First ever 'real' job interview tomorrow!

[RedPandaMama]

Not posted in ages, hello!

I've got my first ever 'real' job interview tomorrow. I worked in bars while at college/uni, had my daughter right out of uni, since then have been working in sales but never had to interview as my dad runs the company.

I've got to the point where I really want to do something meaningful, sales is great for some people but for me I find it so wearing. Even as a positive person, the cold calling and the lies we are told to tell people are just awful.

The job I'm interviewing for is full time and permanent, as admin support for a homelessness project for my local council. The description is a bit vague but it mentions being the first point of contact for customers in need, as well as having good IT and case management skills.

I'm so nervous! Any tips or words of advice?

Well done on getting the interview! Be yourself, and read up around the project in the context of wider issues, funding, impact...etc. if you haven't already.

Best of luck!

Thank you both!

I've struggled with anxiety for a really long time, my last formal interview in front of a panel when I was 18 was devastating. I froze up and was shaking I was so nervous. They ended it early.

I'm going through a phase where my confidence has grown a lot and I'm excited now rather than anxious, but just have those nerves over the unexpected.

I've done as much research as I can around the job and the local issues etc. I've put together a little booklet mostly for myself, I'm geeky like that.

No real guidance from the council online bar the usual - dress smart, make eye contact, etc.

Be yourself

Be open and friendly

Great that you've made notes but don't take the booklet in with you

Think of some specific work practice examples (favourites are: example of when you've worked under pressure, worked in a team, worked effectively alone, handled a challenging customer/situation, acted on negative feedback)

Spit some of their own information back at them to show you've done your research

When asked why you want the job, don't say because you fucking hate the current one but rather than you're looking for a new challenge and excited to work on a project around social justice/homelessness where you can make a difference etc.

Don't feel pressured to ask a question at the end (you know when they say 'do you have any questions for us?'). If you don't have any to ask, don't.

Good luck!!

Hi @VaggieMight, thanks for checking back in!

I feel like I did okay personally, a bit nervous but answered as well as I could.

I'm more annoyed to be honest. I did probably 6 hours of research, planning and fact-checking because the job asked for demonstration of specific knowledge of homelessness and litigation around that. It also said it was an hour long and part of that was a task to demonstrate IT skills (one of my strong areas).

In reality the interview was 20 minutes. At the end of the working day. 2 interviewers came in late and unprepared (forgot my application, kept asking me things like 'what is your current job again?')
Interview itself was only 5 questions, super generic. Didn't begin with any 'how are you, we're going to tell you a bit about the job' - it was literally 'hi RedPanda, 5 questions for you today so what is your greatest strength'

Followed by
What is your biggest weakness
How would you describe your perfect day at work
What are your favourite 3 qualities in a colleague
What do you think is the main quality we are looking for in a candidate for this job

That was it!!

I honestly got the feeling they'd already chosen somebody else as the person for the job but were just going through the motions of interviewing other people as they just didn't seem interested.

Good practice I guess

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!

Apparently I came across as very genuine and kind!!!!!

Got the call outside the polling station and cried all the way home!