Job Interviews

[Robin_L]

Have you experienced many of the dreaded job 'interview'/grilling? I had a job interview today and was talking to some people about what makes a good one.

Any tips? Good advice for the less experienced? Any horror stories? :( :slap:

Perhaps you have been on the other side of the desk, what basic stuff do you look for ina candidate, irrespective of the type of industry?

[Jonesy]

http://www.job-interview.net/interviewguide.htm?

[TLC]

I've been both the interviewer and the interviewee ....

Be calm, be nice, be prepared, dress appropriately for the role you are applying for (if in doubt, shirt and tie) and don't try too hard it makes you look desperate

[TAFKAP]

I've been on both sides of the desk, but have been the interviewer more than the interviewee. Having worked in recruitment on and off for a number of years, my advice is:

1. Dress appropriately, which means shirt and tie 9 times out of 10. For sales or management level jobs, suited and booted.

2. Arrive 10 minutes early. And earlier is too much, any less and you're cutting it fine.

3. Take a CV with you, even if you provided one prior to the interview. CVs do get lost or misplaced, and you stand a far higher chance of getting the job if the interviewer has a CV to refer back to.

4. If left sat waiting for the interviewer, stand immediately and offer your hand when he or she approaches you. Be the first to introduce yourself.

5. Remember that this is your chance to interview the company - interviews are a two way process, and this is your opportunity to ensure that you really want to work for this company.

6. Have questions ready. Do not ask about pay / holidays / breaks etc. Rather enquire about future prospects, whether the company promotes from within, where the company wants to be in five years time, and the "culture" or "feel" of the company.

7. If offered a drink by the interviewer, politely accept even if not thirsty.

8. If you have time prior to the interview, ensure that you visit the company's website (if they have one) and those of their competitors. This will help you discuss the role in more detail later on.

9. Do not answer questions - DISCUSS them. If you can get into conversation with the interviewer, you are halfway there. Another tactic is to allow the interviewer to be gently sidetracked - if you discover you have common interests, mention them gently at an appropriate point in the interview... you'd be surprised how many interviewers rate personality and compatibility on a par with ability.

10. Interviewers often ask you about your "dream" job. Do not lie - often interviewers will be impressed with your ambition if your dream job is outside the scope of the company.

11. When closing the interview, ask when you can expect to hear from the company. If you haven't heard from them at that time, RING THEM... this is often a test.

[Wolves n Proud]

Horror Story;

I've got long hair and am male....

I've never had any issue with my long hair with any employer however somebody asked me if I'd be willing to get it cut.

I know it's hardly right to be at odds with an interviewer as it takes your chances to zero but it riled me because prior to him asking me about my hair I was the "ideal" candidate in terms of my CV, and ability.

When he said will you get your hair cut I politely replied "on one condition...." .... "go on" he says .... "the girl on the front desk also gets her long hair cut." .... "thats diff..." "you are an equal rights employer aren't you?" ....

Silly I know, but it's hardly a job that was going to form the rest of my life, simply to pay me through my studies.

[Bluetonic]

Went for three jobs this summer...got offered 2 of them :cool2:

Main thing is to dress smart, arrive on time and bring a portfolio of work (if that kind of work) even if not asked be it on cd/paper so as to demonstrate what you are capable of. I had a portfolio of 3 websites and an E-learning portal...the website I thought was pants due to it not working correctly I actually impressed the interviewees most with :laugh:



Prepare answers for sort of questions like 'what are you weaknesses? - i'm a perfectionist so take longer to do things etc', study the local area if applying for a job in a different area so as to say what attracts you about the area.

Take a newspaper with you so If waiting for a period before the interview you can read it and take your mind of the interview and become more relaxed. Always maintain eye contact and just be honest. No point bullshitting too much as they will see through that soon enough.

[OneGaryJohnson]

ive got two interviews this thursday, both part time to run alongside me college course

[Robin_L]

Nice one, BT, Gareth + Tracy, good advice indeed and for free! ;) :clap:

What's the worst fib you've ever told on your CV or in an interview?

[ScottyP]

i have my work experience for the next two weeks

[James_F]

I hate all this shit. I'll be headhunted.

[Riffy]

I'll get whacked up to my eyeballs on testable drugs. Headhunt that shit.

[TAFKAP]

I hate all this shit. I'll be headhunted.

I've been headhunted... and I was hired to do the headhunting.

How does that shit work out? :confused:

[James_F]

I don't know.

It was the stuff in your post that I hated the most. No offence to you, but I hate that shit.

[TAFKAP]

I don't know.

It was the stuff in your post that I hated the most. No offence to you, but I hate that shit.

You're not meant to enjoy it mate, it's just the way things are. You want the job, you follow certain conventions... people are taught on how to interview others, and I'm one of those people... I'm just passing those conventions on to the other side of the desk ;)

[James_F]

f*ck 'the way things are'

[Riffy]

What pr*ck employed you TAFKAP???

Jeeez

[James_F]

thats not very nice is it Riffy

[TAFKAP]

What pr*ck employed you TAFKAP???

Jeeez

You wanna play with me, bitch?

[Riffy]

Please

[James_F]

Kinky!

[TAFKAP]

You can join in if you like James.

[Riffy]

We've all been there!

[great white]

Didn't even understand a feckin' word of the last interview I had......

[Jock]

Maybe it was in French?

[great white]

Maybe it was in French?No shit Sherlock... :slap: