Hand hold for interview

[Firefly111]

I have a interview on Thursday and I’m so nervous! I’m on maternity leave so this will be my return to work and I want this job so much!! I think I’d be really good at it and it’s for a great organisation. I’m desperately trying to juggle interview prep with looking after a 6 month old! If anyone wants to give me any words of wisdom, interview tips and general hand hold itd be appreciated!!

They always ask if you have questions for them. If you are likely to forget /get flustered, jot some down and refer to them. I've always asked if interviewers mind and generally they have thought it shows effort I think and have never minded.

Oh and do eye contact and smile!

Ooh exciting, good luck!

Definitely smile, good eye contact, some light chit chat if you can manage it with whoever comes to pick you up from the waiting room and takes you to the interview, even if they are not on the panel - just some small talk about the weather or the office or your journey there or something (I think it relaxes you and makes a good impression - candidates who are arsey to the receptionist never get hired here, no matter how senior/brilliant at their job!). Fake it til you make it, even if you are full of butterflies try and pretend you are super relaxed and confident!

If like me you tend to fiddle with things when nervous, try and be conscious of keeping your hands still and move away objects like pens, glass of water, hair around your face etc!

Before answering each question, take a deep breath and short pause, mentally check you have fully understood the question (don't immediately launch off into your answer), ask the person to repeat if necessary. Make sure you structure your answers (using STAR format if competency based or otherwise just a simple format such as making three key points then summarising at end). If you feel yourself rambling take another short pause, maybe ask for a repeat of the question or ask whether the panel have any follow ups?

And yes to having at least one good question pre-prepared to ask them at the end!

All the best!

Thanks so much!! It is competency based so I’ve been busy gathering examples for each point of the person spec and practicing them! I do have a tendency to waffle and maybe give a bit too much info though so I need to try and reel it in! It says I’ll be tested on a couple of things too so trying to prepare best I can!