Interview

[Alwaysgrey]

I have an interview next week for an admin role. In ten years I’ve only worked for a year (we have two children with Sen and it hasn’t been possible to work). I’m so so nervous. Any tips or advice would be welcome before I implode.

Eat breakfast.
Take a short list of questions to ask.
Google the STAR interview techniques (this got me my last job).
Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Research the company (no matter how small) and ask a question about them.

Same as last poster but when asking them the question ask a good one. It'll leave a good impression. Like, what's the best moment you've experienced working here? What's your top achievement so far?

Think of as many examples as you can of times you've done things in the job description, like prioritising lots of tasks, worked in a team to meet a deadline, had a difficult conversation with a colleague, anything that seems relevant, and turn them into little stories that you'll feel comfortable repeating without sounding like you've memorised them.

I'd also recommend thinking of a good weakness - ideally something you've worked hard to overcome, or have turned into a positive. (Mine was that I'd been told I was too slow to ask for help - which is true! - but that I've taken that on board and though I'm still very independent I always try to remember that colleagues are there to help and give advice especially in a new job.)

Remember you're interviewing them as well as them interviewing you. A really good interview feels like a conversation between equals.

That’s great thank you. It’s an administrator role in a school organising training. I feel so out of the game that I worry that I’ll mumble and mess it up.

Research the school. Know the names of the SMT, how many kids are on roll, feedback from latest Ofsted. "I want to work here because bla bla, which I know was highlighted by Ofsted" etc.; or, "yes, I'd anticipate phoning parents of absent children as I understand that this is currently at bla percent". I mean those probably aren't great examples but you know what I mean. Good luck!