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!)

Local authorities advertise in job centres and libraries, you can also go on their mailing list but might have to pay for this. Some local authorities also have their vacancies on their web site. They won't necessarily put 'this job is suitable for job sharing' in the advert by my local authority do put it on all their job descriptions/specifications. I used to work as a civilian in my local police force and they used some temps from time to time so it might be worth sending your details in to large organisations, temps do sometimes get kept on.

No advice really just wanted to say best of luck Lil. I agree that it is hard getting a part time job from the beginning. I know several women who work 3 days (myself included) at our place but they all started off as full time. This is a bit of a concern of mine because I work in IT and its all a bit unstable at the minute. I definitely do think there is a certain level of discrimination around.

Have just read this through - great advice and many congratulations, Scummymummy!! What wonderful news.

Lil - I know that in my line of work (higher education admin) lots of things aren't advertised as part-time but if you ask quite often (but not always) arrangements can be made. Try jobs.ac.uk for jobs in the sector; you can search by job type or location. It's a great area to work in.

Well done, scummymummy (sorry it's late) !

Good luck, Lil!

way to go SM!

Lil

That is my line of work. Whereabouts do you live? Do you have a particular industry specialisation, e.g. banking, insurance etc? I take it you resigned from your previous post and are currently an SAHM?

Lil, I am an architect. When I first went back to work, I registered with lots of agencies saying that I wanted to work part time or contract work (temporary). They acted like I was out of my mind and said that they never get any requests for part timers. I was surprised as architecture is well suited to part time work. In the end (3 months later) I got a temporary full time job for a month at a small firm and they liked me so much I stayed on full time-ish (in reality my hours are so flexible I work about 3/4 time). As a few people have said, go for full time job interviews and then ask about part time when you get the interview. You will soon find out how flexible they are likely to be and it is well worth your while (for sanity's sake) to wait for the right job that is flexible enough for your needs as a working mother. Good luck.

Hi Lil-
I'd echo what Pam said about looking for work in local authorities/voluntary sector- these tend to be way ahead in terms of implementing flexible family friendly working IME and because they have to secure specific funds for each post you often find part time jobs advertised when the funds won't run to employing someone full time. Also these sectors are always looking for project management and finance people- have you tried looking in the Wednesday Guardian? Best of luck. I'm sure something will come up.

lil - Try www.jobsgopublic (can't remember if it's .com or .co.uk) for local authority jobs. Also many job share posts in LAs are only advertised internally (£1000 for an ad in guardian!) - have a chat with your local LA personnel dept and they might send you the internal vacancies list if they're nice.

With local authorities you are quite within your rights to accept a f/t post then ask to have your hours reduced before you start (my current boss actually advised me to do this). Unless the job has specific duties like locking up/starting up the computer system they will almost certainly go along with your wishes.

Well done scummymummy!

just wanted to add another well done scummymummy!
hope the job is all you want it to be.

I'm resurrecting this thread because I've got an interview on Thursday and haven't a clue what to say or ask. The job is a low level clerical post with my local authority, dealing with repairs to schools and is very similar to a job that I have done previously. As the post is mainly data-inputting there will be a practical test first using Excel and Word followed by an interview. As far as I know there is no responsiblity over other members of staff and the post is a new one rather than a vacated one.

I haven't worked for over 6 years but would really like to get the job as dh is now unemployed (I've come round to the idea that me working full time wouldn't be so bad, enabling him to go self employed around school hours). So what do I wear and what questions should I ask when it comes to the 'any questions' part of the interview?

When I was in this position last year - going for low level clerical jobs temping - I wore a black sleeveless dress (14.99 from Asda) with a jacket over the top, low heeled courts and flsh-coloured tights IIRC for my temp agency visit and the interview.

The dress code in the office itself was quite relaxed - no jeans and not quite the chinos and shirt approach - but I always wore skirt/trousers and blouse or v-necked jersey or cardigan, good boots or shoes and tights in fairly neutral colurs but that's my thing!

How about asking about future progression possibilities? Even temping I was copied in a job circulars and some of those jobs looked mightily attractive, if I had been looking for f-t work. I partic liked the look of communications manager but it involved too much travel for osmeone whose DH's work usually take him overseas

Loads of good luck with the interview. Practise your greeting face in front of the mirror

If you can cope with the answer - ask at the end what they see as barriers to you getting the job - you can then persuade them otherwise.

I couldn't possibly ask that sort of question, I'm not confident enough and I'd probably dissolve into tears at the first sign of criticism.

How do others normally answer the "are you introvert or extrovert" question that always seems to come up?

I've never asked it either PamT, a person I interviewed asked me and I was v. impressed (he didn't get the job -too experienced to stay as long as we wanted)
I would answer neither - for example you could say "I wouldn't categorise myself as either, although I am a fairly quiet person I am able to get on well with others as well"

Just to say PamT that as the job is with the local authority you are unlikely to be asked questions like that. They have a list of equal opps questions that they ask all the candidates and these have to relate to the person specification of the post. As a local authority employee I would also disagree about the no trousers comment for the same reason. As I understand it they can only reject you for a position if your responses to the questions do not score as highly as another candidate. It is all very strictly equal opps. What you wear, what you look like etc do not come into it (or shouldn't) if they are following the correct procedure.

I was asked the introvert/extrovert question at all my interviews in local government, though as 7 or 8 years have passed since the last one, policy might have changed now. Another favourite question seems to be "what do you consider to be your weaknesses?". Its hard to find things to say that come out positive - I usually say things like my determination (won't leave things until they are finished) and taking things personally (I take failure and shortcomings personally and therefore avoid them as much as possible).

It looks like I'm off to the charity shop to find a jacket, I've borrowed some from my sister but she's bigger than me and they don't fit

sobernow - why not a dress? My black shift looked little different to the knee-length skirts I would normally wear.

Really good luck, PamT. I found the advice on here was brilliant for the interview and five months in I can finally say I'm doing a job I really love... just hope the funding doesn't run out for a while!
I think the "be yourself" advice is really important- though the dos and don'ts are true enough you do need to be comfortable with how you are presenting yourself and what you are saying. eg: wear something smarter than usual but do make sure you LIKE it and feel comfortable and confident in it. Btw, I prepared answers for the strengths/weaknesses question but it didn't come up- I was quite disappointed actually!- it was quite a "job centred" interview really and asked about what I'd do in certain circs likely to occur on the job. I think, as debster says, that that's quite common with LEA/vol sector jobs now. Anyway, really hope goes well for Thursday and best of luck!

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You could ask how the position became available? Assuming they answer your questions on when you would be req to start (be prepared for them to ask you when you would be prepared to start too!)
As long as you look smart and professional, I don't think it matters what you wear. My last job interview there were so many women wearing those sleeveless tops with a skirt - call me old-fashioned but I thought they were inappropriate! (I wore a dress btw - and got offered a job anyway!)

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

No mollipops your not old fasshioned - armpits are definitelynot suitable

scummymummy - I remember those 'what would you do questions'. I don't mind them now but I remmeber being asked at an interview for a management training scheme with a high street bank what I would do if one of my customers was a farmer appeared to be in financial difficulty etc. I was still in sixth form and completely clueless about banking. I remember feeling completely gobsmacked then saying something like 'I'm afraid I have no idea but I expect you bank's training would have fully prepared me for that situation.'

I got offered the scheme but turned it down. Partly on the basis that the interviewer was wearing the most awful green eyeshadow. But mainly because I never felt fully relaxed in the interview and, if she was representative of her organisation, I didnt feel I would ever be comfortable working with them.

ANother hairy interview moment - again with a high street bank. He asked for qualities of an ideal bank manager. I listed some qualities and he stopped me - didn't I think honesty was important?

I have to admit I've fallen into that trap since. Honesty is such an integral part of me that I never think it can be missing, IYSWIM. I did a reference for someone once and had another friend check it over. She pointed out immediately that I hadn't put in honesty and it's omission was very serious and would imply I thought the person was dishonest.

I didn't get offered the training scheme at bank no 2 BTW!

At Bank 3, I felt immediately relaxed and had a nice chat with the interviewer. I even managed to get into the conversation that the horrific mark on my neck was as a result of a nasty accident with curling tongs that morning as oppsed to a love bite and that my journey had been horrific because I'd missed the bus due to being unable to find my shoes.

I guess he took this to me I was a very candid/honest/open person therefore didn't feel the need to ask me the honesty question and I got an unconditional offer from them which I accepted and relaxed about my A-levels!

Loads of luck Pam and sorry about your husband's job. Just think of all those skills SAHMs use to run a home, bring up the kids, sort out the husband etc etc. I bet you'll walk it! xxx