is this possible interview answer too personal?

[ireallydontcare]

I'm looking at possible competency questions and where I could be asked about meeting a challenging deadline I was going to say something like (I've shortened it for the purposes of this thread)

The company put me on a course. it was challenging as I had 6 months to complete the course but it was not accessible for me as a disabled person. I had to find a way to complete my course in alternative ways. I asked other participants for a copy of their notes, I asked the tutor for extra 1 to 1 meetings, I asked my manager for extra study days, I asked the tutor for adjustments and I tried to set aside some time in my diary to work on the course. I went from thinking I would not be able to do the course to getting the highest marks.

What do you think? too personal? crappy example? change to something else? Any suggestions for maybe wording it better?

I don't want to sound critical of the company either.

thank you

What do you all think about bringing a portfolio? I have been told by another internal candidate that she also has an interview and she's bringing a portfolio.

What should I have in mine? When is the best time to present it?

Hi OP

For team work, I would not use that example. Sorry but it could make it look like you cannot be as persuasive as they would like and they only listened to you as their idea fell foul of the audience. Try and think of times when there has been give and take in a team, you help others and they've later helped you or you all pulled together in a crisis to achieve a deadline or important goal. Do you have anyone in your company who knows you well who can help you think of examples? I know it is very hard to think of these examples at times but others can come up with things.

For communication, I will assume the aim is to find out how you adjust your communication styles for various audiences. For example, my last interview I described the style I would write to a senior manager I knew (friendly but brief as they were busy and I know they like to get to the point) versus how I would write to someone externally (more formal, ensure that there are no in house abbreviations, be clear and to the point, ensure I was clear on the purpose of the email).

Analysis and problem solving - I would not use that example as you do not want anyone to know you had to have help as that goes against you proving you can do this. Try and think of times where you have come up against an issue and how you went about solving it. What did you do and what steps did you take to rectify it?

Creativity - that sounds a good example but I would leave out the ability to see who has done very little and make the point that you created it to maximise productivity as you can see where maybe staff have a little less on their plate to help those who have more to do. Something like that. Positive spin.

For the interview, my suggestion is practice. I am like you and can waffle, especially if I am nervous. A PP mentioned the STAR response and that is a great basis for formulating your answers. STAR is Situation, Task, Action, Result. If you Google it, there are loads of pages that can help you formulate really good answers. What interviewers want to hear is examples of what you can do. Anyone can say they are a good team player or are organised, the idea of the answer is to show them a time when you have demonstrated that skill.

Ask your hubby to collect Interview questions, and then craft answers based on STAR and practice them over and over again.

Unless you need a portfolio to show how you do your job i.e. graphic designer then I wouldn't take one but hard to say without knowing the job.

thank you so much, I really appreciate this. Yes I am practising so much, anticipating every possible question. My organisation tends to be really specific in their questions, rather than the generic ones you tend to find online.

Hi all, 2nd interview was today and I wont find out til sometime next week how I did. I think overall it went well. I rushed my presentation due to nerves but I think I handled the interview questions okay. There was only one I think was a disaster, and another where my answer was 'okay' I think but not perfect. The written test was easy.

I was rather amused at how they went OTT with "let us know if there are any adjustment we can make today, do you need this, do you need that, I'm going to tell you the question, here is it written down, but if you want me to reword it let me know..."

Clearly making more effort around my disabilities this time!

I didn't use the course example.

urrrgh, the wait is driving me mad. I'm unlikely to know before end of next week (and I suspect that deadline applies to whomever gets it).

I don't know who else got the second interview but I do know some of those who were at the first so I've been spying on their linkedin profiles and driving myself crazy because I can see one or two have more experience of X skill than I do but less overall experience and less relevant education than me.

My manager thinks the interviewer (her manager) wants a man in the role. I'm not getting much encouragement.

I don't know what to do if I don't get it. I mean realistically I'll keep my head down and get on with it, but that would be the second time I was unsuccessful.

I do feel I performed better this time and if I don't get it, I am sure it will be because the company needs to show to stakeholders that they can take on new ideas (some negative feedback along those lines previously)

Sorry for the constant posting everyone, I just need somewhere to express my anxiety. I am not sleeping much as its playing over and over in my head.

My manager thinks the interviewer (her manager) wants a man in the role

So they bend over backwards to show how they tick the Equality Act box, while openly admitting to institutionalised sex discrimination.

I despair.

Believe me, anxious there are other forces at play here - if you don't get selected for the role, remind yourself they are not operating to a level playing field (you'll never know the truth) but don't feel too bad if the outcome isn't what you hope for.

All the same I hope you get the job, it will be through your own merits and effort.

believe me daisy this organisation is all about fairness and equality, at least on a public front, but realistically they are not.

I've decided if I don't get it, to look elsewhere. I'm already looking but being public sector, the pay and benefits are really good and the very very few comparable roles elsewhere are like £10,000 or more less in pay

My team leader has hinted that she thinks I should look elsewhere (nice, eh?) and that "you're still young" (I'm 37). She's an awful manager. Nice to talk to but not at all encouraging. All her emails have things in bold or CAPITALS or she'll say passive aggressive things like "I realise this may be an inconvenience for you..."

I need a change, new role internally or externally, away from this manager. 3 people have left our organisation from our team in just a year. I could be the 4th, it all depends. I hope for some good news tomorrow. If I don't hear til the end of the week then I'll assume they've offered it externally and they are waiting for that person to accept.

I keep torturing myself. I had a look through the competency guide and I seem to have met few of the positive indicators listed but also few of the negative indicators so what the hell am I to make of that?

I'm driving my DH mad by going over and over how I possibly did. Sorry to do the same to you MNetters too.

I hope your wait isn't much longer but it's positive you've reflected a lot and decided on next steps if you are unsuccessful.

Thinking of you

I didn't get the job

I feel angry more than anything. I bet I get asked to train this person. Don't know yet if its a man or woman, or if its internal / external.

I've been invited to a feedback meeting to discuss my personal development.

Time to start looking for other jobs but unless I want to take a severe pay cut, it might be a very long time before I find something suitable and I think they know that and that's why they don't make more effort to keep me.

I'm so angry. I really tried to improve. I practiced so hard and went over all my previous feedback.

I don't know how I'm going to keep a lid on my emotions at this feedback meeting. What do I say/do? If I could say what I really think, I'd say how they've messed me about all year, discriminated against me, kept me the same level for years and not progressed me and overall just not seen my potential.

My head is hurting. I'm a bit of a mess right now.

I'm so sorry to read this - I was really hoping you got it. I didn't get an internal promotion last year and was very gutted. I now have a new job (sometimes dealing with MPs as well oddly) and am really happy. Hope it all works out for you.

I'm disappointed for you & understand your anger. Sorry I'm struggling for advice as to how to handle it best. I would say try to stay unemotional & keep your cards close to your chest in the feedback session. It should be separate to the other issues & it gives you time to consider next steps i.e. A grievance

Don't reveal that you are looking elsewhere in this feedback meeting.

Talk about how you found it difficult to think of appropriate situations to talk about in the competencies questions and explicitly ask for development opportunities to be challenged with situations which enable you to demonstrate these competencies and build up your stock of interviews answers ready for next time there is an opportunity within the organisation.

If they do this then they will be assisting you with successfully getting the other jobs you apply for, but keep you language focused on the organisation you work for so that this assistance is seen as investing in the future of the organisation not training someone who is going to leave.

Sorry to hear this. In the meeting try to stay calm and not get upset but I don't think there's anything wrong with being honest about how disappointed you are.