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Original poster

I have been a sahm for 6 years. I have an interview next week!

43 replies

Badvoc123 · 19/09/2014 19:14

Eeek!
It's only pt reception work but it's local and term time :)
Can I ask for interview tips?
What's changed since I last went to an interview 7 years ago?
Outfit?
Dress?
Skirt and heeled boots?
Help!

OP posts:

trufflehunterthebadger · 20/09/2014 08:44

Don't get too hung up on your appearance. As long as you are clean and smart they are much more interested in what skills you can display and what comes out of your mouth :)
Good luck

EATmum · 20/09/2014 08:56

Smile, lots of eye contact and project confidence. Wear comfortable clothing that makes you feel good, and if you have long hair, a tip I was given by an old colleague was to go to the hairdressers and get them to put it up - a french pleat or similar looks very slick.
Think in advance of as many examples as you can that meet the different criteria they will have - times when you've had to be organised, times when you had to show leadership, times when you've successfully worked as part of a team, times when you've given great customer service. Even if a question doesn't ask for examples (most do but some can be asked in a quite woolly way), use examples to show you've actually got the experience they need. Just saying you can do something doesn't tell them anything.
If an interview question throws you, ask them to repeat it - give yourself a bit more time. Try to think of three points you want to make in an answer, and then give them concisely - you can always say "I could give more examples here if that would help", but prevents you from waffling on or going off topic. Think of a couple of questions about the School and its strategy/development/plans to ask at the end.
Best question to ask though IME is (to the decision maker) "If you were trying to persuade me to take this job, what would you say?" Takes some nerve, but it ends an interview with the interviewer selling you the job. When I was interviewing for my maternity cover, the successful candidate did this - I was so impressed!
Good luck OP.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 20/09/2014 09:12

Ooh, good luck Badvoc, you'd be great!
Be confident and quite determined/settled that the job is for you.
I've much more often been offered jobs when I've gone in with that kind of attitude.
Be convincing about the IT aspect, and remember there will be lots of children and parents to deal with all the time - show you can be calm and capable!

twentyten · 20/09/2014 09:30

Brilliant advice from truffle and others- you know the school and know about being a parent..... Star technique is fab.
Wear what you feel good in. Good luck!

Original poster

Badvoc123 · 20/09/2014 10:18

Some great advice, thank,you! X

OP posts:

Viviennemary · 20/09/2014 10:21

Not high heeled boots. IMHO. Just dress smartly. I wouldn't wear trousers to an interview. I agree with trying not to waffle. But just keep calm and do your best.

Original poster

Badvoc123 · 20/09/2014 10:25

They aren't a high heel, they are a block heel, but consensus says no so I am going with that :)

OP posts:

Viviennemary · 20/09/2014 10:36

Oh good. I was going to say ignore me. I'm from two centuries ago.

CHJR · 20/09/2014 20:10

Project confidence. Tell them in many different ways that you're familiar with the school. Sound enthusiastic and calm. Fake it. The most important thing you have to put on is a mental attitude that you can do it (and it does sound like you can!). Good luck! Our schools need teachers who have parenting experience.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 21/09/2014 09:43

And receptionists too

Theysawus · 22/09/2014 07:34

I work in a school and wear a lot of (properly shaped, not baggy tunic) White Stuff dresses with boots and I am in general overdressed. I wouldn't think twice about wearing boots to an interview - in fact I did!

Original poster

Badvoc123 · 22/09/2014 08:05

Thanks!
:)
The boots are very expensive leather ones...small block heel.
I will try both...boots and ballerina flat and decide.
May depend on the weather too!
:)

OP posts:

Ragwort · 22/09/2014 08:25

Agree with Truffle - most interviews these days will be competency based .............. questions asking for specific examples of how you dealt with a situation.

I recently returned to work after 12 years as a SAHM and the interview was all questions, every interviewee was asked the same questions and notes made of the answers. Some of them were quite specific and I had to think carefully about 'life' experiences I had rather than work related examples. I got the job .

So long as you are clean, neat and tidy I wouldn't worry too much about 'style'.

Original poster

Badvoc123 · 22/09/2014 11:43

What sort of questions would I be asked do you think?
It's a school so I am assuming questions about confidentiality, cat protection and child protection?
I have worked in academia before, albeit at uni level.
Also in the NHS.

OP posts:

Ragwort · 22/09/2014 12:10

cat protection ???

Questions like 'give an example of where how have worked as a team';
'give an example of how you have dealt with a conflict of opinion'.

I actually found some of the questions quite difficult as they all seemed variations on a theme.

Original poster

Badvoc123 · 22/09/2014 12:37

Cat protection!!?

OP posts:

twentyten · 22/09/2014 13:07

If it's reception it would include what do you do when someone comes in demanding to see the head immediately!

twentyten · 25/09/2014 18:15

How did it go?

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