Your very best interview tips please!!

[MuchasSmoochas]

I really, really want this job and would really appreciate your tips oh wise Mumsnetters. So I’ve put in my CV and letter, I’ve done a video showcasing my personality (major cringe) and I am preparing for an interview next week. The best advice I’ve read so far IMO is make it about them, not you, so always trying to answer from a perspective that shows how you can help them achieve their goals. Public sector, competency based. All advice gratefully received but an insight from people involved in recruitment would be fantastic.

Try and use the interviewers name. So "Hi Martin, thank you for meeting with me". Etc, but don't over do it.

Good idea, thanks.

Make eye contact, and don't fidget.... both of which I struggle with in interviews. Good Luck

Thank you. It’s the smiling I struggle with. I am a happy person but have a serous face.

Smile, breath and wear very plain smart clothes. Even down to not wearing flash nail polish or perfume. If the interviewer doesn't like the smell they will remember you for the wrong reason

Do your research. Read their website, any blogs they have, their social.media, their LinkedIn pages.

Make sure you know about any up and coming projects and link it to your interests. Be aware of any charities that they support and support them too.

Take copies of your CV with you as well as your ID and any relevant documents.

Also remeber an interview is just a two way conversation to discuss a job role and see if you can work together, it is mutually beneficial and you are equals in the conversation.

Good luck!

A good way of finding about the culture or to find out about what the hiring manager (assuming it’s your future LM) is to ask them what they enjoy about working there & what keeps them at the company.

You get a really good insight into what they prioritise or find important with how they answer.

Be incredibly positive about the company and the role you're after. Not gushing, but show genuine knowledge and enthusiasm. If they ask 'Do you have any questions?' ask about a current project in the department. Just show interest. Make it about them as well as you. Has always worked for me in the past.

Assess your skills and experience and how they fit into the job description.
Practice interview questions with this in mind... like tell me about yourself...

everyone. Very taken with these suggestions, especially the one about asking the LMN why she likes working there.

Smile, when they ask how you are say something like, I'm well thank you, but a bit nervous if I'm honest, how are you?
Competency based interviews in the public sector are usually very structured and will start off with tell me about yourself, and then go onto tell me about a time when...... or give you a scenario and ask what would you do. There will be a set number of questions and they can feel quite brief but don't panic about that! And overall, good luck!

Have answers to the competencies already prepared. Take them in on notes so you don’t just tell the same story over and over again.
I always take notes with me. Just as a safety blanket

When I interview people (public sector) I always say if you want me to clarify anything or repeat the question then please ask or if you want to come back to the question later then that is ok and you won't lose marks by doing so. I think sometimes if you intially get stumped by a question, asking to come back to that question at the end gives you a bit of time to think of your answer.

Otherwise just do your homework, say why you want to job and what you think makes the company so appealing. Good luck!!

Have examples ready -
Always bring your experience back to a real life scenario.

Brilliant thanks

Yes to linking it back to them, especially if you’ve had a tour or had to do more than one task.

“I liked what you said about... it reminded me of when I...” etc etc

Anticipate as many questions as you can and practise answering them out loud. This makes for a much more fluent and confident delivery when you are answering for real.
I always have a few small talk questions to ask to break any awkwardness while I am being escorted about. Asking how long they have worked for the dept / If they are involved in project x / what they like about working there/ lets them talk about themselves which means that they feel important and already like you before they have asked any questions.

Prepare examples that covers few different eventualities - read up on competency questions. Ask at the end ",is there anything I haven't covered?" Great opportunity to rescue - once when I messed up, at the end I said 'di you have any concerns about my ability to do the job? They said yes, as you didn't really answer X or X - I covered it then and got the job. I always have that question in the back of my mind in interviews now!

Mirror the interviewer in a subtle way

www.forbes.com/sites/acton/2013/05/22/want-to-nail-an-interview-use-mirroring/

Try and go in as relaxed as you can. Be lovely and friendly to everyone you come across, be it the receptionist, person showing you to the room etc. Treat it as a conversation with an equal (because it is, they are just another human). Ask plenty of questions. As much as they are interviewing you for a position you are interviewing them to see if it is the correct thing for you.

Don’t feel like you have to answer the second the question is out. If you need to stop and think for a second stop and think. And remember the Interviewer wants you to succeed. They are on your side.

Go in there let your personality shine through and show them exactly who you are professionally. I’m no expert but these are the things I try to do and tell myself.

Good luck OP. You’ll nail it

All responses very much appreciated! Thank you. Yes I need to practice aloud.