To ask for interview advice?

[SpangledBoots]

Big, important interview tomorrow. Any tips/advice?

It's an internal role with a hiring manager I've known for a few months. Mid-level office-based job at a large organisation I've been with for 3 years.

I'm crap at interviews. I was made redundant recently and started my new job last week (massive relief!)

I know it sounds twee, but before the successful interview I gave myself a really stern talking to in the car 'you can do this, they need you, they just don't know it yet, you've got this, you're awesome, tell them so.' etc etc etc.

I also tried to emulate the most irritating, self assured, over confident prick I ever had the misfortune to work with he was completely incompetent - but my god he talked a good talk. I used buzz words, management speak, all the shit that makes me roll my eyes in meetings. You've got a big advantage here because you know all the internal company lingo. Use it. You'll feel daft but it's what they want to hear.

It all sounds like a load of crap, I know, but I got the job so it must have worked!

My advice, even for an internal role, is look carefully at the job criteria, make sure you can give examples whete you have demonstrated each skill, or if you can't, at least be aware of what they would be looking for knowledge wise.
Take your time before answering each question.
If you can takes notes in be sure to highlight the key words you want to get in.
Always say I not We when describing what you have done (ie it may have been a team effort but higjlight your part in it).
Don't be tempted to say things that aren't strictly true.... you can guarantee they will dig deeper!
Smile and thank them for giving you the interview.
Always have a question at the end!
Good luck op

Look at the job spec and prepare examples of experience you have with each responsibility (so if it says the successful candidate will chair and run large meetings, come prepared with examples of when you’ve had to do that etc).

It also wouldn’t hurt to think of a few examples of soft skills - times you’ve fixed a difficult problem at work, or communicated effectively, or worked well in a team etc.

Be calm in the interview - take a moment to think about what you want to say rather than just start talking and hope you figure it out on the way (taking a sip of water is a good way to give yourself a few seconds to think).

Try and think of it as a conversation rather than an interview.

Come with thoughtful questions for the interviewer about the role, it’s just as important they find the right candidate for them as it is landing the job for you. Think of it as a mutual conversation rather than them holding all the cards.

Good luck!!

My killer question for the end is: 'what would excellence in the role after the first three months look like?' (Phrased in whatever way was most appropriate!)

It makes people think and really consider what they are looking for.

Good luck too!

I've just finished a round of interviewing for someone to report to me and from the other side of the table, I'd say:
Always have a question for the end
Be polite to the receptionist
If they ask you to prepare something, follow the brief (one person prepared an entire campaign when we'd asked for a five minute presentation without slides)
If you're already in the company, show that you are familiar with the culture through your understand of what the role entails - it's a massive advantage

Thanks everyone! I'm feeling super nervous - I've effectively been doing (and loving) the job for 6 months in an unofficial capacity and really want to land it. I'll be gutted if I don't.

I have a few thoughtful questions planned - one about the next 3-6 months success (I already know the direction so more specifically for the role holder) and one about the vision for the newly formed team (ways of working together and with the wider business).

Look at the job description/person specification and devise questions that you would ask if you were interviewing. Think of answers but don't learn anything off by heart. Think about how you could answer the worse possible question they could ask - once you have that covered, nothing else is so scary! Don't fidget with hair, jewellery etc - have a pen in your hand if you need something. Stand and sit as if you have a balloon tied to your head - will keep you gently straight rather than soldier straight which looks awkward. Don't be frightened of pausing before answering and where appropriate, put a framework around your answers e.g short/mid/long term or internal/external customers. That impresses that you have an ordered and thought through approach. Good luck!

There's some really good advice here. I think sometimes in internal roles or where some-one has been acting in the role there can be a tendency to assume they already know something so just make sure that you spell everything out. If they're going by the book then if you haven't said or demonstrated it in the interview then it won't count.

Try to enjoy it, or act as though you are - you're just a super competent person having a conversation with some colleagues about why you're the obvious choice for this role.

Use examples; I recently started interviewing and we score people more highly if they use examples

Have a look at STAR technique for answering questions- gives you a structure.

Did they tell you about the interview format?
At my company, we ask people to run through their CV, I would highlight relevant skills/experience you gained or where you took the initiative to learn something new or go in a different direction/career move. Interviewers really don’t want to hear every single thing about every single job you’ve ever had. Always keen in mind your audience!
Then we ask competency based questions - around teamwork and influencing others (people you don’t directly manage), being agile, how have you dealt with negative feedback or making a mistake. Always give example with what your actions were and what the result was.
Good luck!!

More great advice! Thank you

Has anyone ever been interviewed by someone they've been working with already? I'm a bit worried that'll make it awkward.

I had a competency interview to join the company and used the STAR format then (very helpful) but now we've introduced new values based questions which honestly sound a bit like questions your therapist would ask! So I need to try and be very specific and structured in response to very vague questions.

I do have sight of the official interview feedback from and the new questions so I know what to expect.

Arrrrgh. Can it just be over already, please?!

Be. Yourself. Of course, you will hopefully have looked at the job spec and seen if its appropriate for you.

It seems like you are loving the job you have already and that will probably speak for itself :).

If they like you being yourself - great! If they don't like it - fine! In that scenario the job wasn't the right one for you and they are doing you a big favour if they don't give it to you!!!!!!!)

The rest is pretty much corporate tosh and all the fake-ism that is around nowadays.