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Help me prepare for a interview!

15 replies

Ohcrapp · 16/01/2023 19:09

going for a pa/admin job interview tomorrow
( I have no experience in this but they said it’s not a problem during our causal chat)
what sort of questions do you think I’ll be asked?
how can I make myself stand out from the rest!! I’ve only had a few job interviews as I’m only early twenties!

OP posts:
Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 16/01/2023 19:14

I always find practicing the saying hello/ initial chat helpful, to make sure I am giving a good first impression.

I suspect they’ll ask why you are applying for the job, what skills you can bring as those are common questions.

I always find actually acting out my responses helpful, rather than just doing it in my head.

MintJulia · 16/01/2023 19:18

If I was looking for a PA/admin I'd look for someone well organised, with a good telephone manner, a clear, calm voice. Someone who doesn't get flustered easily.

I'd ask about your computer skills, If you know Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc. Ask about GCSEs, previous work experience.

General questions about what you like, hobbies, things you do in your spare time.

BeBesideTheSea · 16/01/2023 19:32

Look at the job description and person specification. They will ask questions about all the things in there.

You need to give evidence (an example) for all your answers. So if the question is Do you have good attention to detail? You should answer “yes, for example when I applied for this job I double checked that I had done everything that was asked and covered all of the areas in the job description” (silly example but you see what I mean).

They may give you a test about how to prioritise what work to do - Google “in tray test” to see the sort of thing.

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Prouddoggieparent · 16/01/2023 19:40

I would read their website and see if they have a mission statement, visions, values etc. You can then give lots of bs how you are aligned to their core values.
Main thing is to try and relax as that’s when you show the best you and be a real person.

Kazzyhoward · 16/01/2023 19:45

There's lots of advice about job interview via Google, but given it's tomorrow, you don't have much preparation/research time. Some popular questions/conversation topics are:-

Name your 3 best strengths and 1 worst weakness (relating to work or the workplace). Try to link the weakness to a strength, i.e. if you say a strength is that you're well organised, you could say that being too organised is sometimes your weakness, i.e. spending too long on planning or research etc. By linking a strength and weakness, it's easier for you to say that you can work on the weakness as it's also a strength!

What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them. Better if work related, but if not, then other situations, such as school, friends/family, hobbies, etc.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time? Show some foresight and ambition, so aim for supervisory/management positions, promotions, etc within their firm, linking to any training opportunities they offer, such as in house training or external courses they'll support you with.

Why do you want to work here and/or why do you want this position. Do some research, make sure you know what they do, review the job specification, mention any benefits such as flexitime, training, prospects, social activities organised by the firm, etc. Basically show you understand the job and understand the firm and match yourself to what they're offering.

How well do you deal with difficult customers and/or colleagues? Think of some examples where you've suffered conflict or challenges with other people (workplace best, but others acceptable) and explain what happened, how you "solved" the problem, etc.

Never tell any lies or make things up. If you can't think of a suitable event/occurrence then use the closest thing you can think of. No harm in maybe a little bit of exaggeration, but make it believable, to yourself at least, and stick as close to the truth as possible so you don't get caught out if any further questions later in the interview link back and you've forgotten what you said (lies are easy to forget, the truth is easier to remember).

Almost certainly at the end, they'll ask if you have any questions. Don't say no, and don't ask about salary! Think beforehand of something to ask them, even if it's something like have any of their previous admins/PAs worked their way up within the firm to more senior positions or in other departments, etc - it's a good opportunity to get across your ambitious nature (if that's what you want). They'll want to talk about their firm, so ask a simple question or two and let them talk!

My son has just landed a job with a firm a couple of hundred miles away. When they asked him if he had any questions, he asked whether they provided any support with relocation, such as estate agent recommendations for finding a flat to rent, advice on what areas to live in bearing in mind public transport etc. He did that to get across the image that he was already looking to move for the job, so was serious about it and thinking of the practicalities. He said they seemed delighted he'd asked that and talked quite animatedly about how they help people relocate, in terms of financial and practical support!

Ohcrapp · 16/01/2023 19:52

Great replies! Thanks everyone! I normally smash every interview and have got all of my jobs previously. But this is something I’ve never done before! Only found out this evening it will be tomorrow!

OP posts:
Angelofthenortheast · 16/01/2023 20:03

Every question they ask you should answer in the STAR method - goole it but basically, for every answer they're looking for an example of when you've done something. So what was the problem, what did you do and what was the result of your outcome.

They'll have a checklist and they need you to TELL them when you've done something so that they can tick it off.

If they ask for an example of a failure, you can give an actual failure (eg. I said yes to a task when I didn't have time to do it). But follow it up by saying how you're working on ensuring the mistake won't happen again, eg. "the result of that failure was that I did an online training course in how to manage my workload to learn how to avoid making that mistake again".

Eastereggsboxedupready · 16/01/2023 20:09

After reading recent interview articles you need to be polite and communicate with the receptionist on entering the building.. If you are shown the refreshments area and are given a coffee make sure you offer /do go wash up that cup! And be yourself. Pointless making out you are Hyacinth Bouquet if you are really Daisy!!

Offredismysister · 16/01/2023 20:11

Also, GDPR & confidentiality if you have clients, patients etc.

RoseJam · 16/01/2023 20:26

If this is through an agency, do ask them what the interviewers will ask or what it will cover. Often an agency will have sent candidates before and will know - but they don't often tell you.

Read the job spec and in the interview, try and tailor your answers to show that you have what they are looking for eg: If the job spec says - 'an organised individual who can work independently', give an example of what you organised yourself and the end result using the same or similar words back. A lot of interviewers will tick these attributes off like a shopping list as you speak, so if you make it easy for them to identify, the chances of you getting the job increase.

Before the interview, take several long deep breaths to calm yourself. Tell yourself that they are testing you on the easiest subject in the world - that is YOU! This is the one time you can showcase your skills and personality, and be proud of your achievements in a socially acceptable way - so enjoy it.

Another tip to help calm nerves is to slow down the rate you speak. This is surprisingly effective and gives your brain a chance to organise your thoughts and deliver them in a concise way. Often when we are nervous, we tend to talk a lot faster than usual, so this tip will counteract those nerves.

If they ask you a question that is vague or you don't quite understand or that you are unsure of - don't be afraid to ask them to clarify it by asking a question back at them. For example, if they ask, 'so @Ohcrapp ,tell me about yourself...' you can ask them questions such as 'what specifically would you like to know more about me - my personality, attitude to work, life in education, socially? 'etc etc........ This is a good way to buy time for you, to sort out an answer in your head and it also shows them that you are someone who can think about things in a more considered way and it will help you ensure that you are giving the response they are expecting.

Wishing you the best of luck!

RoseJam · 16/01/2023 20:33

Also, stats say that you have 30 seconds to make a good first impression - so as I am sure you already know, dress smart and appropriately for the organisation (different industries have different dress codes), smile, be attentive and when they introduce themselves, use their name. Eg If they 'I'm Bob', then repeat their name, and also use it when answering questions now and then- but not too much - as it helps to build rapport

Prouddoggieparent · 16/01/2023 22:52

@Kazzyhoward when I interview people and ask them about their weaknesses if they try and tell me it’s a hidden strength really it annoys me and smacks of being deceptive or no self awareness.
Maybe just me but I prefer someone to say something honest that they are aware about.

Just food for thought.

Ohcrapp · 18/01/2023 10:45

Thanks all! I got the job!

OP posts:
yoshiblue · 18/01/2023 12:42

Great news, congrats!

MintJulia · 18/01/2023 13:29

🍾🎉

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