Interview on Monday - please help

[windsofchange]

Hi
I have been a stay at home mother for the last 2 years. I applied for a job in my field (solicitor) and have an interview on Monday.

I am really nervous and could really do with some tips please.

My story is that I am on a career break and due back to my old job in May. However this is a long commute and this new job is local. It also is lots more money

The interview is 1 and half hours and "competency based". I always seem to come across too chatty and informal in interviews and am not good at selling myself. I don't feel confident in myself work wise and always feel a bit of a fake. It's not my true calling, but we need the money at the moment for a move. I do have the experience they need mostly, but feel I will be up against perhaps some "hot shot" city lawyers. I'm afraid of making a fool of myself and messing up.

Have you any advice for me please - how to appear professional and confident, how to look on it positively etc?

I am a regular here for years but have name changed for this post for identification issues.

Sorry, I also meant to ask - should I mention the career break/maternity leave?

Prepare for "why do you want this job" and "what skills and experience could you bring to this job"
Speak slower than you think you think you need to. Don't mention the career break unless they ask about the gap on your CV (which they probably will).
Good luck!

Thanks StealthPolarBear
I am a definite gabbler, and will have to exercise huge self-control to slow down. It does sound (and actually is) more confident to speak more slowly though isn't it?
My cv makes it look like I am still employed, which technically I am, so they may not ask.
But, say, if they ask about recent challenges or what I have been working on recently, would it be dishonest to not mention it then and just tell them about something I works on before I went on mat leave in 2010?

I think you just have to see how it goes - don't fall over yourself to talk about it, but if you need to mention it do. So if they ask about a project in the last 6 months, then explain, if they ask about your "more recent projects" then maybe don't. Just do what seems most natural

Thanks!

Hi
Had the interview and it went ok. They didn't ask about the break and I didn't tell, although to be honest it went right out of my head!

ooh keeping my fingers crossed, when are they calling you?

Supposedly Wednesday or Thursday. But then there is a second interview :-( but apparently just an informal chat. We'll see...