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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask you to give me some interview tips, hints and killer questions to ask at the end?

59 replies

GrumbleBumble · 12/02/2018 14:30

I have an interview on Friday for a job I really want but I'm rubbish at interviews and "selling myself" so please help me to nail it this time. It's a similar role to my current one, administration for new UK office of a US based maker/seller of a technical product.

OP posts:

Asiaticlily · 12/02/2018 19:27

OP I have an interview tomorrow for an admin job and LOVE some of these questions. I'll definitely be using Doreen's question about what isn't covered in the job description!

Good luck and I hope it goes well

PoppyCherry · 12/02/2018 19:30

I often ask ‘do you have any concern about my ability to do the role’.

Gives me a chance to address any perceived weakness about me that they may have. If they answer honestly!

TellsEveryoneRealFacts · 12/02/2018 19:34

I have 3
1 - what are you looking for in the person to do this job. When they tell you, come back at them with examples of how you can do these other things
2 - is there anything else you want to know about me. They can then ask off the list questions.
3 - that sounds like just the role I am looking for, what are the next steps?

I was taught these by a killer recruitment chap about a decade ago. Awesome questions that all give you more chance of getting the job.

oldiebutgoodie · 12/02/2018 19:42

Not a question to ask but a tip for anyone having an interview. Make sure you know what you are applying for. I interviewed recently and when I asked ' tell me about the job that you have applied for' the majority couldn't even tell me the basics.

Original poster

GrumbleBumble · 12/02/2018 19:43

Thanks folks there are some great ones here.

Any suggestions for how where do you see yourself in X years? (I hope I won't be asked this as I don't think there is really potential for me to progress within the company) is there a way to say "still in this role" without sounding like I lack ambition but on the flip side I don't want to sound like I'll off in six months time to find a new challenge.

OP posts:

gingerscot · 12/02/2018 19:44

As an interviewer my top tip is always, people remember confidence and enthusiasm far longer than they remember the answer to your questions. So bear that in mind even if you have to fake it a bit.

Troubleinstore · 12/02/2018 19:58

I always ask 'is there anything you've seen today today that would make you have second thoughts about giving me the job?'
Sometimes it gives you some pointers you can work towards and it gives you chance to make amends before you've left the interview.

chocolateworshipper · 12/02/2018 20:03

Any suggestions for how where do you see yourself in X years

How about something like "able to mentor others in the role" - you're saying that you plan to stay at the same level, but you are adding more value to the company

SandyY2K · 12/02/2018 20:13

Read the job description and be able to provide evidence to demonstrate you meet the criteria.

You need to describe with examples on how you for example have managed conflict/can deal with conflicting priorities.

If you haven't done aspects of the job before, then use your transferable skills and describe what you would do in that situation and explain why.

You really don't need to ask questions at the end..unless you genuinely need to know something.

You can ask when you'll hear from them.

You can ask how the vacancy arose did anyone leave/New post

Questions afterwards don't earn brownie points in a competency based interview...as you're being scored on your answers to their questions.

redexpat · 12/02/2018 20:14

I always ask about my physical workplace - open office, hot desking etc. Also how do they intend to familiarise you with your role? Buddy system? Induction week?

Doobigetta · 12/02/2018 20:16

At the end of the interview, I like to ask "Is there anything else that you're looking for that I haven't already covered?"

I've tried using that, and it hasn't worked for me. I find that interviewers are too polite to actually say what they're thinking. So they'll pretend to think about it and say, no, I think that's everything, and then later you'll find out you didn't get the job because they thought you lacked line management experience, when you've led a team for years. Or something.

SandyY2K · 12/02/2018 20:18

Their expectations will depend on the level of the role you're applying for.

AhYerWill · 12/02/2018 20:20

Definitely as pp have said ask about what makes a good candidate and/or if there are any outstanding questions they have about you.

Other tips I had which served me well :

look up the company on Wikipedia. Memorize the basics about them - number of employees, where they have major offices, name of CEO, key competitors etc. Most people don't do this and being able to throw in a few facts about the business if they ask what you know about the role/company always looks good.

Also have a short patter down summarising your career, skills etc. If you know you get nervous, repeat it til you've got it absolutely by heart and can reel it off. Quite often the first question is 'tell me a bit about yourself' or something similar and having a prepared spiel gets you over the worst of it.

A similar spiel about why you particularly want this role (and why you'd be good at it) will probably serve you well too..

If they offer you a glass of water, take it. Then take a sip before you speak if they ask you a tough question. it gives you a moment to think, and compose yourself before answering (and helps with the dry mouth you get with nerves).

Lastly don't forget the interview goes both ways - it's a chance to see if you like them too. Asking things like why the vacancy is open, and why they're looking to fill it externally rather than with an internal promotion can clue you in a bit - it may well reveal things like high staff turnover, limited opportunities for promotion or that the company is growing rapidly.

bigsighall · 12/02/2018 20:21

Mostly it’s about how much they like you / how well you’ll fit into the team. Be warm and engaging.
Questions at the end... I like to ask about the culture in the office and the best thing about working there. Shows you are a positive person.
If they ask about weakness just say chocolate and leave it there :) usually gets a laugh!

Original poster

GrumbleBumble · 12/02/2018 20:21

Sandy I have no idea if it will be a competency based interview though.
The one for my current job certainly wasn't!
And it is a new job, new office do I know why the role is available - because the company is just setting up a base in the UK.

OP posts:

LustyBusty · 12/02/2018 20:28

The question that I asked at my last interview was "why should I want to work for you?" That got a groan out of the interviewer (CEO) but also got me a 5 minute presentation on the future of the company. I was 99% certain I had the job at that point tho, and getting the job would (and did) mean a massive relocation, so it was accepted that I was interviewing them as much as them me. Maybe a rephrase along the lines of a pp "what's great about working here?"

andysghost · 12/02/2018 20:30

Placemarking

Callamia · 12/02/2018 20:36

I’ve been on a lot of interview panels, and I would never answer a question about the candidate’s ‘weaknesses’ or points they’d missed in the interview. As an interviewer, it’s my job to get the answers I need - clarifying or asking the candidate to tell me more if necessary. Telling the candidate what they’re falling down on sounds like a HR nightmare waiting to happen.

Ask an honest question - it’s not a trick at the end. And interviewers can see those sort of smart questions coming a mile off - they don’t sound authentic. What DO you want to know? Something about opportunities for training? Think about what would make you want to take that job v another one, and ask about that thing.

BiscuitTinClarabel · 12/02/2018 20:40

You've got lots of good advice already. Having conducted lots of interviews recently my biggest tip would be: remember to say what YOU did in any example you're giving. In real life, it's nice to be a team player and share credit, but don't accidentally do yourself down. Also, don't worry about being nervous because they'll be expecting that and might well be too!

Original poster

GrumbleBumble · 12/02/2018 20:44

Thanks for all the hints.

Placemarkers you are very welcome, unless it's "my" job you are interviewing for!

OP posts:

Polkadot1974 · 12/02/2018 21:23

Constantlurker · 12/02/2018 22:00

Always always do your research about the company and the role. I have interviewed a lot of people and my first question is 'so what do you know about us as a company'. I find it the most important question as it immediately tells you whether someone has made any form of effort to understand the company culture etc or if they've just gone on the first page of the website and memorized when we started or how much we made this year. If you are serious about a job then you would know a bit about the company. Do your research. Do they have any you tube videos, have they been in the press recently, can you find out the company values and try and use that as part of an answer. All of that stuff shows that you care enough to take the time to prepare and are good at research. I've never hired anyone who didn't answer that question well. Not because of that specifically but it is a huge contributor.

I also found asking a variation of 'have I answered your question' to be very useful.

Best of luck!

Lucyccfc · 12/02/2018 22:01

If they ask about your weaknesses (I hate that term) respond with your 'areas for development or improvement'. Using the word weakness sounds negative.

Always research the company. My first question as an employer is 'what do you know about xxx company'.

I always end with 'Why should I come and work for you?'

Original poster

GrumbleBumble · 16/02/2018 09:26

A couple of hours to go - any last minute words of wisdom?

OP posts:

Asiaticlily · 16/02/2018 16:53

Hope the interview went well OP. Did you use any of the tips?

How do you think it went?

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