Interview next week, what sort of questions will they ask me?

[Linnet]

I have an interview next week for a job in a school office.

It's been over 5 years since I last had an interview and that was for the job that I'm in now.

What sort of questions will I be asked, I know this is not an easy question to ask mumsnet but if there is anyone out there who does interviews I'd appreciate an idea of what sort of things they might ask.

I can't remember what I was asked at my last interview as it was so long ago and it's all a blur now.

I'm really nervous about this interview as I'd really like the job and I don't want to mess up my chance at it, iykwim.

any help or advice appreciated, thanks

Tell us a bit about yourself. If you're in a job at the momement they'll ask about that it not they'll want to know what you've been doing. What your daily tasks are and that type of thing. Do you working well as part of a team, under pressure, without supervision etc
They'll probably ask you what your strengths and weaknesses are, that can be hard to answer when you're put on the spot. What can you bring to this position?
If they ask you at the end if you have any questions and you go blank, make sure and tell them no, that they've covered everything you needed to know. No harm in bringing a notebook with some key notes that you've written down.
At the end you could thank them for seeing you and make sure to mention that everything sounds great and you would be very interested in the position and that you look forward to hearing from them. Be yourself and relax, you'll do fine. They'll be aware that your nervous, nothing wrong with that, everyone is when they are doing an interview.
And Good Luck!

Oooh. Hello Linnet. How are you?! Good luck with this. I've been on the pannel for a couple of interviews for admin posts in an educational environment.

We ask a lot of questions re. computing (what is your experience of databases, word, that kind of thing).

Give an example of a problem you have come across in a previous job and how you overcame it.

They could well ask you why you particularly want to work for them (and I'm guessing because it fits well with school holidays is not the best answer you could give!)

A difficult one is what do you think your weaknesses are?

How flexible can you be (overtime etc.)?

There are loads of useful websites if you search the internet for interview questions. I like here

The thing about doing too much research though is you can get bogged down in questions and start to worry about it all. I think the best thing you can do in an interview is smile, relax and be yourself.

Do let me know how you got on. x

Hi Ponka, how are you? I must pop over to the May thread and catch up.

The job would be perfect because it's term time only and I did mean to put this in the original post.

I know they'll probably ask Why do you want this job and my main reason for wanting it is because it fits in with school hours. But I can't really say that can I?

My friend at work just now says that she doesn't think there's anything wrong with saying that I'd like a change and this new job would be ideal as I have a young family and hours would suit, but I'm not sure if I should mention my children unless specifically asked if I have them and I don't think they're allowed to ask that are they?

I'm getting so nervous and really want to do a good interview as the job would be so perfect.

Hiya. I don't think that it would harm you to mention your kids. It would be seriously against the law if this influenced them in any way and I don't think it's a bad reason to give in an interview but it might be better to give others instead/as well. You want to work in a learning environment? You enjoy liasing and talking to people and you think this job will involve a lot of talking and liasing between teachers/parents/kids? You enjoy working with kids because either you have worked with them before or now you have your own kids you realise how great kids are? I don't know. I'm not an expert so don't trust me. I'm just spouting my usual drivel in the hope that something will hit the spot for you!!!

Oh yes, I'm alright by the way. It would be nice for you to pop in. Did you hear I've had a DS2?

I did hear about Ds2, congrats

I've just been reading that link you put in it was good, gave me lots to think about, thanks

I remember for my last interview my friend primed me in what to say and when I went into the interview I completely forgot everything she'd told me and just went with the flow, lol but I got that job so I must have done something right.

The trend in HR is towards competency-based interviews, i.e. asking for concrete examples of skills required for the job. For example, if the job description says "Advanced Word", the interviewer might say "Tell me about a time when you set up a mail merge - what did you do?" rather than asking for an abstract description of how you might do a mail merge.

To prepare, just think about examples of work you have done that match the job description.

As an interviewee, I always prepare questions in advance and bring them out when asked if I have any questions.

i had an interview at a school and the head asked me - what really annoys you? i answered speed cameras, and didn't get the job. good luck

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ooh and say 'progressive' alot

Name a time you had a conflict/problem, how did you resolve it?
How has your influence affected another team member/procedure/customer in a positive way?
When have you had a situation that required your decision alone to produce a happy customer?
What would you do if someone tried to throttle you over a desk/screamed abuse on the phone?
What has been your biggest achievement at work?
Think of an example where you could make a process better or save the company money?
What is your biggest motivator in a job?
When have you gone "the extra mile" above and beyond your normal job description?

(I had these today - yes I did go blank and kept repeating "well in x job I did y, and again in x job I did z etc. Don't think I got it! Good luck with yours!)

Well interview was today and I don't think I got it as they said they'd be selecting today and the lucky person would get a phone call. We were out the rest of the day but nobody had phoned while we were out so I guess that's a no then.

I don't think I gave a very good interview anyway, I was a nervous wreck and I don't think I put my heart into it, stupid really as it would have been a good job I think. I only got 4 questions and was in and out in 10 minutes. I didn't even get a minute before hand to compose myself they let me in the door and took me straight in And they didn't do the practical test that they had mentioned in the letter.

Oh well, never mind maybe next time.
Thanks for all your help and advice

Hard luck, quite possibly they had someone strongly in mind like an internal candidate..that's what i always tell myself..I'm in the same boat at the mo applying for jobs but haven't even had an interview! So at least you have potential!

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At least if you apply for future jobs there, you know what to expect, and they'll know you're keen.

Oi, Linnet!

How did it go???