
up. I reckon a firm grasp of the principle that life isn't just about work is good to know, it, it's not going to kill you. Take it easy, have a nice pint and reflect over a cigarette (I make a point of doing this even when I was not a smoker) put everything into perspective, if you're the man for the job, nothing will stop them hiring you. If they don't, you must be shit, nevermind, there's always a next time, in the meantime, you can get a surfboard and hit it.
up. I reckon a firm grasp of the principle that life isn't just about work is good to know, it, it's not going to kill you. Take it easy, have a nice pint and reflect over a cigarette (I make a point of doing this even when I was not a smoker) put everything into perspective, if you're the man for the job, nothing will stop them hiring you. If they don't, you must be shit, nevermind, there's always a next time, in the meantime, you can get a surfboard and hit it. As some know, I'm a lazy git and have used the following principle to grow my business: "I only employ people who are better than me!" (which doesn't narrow it down much.) I'm constantly astonished how (so called) managers make recruitment decisions. In reality, an interview is about the worst type of forum for making such a judgement. However, most decisions are still based on this. As such, a few things worth considering:
1) In all probability, the decision to offer you the job will be made, in their mind, within ten seconds. As such, 'first impressions' are critical.
2) Come across as confident, a clear communicator and friendly. You're going to be their 'work mate' - so they need to like you.
3) Show genuine enthusiasm for the job, and don't question the 'package' too early.
4) For God's sake, don't let them discover you've "taken a sickie", to be at the interview! I've discovered such facts before, and terminated the interview there and then (in my head) - though I go through the pleasantaries!
Anyway, good luck mate.
1) In all probability, the decision to offer you the job will be made, in their mind, within ten seconds. As such, 'first impressions' are critical.
2) Come across as confident, a clear communicator and friendly. You're going to be their 'work mate' - so they need to like you.
3) Show genuine enthusiasm for the job, and don't question the 'package' too early.
4) For God's sake, don't let them discover you've "taken a sickie", to be at the interview! I've discovered such facts before, and terminated the interview there and then (in my head) - though I go through the pleasantaries!
Anyway, good luck mate.
Towards the end of any interview, I have always made a point of asking the interviewer if they have any reservations about my suitability for the position, as I wouldn't want them to be wondering about a specific point once the meeting is over.
Gives them a chance to take a step back and think about whether you are right for it or not, and gives you a chance to sell yourself in the right areas if they are honest enough to tell you what they're thinking!
It's worked for me plenty of times, as they realised they were concerned about something that we could then just bottom out and get on with the lovely talk about how much money they want to pay me!!!
(Good luck by the way!)
Gives them a chance to take a step back and think about whether you are right for it or not, and gives you a chance to sell yourself in the right areas if they are honest enough to tell you what they're thinking!
It's worked for me plenty of times, as they realised they were concerned about something that we could then just bottom out and get on with the lovely talk about how much money they want to pay me!!!
(Good luck by the way!)
puggit said:
All of the above! If its a panel interview, make sure you spread your eye contact. Quite often the decision maker is the quiet one who is watching the process - try and involve them too.
Good luck!
Gh0st is coming back to Reading
had this in a panel interview last week, three guys, one sits far to my left, says nothing, asks no questions, just sits there, at the end of the interview hiring manager gestures to this guy and says oh that's a question for X he's my boss, he runs the division. Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff