AIBU to ask for interview tips...any bosses out there?

[FortunesFave]

I know, I know...it's not a REAL AIBU but I really, really need support.

I've got an interview tomorrow at what looks like a very sleek, smart company in the city in which I live (Australia) and I am quite frankly terrified!

I have been self-employed for 10 years whilst DC were small and now want a regular part-time income.

This job is bloody perfect. 15-20 hours per week and not bad money at all.

I am well able to DO the job but I'm so worried that I'm out of the loop in terms of jargon and that I will seem all middle-aged next to the bright young things.

Any tips on how to come over as the perfect candidate?

Have you done your research into the company? If you have a good knowledge of the company and the industry, the ‘jargon’ shouldn’t throw you.

Prepare some questions you’d like the answers to, it shows you are thoughtful and are taking the process seriously.

Try to go in there with the attitude that they need to sell themselves to you as much as you do to them, and good luck. :-)

Have they said what kind of interview it is. There's lots of information online about competency interviews and the STAR technique of answering.

If you get the "tell me about a weakness" question, think of something that isn't integral to the job, but that you've taken steps to improve. They know you aren't perfect, but the question is an opportunity to show self awareness and professional development.

Remember, they want you to get the job, otherwise they wouldn't waste their time interviewing you. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification. When asked a question, pause, take a deep breath and answer.

Ask a couple of relevant questions at the end. You're both trying to work out if it's the right fit. It's also an opportunity to show you've done your research. "I recently read something about your xyz program. Can you tell me if there are any plans to continue it next year?"

Good luck and if you're unsuccessful, ask for feedback and take it on board.

Dress smartly, even if you think the culture is very casual. Seems obvious but we’ve interviewed people recently who turned up in jeans with no explanation eg work in a v casual environment and it would smack of interview if they came to work dressed smartly but they haven’t said this even when they can see the interviewer is suited and booted. Doesn’t have to be overly smart if culture of company is quite laid back but err on side of caution.

Try to be yourself, imagine you’re at a dinner party and you’re meeting someone for the first time who doesn’t know anything about you but is interested in who you are and asking questions about what you’ve been doing and what you want to do.

Answer interview questions in the same way.

Being natural, authentic and having a conversation rather than rehearsed statements will help you connect with the interviewer.

Ultimately that’s what usually makes the difference, having what feels like a natural connection so the person you’re meeting could see themselves getting on with you.

Make clear your motivation for the company and role. You don’t need to be over the top and gush but it should be clear why you’re interested in the company and position. As pp says, do your due diligence on the company and be able to articulate concisely and with enthusiasm. But don’t be so overly enthusiastic that it seems fake.

Be ready to give practical examples of situations you’ve handled that might be relevant for the role and sprinkle them in even if you’re not specifically asked for examples. If you’ve got the skills and experience and can demonstrate them in a fluid, natural way, the interviewer will start to imagine you in the role.

If something unexpected happens in the interview like you’re asked to do an exercise eg a role play or written piece of work or someone else joins the interview, take it in your stride, avoid showing you’re flustered even if you’re totally thrown by it!

Your CV will get you an interview but it’s usually emotional intelligence which will swing whether you get the role.

Good luck!

Don’t bring a knife in your sock and whip it out to put it on the table mid interview.
Don’t cry.
Do bring several copy’s of your CV (hate it when candidates don’t)
Do make sure you know you CV inside out.

You’ll be fine! The fact you are a little worried is a good sign!

Do bring several copy’s of your CV (hate it when candidates don’t)
Definitely not a thing in my line of work

Thanks! Such good tips! Thank you all. Plane why would I bring copies of my CV? I assume people have them easily accessible on their devices?

It might be my industry but normal there will be 2 or three interviewers, most have run from one meeting to the next, and no one wants to sit on a device and read it - they want to look and engage with you and refer to a paper copy which they may or may not have time to print!
Also annoying when you have a copy, ask a candidate something about their cv and they don’t know/ ask to see a copy (as they didn’t bring their own!)

I’d say the biggest thing is smile and make eye contact. Listen to your interviewer, don’t talk over them and have some questions ready to ask about the company. Good luck 👍

Depends on the format of the interview but if they seem to be asking the same question again and again try wording your answer slightly differently. Some interview reports need you to say a particular thing in a specific way to tick the box, it's infuriating when you know the candidate meets the competency but you need to hear them say 'team' or whatever it is.

Be able to answer why you want to work for the company, especially changing to self employed to salaried. You can be honest, e.g. "I want the security of fixed hours and your values match mine (with follow up not just blah)", but be able to say something convincing. Nothing more of a turn off than a candidate who doesn't care and hasn't researched.

Good luck!

Plane why would I bring copies of my CV? I assume people have them easily accessible on their devices

Because you might, er...want to refer to it in your interview. FFS.

How would internet randoms know the jargon of your unidentified work?

Have good questions prepared - something that shows you've really thought about the job. My favorite candidates over the last while have been those that came across as really curious to find out more about the company/role/team
Just be careful not to ask anything too basic that you should know from your own research on the company.
So the kind of thing I mean is : our company was bought out by another, bigger company 6 months previous to this interview. the candidate asked me what were the biggest changes we had seen since the buyout, and what do we think the next 6 months to a year will be like in this regard.
It was a great question because it showed her research was good, and that she was curious about the big things going on in the compnay

echt I know exactly what's on there.

FFS

echt I know exactly what's on there.FFS hmm

So why ask?

Do stick to STAR if giving examples, it stops you from waffling.
(Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Always say "I" unless they are specifically asking about team working.

S: I saw that the company was struggling with XYZ,
T: I decided to implement a new database to facilitate knowledge sharing,
A: I liaised with key stakeholders and customers to determine the most necessary information for everyone's needs,
R: everyone was super happy and my manager threw me a big party.

You are allowed (often encouraged) to take in brief notes. Just jot down a couple of situations which you are particularly proud of your response to, so you have a few different examples and don't find yourself using the same one over and over if your mind goes blank.
If there were lists of personal qualities they wanted "initiative, team working, negotiation skills, negotiation skills", try and think of examples you would use for each one in advance.

Don't be afraid to note down the key words of the question they have asked you - nothing worse than waffling for 10 minutes and not actually answering the question at all. You would make notes in a meeting, taking notes shows you are serious about getting it right, it's not a weakness.

Good luck!

I would definitely take notes of key things they say to refer back to and a reminder to integrate those things into your answers.

I've never not got a job offer from an interview (not a boast!) and I put it down to the best advice I was once given is to finish each answer with a question. Makes for a great impression, conversation and no awkward silences!
For example
Interviewer - why do you think you would be good for this role?
You state reasons why you're perfect then ask something like, what kind of person are you looking for/what would you like to see the new person in this role do that hasn't been done before?

Works a treat - practice with someone today if you can!!
Good luck xx

We interview all the time at my company. I'd be embarrassed if we were so unprepared as to go into an interview without the applicants cv printed off and ready to refer to.

One good tip is to imagine that you are the interviewer. What questions would you want answering, what kind of attitude are you looking for etc. Write down each question on a separate bit of paper, pop them in an envelope or jar and then draw them out randomly and practice giving your response out loud. Another good tip is to think about what might be the worst thing they could ask you - if you have planned your response and feel confident with the worst question then this gives you a real psychological boost. Finally, don't fidget in the interview! Women in particular can show their nerves by defaulting to girly behaviour such as hair twirling and bracelet jingling. Hold onto a pen or a copy ofthe job desciption - something that will help you look composed. Best of luck!

Research, research, research.

People I interview who have done nothing (or the bare minimum) to find out about what my company does, its values, its aims, get absolutely nowhere.

In fact, I've interviewed some candidates who were so badly briefed that I now have an agreed "let's cut this short and get rid of them before we waste any more time on them" phrase to use with my colleagues.

If you don't do any research, it gives me the impression that you really don't care about the job at all. Without knowledge, you can't ask decent questions. I always give a few extra points to those who've bothered to look at my LinkedIn profile prior to interview.

I'd much rather hire someone who show's they're able to make an effort and learn than those who think they already know it all or that their "charisma" will get them through.

@FortunesFave OP I was replying to aPP, who said you must bring CVs. I said not in my line of work, actually you never send out a CV, you do an application and then it is up to them to bring copies to look at the interview.

I have never heard about bringing CVs but maybe in a different career is the norm?

What @fireworksscarethedogs said too

When it comes to the closing bit - when they ask if there’s anything else you’d like to say - I’d have a pre-prepared closing ready to go about how you really want the job, for a,b and c reasons you’re the right person for it, maybe reference your weakness (ie out of paid workforce for some time), but find a way to dismiss that as not that big a weakness. If they’re interviewing a number of candidates it’s often this type of speech that will stick in the interviewers head about a candidate.

and remember the job market can be hard.
f you don't get this one it doesn't mean your not good enough.as you say there are other people going for it.
you've done this one that means your ready for it.so go find the one for you.
but fingers crossed you go in there knowing you can and do get it.good luck.it could be fab.go in believing you are too.

Remember the S.E.E. technique: Smile, Eye contact, Enthusiasm.

When they ask questions that start with "can you think of an example or a time when you.....(had to use your initiative, had to work under pressure, had to work with imperfect data, etc.)", don't rush. It is okay to say "can I take a moment to think about the best example?" and use those moments - don't be afraid of the silence. It demonstrates calm under pressure and that you've really listened to the question.

Walk in and smile, shake hands and ask how they are.

If you don't understand the question ask them to clarify. Don't be afraid to pause whilst you think, tell them you are thinking too. Have an answer to the age old question of what your weakness is.