Interview tips - know it's been on here before but

[tasja]

I'm going for an interview at my husband's work on Friday for a receptionist/admin person. They are a small company.
I know the person who is doing the interview, makes me more nervous.
I haven't been for an interview in 5 years!
Everyone knows each other. We (my husband and I) are from SA. we don't have any family here and all our friends work. Would it be ok if I take my DD that is 14months with so DH could look after her in his lunchtime?
Any tips for the interview for me?

I wouldn't take DD tbh

Tips: sell yourself! Put a positive gloss on everything - don't use negative replies like 'I don't know' or 'I haven't experienced that'.

hi tasja

Don't take DD unless you really really have to.
Don't make the mistake some people make when they know the interviewer of being overfamiliar, not taking it as seriously as they would with a stranger.
Wear a suit.
Don't discuss your DH during the interview.
Do you have a job description? If so look at the person spec (bit where it says what experience/qualifications/skills etc the person needs.
Think of an example of where you have successfully demonstrated each of those in the past that you can describe to the interviewer, including what you learnt from it, why it was successful, would you do anything differently.
The interviewer may not specifically ask for examples, but even if he/she says what would you do if.. or have you got X skill, always use an example to illustrate.

Good luck

And if you don't have a job description/person spec, you can quite easily think of what skills/experience they might expect a receptionist to have and think of examples for those!

Thanks flowerybeanbag. I didn't get a jobdescription. Will have to see what we can do about DD

in the end - if they ask me if I have any questions, can I ask what the salary is?

yes, you can ask what the salary is, but when they say any questions, don't just ask that.
Ask some intelligent questions about the job, the organisation, the work you would be doing etc first, then the salary.
It is your opportunity to decide whether you would like to work there as well, so make sure you leave the interview with all the information you would need to make a decision.

I used to spend huge chunks of my time interviewing people before I left work. Key points for you are to demonstrate an understanding of what they need you to do, ask about training etc for the job, phone system, computer etc if there is anything that you aren't familiar with, so you can get up to speed asap. Generally you should stress that you want to do your best to represent the company as you will be the first person most visitors will see. It will be your role to cover lots of different things and deal with odd points that come up that don't fit into anyone elses job spec, so use lots of words to describe yourself like proactive, enthusiastic and efficient.

Am sure you will be fine, but good luck!

Agree with flowerybeanbag - I would not ask in the interview about salary - if they want you that is what you can negotiate after. In fact I have been put off when I have interviewed people and this is thier first and only question. It just does not say - I am really interested in this company and I really want this role.

I was asked some great questions by a candidate recently - the most thought provoking was :

Given that you have been interviewing for some months for this role and have not appointed anyone, can you tell me what the candidates were not able to demonstrate to you?

Also, some other goodies

How would you describe the culture of the team/dept/organisation?

Is there any areas that you do not feel you have had enough response on from me?

The killer question....

Is there anything at the moment that concerns you about me as a candidate that would prevent you from offering me the role?

On answering questions do come up with examples and try to stick to succinct non rambling clear answers that describe the situation ot task, the actions you took and the result you got e.g. a letter of thanks from your line manager etc.

If you're on reception thier first impression of you and how you communicate in the interview will be critical.

Do you spot problems and resolve them e.g. person hanging around for ages in reception with no one picking them up - do you check they are okay and offer to help?

How do you treat you when you arrive? Is it a warm welcome how could they improve it? If it is great say so!

ooh, RuthT they are good questions your candidate asked weren't they? Did they get the job?

I do disagree about salary question though - agree that starting negotiations prior to an offer doesn't look good, but then most candidates come for an interview with at least an idea of what the salary is.

If I was interviewing a candidate like Tasja who I knew didn't have a clue what the salary was, I would think it a bit strange if they didn't ask for even a ballpark figure I think.

Definitely start with all the good questions though, and check rough salary right at the end I would.

She did get the job and she starts in a few weeks - fingers crossed she is as good as she seems.

I am with you on the salary - I would have thought candidates knew before they turned up.

You could ask for the range of salary they are expecting to pay - and that is useful for negotiation

I am instantly put off when interviewees ask about salary - it is very rare that I am interested in such candidates. DON'T DO IT. The impression shoudl be that it is the job you are keen on, rather than the benefits.

Be honest, don't pretend to know things that you don't. always emphasise that no matter how much experience a person may have, there is always more to learn and that is what excites you about returning to work. If you're scared of returning to work admit it, and then say that you have always found that going through major changes (and use your SA-UK move as an example) provides the life experiences that make people grow and expand their outlook and that is why you want the job even though it will be an upheaval.

Don't take your DD. Move heaven and earth on this one and if necc get DH to 'time' a doctor appointment or something and do the 'exchange' well away from the office.

As you know the person, be friendly/familiar at the very start, but as soon as the first 'real' quesiton is thrown at you switch straight into professional mode and if you can ignore the fact that you know each other (unless of course you can use events that she is well aware of to express a viewpoint)

what an interviewer is looking for is:

• do they understand the job
• can they do it
• will they fit in
• do they want the job
• can we use them for other stuff as well as the job
• do I like this person
• will they stay with us or move on quickly

No one is out to trip you up, so try to relax. If it meant to be it'll probably work out.

I like some of the question suggestions and my 2 personal favourites which I use ALL the time is "If you had a magic wand, what would YOU change about the organisation?" and "What is it that you enjoy about this paerticular organisation which keeps you personally motivated?" Both questions give them food for thought, they usually result in extremely honest answers about the best and worst of the organisation, they make the interviewer think you are genuinely interested in the company itself, rather than just job-hunting, and they go away feelign as if they have had really good 2-way connection. Even better, they take a while to answer and that gives you breathing space sometimes to get your own thoughts together. If she asks you what your DH would say to those questions be very coy about your response, say that your GH is happy there but that he doesn't discuss the organisation in any detail. blah blah: she won;t believe you but will then conclude that you are not gossippy, which is V importnat for the type of role you are going for.

good luck

squiffy - I am guessing though that when you interview candidates they already have at least a vague ball park salary awareness?
It is right that giving the impression you are more interested in the money rather than the job is an instant dealbreaker to an interviewer. I still think however that if I was interviewing a candidate who had shown enough interest in a job to come for an interview without even an idea of the salary, that would be indication enough that the job was what was of interest, not the money, and I would find it slightly weird if they then went away with still no idea.
Sorry Tasja, all these different viewpoints probably not helping you

Tasja, and here is the most important lesson. Ask three HR people their view and you will get slightly different views, but one thing will agree on is be yourself.

If you want/need to ask the question then just go ahead and do it. Even my mst hated questions, e.g. on salary will get a more favourable response if the candidate has asked other good questions first and they provide context, 'I apologise for asking this question but so far I have not been provided with an indication of the package you offer here. Clearly I am interested but can you provide me with an idea of the range of base you are aiming to pay?

i wsouls also sat that show lots of enthusiasm for the company, if is good that your husband works there as he is always positive about the company and likes the work-culture there, he is very happy in his job.... (evewn if he isnt)

flowerybeanbag and everyone else

I didn't get the job!

Oh Tasja

Have you asked for feedback? Do if you haven't.

Don't lose confidence, each interview is a learning experience, treat it as practice, and also as an opportunity to confirm/alter your expectations of what you want from a job/company.

Thanks
Yes, I'm going to ask them why. Back to searching for a job. Hate it!