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Interview tips

25 replies

InterviewFear · 01/06/2020 10:29

I'm in a miserable position in my current job. I've applied for a grade 6 job in the civil service and have an interview later today. I've printed out all of the behaviours, strength dictionary etc but it's been a while since I've had a behaviour/competency based interview (maybe 20 years!) does anyone have any tips please?
I really would love the job and while I'm normally pretty unflappable Im beginning to flap a little.

I'd really appreciate any tips/advice.

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Teacaketotty · 01/06/2020 10:33

Following as I have an interview tomorrow, first one since being made redundant so feeling nervous!

Best of luck to you x

InterviewFear · 01/06/2020 10:40

Best of luck to you too!

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bumbleb33s · 01/06/2020 10:50

When I was in the position of attending interviews I would make words up to remember answers to questions I anticipated, so for instance, and make your own easy words up ...

what are your strengths = "woot" - work well under pressure, own initiative, organised, timekeeper

that kind of thing, really helped me, so maybe something like that

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BrexpatInSwitzerland · 01/06/2020 10:56

Gauge your interviewer(s) style and expectations and adapt according to their reactions. And, no, that's not cheating, it's actually a thing called "versatility" and it's a good thing. Don't change what you say, more how you say it and maybe which examples to pick.

For instance, I'm somewhat allergic to overselling as an interviewer: I tend to assume that, if you do it while interviewing, you'll do it on the job - and that's not a risk I'm keen on. So if you're interviewing with me, expect Spanish Inquisition levels of scrutiny if you tell me you're currently a "senior PM" when you've been part-timing whilst taking your undergraduate degree in an entirely unrelated field as per your CV.

On the other hand, my boss is famously gut driven in hiring. He doesn't care that much about the answers you give so long as they're not completely outlandish. He interviews more like a date: if the chemistry isn't there, he'd rather not make it a long-term relationship. If sparks fly, you'll have to screw up big time on content for him not to want you.

I'd recommend reading up the basics on Social Styles. It's a bit woo sometimes but I find it does help with situations in which a more differentiated approach isn't feasible.

(BTW, both my boss and myself are predominantly expressives/drivers in our everyday lives - but he presents as an amiable in interviews and I as an analytic. In case it helps with making sense of the theory.)

InterviewFear · 01/06/2020 11:03

I'm actually really analytic and tend to get drawn into too low-level detail (I'd probably love being interviewed by you!) my issue is modulating that - getting the point and context across concisely.
Judging the interviewers and adapting is a good idea - I have been known to "joke" (in context) which has fallen flat previously so I was going to aim for a professional froideur. I should be more versatile (while still avoiding jokes!)

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Teacaketotty · 01/06/2020 11:05

Great tips!

Any advice for phone interview? All being done over the phone which is new to me.

Thanks x

MagentaRocks · 01/06/2020 11:09

I interview for public service. We want people to go into detail. We use a matrix so if you don’t say it we can’t score it. Don’t assume that the interviewer will take the detail from what you had said, it might be obvious to you but you need to explain. So if giving an example of problem solving we want detail of what your considerations were while solving the problem and your thought process, not just the problem and that you solved it and what the outcome was.

InterviewFear · 01/06/2020 11:11

Great @MagentaRocks thanks! I've downloaded the behaviours and have drafted a few examples that fit them (as well as taking the words mapped from the division art so I can use those.)
Is it an issue if one example is used for a couple of different behaviours? Ie making effective decisions and also communicating and influencing?

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wowfudge · 01/06/2020 11:13

If you are being interviewed over the phone, use headphones so you can take notes during the call and make sure you are likely not to be disturbed by anyone in the house, etc. You can have the job description, etc in front of you and highlight pertinent words and phrases.

Smile when you are talking. It sounds really cheesy, but it does help you come across as friendly and upbeat.

InterviewFear · 01/06/2020 11:26

Everyone in the house has been asked nicely to leave! DH is taking both kids and our dogs out for a walk.
Headphones is a great shout!

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MagentaRocks · 01/06/2020 13:09

@InterviewFear

Great *@MagentaRocks* thanks! I've downloaded the behaviours and have drafted a few examples that fit them (as well as taking the words mapped from the division art so I can use those.) Is it an issue if one example is used for a couple of different behaviours? Ie making effective decisions and also communicating and influencing?
There's no reason you can't use the same example in different ways. Just make sure you show why it fits.
Teacaketotty · 02/06/2020 08:56

How did it go OP?

InterviewFear · 02/06/2020 09:38

Not brilliant - the more I think about it the worse I fear it went! I think I missed some of the key behaviours and words I needed to use - they're interviewing all this week too and have loads of interviews to get through. There's no excuse as I had the behaviours all in front of me - my brain just didn't engage.
Confused

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Teacaketotty · 02/06/2020 11:23

Aww I’m sure it wasn’t as bad as you think, if it’s meant to be it will be! x

needsahouseboy · 02/06/2020 11:51

Although you've already had your interview I'll post my top tips as I've spent the last few weeks interviewing via zoom and they might help some of the others on this thread:

1 - test out your equipment before hand and make sure you know where the audio button is.
2 - if it is video as well then make sure you check what you are going to look like and the position of it so that it is looking at your face. I spent 30 minutes looking at the biggest breast I've ever seen with matching nipples. The woman was just dressed in a t-shirt, no bra and despite us asking her to move the camera up so we could see her face she didn't.
3 - understand the job role and what that entails and how it works within the company.

4 - know the company and what it does, so if you get asked about the job role you can expand on it by mentioning what the company does and how your role helps the company achieves its goals.
5 - know what their values and behaviors or goals are so as you answer questions you can put those key words in.
6 - repeat the question back if you are having trouble thinking of an answer as this re-enforces the question and can trigger an answer.
7 - take your time to answer the question and don't just waffle. I've had to listen people waffle on and not actually answer the question because they didn't stop and think.
8 - if you are asked a question that involves you giving an example but you can't think of one then say so e.g. 'I can't think of an example right now of when that has happened to me but I can give you a scenario and what I would have done' Most interviewers want to know you understand the question and you would act appropriately in certain situations. This is good for customer service, bullying in the workplace, equality and diversity, poor performance or following instructions.
9 - If you are going for a job that involves working in a team then think how you would be a good team player, what is expected from a team, how you would motivate people, keep your stress levels down. Again if asked for an example and your mind goes blank then say so and don't just waffle.

Hope that's helpful.

InterviewFear · 02/06/2020 11:57

Thanks for checking in @Teacaketotty good luck with yours!

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Teacaketotty · 02/06/2020 15:51

Thank you! Keep your fingers crossed for me! When will they let you know?

InterviewFear · 02/06/2020 16:08

Next week I think though I'm really not hopeful! At least it's not too long to wait.
Let me know how you get on, rooting for you

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InterviewFear · 02/06/2020 20:24

@Teacaketotty how did you get on?

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Teacaketotty · 02/06/2020 21:03

I think it went well thanks! Should know by the end of the week so will see, I know they have other interviews but I made it through without any major blunders!

InterviewFear · 02/06/2020 21:11

That sounds positive! Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

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altiara · 02/06/2020 22:19

@InterviewFear good luck, hope you did better than you thought.
Before you forget, write down all the questions they asked so you can prepare well for your next interview (assuming you’re going to keep at it)
I hate competency based interview questions, they’re so long!

InterviewFear · 02/06/2020 22:27

Thanks @altiara the questions were so vague "how would you build a good team and if you could link some examples back from your cv that'd be great?"
Which is why I feel like I was just rambling at them. Urgh.
I mean it's just an interview. There are actually a couple of other civil service jobs I'm going to apply for so it's good practice if I get interviews for those I suppose.

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Teacaketotty · 05/06/2020 09:41

Well I was unsuccessful! Sad

Still keeping fingers crossed for you OP.

InterviewFear · 05/06/2020 10:28

Sorry to hear that. My take away from this is: all interviews are good practise. At least we've got recent interview experience with all of the tips on this thread too. Best of luck for your next interview.

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