First interview for years tomorrow : HELP!

[HoldTouchEngage]

Hi All,

Well my youngest son is soon to be starting nursery and tomorrow i have my first interview in 5 years!

For the past 10 years i've worked in the Hotel Industry - working my way into management floor level, however decided for many reasons 6 months after returning from Maternity leave that i really needed a career break and to spend time with the family. (i've not worked for 2 years)

The job i have an interview for tomorrow is at a less senior level in a completely different industry and environment. Whilst i am looking forward to a challenge, i'm evidentally nervous and cautious too!

For the last 3 years in my previous career i was the one doing to the hiring, and i've always been nervous of interviews myself (although bizarrely have usually been offered the job i am interviewed for, if not another role within the company!)

I must admit to being a little sketchy on how to 'answer' certain questions, as the roles i used to interview potential people for weren't the type of jobs that required a lot of experience or passion necessarily. But i think i'm there with answers, but would like to make a good impression when they ask me if there is anything i would like to ask them - so i am thinking along the lines of these questions and would appreciate your HONEST thoughts:

How does the company see itself as a cut above it's competitors?

How does the company show employees they are valued?

Why did you choose to work for this company?

Whats been your best experience working for (insert company name?)

okay so i am babbling (yes a great weakness of mine TALKING lol!)

Any good?? Or any recommendations?

Thanks x

Hi, Id ask about their performance as well, eg how are they adapting to current climate, dont know if thats relevant to you? Prospects for progression?

I have an interview tomorrow as well, my first for eight years! Struggling to get brain in gear, but my husband advised me to ask questions on an area where I might not come across so well as it means you I can show off some knowledge if I need to shoehorn some in at the last minute.
Good luck

Thanks - good questions to think about as well! Have already had a lenghty conversation with the interviewer when he phoned me on Thursday evening ( unannounced lol and i'm sure he was in a bar lol!) already outlined a few areas of progression etc and had a few questions thrown at me that got me thinking on my feet (i had a glass of wine in hand after just putting the kids to bed, so hope i came across ok ha ha!)

Hope all is well for you tomorrow! GOOD LUCK

I'm no expert but I wouldn't necessarily ask personal questions of the interviewer eg what's your best experience, why did you choose to work for them. It may make them feel uncomfortable. I think the company related questions are good though.

Make sure you have an answer for the following questions "what is your worst attribute" (and dont say I'm a perfectionist) and "describe a professional situation when you've had to overcome obstacles to achieve success". I've been asked these a couple of times or questions along the same lines.

Good luck!

If it is a competency based interview it will be 'Tell me about a fine when...' type questions . It doesn't have to be the biggest most amazing example but you do need to follow tge STAR format to make sure you give them as much as they need to know.
Situation
Task
Action
Result
You can do it backwards if tge questions calls for it, which is know as rats

They may ask you some follow up questions, that is not a bad sign it just means they are trying to get some more info.

Good luck. Oh and try to think of some examples before you go....what does excellent Custoner service look like to you? Tell me about the last time you received excellent Custoner experience? What was tge last error you made? Tell me about AB irrate Custoner you have dealt with?

*time not fine

Thanks for your responses

Thankfully i have MANY examples of all different experiences that could answer 'tell me a time when' and how to deal with an irrate customer, it really is the q's to put to them as an employer - i don't want to not ask a question or give a wishy washy answer, as much as i don't want to give to much of a more senior impression.

Equally - mind - i want to stand out a little (in this current economical market - along with this role being differential from my norm), and i'd like them to see i have the ability to think out of the box and have great potential for progression and development.

I do understand about what you have voiced about the more 'personal' questions and making the interviewers feel uncomfortable, although i also think that can work for the good and the bad and as i believe the HR manager may be part of the interview process tomorrow, if they are anything like my previous HR mgrs, they like that difference of approach? Hmmmmn

Still i suppose, take it as it comes and go with what feels natural...eeek!