Interview tips- how do I convince them that I'm perfect for the job?!

[ScummyMummy]

Hi all. Job interview coming up on Tues and I'm getting nervous... I haven't had a formal interview for a good while. Have done the obvious- haircut and new good luck interview clothes purchased with a view to down-playing my scruffy side, etc. Any tips on what and what not to say/do and how to present myself? What do people look for when they?re interviewing? Is it true that the panel decide for or against in the first 12 seconds of the interview and, if so, how an earth does one create a good impression in such a short time?! I'm fairly keen, not to say desperate, to move on from my current job soon and being short listed for this post- which sounds great!- has given me a bit more confidence that it CAN be done. I?d really like to feel that I?d given the interview my best shot and that, even if I don?t get the job, I have something to build on for future occasions. Help!
(Btw- I work in the voluntary sector with kids and families in case anyone has insider knowledge or advice!)

Hi Scummymummy

Some things to think about

*Arrive on time or 5 mins early (max)
*Be as smart and presentable as you can (sounds like you already have this covered)
*Be polite, friendly, open etc - but not gushing
*Shake hands when you meet your interviewer and when you leave
*Don't chew gum - sorry very, very obvious!
*Watch your posture in the interview - don't slouch etc
*Find out as much as you can about the job and organisation before you go - e.g. internet, publications, friends etc. You want to be able to anticipate as far as possible who and what they are looking for.
*I know it sounds obvious - but be very familiar with the entire contents of your cv, sometimes interviewers like just to talk it through chronologically and you may be a little flummoxed when they start asking you about your key achievements in a role you held 5/6 years ago
*Be prepared to discuss your successes/achievements in your current role and how you achieved them
*Be prepared to discuss anything you found "challenging" in your current role and how you were able to overcome the issue
*Be prepared to state your strengths - illustrate them with examples
*Be prepared to be asked about your weaknesses - it's ok to mention one or two sensible ones, but also state what steps you take to compensate for them in the work environment
*Above all, as far as you can, try to show how your previous achievements, experience and strengths make you a good candidate for the role you are after (hence trying to find out as much about it beforehand)
*Your interviewer may also be trying to ascertain if you are a personality fit for the organisation - e.g. an organisation managed by consensus may well be looking for diplomacy and influencing skills as well as technical competence for the job
*You will probably be asked why you want to leave your current job. This is a tough one because you need to create the impression that you are a valued employee in your current job, whom the organisation will seek to retain if possible, that you have gained valuable experience, and are not desperate to leave! Acceptable reasons might be that you are seeking to expand your experience and challenge yourself in ways that are just not available where you work now.

Sorry, I don't have any experience in your field, so hope the above isn't just stating the bleedin' obvious!

HTH. Very best of luck!

Hi scummy. FWIW my pre-interview preparation is as follows (and I just got a job after 4 years as a SAHM so I know the feeling of not having been on interviews for a while):

• Agree, research the company on the net, anywhere you can get some info. Look for their mission statement, annual report etc.
• From this info make sure you have some good questions prepared to ask them, maybe not the obvious ones i.e (for one I went for a while ago) I asked "your last annual report states that cash flow is the biggest issue facing your company atm, so do you think xyz is going to have an impact?" (I got offered this job but didn't want it). Write these questions down so you can refer to them when they ask if you have any questions. It's good to show that you've researched the company if you can bring out some information they haven't told you. Even if they've answered most of them I'd say try to have at least one left to ask. It shows you're interested in them too and have done your homework.
• Think in advance about all the questions you might be asked and formulate your responses as far as possible. Especially try to anticipate any difficult questions (i.e for me, I've got a gap on my cv)
• Weaknesses, it's acceptable to use 'positive' weaknesses as long as you don't sound too perfect! i.e mine is sometimes "I can be impatient because I want to get the job done quickly so sometimes I have to curb this and realise that speed isn't always blah blah."
• Definitely smile and look friendly: re those first 12 seconds (without gurning!)
• reasons for moving on from current job: agree, make these reflect well on you, like "I've contributed all I can to the org but I need a new challenge. Or, I'm very keen to learn more and my current job doesn't give me enough scope for this. May be obvious, but don't say anthing negative at all about your current employer.
• Agree about re-reading and remembering your cv well. Also take a copy with you so that you have one to refer to when they ask you about it. It's fine IMO to have it in front of you as they're interviewing. Also take a spare in case they need one, makes you look ultra efficient.
• Don't thank them for their time, yours is just as valuable, but say it was nice to meet you when you shake hands on leaving. I've had the odd awkward moment on when to shake hands - I once tried to shake someones' hand as the lift door was closing - not recommended! (I was the interviewer in this case) so leave it up to them as far as possible as to when this goodbye handshake takes place! It's usually at the end of the interview in the room and another is not normally needed, just a goodbye at the door. Keep your right hand free for this at the end

I hope I'm not stating the obvious either. I was a recruitment consultant (long time ago) and recruited in my last 'serious' job and I'd say, while those first 12 seconds are important, they're not everything. I was always far more interested in whether the candidate answered the questions in a way that demonstrated they could do the job and would be a good organisational fit.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

I have a friend who is training to be a careers advisor. As part of her college research work she interviewed local employers, asking them what they looked for in prospective employees. The ability to fit in and empathy with the company culture came out as the top requisite. So, when you're doing your research and in the interview itself, perhaps you should have your antenna finely tuned, scummymummy.

Also, another interview tip - I tend to speak quickly and say too much when I am nervous, and thus say the most stupid things. So now I try to slow down my talking when I feel stressed. I think it makes me sound more in control and it definitely gives my brain more time to catch up with my mouth.

Hope your interview goes well, scummy. It's always reassuring to be shortlisted, so well done! My interview technique is rusty and I need some tips, too. Thanks for starting this thread. I have read bossykate's message with much interest.

oh and now I can read www's!

Scummy mummy, so pleased you're back -I was just about to post a Missing Persons plea! Where did you go on hol's? Was it wonderful? Sorry no useful tips - 9 years since I last had a proper interview! One suggestion tho' - lots of people seem to use the 'I'm such a perfectionist...' line when asked about weaknesses. WWW's is much more original! Good Luck! I'll keep everything crossed.

Hi Scummymummy, it's been aeons since I last went for a job interview, so also at the risk of stating the obvious:

be positive - don't complain about anything, not even the weather

sell yourself - don't be afraid to blow your own trumpet

Listen - try not to think too far ahead or you might miss something important that's being said, and don't feel you have to rush in with an answer to a question straight away, it's OK to say so if you need a few extra seconds thinking time

Above all, just be yourself!

Hope that helps, all the very best of luck for Tuesday, let us know how it goes!

Scummymummy, Lots of luck xxxx

Good luck! Hopefully we'll have something to celebrate on Saturday (you are coming aren't you?)

One more thing Scummymummy.... at the end when they ask if you have any question (this is a suggestion for a short loist interview not a first ever) - if appropriate I always ask, "based on what we have just discussed, do you believe I have the sort of personnality, team playing qualities which your team is looking for ? Would the rest of team appreciate my experience and qualities" -It turns the table on them a bit - I have discovered that it's a question they tend to be surprised that I ask but they also like it as it shows an interest in fitting in and makes them think about just that.

P.S. I was told twice recently that it was a very good question by 2 different HR managers........use it if you feel confident. GOOD LUCK !

Good luck, Scummy - and nice to see you back!

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Scummymummy, working with kids and families you could come up against questions about the confidentiality policy, make sure you know as much about this as possible and about the job/organisation in general. You might also get questions about what you would do if you suspected that there was abuse/neglect happening so you should also swot up on policies for this.

I think the worst questions are 'what are your strenths and weaknesses?' and 'would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert?'. I always got asked one or the other at interviews so it might be worth thinking about possible answers beforehand.

Body language is big - don't fold your arms, it creates a barrier, but use plenty of eye contact. Good Luck.

I whisked through these brilliant tips, I was so pleased to see you back and wanted to wish you lots of luck for Tuesday, ScummyMummy.
It was a while ago that I worked in the voluntary sector (and loved it), and as someone has already said, the interview was totally people-skill centred. One thing that took me aback (I was interviewed for a small charity by a couple of the trustees) was how UN-PC aspects of the interview were, despite the impeccable aims of the organisation and the utter professionalism of the paid staff. If this applies to you at all, Scummy, try and find out if trustees are on the panel, and find out a bit about them. I hasten to add that the questions were not hostile or offensive, just a bit barking, otherwise I would not have taken the job. And the people who asked them were lovely old codgers fortunately no longer involved heavily with policy...
You MUST let us know how you get on. Every digit crossed for you!
And I have a course to attend this week on interview technique so I will be printing out this thread and reading it with great interest.

pupuce, I hope I never have to interview you - that question would scare me! I work in museums, I guess a similar sort of profile to the voluntary sector, and my experience of interviewing is definitely that you don't make up your mind in the first 12 seconds.

Good luck! Definitely try and be knowledgeable about who you are interviewing for (I've interviewed what seemed like sensible, skilled people but who clearly hadn't got a clue what the job would actually involve). And be honest and natural. Don't feel you need to know all the answers. No one will mind if you are nervous. And your experiences of home life can be just as important as examples of work projects (but don't get too carried away and bring out photos of your kids!).

Totally agree that this thread has some EXCELLENT tips -in the old pre dd days when I used to have a 'proper' job and interview people the one thing that totally amazed me was how many people really hadn't prepared properly - I mean HADN'T sat down and thought about what they might be asked and 'worked' on their answers - made notes, practised, made sure that on anything likely they had really thought through the issues and had a coherent answer. OK, in the stress of the interview you might not remember every point you'd thought of in practice sessions- but so many people just stumbled around and sounded surprisd by the most OBVIOUS questions - and clearly hadn't invested the time in wanting the job and 'working' at the interview - so why would I have wanted to employ them!
Best of luck!

Philippat... when I got my current job (large multinational I was up against some serious challenge) I asked what their decision process was (I was the last interviewee on the short list) and when they would know.... they were surprised but did answer that they would know about 60 minutes after having seen me since they would get together and make a final decision... so I asked if I could stick around (this wasn't cheeky but I was not living in the UK at the time, they had flown me over for the interview and my flight was several hours later)....they told me later (after I had the job) that my question had really "surprised" them but they had thought... well at least she knows what she wants and she makes sense and she has teh guts to ask.... BTW there is a lot to be said for the tome in which these things are asked ! It was a non-threatening tone.

My partner does the interviews for his firm and was recently interviewing for a new receptionist (I know it's nothing connected to your role) but when asking what their weaknesses were he said every one but one said the old 'I really need to get everything done to the best of my ability which may sometimes slow me down' as someone else mentioned, the perfectionsist line. I know I've actually used that one too (in the early days!!) and so will have to think of a new line when I come round to going back to work but it may be worth thinking of one beforehand as it seems quite a common question.
Very best of luck, as other people have said, be yourself, try to be relaxed and happy.
PS This is a horrible thing to say (please forgive me) but I remember that you smoke, try and not puff away outside 2 mins before you enter the building. Speaking as an ex, 20 a day smoker, I never thought anyone would tell that I'd just had a quick puff but now I know you can smell it a mile off, polos just don't cover it!! Really hope you're not offended but if they are big on 'non-smoking' it may jeopardise things.

no tips from me but lots of luck for tomorrow!
sis

I don't know how well this would go down in the voluntary sector - where I assume (!) that things are slightly more team based - but in the big bad world of finance I have used the following to fairly good effect:

"My weakness is that I set high standards for myself, and can expect the people around me to set and keep high standards themselves."

IOW - I don't suffer fools gladly.

Back to brushing off the shoulder pads on my power suit..........

pupuce, didn't mean to suggest your question wasn't worth asking! I think being clear about your own worth and value is very important, after all it's not just them interviewing you but you interviewing them (although I still cringe to remember I queried the salary for my current job at my interview - well it was dreadful and it did actually work but I doubt I'd do it again!).

Pupuce's comment about HOW you say things is equally important. I interviewed someone for an intern position a few years ago who really did scare me with her drive and abilities - quite clearly an intern post was not what she was really looking for. However, that's a bit of a tangent!

Good luck ScummyMummy and tell us how it goes.

OOh, just thought of another tip - don't wear stupidly high shoes! They may look gorgeous but you'll be thinking about your blisters the whole time!

Scummymummy,
I'd just like to add to all the fantastic advice here, don't forget to be yourself! Having met you I know that you come across as a warm, caring, very nice person with a sense of humour - must be qaulities needed in your job. (I also make you sound like an ideal candidate for a dating chatline don't I!!!!!)Anyway, GOOD LUCK

Nothing useful I'm afraid but loads of luck for tomorrow and ditto to CAM's comments.