First interview in a long time, tips needed please

[Eddas]

Following my earlier threads I now have an interview to prepare for. this is my first interview in a long long time (14 years) and I have gone through threads on here and found a few tips and questions I maybe asked but I need all the help I can get, so can anyone give me any interview advice, what to do and what not to do!

Also, I have a few things I need to clarify, one is that the job starts in 5 weeks but my notice period with my eomployer is longer, when if at all should I bring that up? I went for a pre-application visit and asked about the hours (ad said 30/week) and the lady said it would be 8.30-3.30ish, if i was sucessful I would prefer to have a shorter break and do 8.30-3, is this worht mentioning at interview? I don't want to come across as a PITA and i'd really LOVE the job but also don't want to not mention things they would prefer to know.

the weakness is that I don't know the specifics of their accounts system. but was going to say that I am used to dealing with all sorts of systems as every job i deal with is different and I am used to picking things up and quickly working out how they work. And that with training I will quickly learn.

how does that sound?

Will definitely come back and let you know how it goes.

Thank you for all your advice, wouldn't have got very far in this process without a little nudge inthe right direction

You could paraphrase that to say you have been using xxx system predominantly. For me, I would not be that specific, and would perhaps say that I was used to double entry or January deadlines or something more innocuous. Some people might suggest you identify as your weakness something that would not put the interviewer in the position of a judge over you. You could identify as your weakness something not so directly impacting on the tickboxes of the job description. See here for some hints.

ok, have searched mn, how about;

I have trouble delegating but my voluntary work for xxx has helped me with that and I know that I can't always do everything myself.

I would prefer to use that rather than the other. Also go into a little detail. The STAR model would work after that opening sentence.

yes I prefer it too, it's honest but not off putting (hopefully!)

I have thought of some strengths I can say that I am happy with.

Try not to be too brief in your answers, the interviewers will be able to form an opinion of you based on the information you give, so give as much as you can without rambling or repetition.

rambling is more likely to be an issue

well, I will find out later today (she said early evening). I'm not really sure how it went, interview felt ok but not convince my finance exercise was up to standard, it wasn't quite what I was expecting, 2 2 part questions and a fair bit of writing, which isn't my thing! Felt like I was in an exam. Been a long time since I did that too!!

I'll be back later with proper news....

I didn't get the job. She said the interview was good and the test was good but someone with more knowledge of school finances got the job. Oh well.

Thank you for everyone's input and help

You are most welcome. Thanks for letting us know the outcome of today's exercise. IMO, it's like practice for the next job interview. Write down the questions and what you remember of the test as this might be useful for the next school finance officer post.

Call up and ask for feedback and arrange to receive it in a place and time when you can focus on it.