Job interview for dream job!

RolyPolyOll · 2024-12-09T18:02:58+00:00

I’ve been on back to back maternity leave and a role has come up at a company that I would LOVE to do. I’ve been checking their website for ages and when it came up I spent days doing my application and today found out I’ve got a first round interview on Monday! But I have two areas of worry, I guess I’m very scared having not interviewed in about 3 years! 1 - On my CV, I didn’t mention I am on back to back maternity. Do I mention this in the interview? What if they ask me about what I currently do in the role? AIBU if I don’t mention it? 2 - The interview is on zoom, I’ve never done one on zoom! Any tips? I am really nervous! It’s on Monday!

thesandwich · 09/12/2024 18:06

Congratulations! Get a friend to Skype/ FaceTime you to check your set up.
stick post it’s of key things you want to say behind your screen so you look up.
research STAR technique and answer questions in that format.
research the company website.
Drop the job description into chatgpt and ask it to produce interview questions and answers.

Original poster

RolyPolyOll · 09/12/2024 18:08

thesandwich · 09/12/2024 18:06

Congratulations! Get a friend to Skype/ FaceTime you to check your set up.
stick post it’s of key things you want to say behind your screen so you look up.
research STAR technique and answer questions in that format.
research the company website.
Drop the job description into chatgpt and ask it to produce interview questions and answers.

Thank you so much! That’s a great idea about the post it’s. The STAR method is bringing back memories!

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Mull · 09/12/2024 18:11

I had an interview over Zoom and I felt I was too informal because of the format. I did get the job but I think I could have been more professional (and would have been, had it been face-to-face). Good luck!

Original poster

RolyPolyOll · 09/12/2024 18:13

Mull · 09/12/2024 18:11

I had an interview over Zoom and I felt I was too informal because of the format. I did get the job but I think I could have been more professional (and would have been, had it been face-to-face). Good luck!

Congratulations!! In what way did you think you were too informal? TBH I don’t even do many video or FaceTime calls so I’m absolutely nervous about an interview over zoom!

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Cheepcheepcheep · 09/12/2024 18:17

When you say back to back mat leaves, do you mean you did 1 year with your current company and then have done 2 off with DC? Absolutely no judgment as someone who returned to work pregnant with number 2! Just clarifying. If I’m right, I’d probably mention it very briefly in passing - sort of if they ask what an average day looks like for you I’d say ‘well, I’m currently on maternity leave, but usually, I would be doing X Y Z…’

If they ask about availability/notice I’d just say ‘I can start any date after (date)’. Give them the information they need but don’t volunteer anything you don’t need to that could prejudice them. Good luck!

Original poster

RolyPolyOll · 09/12/2024 18:20

Cheepcheepcheep · 09/12/2024 18:17

When you say back to back mat leaves, do you mean you did 1 year with your current company and then have done 2 off with DC? Absolutely no judgment as someone who returned to work pregnant with number 2! Just clarifying. If I’m right, I’d probably mention it very briefly in passing - sort of if they ask what an average day looks like for you I’d say ‘well, I’m currently on maternity leave, but usually, I would be doing X Y Z…’

If they ask about availability/notice I’d just say ‘I can start any date after (date)’. Give them the information they need but don’t volunteer anything you don’t need to that could prejudice them. Good luck!

I worked at my current place since April 2020 and then I’ve been on mat leave from May 2023-present :-)

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Original poster

RolyPolyOll · 09/12/2024 18:21

Cheepcheepcheep · 09/12/2024 18:17

When you say back to back mat leaves, do you mean you did 1 year with your current company and then have done 2 off with DC? Absolutely no judgment as someone who returned to work pregnant with number 2! Just clarifying. If I’m right, I’d probably mention it very briefly in passing - sort of if they ask what an average day looks like for you I’d say ‘well, I’m currently on maternity leave, but usually, I would be doing X Y Z…’

If they ask about availability/notice I’d just say ‘I can start any date after (date)’. Give them the information they need but don’t volunteer anything you don’t need to that could prejudice them. Good luck!

That’s a good idea!

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Cheepcheepcheep · 09/12/2024 18:56

RolyPolyOll · 09/12/2024 18:20

I worked at my current place since April 2020 and then I’ve been on mat leave from May 2023-present :-)

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Ok you 100% have 4.5 years service, not 3! Read the “I’ve not interviewed in 3 years” wrong, sorry! But yeah, my view would be to not lie about not being on ML, make it clear you’re available to start when you are, and don’t make excuses or give more detail than you need. You’ve got this!

Original poster

RolyPolyOll · 09/12/2024 20:22

Cheepcheepcheep · 09/12/2024 18:56

Ok you 100% have 4.5 years service, not 3! Read the “I’ve not interviewed in 3 years” wrong, sorry! But yeah, my view would be to not lie about not being on ML, make it clear you’re available to start when you are, and don’t make excuses or give more detail than you need. You’ve got this!

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Thank you!! I’ve been practicing all evening and keep stumbling.

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