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Original poster

Help I've got an interview - first for 9 1/2 years! Tips please

28 replies

purpleprincess · 01/07/2006 10:18

I've been in the same job for nearly 10 years in marketing (now part time 3 full days) but have interview for school librarian on Tuesday. Want to do less hours with DS going to school in September and various other changes at work and with childminder have made me reconsider my current working hours/lifestyle etc etc.

Anyway - havent had an interview in all this time so need some tips. Also currently working in commercial business so know the whole school culture is going to be very different.

Any ideas please. Also need to buy something to wear - thought might try and get nice summer dress as dont have any. Would this strike right tone for school librarian type position??

TIA

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Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 10:41

Anyone please - interview is tomorrow lunchtime??

Thank you

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Rhubarb · 03/07/2006 10:45

Ok. No summer dresses, too casual. A light skirt and shirt, or light trousers and shirt. Think smart.

Maintain eye contact, don't cross your legs or fold your arms. Be prepared to answer questions like "Why do you want this job? What qualities do you feel you can bring to this post? What would you say you like/hate most about your current position? What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Have some good answers lined up for these.
Don't be afraid to throw in some funny answers too, make them laugh and break the ice.
Have some questions ready to ask them too. Don't be afraid to ask questions in the middle of the interview - it shows that you are listening and taking an interest.

Best of luck!

Rhubarb · 03/07/2006 10:57

Also, swot up on job description and jot down actual events that you can name to tie with with their spec. So for instance, if they want someone who is familiar with database Access, you can say that you use it in your current post etc, and if they want someone highly organised, you can name a situation that you organised successfully (if not in your current post, then think of home life examples, it doesn't have to be work related).

Sound keen and enthusiastic for the job. Smile and stay focused and relaxed!

Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:01

Thanks Rhubarb. I have a couple of teacher friends who have given me some advice on the sort of things they may ask. Having always worked in commercial companies the whole school thing is a bit of a different world to me!!

On the dress front - did buy one on the weekend but it is quite smart (straight and one colour) and not a floaty kind so still might wear that?

Thanks

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Rhubarb · 03/07/2006 11:03

I dunno about dresses in interviews, I kinda think dresses are too informal iykwim. Marina is the best person to ask about that.

Don't wear sandals! Ok!

Carmenere · 03/07/2006 11:05

Just want to add my best wishes here for you too and add that I suspect that Rhubarb is probably right about the dress.

LucyJones · 03/07/2006 11:05

have they asked for a librarian or just someone with library experience? Just asking cos I'm a librarian and I haven't seen many adverts for school librarians that would accept non-qualified librarians although things change all the time !!

Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:06

OK about the dress thing! but dont know what going to wear on my feet as it is going to be 34 degrees tomorrow! Will have to take some smart shoes to change into....

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Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:08

LucyJones - it is only part time post for 3 mornings a week and they havent asked for any specific experience - obviously otherwise they wouldnt want to interview me I presume. This has never been a paid post before but was previously done by a Mum helping out. It is in a primary school that is just combining the junior and infants together starting in September.

You are all starting to scare me now.....

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LucyJones · 03/07/2006 11:09

sorry didn't mean to scare you!! thought you meant in a secondary school. It sounds perfect for you. I think you'll be fine

Blackduck · 03/07/2006 11:09

Dress can be okay - but I'd still put a jacket on even if you take it off once you are in the interview. Agree - no bare legs/sandals......
Keep calm, ask for q's to be repeated if necessary. Remember interviewers (most of them) aren't out to trip you up!

Rhubarb · 03/07/2006 11:11

Just show your keeness for the post!

Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:12

So now I've got to wear tights as well!!

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Rhubarb · 03/07/2006 11:13

LOL! Go with a light trouser suit!

LucyJones · 03/07/2006 11:15

I don't see a problem with bare legs and summer sandals especially in this heat. We wore them all the time in the library I worked out. We were told to dress 'smart/casual' and the same applied to interviews. i think you can worry too much about what to wear. A summer skirt and smart blouse and sandals would be fine

Blackduck · 03/07/2006 11:18

I think the light trouser suit is a good idea (don't need tights then...), with a light blouse, can take the jacket off once you in the interview. Working somewhere and going for an interview require different approaches to clothes IMHO

Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:18

Think i will be going for panic shopping trip in my lunchour today!! I dont possess any work suits any more as not really appropriate for where I work (esp not worth it for 3 days week). I did think that suit might be too formal for school setting but what do I know about that sort of thing. I'm sure whatever I wear will be fine (i'm quite smart most of the time!) it is the content of the interview that is most important. Thanks for all your advice so far.

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Blackduck · 03/07/2006 11:28

Have you got smart trousers and a jacket? A suit isn't necessary I don't think - used to be a teacher and for interviews as long as it was smart that was okay (I didn't own a suit....!). Lots of women did turn up for interviews in dresses with jackets. You are right that it isn't commercial, but you are trying to project a professional image.
Re interview itself - think Rhubarb has pretty much covered the basics. Just take your time, think about what you want to say, ask for clarification if necessary, SMILE and look interested and enthused (nothing worse than interviewing someone who looks depressed and answers in a monotone!)

Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:35

Thanks. Have got some smart brown linen trousers and brown jacket - it is just the thought of wearing trousers at the moment is horrible because of the heat! Will have trying on session at home tonight - also going in my lunch hour from work (time of interview and and locality allows it) so dont want to arouse suspicions at work by being too smart!!

Anyway - enough of this for now. Thanks again for all the tips.

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Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:36

Hopefully if it is 34 degrees tomorrow they might understand if I dont wear a jacket!!

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Blackduck · 03/07/2006 11:38

Think you'll be fine! Just look neat and tidy!

Original poster
purpleprincess · 03/07/2006 11:45

Oh I always do! Will let you all know how I get on tomorrow....

Thanks

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LucyJones · 03/07/2006 14:38

good luck

Original poster
purpleprincess · 04/07/2006 13:17

All over and done with now. Think went OK but not great! Dont think I come over that well in interviews - too reserved and serious. Went blank a couple of times but luckily had been primed by a couple of teacher friends of what they might ask so had some ideas. Dont think I came over as enthusiastic enough but we will see later on - think they are going to call. I'm at work so asked them to call on my mobile and may have to ring them back.....

For those interested I wore brown linen trousers and short sleeved white linen blouse and flat shoes. No bare legs or toes in sight!!

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Original poster
purpleprincess · 04/07/2006 15:33

Well it must have gone quite well as they've offered me the job! Yikes - it's all happened a bit quickly. Unfortunately couldnt talk to here that well as on my mobile standing outside the office so a bit noisy! My boss is in tomorrow so may as well break the news to him as I'm on 8 weeks notice. Going to be a whole different lifestyle - will only be working 12 hours or so a week compared to 23 currently and term time only but will not have much childcare once DS at school full time.

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