Interview Preparation

[TheWaspsAreEverywhere]

I have just received an offer of an interview for a job having been a SAHM with periods of self-employment for 13/14 years. The job is absolutely perfect for my circumstances, but I am petrified about the interview! I used to do a professional job (think something like podiatrist or dentist - medical-related and dealing with the general public), but since leaving my last position and following the breakdown of my marriage, I have been left with very little confidence.

I find it quite difficult to think on my feet, and tend to stumble over my words when I'm nervous, so I'm trying to prepare as well as I can, to try and take some of the pressure off on the actual day. My amazing partner asked someone at his work, who conducts interviews for a similar role (albeit in a different place), for a list of questions that I might be asked, that I will work through, but I wondered if anyone else had any advice on what I'm likely to be asked in more general terms?

Or how to calm my nerves?!

Well done for getting an interview! The hardest part is getting to interview stage as there are so many applicants for jobs these days.

Have a real think about why you want the job. Look at the job advert and go through each line of responsibility and think how you can relate it back to something you've done before in previous jobs, that'll make it really clear in your head on how your skills relate to the role.

You're more than likely to be asked about 'tell me a time when...' , when you get asked this, make sure you stay on track. Talk about the situation, the challenges, how you overcame them and what the outcome was. Outcome is important as they want to see results of your actions.

Try not to over-prepare by thinking of an answer to every single question as you'll then sound robotic and potentially disingenuous. Plus you'd have the added pressure of trying to remember a pre-prepared answer as opposed to a genuine flow.

Good luck! You'll smash it

Have you ever recruited anyone? My experience of supporting my manager in doing this taught me that interviewing is more about fitting the right person into the position than the candidate selling themselves. Therefore I would recommend trying to get a sense of whether you are indeed a good fit for the role during the interview - it sounds as if you are on paper. Good candidates are difficult to find.

Being thoughtful about your answers is totally valid, so saying "let me think about that for a moment" / repeating the question might buy you some time if thinking on your feet is something you find difficult.

I also went through a marriage breakdown in recent years and can imagine how this could trash ones confidence (although I didn't have this experience myself), sending empathy on that score. For me, confidence comes from image so I put a lot of thought into clothes, hair and makeup for interviews, but this probably varies quite a bit by sector.

Best of luck

Have a think about all your achievements and challenges in your previous jobs and write them down. Use the STAR approach - situation- task - action- results

Read it over and over along with your CV so you are familiar with your experience and examples.

Good luck

Thank you all so much! The interview is on Friday. I'm busy with some other commitments tomorrow, but I've started getting together a list of possible questions/scenarios they might ask, and have downloaded as much info as I've been able about the school (it's a school admin job). I'm completely free Wednesday and Thursday, so I've got two days to go through my CV/my application form/the job details and work out how my skills/experience might relate to the job. I won't write prescribed answers, just try and remember/relate my skills experience to where it will fit the new job.

It's the first job I applied for, so I'm absolutely stoked to even get an interview!