How to do well in interviews and get a job offer?

[Waterdrinker]

I have had 5 or 6 job interviews for admin roles this year. I didn't get even 1 job offer. The first two - I didn't get any positive feedback.

The rest had really positive feedback given to me, but they said I didn't answer 1 or 2 questions like they expected- I didn't give them the answers they expected- I am wondering how this is possible?

I feel frustrated and disheartened. I know because I am applying for admin roles, there will be lots of other applicants as well.

Each interview the questions are different- only 1 organisation gave me the questions in advance- 2 days in advance- even then I didn't get the job. Here, they gave me feedback saying I should have said 'this' instead of saying what I said. Feeling really frustrated.

I do have good admin experience and I am currently doing admin for a charity as a volunteer. So, experience is NOT the issue.
I am not performing well in interviews. 😢

What should I do? How do I move forward?

I was thinking about asking for the interview questions in advance the next time I get an interview- is it ok to do this? I know the organisation might not just give me the interview questions in advance just because I ask for them. But, is it ok to do that?

Some interviews, when I get out of the interview and I get home, I think about the questions they asked me and I think I could have expanded on the answer by using specific examples. But, these specific examples don't come to my mind DURING the interview.

I am feeling really sad. 😢😢😢

Hi OP, I’m a senior manager for a recruitment firm and have worked in recruitment in direct job placement for 15 years so really hoping I’ll be able to help! Here are the things I would tell someone if I had this conversation with them in my role:

Always arrive 5/10 minutes early, dress smartly and business-wear whether remote or face to face and no matter how informal the role
Start the interview with a warm smile, try to build a rapport immediately by referencing something that you’ve done recently and/or taking an interest in something relating to the hirer. I.e “hi @Waterdrinkergood to meet you, how are you?”, “pretty good thanks, went for a lovely walk this morning to try and get some steps in so I’d be well charged ready for this interview! How’s your day going?” I know that’s pretty specific but you get my gist!
Answer all competency based questions (which is when they ask you for an example of something), using the STAR technique - there are lots of useful YouTube videos for this which you will definitely need to watch but it’s basically answering a question in the format of: situation, task, action result
Try to avoid using the word “we”, always answer with “I” so the focus is on what you’ve done, rather than something another person in the team might’ve done
Try to focus on positives, never slag off a previous company or complain about past situations, talk about what you might have learnt from it and how it’s made you better in your role
Research the company! Even just take two or three points from their website to reference during the interview to show you’ve taken a keen interest and drop it into the conversation. E.g. “ah yes I know you’ve had a lot of success in this area, was really impressive reading about this on your website”
Be prepared with 3-5 questions to ask at the end - NOT related to salary, benefits etc but more along the lines of “what does success look like in your company, what do you enjoy about working at XXX, what are the company’s values, can you tell me more about the team” etc
Close them down at the end of the interview by asking what are the next steps - how many stages are in the interview process, when am I likely to hear about next steps etc
Most importantly, the majority of employers are looking for warmth and personality so any opportunity to build a rapport, take an interest or make them smile/laugh is going to be a benefit!

I really could go on but these are the main ones for me which make a different. Wishing you lots of luck and I hope you get something soon!

All of the above! I have always done well at interviews (not always at jobs). I would say researching the company and possibly the person who will interview you if you can so you know their specific areas of interest. Have in your mind some things that you want to get across whatever you are asked... so for example, when I went for an interview with a wine company I wanted to get across that I spoke french (even though not part of the role, obviously france is a big name in the wine world), and so in my getting to know you chat I mentioned I had just come back from France, how much I loved France, and how I'd studied the language at university).

Focus on what they need (hopefully from the JD), and then answer the question to show that you have it; even if that's not the specific question. So... how did you get on with your co-workers ... you can say, I got on really well or you can say, most people I work very well with, and even with those I don't have a natural affinity with I work to get on with them, in fact one of those people ended up being my best friend (may not be your style but just to illustrate the point)

Anyway, the job market is hard at the moment, so keep on going, and take advice and learning from each interview. Some of the questions or similar may come again so work through what you would have liked to say and then you have it in the armoury for next time. Good Luck!