Interview Help!

[Uncle C]

I have carried out probably hundreds of interviews. Its very easy to spot someone who is nervous - the hand shake is a give away.

If you find yourself getting a little nervous at the start of the interview, just tell the interviewer - explaining this is a situation you are not used to. You will find this will automatically relieve tension and you will relax into your normal style.

Do not try and be something you are not. It will soon be noticed if you are acting super confident if this is not your nature.

 

[NMH]

Ask the interviewers a lot of questions. Interview THEM. Makes you seem keen. More importantly, while you are asking them stuff, they can't be asking you stuff

He's not wrong.

Remember, this is about your future, your time spending most of the day for someone elses' business plan. They have less to lose, the way it is nowadays they can just decide to fire you whenever they please, so YOU are the one taking a plunge putting faith on other people.

You have to take that seriously, and make sure they have your best interests in their agenda - so ask them HOW are they going to look after YOUR interests. And make sure you know what those interests are too, because they might just ask you what you want out of life, your ambitions have to be aligned.
Don't worry if you don't get the job (or don't want it) after the interview. Things are best left alone, when they are not meant to be.

 

[FamilyGuy]

Anyone got any sound advice for someone trying to combat nerves for an interview?

I know what I am going to say, but am worried that I will blurt out a load of rambling unessessary crap due to nerves.

Any tips/ advice anyone?

Sit comfortably, don't slouch, mirror the body language of the interviewers.

Consider your answers, don't rush them, if you don't understand the question then ask for clarification by saying "by that do you mean....... or .....?"

Don't be afraid to say NO at the appropriate time.

Don't lie - but you can omit info if you choose to

Chin up, speak clearly, don't mumble and don't bullshit!

At thend ask them for feedback - which may include the question "Have I done enough to convince you to offer me the job?" and then if they say NO ask them for feedback so that you can judiciousy provide additional info (but make sure it's only good, pertinent info - spoken well and considered)

Good luck

 

[byf]

The art of blag also helps. If your a good talker and you have the gift of the gab your half way there. They want a certain criteria of person.....you can become that...even if your cv says your not.

Do a little research and tell them you want to make your way up the ladder, bla bla yawn yawn.

Also have a story or 2 at the back of your mind....one time when you showed you can work as part of a team or one thing life or work wise that you have excelled at or achieved.

Its natural to be nervous....you just have to make sure you use your nervous energy to come across as confidence.

As a lot have said CONFIDENCE is the key.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Simple tips that have worked for me.

1. Wear a smart suit
2. Firm handshake
3. Chat if you end up walking with the person to the office where you'll be interviewed
4. Ask for a glass of water. Then when you get asked a difficult question.. take a nice long sip.. gives you plenty of time to think.
5. Ask about the people you'll be working with.. what's it like to work at the company.
6. Always state you are really interested in the role and ask what happens next, when you'll know etc..

Good luck

 

[Uncle C]

mirror the body language of the interviewers.

As an interviewer, if I became aware of someone mirroring my body language this would not endear me to them. I might even be tempted to pick my nose.

 

[NMH]

Sit comfortably, don't slouch, mirror the body language of the interviewers.

Consider your answers, don't rush them, if you don't understand the question then ask for clarification by saying "by that do you mean....... or .....?"

Don't be afraid to say NO at the appropriate time.

Don't lie - but you can omit info if you choose to

Chin up, speak clearly, don't mumble and don't bullshit!

At thend ask them for feedback - which may include the question "Have I done enough to convince you to offer me the job?" and then if they say NO ask them for feedback so that you can judiciousy provide additional info (but make sure it's only good, pertinent info - spoken well and considered)

Good luck

Ask them for feedback?? Not many mate, that's a nicht-nicht in my book.
What about asking "how was my performance, did you believe me?"?

No, you shake hands firmly and make a professional-style stride for the door when it's finished. Don't ask for a coffee on the way out, and remember to give a thankyou to the receptionist.
You allow them time to think about the interview, call back perhaps the next day to express how you enjoyed meeting them, and thank them for the time.

Otherwise, good enough advice.
Be sure you feel comfortable in your clothes so prepare well ahead of the interview and don't wear a collar that's too tight, or a 'clever' SnowWhite&7dwarfs tie, just professional clothing all the way.

 

[Mellotron]

At thend ask them for feedback - which may include the question "Have I done enough to convince you to offer me the job?"

Sorry but I think that's a terrible idea. Could easily talk yourself OUT of a job there and then.

 

[Easy 10]

Make sure they know you like football.
I was interviewed by a guy who, it turned out, was bored SHITLESS by the inane gabble from the women in the office, and the two blokes there were oddballs with no interest in the game. He'd probably had far better qualified candidates than me for interview, but once I we got onto football (hobbies/interests), it was in the BAG. He was a Swindon fan.

 

[Trufflehound]

Make sure they know you like football.
I was interviewed by a guy who, it turned out, was bored SHITLESS by the inane gabble from the women in the office, and the two blokes there were oddballs with no interest in the game. He'd probably had far better qualified candidates than me for interview, but once I we got onto football (hobbies/interests), it was in the BAG. He was a Swindon fan.

The best interview I ever had consisted of two questions:

1) Do you play golf? (I answered "Yes" - but omitted to mention the fact it was about once a year and I was utterly, utterly shit at it.)

2) When can you start?

The fact I answered "Tomorrow" to that one (and the fact that they were desperate) got me the job.

 

[FamilyGuy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by FamilyGuy
At thend ask them for feedback - which may include the question "Have I done enough to convince you to offer me the job?"

Sorry but I think that's a terrible idea. Could easily talk yourself OUT of a job there and then.

I did say "may include...."

I've interviewed hundreds of people for Sales jobs and I expect them to ask - to try to close the deal - at the end of the interview. Just my opinion......

 

[Skaville]

Quote:
Originally Posted by FamilyGuy
At thend ask them for feedback - which may include the question "Have I done enough to convince you to offer me the job?"

Sorry but I think that's a terrible idea. Could easily talk yourself OUT of a job there and then.

I did say "may include...."

I've interviewed hundreds of people for Sales jobs and I expect them to ask - to try to close the deal - at the end of the interview. Just my opinion......

I totally agree, closing the interview is an excellent tactic for sales jobs.

 

[Whitterz]

Thank you all for your responses. And in particular Jimmy Saville. (wise words, heeded thanks)

 

[Uncle C]

I totally agree, closing the interview is an excellent tactic for sales jobs.

Any salesman that tries that on me gets shown the door.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

No, you shake hands firmly and make a professional-style stride for the door when it's finished. Don't ask for a coffee on the way out, and remember to give a thankyou to the receptionist.

Most important of all, hand back yer visitors pass. Most people are halfway down the street before they remember

 

[NMH]

Thank you all for your responses. And in particular Jimmy Saville. (wise words, heeded thanks)

Huh. Hope you don't get the job. "especially Jimmy Saville" indeed

I trust all the others of us who gave sound advice, feel snubbed by your favouritism enough to join me in this sentiment (apart from Jimmy Saville, of course).

 

[Whitterz]

Huh. Hope you don't get the job. "especially Jimmy Saville" indeed

I trust all the others of us who gave sound advice, feel snubbed by your favouritism enough to join me in this sentiment (apart from Jimmy Saville, of course).

I didnt mean it like that!

Jimmy Saville spoke words that directly related to the TYPE of interview that I was partaking in. I still thank you all for your input. I had it today and think it went really well.