How to not fcuk an interview up

[hurraz]

Messed up my last job interview walked in and answered the questions "'too nice "
Appeared frumpy most likely not assertive enough

Have a job in interview healthcare senior role please share your tips for success!

Your feedback said you were frumpy??? Thats an odd thing to say

They always ask you to tell them how you dealt with a difficult situation or person so have that ready . Dark tailored suit,white blouse, discreet makeup . Firm handshake on meeting & leaving. Did they really comment on your outfit? My rather erm quirky friend went to an investment bank role interview in a 'retro' mauve suit. She did not get the job & the feedback was they'd eat her alive (she's v v shy).

Unless you were going for a job as a model then somewhere that describes you as frumpy isn’t a job to get upset about losing out on!
I get very nervous in job interviews but I find preparing answers to a couple of questions they may possibly ask such as why do you want this job/what are your strengths and weaknesses/what do you know about the company/why did you leave your last job/reasons for any gaps in cv. Sometimes it will tell you in person specification the points to be covered at interview.
Wear something you look smart in but feel comfortable. Look everyone in the eye when answering.
When they say ‘is there anything you would like to ask’, reply with ‘no but I would just like to add I think I would be perfect for this job because...(think of 3 examples)’ that way if the interview was a bit ropey you are leaving them with some positives.

They said you were frumpy? That’s so harsh and Inappropriate!

It’s hard but I think preparation is key, I know you can’t anticipate the questions but if you can speak confidently about your experience and have specific examples prepared for potential questions that’s a big help. I don’t know much about healthcare but general examples such as building relationships, problem solving, improving efficiency etc can often be built on for standard interview questions.

If it's competency based go over your examples so you know them inside out and can tweak them to answer the questions put to you.

Almost over sell yourself (I'm terrible at this part) say what you did, how you did it. You need to show them you are the best one so really sell yourself.

Take your time, take a deep breath and think before you start speaking so you don't go off on a tangent.

Try to relax so they see the real you, almost impossible I know!

Good luck.

I'm sorry they didn't say I was frumpy! I feel I was . Gushed about my son a little and how happy I was to have my 18 month old . We all got on well lots of laughs they offered me cake ( even in covid time ) but then I didn't get the job.

Your child shouldn’t be part of your interview.

@BluebellsGreenbells I know but they asked if I would be available at short notice ie they phone me to come in that day, I then had to say I had a child .. as I can't come in at short notice usually need to plan childcare

@BluebellsGreenbells they then were like awww how old etc they were asking me

If it's for a senior role, I think you need to not mention your child, and as you say, not be too 'nice'. You need to make it clear that you recognise that as a manager, you're not there to be your team's friend, and that while you want to have a team who feel supported, respected and appreciated (and you'd achieve that by doing xyz), you also feel comfortable dealing with the more difficult issues around competency and awkward staff management issues, and recognising that as senior staff, you know you need to understand and represent the company's overall position and direction.

Just said childcare isn't an issue at all. And park it there, they basically lured you into chatting about your child, it's a horrid tactic.

If childcare is an issue and you have the job you can sort it out and get provision in place when needed!

And good luck for the next interview, remember it's a senior role, you are a senior person you deserve it and just get that confidence up a bit, maybe just download the calm app or similar where you can listen to some NLP and confidence talks prior to the interview.

Work mode on, mum mode off 👍

Unless they specifically ask what you do in your spare time, what you enjoy outside of work, or why you want to work part time etc then your child, family, hobbies and personal interests shouldn’t be a part of your interview (unless you’re using e.g. volunteering as a leader for your child’s playgroup or organising a hobby group in a genuine example of something to answer a question about your skills or experience.)

Frame your answers to questions using the STAR method. Take notes to your interview if you need to and it’s fine to ask to refer to them during your interview. Ask them if they can rephrase a question or give an example of what they mean if you don’t quite understand what they mean. “Too nice” is often HR code for appearing unassertive, which can often result from rambling or not answering a question directly enough.

Well they stitched you right up there, sounds like they were just being nice because they couldnt end the interview immediatley, once you mentioned no flexibility then you was out of the running.

Given covid I’m not sure a firm handshake is the wisest choice especially for a role within healthcare.

I had quoted a pp for my handshake reference but for some reason it didn’t post.

Stick to information about your ability to do the job, not personal family time.

I wouldn't want to work there shaming hands and sharing cake.
Answer with I'd require 24hrs notice, don't get personal, go over interview questions online write down your answers practise them.
It is so much easier when you are prepared.

Don't let them turn you into mum mode. It is a trap. They are not supposed or allowed to ask and they know that.

Don't give personal details. Just be matter of fact about stuff by giving a solution - emerald's 24 hours' notice is good - but don't give issues - childcare is not their problem.

Don't complain, don't explain. Not that you did the former, but the principle is the same.

‘Can you come in at short notice’ seems such a horrible interview question, they’re not allowed to ask if you have kids so this seems a sneaky way of getting people to mention their kids without directly asking. I get there are jobs where it’s necessary, but it puts you in an awkward position, say ‘no’ and you worry you might not get the job, say ‘no problem’ and you feel you’ve promised something you may not be able (or even want!) to deliver. I think it could well be why you didn’t get the job though. On that type of question I’d say something vague like ‘shouldn’t be a problem if it’s just now and then’ and not mention kids at all.

Can you come in at short notice’ seems such a horrible interview question, they’re not allowed to ask if you have kids so this seems a sneaky way of getting people to mention their kids without directly asking

It’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask at interview, as long as everyone is being asked if... which there’s no reason to assume they weren’t.

asked it

I do feel it was a sneaky way of asking as I know they are not supposed to ask directly if you have children. They actually asked it me as a proper question and wrote the answers down" so the next question some times we are short staffed and we may call you at the last minute , would this be a problem?"

It was strange when they told me I didn't have the job, they basically said that giving me set days wouldn't have been a problem ( said in a defensive way though) . It was strange that they said set days wouldn't be a problem on the decline phone calls because during the interview they banged on about even though it was part time 3 days I could be put down to work ANY day out of the 5. I do think it was to do with childcare . I had explained I needed fixed days for nursery.

I am concerned as although this next job is senior level again it's part time I guess I just don't mention the set days thing at all at interview and just hope that they don't sneakily try and ask me . thanks everyone for lovely replies. I really want this job it's a really good move for my career.

It may feel that it was sneaky... but the question is framed in such a way that it assumes;

1. Anyone may have difficulty attending at short notice, not just parents/women
2. Parents who have children may still be able to attend at short notice.

If attendance at short notice is a requirement of the role, I really can’t think of a less discriminatory/‘sneaky‘ way to ask the question, and I think you need to be prepared for it to come up again.

@RHOBHfan it was a requirement due to their poor staffing levels. They said the demand for service had increased, staff had left and they were trying to recruit more .