Interview advice [Archive]

Dawn_Run

16/10/2006, 1:49 PM

They usually ask you at the end of the interview if you have any questions for them. Its always good to ask questions, show your interest yada yada yada. Also during the interview when you are talking about specific things, maybe fire one back at them. Like em, let me think..i dunno, if they are probing your education background, maybe fire in a question about the study program/skills program that they have in the company because you are always looking the learn new things etc etc.

Hope this helps. Thats what i usually do anyways.

paul_oshea

16/10/2006, 1:50 PM

looking to move again myself, have done a couple in the last week, seriouslly, they are easy once you get one out of your way you are sorted. don't ask questions till hte end, they will give you the opportunity at the end to ask questions. make sure you ask relevant to the workplace, to your daily activities, whether you will be micro-managed or not etc. Just ask what you think they want to be asked, and that show you are very interested.

make sure you don't rush into your answers, and more importantly don't go on and on when you give an answer, informative and to the point are key. it shows you aint a waffler.

good luck, but seriouslly nothing to worry about, those interviewing are human, and they know you are only human too, and will be nervous.

ya ask if their is training provided/chances to take new courses etc.

Real ale Madrid

16/10/2006, 1:52 PM

The main advice is to relax as much as you can - dont worry about the nerves - they will expect you to be nervous and will factor it in! As for the questions - every interview i ever had - the interviewer asked me if i had any questions. Otherwise wait until the end. However if you think of something important during the interview - then ask! It shows that you are interested.
Good luck with it.

Poor Student

16/10/2006, 1:54 PM

I wasn't sure how common it was that they invited questions. The stuff I've been reading makes a lot more sense now that I hear they nearly always invite at the end. Dawn, I'll also take that on board about trying to slip in the odd one where relevant. I appreciate the help from everyone and by all means keep it coming.;)

finlma

16/10/2006, 1:57 PM

3 simple enough tips:
Smile
When you go in remember the interviewers names and use them when you are talking to them.
Eye contact

BohsPartisan

16/10/2006, 1:57 PM

I'm going for a job interview on Wednesday. I've never done a formal interview before and this one is in panel format. Anyone got any general advice? I always read they say you should ask questions to the interviewer(s). When is the appropriate moment to do so? Do you just butt in?:confused:What's the job?
Have an example of a time you used your initiative, even if you never have. Make up examples to use in advance. Exaggerate every achievement in your carreer. Have an example of how you participated in a team. Know your role in that team. Example of interpersonal skiils, effective communication and organising and planning. Have two examples of each. When you go in, shake hands with the interviewer, look confident. Remember, they want to give you the job. Structured interviews work on a points system and they are looking out for opportunities to award you points not to mark you down.
I've actually sat on an interview panel before and I can tell you it is actually nerve wrecking trying to look professional and ask relevent questions. If you are asking a question, its good to ask about what promotional opportunities there will be or what kind of training will be available.

Oh and always remember the magic "I". As far as interviews go there is no "We"

Poor Student

16/10/2006, 2:05 PM

What's the job?

It's a Services Assistant post at UCD. It's got a massively varied description as they are the people at the bottom who make the college work (or don't in many cases!)

I've actually sat on an interview panel before and I can tell you it is actually nerve wrecking trying to look professional and ask relevent questions.

That's an interesting perspective, BP. The animal is just as afraid of you.:p

Seeming as I have only newagents work experience, is voluntary work assisting the UCD supporters club and helping on matchday and that sort of thing valid examples of teamwork and experience?

strangeirish

16/10/2006, 2:13 PM

BP's advice is good to follow and may I add, don't sit with your arms folded during the interview. It comes across as being very defensive, so do your best to relax and sit up straight.

Good luck.

Neish

16/10/2006, 2:18 PM

C*rist I' d just came off line after posting above to make a bite, whilst doing so I got a phone call from Dunnes asking could I come in for a interview tomorrow morning.

Poor Student

16/10/2006, 2:20 PM

C*rist I' d just came off line after posting above to make a bite, whilst doing so I got a phone call from Dunnes asking could I come in for a interview tomorrow morning.

Nice coincidence. Best of luck, Neish.:)

BohsPartisan

16/10/2006, 2:21 PM

It's a Services Assistant post at UCD. It's got a massively varied description as they are the people at the bottom who make the college work (or don't in many cases!)

Then do exactly what I said as thats where I sat on the interview panel. I worked there for 5 years, 3 as assistant, two as supervisor.
Use both work and non-work examples. The UCD SC ones would be good.

Drumcondra Red

16/10/2006, 2:36 PM

Use all examples of experience, ask questions as you see fit, eye contact, sit up straight, look professional, engage everyone on the panal equally, speak clearly and enjoy it, you can have a bit of fun at interviews as well you know...

Good Luck

Green Tribe

16/10/2006, 2:40 PM

Don't look as miserable as you did when I spotted you at the game in Stuttgart!:eek: :D
I definitely think first impressions make a huge difference, make sure you come across as friendly and enthusiastic. Don't be over-confident, not many people like arrogance ;)
Throw in a few questions at the end, maybe one or two.
All the best with it, I'm sure you'll do well.

Peadar

16/10/2006, 2:45 PM

Turn up early, try to relax. Coffee etc. wont help your nerves.

Keep your answers to the point. If they're interviewing many candidates, they may get bored if you ramble on. The more you say, the easier it is for them to pick holes in your story.

Good luck.

Babysis

16/10/2006, 7:52 PM

best of luck. just know about the role you are applying for. Think before hand about why your applying and why you know you can do the job - they are the examples and points you need to convey to the panel.This will also demonstrate your interest in the role (well thats what i used to tell my candidates). You will be fine, dont worry.:)

ifk101

17/10/2006, 7:03 AM

It's a Services Assistant post at UCD. It's got a massively varied description as they are the people at the bottom who make the college work (or don't in many cases!)

I thought from your post at the start of the thread that the interview was for a "proper" job.

Anyways I do have some advice.
1.) Make sure you wear a suit and are well groomed. Do that and you are one foot in the door.
2.) Be yourself and try to be open and "easy-going" in a professional manner. A lot of the services work is sitting around and they want people that they can easily communicate to - both when there are things to be done and where there isn't anything to do.
3.) The job isn't rocket-science, you're really just an information source, stock controller and a security guard. So if you can with any degree of confidence show that you are a good communicater, organised and responsible you should have a good chance of getting the job.
4.) If you have a good idea of where everything is on campus and the official names of buildings, that is a plus.
5.) Don't say you have internet-related hobbies.
6.) Don't come across as being "UCD-institutionalised".

Other than that, do what everyone else is telling you and Good Luck!

Magicme

17/10/2006, 7:47 AM

As its a panel dont forget to direct the answer of the question at the person who asked it. Give them the majority of the eye contact but do include the others by drawing them in with your eyes too so that it shows that you are friendly and confident.

As everyone says, smile, relax as much as possible. Get there early and sit on your own so u can compose yourself. Take a few deep breathes, form a circle with your thumb & index fingers on both hands (this calls the angels to ya) and allow your self the thoughts that you are perfect for the job and it is perfect for you. When you go into the interview you will have convinced urself that they need you and this will make you feel more able for anything they throw at ya.

wws

17/10/2006, 9:34 AM

The trick is to try and picture them naked or on the jacks

works every time

pete

17/10/2006, 10:54 AM

Memorise your CV - you should never need to refer to your CV when queried about it. If your CV is 2 pages then you should have a 5-6 page personal expanded version with examples of your skills or experiences. Never say "i think", & ensure you come across confident & assured.

IMO if you have the interview then half way to getting the job unless you have been called in due to an error.

Arrive in plenty of time, if for some unexpected reason you are late then ring well in advance.

wws

17/10/2006, 11:34 AM

Tell them nothing but your name rank and serial number.
Remember under the Geneva Convention you are entitled to adequate food and water. Try and count the floor tiles. When finished start again. Legally they can only hold you for 48 hours.

dcfc_1928

17/10/2006, 11:52 AM

This book is pretty good too:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Answers-Tough-Interview-Questions/dp/0749435526

Gets you really thinking about the type of answers they may be looking for.

cullenswood

17/10/2006, 11:55 AM

Don't waffle (too much), and answer the question they ask you. It's amazing how easy it is to spot when a candidate is bluffing, and also how many times they will try and answer a different question from what they are asked

BohsPartisan

17/10/2006, 12:12 PM

This book is pretty good too:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Answers-Tough-Interview-Questions/dp/0749435526

Gets you really thinking about the type of answers they may be looking for.

Believe me, he doesn't need a book to take this interview - I have both sat this interview and been on a panel giving this interview, for this exact job. Seriously, just follow the outline I gave in my first post. You WILL get the job. When they are recruiting for Services there is always a good few positions and they will give you the job as long as you aren't completely thick and you have a few examples from the above areas. Don't be worried about it, don't make it too complicated, it really is a piece of p'ss.
Some or all of the following people will be on the panel. Gary Smith, Richard Brierly and Enda Bennett. They are all sound blokes. Just be yourself.

Poor Student

17/10/2006, 12:25 PM

Seriously, just follow the outline I gave in my first post. Some or all of the following people will be on the panel.

Don't worry, I'll be doing just that.

Gary Smith, Richard Brierly and Enda Bennett. They are all sound blokes. Just be yourself.

There's three people on the panel, but none of them are them. I talked to the HR Consultant on the phone and she's one of the panel. She seemed grand.

Dr.Nightdub

17/10/2006, 9:59 PM

Get the DVD of Trainspotting out from your local video shop and pay especial attention to the scene where Spud goes for an interview.

Poor Student

18/10/2006, 9:19 AM

Think it went ok. The panel was very nice. BohsPartisan, your advice was very helpful. Still stumbled on one or two questions but most of them went ok. I should know in a week or so.

Magicme

18/10/2006, 10:02 AM

Good luck, hope you get it !

pete

18/10/2006, 10:07 AM

Think it went ok. The panel was very nice.

Student for life so? :D

BohsPartisan

18/10/2006, 10:18 AM

Think it went ok. The panel was very nice. BohsPartisan, your advice was very helpful. Still stumbled on one or two questions but most of them went ok. I should know in a week or so.

Good stuff. It can be a pretty good place to work and there's a good social scene attached to it. Well there was when I was there anyway.

First

18/10/2006, 10:47 AM

Believe me, he doesn't need a book to take this interview - I have both sat this interview and been on a panel giving this interview, for this exact job. Seriously, just follow the outline I gave in my first post. You WILL get the job. When they are recruiting for Services there is always a good few positions and they will give you the job as long as you aren't completely thick and you have a few examples from the above areas. Don't be worried about it, don't make it too complicated, it really is a piece of p'ss.
Some or all of the following people will be on the panel. Gary Smith, Richard Brierly and Enda Bennett. They are all sound blokes. Just be yourself.

This is tantamount to canvassing and he should be excluded immediately:)

Poor Student

18/10/2006, 11:11 AM

Student for life so? :D

I'm still a student, it's only part-time work.;)

Poor Student

23/10/2006, 3:38 PM

Got a letter in the post, said I was unsuccessful. There must have been high demand for the job or according to BP's info about it being a shoe in, I must have been pretty crap.;)

Rovers'Til IDie

23/10/2006, 3:59 PM

Here are some simple tips:

1. Look at whoever is asking the questions.
2. Make eye contact with all the panel
3. If you don't know an answer, say so, you aren't expected to know everything.
4. If any of the panel are good looking women, don't try to look down their tops/up their skirts.
5. Don't pick your nose
6. Don't interrupt the interview to answer your phone.
7. Don't yawn/look at your watch/stare out the window/scratch your bolix
8. Turn off your ipod before going into the interview
9. Don't cry during the interview
10. Make sure you know what job you are being interviewed for.
11. Don't try to bribe the interview panel (unless it's a job with Fianna Fail)

Lionel Ritchie

24/10/2006, 1:06 PM

Best piece of interview advice I ever heard...

If, in the course of the interview you happen to fart -It is crucial that you don't say "safety".

First

24/10/2006, 1:58 PM

[QUOTE=Rovers'Til IDie;561513]Here are some simple tips:

4. If any of the panel are good looking women, don't try to look down their tops/up their skirts.

You should at this point look around for the casting couch so you don't trip and make a **** of yourself whilst rushing to get to it

Jock MIB

24/10/2006, 2:15 PM

BohsPartisan

24/10/2006, 9:29 PM

Got a letter in the post, said I was unsuccessful. There must have been high demand for the job or according to BP's info about it being a shoe in, I must have been pretty crap.;)

Hard luck. Thought you'd get it. Must have been a lot of people going for it.

pete

26/10/2006, 10:40 AM

a good question to ask at the end is
is there anything you feel that will prevent me from getting this job?

I am have been interviewing people recently & asking that question would not give interviewee an advantage. We are small company so I do most of my screening via CVs. Crap CV means candidate will not get interview & while i might ask someone for short 1st round interview & won't waste my time with 2nd round.

- Have a good CV & do not included everything & don't make too long. Had a a guy recently with 9 page CV - he might have been good but i don't have time to read & try to find info in that. Don't give me half page on job you did 8 years ago unless is very relevant. Memorise your CV verbatim.
- A CV is designed to get you the interview. The interview is to get you a job offer. You can make decision then.
- Even if you unsure approach interview as if for dream job as once you have offer are in position to accept or reject.
- Recruitment agencies "work" (relative term) for the employer, not the candidate so be careful what you tell them.
- Always be enthuasistic about position when talking to recruiter as they pass that onto employer.
- Never bluff about something you don't know about. You can definitely bluff your knowledge of some things if already have some knowledge.
- Look at desirable skills in job description as the advantageous skills are not so relevant as its rare a candidate can match all the desirables.

Jamjar

26/10/2006, 10:44 AM

Hard luck. Thought you'd get it. Must have been a lot of people going for it.

No, he just listened to your advice :D

Jock MIB

26/10/2006, 12:00 PM

I am have been interviewing people recently & asking that question would not give interviewee an advantage. We are small company so I do most of my screening via CVs. Crap CV means candidate will not get interview & while i might ask someone for short 1st round interview & won't waste my time with 2nd round.

- Have a good CV & do not included everything & don't make too long. Had a a guy recently with 9 page CV - he might have been good but i don't have time to read & try to find info in that. Don't give me half page on job you did 8 years ago unless is very relevant. Memorise your CV verbatim.
- A CV is designed to get you the interview. The interview is to get you a job offer. You can make decision then.
- Even if you unsure approach interview as if for dream job as once you have offer are in position to accept or reject.
- Recruitment agencies "work" (relative term) for the employer, not the candidate so be careful what you tell them.
- Always be enthuasistic about position when talking to recruiter as they pass that onto employer.
- Never bluff about something you don't know about. You can definitely bluff your knowledge of some things if already have some knowledge.
- Look at desirable skills in job description as the advantageous skills are not so relevant as its rare a candidate can match all the desirables.

i respect your opinion but for me i'm glad i asked the question, just had job interview going for job which would be a step up for me going from a assistant golf professional to a head golf professional position but on my cv it has vast experience of my duties as a assistant but none on a head now i did everything you said on your list but when i asked that question at the end, i got the answer i expected which was a YOUNG LAD LIKE YOURSELF (31 not young) THIS IS A BIG STEP IT COULD MEAN SINK OR SWIM, CAN YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE COMING FROM? cause i asked that question i was able to ease any of those doubts or least got the chance to answer that question they were thinking which is better than leaving an interview without it being answered don't you think. now if i didn't ask that, here more an likely they would have used it as excuse not to hire me but now if they don't hire me least i will know its not from that but get a better answer to move forward with to next interview.

Poor Student

26/10/2006, 8:50 PM

tricky_colour

26/10/2006, 9:51 PM

By the way, how are supposed to answer the question: Where do you see your role in a team? It seems too pretentious to say leader and too weak to mention as a subordinate, what is one supposed to say?:confused: There was also another question: How do you motivate yourself? It seems a stupid question in a general abstract sense. How is one supposed to articulate such an internal process?:confused:

Regarding the team thing I think you should say it depends on who the other member of the team are and that your role might vary depending on the circumstances. An alternative answer is centre-half.
Regarding motivastion I would think it best to say you feel pretty motivated most of the time so that you don't usually have to make a special effort.

In general it's best to avoid giving a straight answer to 'stupid questions', a good idea is to (politely) throw their carp question back at them, ie "Can you give me an example of a situation in which I would need to motivate myself?" So either give a vague answer or get them to modify their question into one which you can answer. (This might encourage then to stop asking stupid questions).

BohsPartisan

26/10/2006, 10:00 PM

Poor Student

26/10/2006, 10:20 PM

They are pretty stupid questions and interviews are the most insincere situation you will ever be in. Bottom line is whoever lies the best gets the job.

What kind of ballacks would you have considered good answers from the other side of the table?

They also asked me how I'd deal with someone not pulling their weight. I said something along the lines of I'd have a word with them (but in a more detailed way). Your one then said: What if they still don't pull their weight? It seemed like a childish "and then? and then?" kind of thing. The question also seemed to make no sense from the perspective that I'd be starting off as a grunt.

tricky_colour

26/10/2006, 10:24 PM

a good question to ask at the end is

is there anything you feel that will prevent me from getting this job?

it will turn the emphasis on them to ask you anything that is still bothering them slightly about your application for there job...before you leave the interview giving you the final chance to ease any worries they might have

I would not ask that myself, it could make you appear over confident, it also invites them to think about you in a negative way. You have just had an interview so I would expect if there was anything bothering them thay would have already asked you.
If you don't genuinely have a question I would not bother asking one just for the sake of it, I generally say "Not really I think you have covered everything I was going to ask." Which is a nice compliment to them!

tricky_colour

26/10/2006, 10:31 PM

What kind of ballacks would you have considered good answers from the other side of the table?

They also asked me how I'd deal with someone not pulling their weight. I said something along the lines of I'd have a word with them (but in a more detailed way). Your one then said: What if they still don't pull their weight? It seemed like a childish "and then? and then?" kind of thing. The question also seemed to make no sense from the perspective that I'd be starting off as a grunt.

I would say I would say I would mention it to them and ask if there was some sort of problem and then mention it again and have a word with your superior
it the situation continued (which may have been what they were looking for).

BohsPartisan

26/10/2006, 11:18 PM

What kind of ballacks would you have considered good answers from the other side of the table?

For the motivation one, something along the lines of the chance of promotion, gaining skills that will help your carreer progress etc. etc.
For the teamwork one, you have to emphasise that you can follow instructions, pull your weight and be a role model for less motivated employees. Dress it up a bit but that is the jist of it.

They also asked me how I'd deal with someone not pulling their weight. I said something along the lines of I'd have a word with them (but in a more detailed way). Your one then said: What if they still don't pull their weight? It seemed like a childish "and then? and then?" kind of thing. The question also seemed to make no sense from the perspective that I'd be starting off as a grunt.
The next part of that is you'd go to your manager and have a word with them about the person not pulling their weight. I.E. you try to sort it out yourself but if that doesn't work you take it to the next level.