First Real job interview on Friday - any tips?

[woodchuck]

I have just finished my degree (in science0 and have been invited to interview for a health/education co-ordinator role.

It is a panel interview and they have asked me to give a 7 min presentation. I have spent all week researching and panicking preparing as I am not overly familiar with the role. I have still got to construct my powerpoint presentation but could really use some help with interview questions and technique

i have been interviwed (over 5 years ago!) for my previous job, but this is my first grad level interview and I am not sure what to expect.

anyone?

no advice really as I seem to be spectacularly crap at interviews just want to wish you really good luck.

Thanks

Not sure about your particular area but it's a good idea to look carefully at the job and personal spec because they will be looking for evidence to prove you meet those criteria so try to have an example of why you fulfil each of those criteria. Also I imagine at least half the interview will be questions on your presentation so try to anticipate the kind of question they might ask from that or better still make opportunities within it which would obviously generate questions then you can plan your answers. best of all keep calm and know that you've done well already just to get through to the interview stage even if you don't actually get the job. its a great start. well done and good luck.

Yes, well done for getting to interview stage.

Do something special (even if it is only curling up with a box of chocolates or bottle glass of wine while you watch a good film), to celebrate getting the interview in the first place.

Good luck with this job.

Congratulations on getting an interview.

I ahve been interviewing all week. I would say make sure you do a lot of research into teh company, so you know exactly what they do etc.

Try not to look scared (easy for me to say!) and smile when you meet them.

Everyone will expect you to have some nerves, so don't think this will mark you down. If you need clarification on a question make sure you ask and not try to wing it.

Take a notepad and pen, and a copy of your CV with you.

Re presentation - for 7 minutes you will not be expected to do very many slides - erhaps 2 or 3. Don't worry about making it too flash - i for one loathe PP presentations with irrelevant clipart all over the show. You are an adult, so don't feel the need to put cartoon characters in a pres just because you can. You will be best to restrict your pres to a few bullet points, which you can talk around. Better that than a load of text on a screen which you just read out verbatim.

Write a list of questions down before you go.

Good luck!

This may sound obvious, but practice your presentation, repeatedly, out loud. Make sure it is 7 minutes. Then give it to friends / your DH, and get them to ask you questions.

Like GetOrfMoiLand says, do a lot of research into the company, via their website, brochures etc.

Find a list of possible interview questions on the website and practice answering them all. If poss, get someone else to ask the questions and you answer them, but you can just ask and answer out loud to yourself while making the tea, etc.

Best of luck!

As clutteredup suggests, look over whatever documentation you have from them (e.g. job advert, person specification and job description) and work out what sort of skills, experience, qualifications and personal qualities they are after. Even if you only have a job advert to go on, the main criteria will be there. Then you can write a list of likely questions and think about how you can respond, wherever possible giving practical examples to persuade them that you have the relevant attributes.

You should be able to pick up lots of information on their website, and it's worth doing a general search for any relevant news items about the organisation. Think of questions to ask them based on your research.

When you are being interviewed, try and spread eye contact across the panel, so that you're engaging with all the interviewers.

I often think that enthusiasm and a positive attitude are so important in interviews and at work - if certain skills/experience are classed as 'desirable' rather than 'essential' for the job, enthusiasm and attitude can go a long way in persuading an employer that you have the ability to acquire them.

As GrendelsMum says, practise your presentation thoroughly so that it will be very familiar and natural when you come to deliver it.

Good luck for Friday. You can only do your best and even if you don't get the job, it's all good experience, so try not to get stressed about the process, and enjoy it if you can!

I would recommend, for the presentation, that you keep the slides really, really simple so that you lead the presentation instead of the presentation leading you. The slides are there to support what you are saying, verbally, not the other way round. Focus on how you present as a person and not so much on what is in the slide. Is also easier when you don't have to worry about clicking through slides and animations all the time.