your best Interview tip needed please :)

[compo]

Interview is thirty minutes with a panel of four. Eek.

I mean tips

Assume you're not going to get the job, it'll stop you being so nervous.

Take a drink of water if they ask you a tricky question, it gives you time to think of a good answer.

A bit odd to be having an interview on a sunday, isn't it?

Lol it's thirty minutes long, not IN thirty minutes!!

Good idea about sip of water, thanks

be enthusiastic and smiley.

Smile.

Ohhhh, sorry. Wasn't reading properly

Do you know the STAR system?

Situation
Task (or Action)
Result.

They ask you a question, you answer it with an illustration of when the Situation has happened to you before (doesn't have to be work related), you tell them the Task or Action you took, and what the Result was. This includes taking responsibility for mistakes you might have made, yadda yadda yadda.

Listen to the questions. Don't interrupt any panel members.

This is fab, keep em coming

makes note of star, hadn't heard of it before

work out where the door is. I mean, as opposed to the closet, as a couple of years ago, I had a great interview, and then opened the door to the closet

Can you tell that I've just finished doing the rounds of interviews? Got a job that I start in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, at my first interview (in seven years) I thought I did quite well not to throw up or fall off my chair, I was so nervous

Compo - the STAR system is what you use if you're having a competency based interview. You get points for saying the right thing, they will be making notes as you talk. It's quite intimidating if you're not used to it, have a google to find some good answers.

What's the job?

no no no no dont assume youre not going to get the job! Sorry scrudd but that has to be the worst advice ever! How will they picture OP in the role if she doesnt look like she believes it herself?

I set up a company to help people get back in to work so I have some credentials..

The water thing is a good tip!

Also, if you truely dont have an answer for something then dont spout bollocks, just ask if you can return to the question.(be prepared though, they will return to it!)

Make eye contact with each member of the panel as you answer. Make sure your body language mirrors either the most influencial member of the panel or even better, if they are present, the person who you will be working most closely with.

Take along a smart note book with all of your company revision in it and the questions you would like to ask - great for if your mind goes blank and they can see you have prepared.

Dont just use the company website to revise, use wikipedia (if its a big company) google, search for the directors on Linkedin and google their names..

Make your answers relate to the job that you are going for.. use examples of when you have demonstrated the capabilities in your previous role..

When using examples cover 360 degrees i.e. 'in my last role I found myself in a situation where.... my thought process was.... i decided to take this action... and the outcome was this....'

Do a dummy run at the same time of day as your interview so you know where you can park, where it is exactly etc etc.

Dress smart and neutral. Black suit, white shirt.

Umm I could go on...?

Good luck!!!!!! and remember no one has forced them to see you, they have seen something they like in your CV and WANT to see you. They are excited and nervous too xxxxx

By the way, you'll know you're in a competency based interview if they start sentences with 'Can you tell us of a time when...' although they might ask more general questions - it's always a good idea to use the star system either way I think.

Ooh ooh and mention something about your work ethic and loyalty

A really common question is - how would your current manager / colleagues describe you? Loyal and strong work ethic is a good answer..

Foureleven - honestly, I was so nervous at my first couple of interviews that I cocked them up. It suited me much better to assume I wouldn't get it after that because then I was calm and confident. And that's when the job offers started coming in. I don't think I came across as having no self belief, I certainly didn't tell them I didn't think I'd get it

The star system is a much more eloquent and clear way of describing the 360 degrees.

ask how large there turn over of staff is and if they are happy working there and why?

You really need to know that you want to work for them, so good reasons why they like the place and a low turn over of staff other wise you may not be happy

Just hope to god that they don't ask you what animal you thought you could be, or what your favourite food is

Oh yes, how your colleagues describe you - in one word. Then what your friends would say. Try not to say 'lazy' and 'drunken'

Always use examples to answer questions. If they are good interviewers with good questions they will ask for examples but even if they don't, use them anyway. As others have said, you will need to be able to describe the situation, how you dealt with it, the outcome, including lessons learned. You can prepare using the person spec, it should list all the experience/skills/qualities you need, so you can make sure you've prepared in your head a good example of when you've demonstrated each successfully. The questions should be designed to elicit that information anyway so you'll be as prepared as possible. Someone who can actually explain when they've successfully done the required thing previously is a much better bet than someone who can work out a good hypothetically-I-would-do-this answer.

I actually disagree with the 'neutral, black suit white shirt' advice. You don't want to merge into all the other candidates, you want them to remember you. I'd say a bright or deeply coloured shirt will be better rather than a white one, a colour that suits you, it will make you stand out a bit more and may help you feel a bit more confident as well. I usually go for cerise or turquoisey blue myself, but whatever works for you.

research the company on the internet and think of some good questions to ask about the co/dept/recent initiatives/whatever you can find

in the course of the interview keep an eye out for them mentioning things that are new/they are obviously proud of etc. Ask them about these things and say how modern/tremendous/difficult to achieve and gosh that's impressive. But without gushing

look at the job spec and see what teh competancies / skills are. think about situations etc where you have done them (as per what otehrs have said)

smile

be confident

when teh interview is over DO NOT feel so relieved that on teh way out you start chattering away in a relaxed manner about your piles/how much you hate your current boss/what a terrible hangover you have etc etc

Good luck!

Also, it is pretty obvious but grooming is really key. Ive had candidates getting turned down purely because they had dirty nails

My best question was 'Do you have any concerns about my ability to do this job?'

It always took them by surprise, which I liked having just been grilled for forty minutes.

Have a good reason of why you want to work there - not only the position but if you've researched the company you can say you think they've got a great HR policy, you like their environmental policy, whatever - good way of getting it into the conversation without seeming forced.

Have some questions of your own. As well as the first six months that someone else suggested, ask what they think your biggest challenge will be when starting and what the next steps will be in the selection process (if you don't already know). Do not ask about benefits