To call all other imminent interviewees

[newjobnerves]

I have a job interview on June 3rd for a job I want SO much, I am so anxious. I'm off now for a week with the kids so lots of time to prepare (and dwell and stress!) I wondered if we could start a 2WW style thread for those about to go for interviews?!

I've got my first job interview in 17 years on the 7th June. Been with the same employer since I left the 6th form. New job would be in a different department and a promotion for me. Absolutely bricking it.

@LynseyLou1982 oh good luck, my mum just recently had her first interview in about 20 years. She was terrified but it went just fine (and she got the job!) I guess it's a case of sprucing up on current practice for interviews.

For me the most frustrating thing is not knowing what you're up against! I have spent days preparing (as there's so much I need to research) but I keep thinking what if they have an internal candidate who is lined up for the job and they're recruiting as a matter of procedure!

I have an interview on 7 June. Within my same company but a promotion (with significant pay rise)

I wasn't sure about applying as I only got the promotion I am on now a year ago so it seems quite soon to step up again. but it was there and I thought I could do it so applied

Really nervous about it...

I recently successfully interviewed, starting my new job on Monday.
For me the main thing really was give examples of what I managed to achieve with the back-up and support of my team, and what I helped the team to achieve through my support and backup.
Where I took the lead and where I took direction were important.
Identifying people with skills and knowledge I don't have, but working out where I fit in.
For one question I didn't have a strong example, so said "I've not had the opportunity to work at that level. I have a smaller example or could talk about my approach and thought processes. " They asked for both!

Good luck all.

Good luck to all of you

My DS(25) has an interview today. He's already been offered the job informally but it won't be confirmed until he meets the general manager today. He desperately wants it, so I'm crossing everything & will be on edge all day until I hear.

Turns out interview prep is actually quite difficult when you have to entertain a two-year-old at the same time. Luckily I have spent a long time thinking about my answers but I really need a couple of hours of quiet time so I can write down my main STAR scenarios and think about them, and come up with some questions for the interviewers.

Erm, is anyone else feeling like a fraud when choosing interview clothes? My current workplace is very relaxed so I usually wear band shirts and my converse, and I just tried on my interview outfit and I looked like an utter wanker.

I've still heard nothing! Mine was competency based and I rehearsed a series of examples ahead of time using the STAR method. I found it helped to have examples in my head going in.

For others - really try to listen to the question. Most of the questions in mine were in three parts and I was so nervous that I couldn't remember the last part after I had answered the first two parts! I did have to ask them to repeat the questions a couple o times which didn't feel great.

My top tip - they usually ask you if you have any questions for them at the end. I always struggle to say anything that isn't about the hours or pay so I tend to ask 'is there anything you are looking for in your ideal candidate that I haven't demonstrated today?'. It does put them on the spot and I've had some interesting replies (I've done a few interviews!) but it tends to give you an opener to talk about stuff you might otherwise leave out or that they haven't obviously targeted with their questions.

I have one tomorrow. But not sure if I want the job or not so it allows me to feel quite calm about it. I suddenly understand the whole 'you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you' mentality because this time I am - I need to find out more to see if I want it!

I have been in the interviewer many times ... so tips from me would be:

Research the company / organisation, so you can relate back to their objectives.
Sometime say “me and I” .. not always “we and us”, it’s important to show what you have done
If you are struggling, ask for clarification
Smile

I have a great question I always ask at the end, if i’m ever interviewed .. when they say “do you have any questions for us” - I always say “is there anything that you would have expected to hear, that i’ve not mentioned” - this then shows you where you might have missed a competency, and gives you an opportunity to mention how you meet it.

@newjobnerves he's still only 13 months

Horall..that is a great question!

@FairfaxAikman my eldest was about that age when DH and went full time until having our second, he adapted just fine 😊

The interview prep is taking so long as there's just so much about them to research, the profession (which I'm technically in but I specialised in a different aspect of it so I've got to go over the other stuff I know about but haven't technically experienced. I haven't even started on the questions 😭

Does everybody else bring up the same examples in interview that they did in the application?

Next weds. And I’m on maternity leave... so will be balancing leaky boobs (4 mo old) and exiting house from threenager. It’s the perfect role and v near home and a lot more money. So no pressure yeah? 🤔

Well, DS's job offer was confirmed so I can relax now. I'm delighted for him & I wish all of you waiting on interviews & offers all the very best of luck.

Gutted, didn't get job ☹️
Am rapidly losing heart. I know it's only my 2nd interview but jobs not great for my confidence

But not great for my confidence

I'm waiting to hear if I have an interview for a job that closed a month ago. Even by NHS standards, this is slooooowwwww.

Good luck guys!

@newcat12345 don't get too disheartened, the application process is a skill in itself that you are building on, it's great you're getting to interview. You can ask for feedback xx

Newjobnerves, I didn’t bother with feedback as I wasn’t that bothered at the time, but redundancy may force my hand soon.

Newcat, sorry you didn’t get this one. As they say ‘what’s for you won’t go by you’ so I’m sure the right job will turn up soon! Some great suggestions and advice on this thread, will be keeping notes. Keep them coming.....

Newcat, ahh sorry to hear that. I know how disheartening it can be. I like to think that if I don't get a job then it wasn't the right one for me anyway! (Although it still sucks and not getting a job is a major disappointment.) Have you applied for any other jobs yet? I have my interview tomorrow and I'm carefully planning my next job applications already as I'm a pessimist and don't want to get my hopes up.

I'm so so nervous. I've prepared for this so much but just know I'll end up winging it because my mind will go blank. When my interview finishes I'm going straight to the pub.

Thank you for your kind words. I'm 47 so rightly or wrongly feeling a bit like I've missed the boat.
Not helped by uncertainty about what kind of 2nd career I really want.

Anyhoo.. good luck to everyone in their interviews. Sending positive thoughts!

@newjobnerves Yes I'm thinking that exact same thing. What if they already know who they want to get the job and the whole process is just a HR box ticking exercise.

Just did mine. I am cringing at some of the stuff I said. I'm not going to get my hopes up!