To ask for your interview advise

[Arrowfanatic]

Posting for traffic

I have my first interview since 2005 tomorrow, I've been a sahm as well since 2011 so to say I'm nervous would be a massive understatement.

Its for the same job i previously did, but with a different company. Interview includes a role play & written test as well

This is going to come out cow-y but if there's a written test, make sure you write 'advice', not 'advise'.

Have you got a pack or some info from the job? Checked the company website?

Argh, goddamn autocorrect got me 😁😁 i assure you my spelling & grammar aren't an issue.

I've received the job profile and the breakdown of the interview. I've been doing my homework on the company and the current legislation around the role.

I'm just so nervous. 9 years of mostly spending all my days speaking to children doesn't help my confidence.

If they offer you water, which they should do, take it. You can drink while you think of an answer if you get stumped.
Also never slag off your previous employer.

Don't fiddle with clothing, hair or jewellery. Don't apologise for being a SAHM. Show you have kept an interest in the business sector of your prospective employer. When asked questions requiring lengthy answers, try and apply an appropriate framework e.g high/low priority, short/medium/long term etc. Good luck!

Think about what you did in the role in your old company because a lot of firms nowadays do competency based interviews and may say (for example) "Give me an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult customer?" or whatever is relevant to this particular job. Don't think you have to blurt something out straight away, take time to think of your best example and use that glass of water (as suggested by PP) to gain a few moments. Don't be afraid to say "Just give me a moment to think of my best example" rather than sit there in silence.

Good luck OP!

Think about the job, how your time as a SAHM helps you with it.

So, does the JD say prioritise - juggling kids, home, school etc helps with tasks as well as the work you did before becoming a SAHM.

Think about the kind of questions they may ask you.

Strengths?
Weaknesses (don't forget 'you recognise this and so you do ...' when you answer this. They don't care what the weakness is, it's how you handle it and work with that knowledge).
What can you bring to the job?

How do you handle ...complaints/criticism/difficult situations. Give examples - doesn't matter if it's as a SAHM - dealing with the school over bullying, handling conflicting priorities with the kids or family. Again it's just to check what you do, how your mind works. No right or wrong answers.

Good luck. I had my first interview in 12 years of being a SAHM two weeks ago. I start work in a week's time!

Congratulations on the interview op. Firstly, remember that you are there because they feel you have the potential to do the job so you should feel really confident about the interview. This is as much an opportunity for you to find out whether it’s the right place for you as it is for them to find out more about you.

Think about why you really want the role-how does it fit into your careers plans, how does it build on the experience you already have, what skills would it allow you to demonstrate. When you’re researching the role/company, think about their competitors, what challenges you feel they might face over the next few years. As mentioned above, show an interest and a willingness to get involved.

With the role play, you have to be true to yourself but it might also help to research the company’s values and what they say is important to them (excellent customer service, or integrity for example).

Good luck!

Your strengths include "excellent organisational and time management skills" and if it's relevant, "negotiation skills" from your time as a sahp!
For a weakness, I always say my weight, then follow with " but I have already lost X amount, and hope that working again will help me lose more." It's not job related particularly, it's fixable, it shows that I'm already working on it and motivated, and that I can "self perceive" so to speak.
You can slip the phrase "now that my family is complete and the children are older" in there too. No matter what the law says, companies will take note that you aren't going to be going on mat leave.

Read the job description and person spec fully.

Ensure you have experience and can answer questions (relating to your previous work experience) relation to the main responsibilities of the role.

Be prepared to show how you've kept up to date with developments in your field while being out of work for so long.

If you're competing with ppl who have more recent experience...you'll really need to shine and it's always good to come across as a pleasant, keen to learn, adaptable team player who they want to work with.

Well done on the interview !
Remember as a SAHM you have essentially been in a time management position and acquired many new skills .
You can transfer that aptitude to this job too .
If it's the role play your are concerned about ( which can seem a daunting prospect ) remember that it's unlikely to be as complex as you might imagine . Angry customer / Ill patient / complaint - whatever it is - it will be mainly common sense to deal with and I'm sure you will be fine - also the written test won't be half as bad as you might imagine .
I've only once been left slightly baffled by an interview question - "Are your parents socially aware"- This was for a sales position when I was in my 20's. Fortunately my father was a Labour Councillor and my mother worked with Special needs adults . Lastly the interviewer should be skilled enough to put a candidate at ease to get the best from them . If not you don't want to work there .
Good luck ! X

I really wouldn't use the skills you have from being a SAHM as examples in a professional setting. I think that's a terrible idea!

I've been interviewing all morning and there was one thing that really stood out for me in terms of differentiating between strong and weak candidates. We asked a question along the lines of "give an example of when you have had to be flexible and use effective time management skills to resolve a conflicting deadlines situation" (paraphrased) and although several candidates answered this well, with good specific examples of working in this way, many simply listed all the duties they have to do in their current job but gave no indication of how they manage their time to get through these tasks. They certainly made it clear that they are used to busy working environments but didn't give me any indication of the skills they would use in the job.

In a nutshell; have some examples of good working practice, including things going wrong and you having to rescue them, up your sleeve.

See your SAHM period as professional experience, not like something of a lesser value you had to do, think about skills you developed while being a SAHM: organisation, leadership, assertiveness, anything that can be related to the role

Be professional first and then a mother. Don't mention your children unless it's relevant, don't relate to them in an emotional way ('it was the best thing of my life' type of answer).

Brilliant, you're all giving excellent advice. Thank you!!

God, I'm so nervous!

Just thought I'd update & let all those with the wonderful advise that i got the job your help was invaluable.

Congratulations!! It’s hard to go back I’m sure you’ll love some space for coffee and chat with grown ups

Lovely news, enjoy your new job! X

Yayyy! Congratulations. Enjoy getting back into the swing of things at work

Congratulations!

That’s amazing news!! Well done you.