Heeeeeeeelllllllllpppppp!

[OMGOMGOMGHELP]

I've just been invited to a Skype interview. Applied for a job at 20% (even though it was written out at 80, they said they'd consider job-sharing and part time applicants).
It was over a month ago.
I am absolutely not prepared.
I'm shit at interviews. The only job I ever got was word of mouth no interview.
Did I mention it was over Skype? Never done that either.
I really want this job....I am going crazy being a sahm.....for the last 12 years (except 18 months @ 50% which nearly killed me!). I have a child with Sn who can't go to after-school club etc.
dH doesn't know I've applied.
OMG. Panic. What do I need to think about?

In two days. The interview is on Thursday.

Do you know someone who can-do a practice interview over skype with you. That way you can practice the technical bits and where to sit etc as well as some questions

I've someone I can possibly call to check set up and HR type questions, nothing technical.

is it better to use a computer over iPad?

@OMGOMGOMGHELP I would suggest on a laptop or PC to make sure the camera is in a good place when filming. Sometimes iPads and phones can appear at an odd angle.

I would also make sure that you are in the best place for your wifi connection, even better if you can connect your pc/laptop to your modem via an Ethernet cable to make the connection as strong as possible. If that isn't an option make sure to switch your phone off wifi connection and ask anyone else in the house to switch off devices where they can.

Try an position yourself against a neutral background such as a plain wall, and make sure your clothes contrast with your background so that you are visible.

Where possible, try not to have your back to a window/patio door as it can cause you to become a silhouette which can be difficult for the other people on the call as it's harder to judge body language.

Make sure you look at the screen, and if you're reading from notes try and have them on post it's around your screen so you aren't noticeably looking down.

Also make sure that you've done a trial run of connecting to Skype with someone. MS Teams has a brilliant feature where you can essentially meet with yourself to make sure your tech works.

If there will be noise elsewhere in your house make sure to use headphones with a microphone (iPhone headphones etc are all suitable for this) as it will help to block out noise. I also find it makes me less self conscious when I know I'll have a call and other people are in the house.

Don't worry, you have time to practice a skype call.

One tip is to raise your PC or tablet camera up to eye level so that your interview is 'face to face' rather than your interviewer having a view of the underside of your chin.

Also try to look at the camera, although it is tempting to look at the image on the screen.

Consider how you look on camera. I found it made me look washed out so I used slightly heavier eyeliner and a bit of lip colour.

The best thing about video interviews is you can write a list of questions or prompts and put them out of sight of the camera.

You'll be fine. Good luck.

First, tell your DH you have this interview.

Secondly, download Skype on your computer. I would try computer first because it doesn't move around, hopefully it will be easier to have your hands free. This depends on:

• does your computer have a webcam
• does its Mike pick up your speaking OK
• can you hear someone else speaking

For these reasons you MUST find a friend who is willing to talk to you over Skype before the interview.

Third, practice using Skype

Fourth, in the interview, don't talk about how you are going crazy as a sahm. You don't want them to give you this job as a favour. You need to talk about how enthusiastic you are about their company/organisation/ this particular job.

Also think in advance of a couple of work stories from the past that show you in a good light, and when you are asked " can you give an example of a time when..." see if one of these stories fit the bill.

Listen to the questions, don't answer the question you think they asked but they didn't...

Have 1 or 2 good questions lined up for them, that show you in a good light...

If you're this freaked out about the inteview, are you sure you're up to the job?

Sorry, but needed to be asked.

I'm sure you'll be fine. But you need more confidence.

@Someaddedsugar Thanks, I'll install it on the laptop. I don't have a desktop. try not to have your back to a window/patio door I have one spot where I can do this, else I can close the shutters.

and make sure your clothes contrast with your background so that you are visible.
What should I wear? If I was going in, I would wear suit and shirt. Should I still wear a jacket at home or will a nice shirt be enough? It'll be about 27 degrees, and I'm in a top floor flat. I can kick the DC out to school half an hour early so I have 15 mins of peace before hand...
post it's are a good tip, thanks.

I can't control what noise others make in the house, but there won't be anyone in the flat with me, I hope. DH said he had to go into the office.

If you're this freaked out about the inteview, are you sure you're up to the job?

Yes, because the job involves papers not people 😉

Fourth, in the interview, don't talk about how you are going crazy as a sahm. You don't want them to give you this job as a favour. You need to talk about how enthusiastic you are about their company/organisation/ this particular job.
If they ask why I only applied for 20% am I allowed to mention family circumstances? I assume they've found someone for the rest of the job (the bits I'm absolutely not qualified for! )

Is it ok to have a glass of water on the table?

Absolutely ok to have a glass of water. Blouse will be smart enough I reckon.

I've done a few Skype interviews in the last year and all of the above are good tips.

Did they give you any material to read? They may ask you for examples - e.g when you had to problem solve, work to a deadline, didn’t have information. Have a few ready just in case. Doesnt have to be recent work examples things like guides, pta, football team etc.

I would use the laptop for the interview and have ipad open at the person spec/jd so you can ensure your answers are relevant. Have examples ready of the key criteria they are asking for ie. Tell me about a time when .... you delivered excellent customer service, used initiative to solve a query, worked as a team to get the task done, managed changing priorities to meet a deadline, overcame an obstacle etc. Think of STAR to structure your response

I’m a bit confused- have they specifically said that they are changing the job description? I thought job sharers usually did the same work, maybe more of one aspect than the other but both able to cover the whole thing.

A blouse will be fine. Just make sure it's an outfit you're comfortable in.

And definitely tell your DH

@CPandme No, I just got a late evening call inviting me to an interview. I'll find out I guess. There are 5 main points on the job description. I am 100% qualified for one of the points, partially for 2 and absolutely not for 2. As I wrote on my cover letter I was applying for 20%, I'm assuming they're interviewing me for the bit I can do.

Ask what training opportunities there are. The boys of the job you can’t do, you can’t YET!

interview technique-
probe
match
confirm
close

they will ask you a question-
can you tell us about a time where you used excel to improve office efficiency (for example!)

probe- is that excel version blah blah that’s the one I am familiar with?
match- I created a simple formulae that served the sales team by populating the first 3 cells the formula would show a realtime live percentage of their sales target reached. This eliminated the need for individual forms and everyone could see at a glance sales related to targets at a glance on the live document.
confirm- I think that is a good example of office efficiency
close- would you like to hear about its impact on the wider business?

so you break the questions down into chunks and structure them in a way you can give a really comprehensive answer. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on what they are asking that’s the probe part.

Ask what training opportunities there are.
noted.

so you break the questions down into chunks and structure them in a way you can give a really comprehensive answer. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on what they are asking that’s the probe part.
How on earth do people do this straight off? I can't process questions like that off the cuff and then panic and get a blank mind.

What do I say if they ask why I've only applied for 20%?
The truth? Should I say DC has SN and it's the maximum I can currently reasonably commit to?

DH reckons 40 might be doable, and that they would never call me for a 20% job so the person they offered it to must have rejected it last minute. The job was supposed to start 1st July.
Do I start off by asking what they are expecting from me, as in have they filled the position but want someone to take over only some of the job description? It's a research position, so I really wasn't expecting to be called. This scenario would put me in a supportive role rather than project leader role (which is absolutely fine by me) but should probably change how I answer the interview questions?

That’s the power of the pause. And you can ask a question to clarify so you DO get it straight in your mind before you start talking.

Go through the process and wait for them to bring up the hours. I would say something like-

“for work/life balance I am looking for around X hours in this role”

They have asked YOU for an interview because they think YOU can do it.

Go through the interview and see what happens. Don’t self sabotage by saying what you can’t do. Be confident. You can do this.

Definitely learn to pause and take a breath before answering a question rather than leaping right in. It makes you look considered whilst allowing you time to think. Good luck.

What do I say if they ask why I've only applied for 20%?
The truth? Should I explain DC has SN and it's the maximum I can currently reasonably commit to?

I've often been rejected for being over qualified or because it was assumed I wanted to take on leadership or project management roles because of my degree.

I’ve applied for those hours as it suits my family commitments and works really well for us.

You don’t really need to explain further.

If they ask for weaknesses, it's ok to say giving presentations isn't it? (Not listed as part of job description, and I'm genuinely awful as in passing out awful!)