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First interview went Super, just recieved detials for secondary interview on Friday..eeeek

8 replies

HoldTouchEngage · 15/05/2012 10:01

Well as i say i had my first interview yesterday and it went fantastically - i even passed a technical 'test' which took half and hour and they expected 'geeky' types to score around 8/10. people with not much IT experience to score 4/10 and i scored 7! Grin

So i was invited back for a secondary interview on Friday with the MD and a Senior Exec (interview yesterday was with line manager and hr manager)

So i recieve the emails the morning and Shock

I am required to do a 15 minute presentation on one of the products they have 'invented' and now supply to 10% of schools across England - they require this presentation to explain what the 'product' is and how it benefits a particular age group. They will provide me with a laptop/pc with internet access and afterwards there will be a competency interview. (again no idea what this would entail)

I must say i am extrememly put off by this, i am not technoligically minded at all really - i can get on with computer systems (having been a front office / duty manager in the hotel industry for 19 years and working with many different systems, for all sorts of capacities!) I have even introduced them to teams, implemented them etc.

But this is a whole different ball game - on par with explaning Microsoft to Bill Gates!!

The company is fast moving, exciting and progressive, i loved them and they loved me (okay exaggeration) - BUT the post was not advertised to be this technical or challenging and is one of the most 'junior' roles they have (although not as Junior it seems as a standard customer service / receptionist / customer liaison role would usually be carried out!)

Any advice at all? I don't even know where to start with a presentation - i've never had to put one together before from scratch - sure i've carried out departmental meetings and presented things at group seminars, but i knew EXACTLY what i was talking about and had all the info i needed, plus the software was there to utilise on my office pc / laptop!

This really does look like a fantastic change of career for me and the company sound / look brilliant with it, and it's all very interesting. Although i'm inclined to email back and decline the secondary interview on the grounds the interview feels rather out of my depth, especially as the role does not involve, presentations, public speaking, sales.....

Both myself and OH have had various management roles and neither have involved creating a presentation for an interview for an industry you have no experience of!

In this climate they clearly want the pick of the crop and who wouldn't? I just feel, the type of interview process they are carrying out would usually come with a more senior rle and greater salary? (although they have told me that they ahve not yet selected any other candidate for a secondary interview)

My confidence it severely knocked now!

OP posts:
HoldTouchEngage · 15/05/2012 10:04

my experience sorry is 9 years, not 19 and this is advertised as an inbound customer liaison role (ie to keep customers up to date with where there order is and just ensure they are happy and the engineers / designers are keeping to target, to specification etc!)

The email stated they have left the brief for Friday's presentation without detial so i can show my own approach and personality! xx

OP posts:
HoldTouchEngage · 15/05/2012 10:05

apologies for typos - i have my 3 yr olds little fingers 'helping'

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RockChick1984 · 15/05/2012 11:03

Personally I'd be trying to show less technical knowledge in the presentation (just enough to show that I have researched the company and their products), and put across more of my personality. Product knowledge can be taught, I would think that as an external candidate they are going to want to see how you come across eg confidence, good communication etc.

SweetGrapes · 15/05/2012 14:30

Don't quit. Give it your best shot. They like you and think you can do it otherwise they wouldn't have called you back. All the best Smile

HoldTouchEngage · 15/05/2012 15:33

SweetGrapes - you are right, i can only do my best! I'm sure they won't laugh until i've left the building (or room at least lol!)

Rockchick - yes i think that's very wise advice, i think i was just getting a little hett up and concentrating far too much on the technical aspects!

Going to have a good punch at the presentation tomorrow, draw up some cue cards and get practising.

Have emailed the HR mgr today and she gave me the heads up on how many slides they are expecting, that they use Google for all their presentations company wide, and finished off with not to worry as i sure have the confidence to pull it off!

Here's hoping......

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hypermum1 · 17/05/2012 10:08

Try to remember they will be well aware that you dont know their products inside out so they wont be expecting chapter and verse on all the technicalities. As the other comments have said, research the products a little on line, or even ask them to supply some brochures/info. I would outline the product, its features and benefits etc. I would say the presentation is really to demonstrate you have a handle on the product, are confident and can effectively communicate to others. Go for it!

RockChick1984 · 18/05/2012 08:16

Good luck for today, hope it goes really well for you. Smile

BlackholesAndRevelations · 18/05/2012 10:28

Good luck!

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