Hand hold please!! Job interview tomorrow after being a SAHM for a few years!!

[Auramigraine]

Hi all

Well after lots of applying I finally have an interview tomorrow, admin assistant for a college..... I am SO nervous I can barely eat, I haven’t had an interview for years, I have wrote notes and hoping they are being absorbed. On the person spec it says about ensuring I can help maintain high standards of behaviour off colleagues and students which has puzzled me a little as I’m not sure what to say apart from setting a good example. But any helpful tips would be appreciated!! Urgh.... I hate interviews X

Write your notes in your notebook into single words and take it into the interview, you can use it as a prompt if you get into a nervous muddle.
Also, when they ask if you have any other questions, you can make a note of the answers.
It always makes me laugh how people don’t take notebooks into an interview, you are expected to take them in for meetings but not a meeting that could potentially change life’s circumstances.
Also, make sure you nail the “so what do you know about us” it will calm your nerves and make the rest of the interview seem like a doddle.

Regarding the behaviour, I would take that as to how you would deal with difficult people competency based question. Have an example where you have been in a situation where someone wasn’t being professional or a customer who was irate etc and what you did about it.

All the very best of luck!!

Nodrama has covered it. Also before going in take some deep breathes and do a power pose in the loo.Smile, give eye contact during interview. Look keen but not desperate. Good luck!

You could just acknowledge that you’re a bit nervous. They will be too! Not as much but no one likes interviews, even the people doing them! We recently hired someone who was shaking in his interview!! Best of luck and if it doesn’t work out keep trying!

Hi OP. The fact that you’ve posted says so much - that you are determined and thoughtful. The thing I find most offputting at interviews is when candidates know little or nothing about the company - so show your interest and attention to detail by checking out latest news/press releases about the college and dig into the sector if you can.

When I became a mother, I was amazed how many of my parent colleagues had previously undersold their new skill sets - patience, influencing, diplomacy, negotiation, expectation management, organisation, project management, time management etc etc. Don’t be afraid to show off the SAHM armoury you have and how it translates directly into the commercial/academic world. Because it really does. The ‘stakeholders’ may be of a different vintage but the challenges are essentially the same

Good luck!

It’s so nerve wracking isn’t it? I got an admin job after 20 years as a Sahm, so it can be done. Been there 6 months so far and loving every minute.

I actually applied for twelve jobs, was invited to four different interviews, and landed the last one I interviewed for. The best one for me actually so I was pleased I wasn’t offered the previous three!

Good luck, but remember it will be good interview practice for something else if you don’t get it so don’t be too disappointed if it doesn’t go your way on this occasion.

Thanks all..... I’m so anxious, I know I’m hardly gonna sleep tonight with nerves..... I have applied for a few vacancies after this one that I prefer so keeping in mind if tomorrow doesn’t go well then it’s good practice for the next interview that comes along..... my interview is early so at least I’m not waiting around all day, I don’t think my nerves could take it!!

In a similar boat as I'm being made redundant after a significant amount of years in the role and have not had an interview or updated my CV in ages

Something my dad told me years ago was to remember that they are not only interviewing you but you are also interviewing them. I haven't tried the technique having not had interviews as said but I can imagine thinking about it like that would help a bit with nerves and also ensure you don't come across as desperate like UnfinishedKitchen said.

One thing that will possibly come up will be a safeguarding question. Have a look on the college's website and find their policies page, there should be a copy of their safeguarding policy which you can read.

Good luck

Well done on getting the interview! Don't have any advice on the actual job but can give advice on preparing. Lay out tonight what you are going to wear. Saves the faff in the morning. Read through job spec carefully and highlight and key words. Get your dh/dp/friend to ask you some questions. Practice answers. (if you don't have anyone I'm sure mn could help) also write some questions for them. As mission said you need to be sure you can actually work with them. Things like what would be my day to day work, what are your expectations of the role, (if you're brave) is this a new role or how has it come about (firing /regination/maternity etc). Also practice your strengths and weakness. For some reason this still comes up.
Have a bath and good luck!

Definitely practise ‘why do you want this job/to work for us’ type question.
Good luck!

I got a job in a school after 7 years as a SAHM. The last interview I had had before that one was 14 years before! I know it’s really scary, but just prepare before you go, try your best and if you don’t get it don’t let it put you off and keep on applying X Hugs and good luck xxx

Not practical but philosophical: Be empowered by jasmin paris - she was tougher than all the men, the broken nights, the motherhood made her super strong. As are you. You can do it! All the best if this job is worthy of you 💪

How did it go?

Thanks all for your helpful advice, I feel it went very well! Best I could have hoped for anyways. Was only a very short interview followed by a task on computer, so I’m hoping I made a good impression :) the only thing I’m worried about is that they said they are interviewing for the rest of the week and into next week as they have been inundated with applications so I feel my chance is slim, and don’t know if I’m being anxious but as I was one of the first applicants interviewed feel I will be forgotten about by the time they have finished the interviews

Hoping for a good outcome but won’t know until middle of next week at the earliest. Thanks for asking xx

Let us know if you hear anything. Fingers crossed

Deep breath, chin up, tits out.
You'll be fine.

Ah sorry, just seen I'm too late.
🙏🤞