Interview today after long time out of work - help!

[AboutThyme]

Haven't had a out-of-home job for some time and have an interview today for a job I really want. It's nothing grand, just a PA at a surveyors office but the job sounds interesting, the hours are perfect and I really want it!

Am shockingly nervous about the interview and been scouring internet for tips on technique, wondered if anyone has any good advice/tips. Must be honest, the questions I absolutely dread in interviews are what are your strengths/weaknesses and tell us about yourself. For some reason I fuck those questions up.

[TurkeyDino]

With weaknesses I usually say I don't like conflict or confrontation but have been on a course to deal with this and now find it easier/know how to better resolve situations.

Strengths: organised, work well under pressure, good at prioritising.

My top tip is smile! Not like a loon obviously!

Also if the interviewer is talking about themselves, just listen. They like that ime.

Good luck!

[AboutThyme]

Great tip for the weaknesses, thank you!

[lljkk]

Good luck, tell us how it goes.

On the far-fetched chance you don't get it (I bet you will!), I am thinking to start a job-seeker's support thread on here soon, any takers?

[redskyatnight]

"Tell me about yourself" is a question that I think interviewers often as to get you relax. I'd suggest preparing what are going to say - doesn't have to be very long, then you won't feel so stressed about it.

In terms of weaknesses, it's always good to judge from the interview a quality that the interviewer has or is likely to value. For a PA job you might say that you tend to be too perfectionist - but you are aware of this so make sure it never affects your ability to meet deadlines.

[AboutThyme]

I got the job! No, tell me about yourself question but a strengths/weaknesses question for which I used the great suggestions by redskyatnight and turkeydino. Interview was at four and I was called 20 minutes ago and offered the job, rock on!

[TurkeyDino]

Wooooohoooooo! Well done! Good luck in your new job (not that you need it!)