Interview at university - first for yonks -HELP PLEASE!!!!

[LeelaLass]

Hi, next week I have my first interview for a decade .

It's for a pt research associate in a field I know little about! .

I would be so grateful if you could please give me some top tips. I really want this job but since having kids my work confidence has disappeared and I am majorly panicking......

Thanks very much in anticipation :)

I used to get nervous at interview, until I got it into my head that I was interviewing them to see if the job was suitable for me. This approach really worked for me, it stopped me being nervous and encouraged me to ask pertinent questions.

HTH.

Congratulations on getting an interview btw

I like your style threefeet :o !!!!!!!! Thanks :)

The funny thing is it really did work. It kind of gave me a purpose IYSWIM. Before, I just felt like I was being judged. Now I don't feel like that.

It's also important to be wearing something you feel genuinely comfortable and smart in. For me, that's a trouser suit (I always fidget in a skirt!) but it's a very personal thing. Have you got your outfit sorted out?

Also, worth having some answers prepared to stock questions e.g.

• why do you want the job?

• what are your weaknesses?

• why did you leave / are you leaving your last job

• explain any gaps on your CV

I can't think of any more right now (very tired! Zombie brain tonight!) but maybe some others can?

If you don't know much about the field then I would have a think about the skills needed for the research side of it and focus on why you;re good at them.

Also, do a bit of general research on the subject - if nothing more, it shows willing, which.

And have a good read of the organisation's website, of course.

If you don't know the field there must be another reason they have given you the interview, eg being experienced in the methods they want to use - getting shortlisted means you have something they want, so make sure you know what that is and highlight it in a confident way. There is a lot of competition for RA jobs at the moment so you wouldn't have got an interview if you didn't have something they need. Congratulations on getting this far and good luck!

Great points both, thanks.

Systemsaddict, I'm off now to work out what it is I have got that they want !!

Cheers for the top tips, three feet. No, I haven't sorted my outfit yet, ... I'm going to do some of your research ideas now, whilst simultaneously reminding myself I am judging them as much as they are me! It's a great confidence building idea - ta muchly :)

This is my first ever post here and I'm very impressed with the quality of the replies

Quality replies? Why of course!

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