Interview today....tips?

[TheoriginalLEM]

Job interview today. Not really sure what to expect - it was all quite informal setting up. Asked a friend, sent email to employer saying hi, sent CV (with picture, sorry not sorry ) then called in for interview. They used the term interview not chat.

Not sure what to expect. Im confident of my ability to do the job. It has a very specific set of skills and specific qualification that proves i have the skills/knowledge. Im experienced etc but they will know this from the qualification.

That said, this is a requirement for the job so any other candidates will be the same position. How do i stand out? I dont have formally prepped questions but i ask a LOT of questions and hope that i will have opportunity to ask ehen shown around. However theres that thing when they say at the end any questions and i always clam up.

Also, salary is important, its not a highly paid job and if i accept I'll be down £200 a month on the commute. There are questions i have re CPD and rotas but im nervous to push those.

Also, big issue, i have mental health issues, they are managed with medication, do i disclose this? I dont need any dispensation at work but tend to look to others for reassurance.

What are the big no no's?

Ive never had a successful job interview, i turn into a simpleton/child persona. So i want to appear confident, im worried about seeming arrogant.

If my current employers were to criticise me, they would say lacks confidence

Research the company a lot, go through their website and find some information on them that you can use in your questions/conversation and have an answer ready for ‘why do you want to work with us’ That relates to this specific company.

I wouldn’t mention your mental health issues at the interview stage. It’s fine to ask about working patterns, try to put these in during the middle of the interview rather than the end so they don’t end it thinking you may be inflexible.

Lots of eye contact. Don’t just tell them what they want to hear, they can see through it - be confident in yourself. You are the best person for the job and you know that, it’s ok to sell yourself and be a bit narsassitic.

Try to ask about the culture and colleagues that mean they can see you want to fit in with the rest of the team.

Good luck

Ask them what they enjoy about working there, and if there was one way to improve the company what would it be?

Do not disclose your MH issues - you disclose that at a later date/in forms to HR. Unless it's a job where it will have grave consequences (ie paramedic with schizophrenia).

Don't clam up, simply, go over the exact working of a Q or two again and again so you can just spit it out at the end.

Have you prepared scenario type answers? So - when have you shown X. You have two examples which you've written down and gone over a lot.

You can ask about shift patterns etc but don't seem inflexible, you can delve deeper into that if they offer the job.

Don't worry about seeming arrogant, just be confident, but smile and be friendly. Way better than seeming insipid or childlike

Never rush to answer. Plan your answer in your head before speaking, it just needs a few seconds to do that rather than just rushing in.

Insipid and childlike pretty much sums up my interview performance historically. 😱

You’re not OP, you’ll be fantastic, just believe that you can do it!! Good luck

OP, the best way to go down well in an interview is to show interest in them. Research the company, their latest projects.

Ask, early on, what they need most from this role and then show how you would approach any issues they have, using your skills to not only problem solve but bring the company up to the next level. That sounds a bit grand but you can do it subtly in whatever role you apply for. Upgrading filing systems and data bases, improving client first impressions on reception etc as well as in given departments.

And think hard for some good examples of how you have solved a problem in the past (they always ask that) so you can explain without waffling on.

Good luck.

Talk about 'i' in responding to questions, not 'we' as in team. They want to know what YOU can do. Research company. Do not ask too many questions, makes you 'hard work". Stick to questions on proression / training etc. Do not mention health or hours or pay or holidays or anything at this stage that could be (un)/consciously be seen as negative. They csn be discussed if you get a job offer. Smile. Try not to fidget, look interviewer in eye ( or their ear if eye contact difficult) Talk as if you are already in the job you are applying to - a mindset changer.

I agree with most of the PP’s comments, research the company, also the people interviewing you.

Someone recently gave me advice about celebrating your success and letting them know you’ll add value to them and to the role.

As someone suggested ask what they most enjoy about their role and perhaps what they would like you to achieve in the next 3 months.

Good luck!

Oh and remember to accept water as you can take sips when they are asking a question to give you a bit of time to think of a response and ensure you have examples of various situations! Is it a face to face or zoom interview?

Practise your examples out loud. Repeatedly.

Thanks everyone - it went well, although i decided very early on that it wasn't for me, i still put my all into the interview.

I honestly wasnt expecting the pro forma questions that one might get in an office job and that blind sided me so I'll be more prepared for that next time. They said i was interviewing really well and seemed very positive, asked if i would consider a day trial afyer they meet with upper management next week.

If they do ask me i will politely decline because i dont want the job. That isnt to say they werrnt lovely, it just wont suit me for various reasons.

Thanks for the tips everyone x