Interview on Thursday - help please!

[Beccarollo]

Hi

I have an interview on Thursday, its quite informal over lunch with director and managing director of potential employers.

Id appreciate some tips with

a) what to wear to be smart but not suited and cover postnatal belly
b) how to come across as employable, clever person when my brain currently resembles one of DS dirty nappies

Thanking you!
Becca

oh beccarollo, good luck! I haven't had an interview for such a long time.....my tip would be to spend some time on your nails the night before - nothing worse than scruffy nails on an otherwise nicely 'madeup' person! And take some time to think about your responses to their questions - often what seems like a really long silence isn't long at all. This will save you from saying the first thing that pops in your head.
Best of luck for Thursday!

what sort of job is it for? pity you don't have to be suited as a suit jacket is pretty useful for covering postnatal belly. But otherwise simplicity is best - smart tailored black trousers, smart mid heeled black ankle boots or shoes, and a tailored or fitted silk or crisp cotton shirt? And make sure that whatever coat or jacket you wear over it is also simple and clean (with no baby sick on the left shoulder!) since that will probably be the first and the last thing they see if they are meeting you at a restaurant.

How to come across well - well just remember that you are employable and clever, and that you are interviewing them to see if the job is one that you want as well as them interviewing you. I've done lots of interviewing and a bit of being interviewed and I find that makes all the difference from both points of view. By keeping that in mind you are likely to ask good questions and feel confident etc. And if I interview someone who also is clearly checking me and the company out I tend to think they are more savvy, have several options up their sleeve, and are generally a better prospect.

Good luck!

I have never actually had an interview before as have always, up until now worked for family business.

The job is for IT Support/Consultancy.

I really think Im still suffering from pregnancy mush brain as even my vocabularly and quick thinkingness seems to have been squished, just hope I fair ok.

Going to treat myself to new boots and top tomorrow - for the interview but also my reward for losing nearly a stone

If you get nervous, just imagine your interviewers are sitting there in their boxers.......guarantee you it will make you relax and smile broadly at them
Good luck

if u have questions you want to ask - but think you may forget them write them down in a note pad - don't be afraid to get it out it shows you prepared before hand for the interview.

Try and find as much informaion out about the company as you can - it can't do any harm and shows your intersted.

I agree with princesspeahead black smart trousors and a shirt should look fab just make sure there comfortable for sitting for up to an hour as fidgeting around is so off putting -

best of luck and let us know how u get on

Surely with it being over lunch they cant conduct it as a normal interview? This is the bit thats worrying me as I dont know what to expect. I get on very well with the man who contacted me about the job (he contacted me, I didnt apply do you think this stands me in good stead?) - Im not sure whether to go on with him the way I always would or be ultra professional and act as if Ive never met him or what!?

hi there, some interview tips here . they don't specifically address the issue of how to have an interview over lunch though.

good luck!

if u prepare for everything - then you won't be surprised at what ever thet throw at you- yeh if you've been head hunted it's brillant -

you'll have to see how professional he is on the day - don't give to much away -be polite and go with the flow

i have been on the other side of the desk as the interviewer and you know the bit at the end - when they say " have youa ny questions?" the worst thing you can say is no - even if you have researched the company and they sent you all the information you need to know before the interview - think of something to ask - to make it sound like your interested - long term. maybe ask about the pension or something.

the best thing i ever heard was years ago - and i nicked it - at the end of the interview when all the questions have been asked - i go on the assertive and say " have i answered all your questions in full - would you like me to elaborate on anything?" this usually works where a scoring system is in place during the interview - the interviewers all scramble through their papers and may ask something that will give you an extra point - or if they dont ask you anything - lets face it they have had their chance to get the info out of you - they HAVE to employ you!

anyway

the very best of luck

wear something which looks clean - white is good - maybe a white t shirt under a suit - informally formal - so to speak

be yourself. don't try and be something you're not. good luck

Just want to say Good Luck! I am sure you will do just fine and sounds like this is more like an informal chat. You have been headhuntet

I've had loads of job interviews (and got quite a few of the jobs)and I find it quite legit to check, when I've answered a question, that I've answered it in full. Don't sound jittery, but you CAN say, 'does that answer the question fully?' Because sometimes one doesn't have the faintest idea what a question is on about....

and don't order anything messy to eat

No advice, becca, but wishing you good luck (and congrats on losing so much weight so quickly!)

I think a jacket is always good even if informal. A trouser suit never looks too done up, IMO. Not for an interview. I suppose it depends where you are having lunch. Good luck!
I've been interviewed over lunch before I don't really like it, but I think the key is to be professional but not too stiff - I think it's fine to say, "It's lovely to see you again. How are you?' but obv not to gas on about gossip and family stuff (not that I need to tell you that, I'm sure!). Take your cue from the interviewer and let them do most of the talking and leading of the conversation. People always think you are intelligent and perceptive if you appear to be hanging on their every word. When you talk about the company be enthusiastic and flattering - nobody hates compliments! Also, order food that's easy to eat - no aparagus or lobster or pasta in messy sauce or stuff you eat with your fingers - I think it helps to have something beforehand so you aren't starving which will distract you and could make you dive into your food like a wolf, which is never good That way you can pick at your food so you don't get expected to answer a question with your mouth full. Don't drink!

The reason I was shying away from being suited is because my pre pregnancy suits dont fit yet and dont really want to go and buy new ones in a 14 when Im almost back in a 12! Not sure what to wear as alternative - probably black trousers, crisp shirt and smart jacket.

I like the "can I elaborate" one, Ill try that - I have a tendancy to waffle so Ill have to try not to do that!

ThankYou everyone!

Before you walk into the interview, wipe your hands on your jacket - nothing worse than a clammy handshake- take a deep breath and tell yourself "They's be mad not to have me". Then swan in full of confidence.

On the more practical side, rehearse the answers to any questions they might ask. If it's for any public organisation, there is ALWAYS an equal opportunities question. A good answer could start with something like "As a woman and a mother I understand on a personal level how discrimination can work yadda yadda yadda" It puts the interviewers on the back foot as they then have to explain how you will NOT be discriminated against for being a mother.

I'd say be confident, the job's practically yours if he contacted you. I was a personnel manager and would say remember to smile now and then. Some interviewees I saw were so serious (from nerves) and if you smile your nerves sort of disperse. Loads of luck to you

What is the etiquette with regards to paying for meals/drinks at a lunch interview do you think?

wear your dressing gown over your clothes till you leave the house - stops random sick

its going to be mad dash - not sure at which point to get ready - im dropping harvey off at a friends, then getting meg to my sisters for her to drop her at nursery then need to be at resteraunt for 12.30

im sweating just thinking about it! will have to remember my mitchum lol

Coddy, that will go nicely with my suggestion to wear carrier bags over shoes, to stop them getting dirty on the way.

Oh god, I hope she remembers to take them off before her elegant entrance into the restaurant

They should pay for everything! Good luck.

They should pay for everything! Good luck.