To ask for interview tips?

[namechangeat11pm]

I have an interview tomorrow. I'm desperately looking for a job so I can leave a difficult relationship and get set up on my own as I just work for DH at the moment, and I have an interview for tomorrow which honestly if I could get the job it would be amazing. It's a civil service job, I know I could be good at it, and I really want it.

I've had a couple of interviews in the past month so far. I didn't get the first one as I was too nervous and didn't interview very well. Still waiting to hear back about the second so haven't had any feedback yet, it went much better but still I don't think I'll be offered the job.

WIBU to ask if you could please share any interview tips or advice that might help me?

Look up STAR interview technique.
Write down what you think some likely questions are and then prepare answers for them using the STAR method. You’ll be able to tweak your answers on the day to the questions asked.

I always write down and memorise my answers- e.g. examples of team work, managing a difficult situation, taking initiative etc so they’re anchored in my mind and I can just pick the relevant one for the question.

Do as much research as you can about the role, and think of a question to ask at the end. They will probably ask if you have any questions and it never looks good if you say no - it’s an opportunity to show your interest.

Most of all, good luck. Keep calm. Take your time answering the questions - have a little pause and get the answer straight in your head before you start speaking.

Seconding the advice about concrete examples. Depending on what the job is and what your work history is. I'd spend a bit of time thinking about the sorts of qualities you think they need for the job and how you can demonstrate that you have these.

If you have transferable experience then obviously this is more straightforward. If not, think about how your current experience translates to what you can offer them.

Aside from that, the normal rules apply: be friendly and open, try to answer the questions as completely as you can. Don't over-talk and take time to respond to questions in a considered way, rather than rushing to come out with something.

Good luck!

Thank you. I will try and remember to use the star technique, I do always try and give examples but I think I could be a bit neater about doing it, I think I sometimes miss off the R in my responses.

In my previous interviews, when they asked if I had any questions, I asked if they could tell me what a typical day in the role would be. Is this a good question to ask? I got it from a website, and I liked it because I am genuinely interested to know that, but I also don't know if it sounds a bit like I just pulled it off a interview tips website!

Not any advice but just to say Good Luck and best wishes fingers crossed here for you!

What kind of civil service job?

Thank you @lazylump72!

And @xoJellyBean it’s an admin job

I work a civil service admin job too😊 my interview was based around the job description, 1st question was what are the duties!

Back up your answers with case studies. If they ask how you work to deadlines you could say something like, "in my last role I used to do x on a monthly basis. I would email potential clients then follow up with calls and emails each week. 1 week before the deadline i would feed back progress to my boss. I then turned in the final schedule at least 1 day before so I could deal with any issues my boss raised before the deadline." For questions at the end I would ask how the Interviewer sees the team or the role developing in the future. What opportunities might there be. Also think about why you want to work there and try to come up with some reasons beyond convenience and salary (sound like you're really keen basically!). Rehearsing your answers will help a lot with nerves.

Oh also I always get asked "tell me about yourself" so I like to explain I went to uni here and studied x, I worked here and then changed paths and did x, and in my personal life my passion is x. I think that covers off the key things

Consider adding 'R' eflection to your responses. What did you learn or would perhaps do differently? I used this recently and it was commented on during feedback.
Good luck