Interview advice

[sligoman]

Yeah, can I have the job?

When I seen you replied I knew it wouldn't be worthwhile...I was right.

[endabob1]

I've an interview coming up next week. One question, I know it's good to ask interviewer questions at the end of interview so-What's the best questions to ask? I know, promotional prospects, working hours, daily tasks should be asked, anything else? Wages?

NEVER ask about salary/wages Surely you know what the job is paying before you agree to go for an interview otherwise you're potentially wasting each others time?
Don't ask about hours or daily tasks unless you haven't been told but as with wages, surely you have seen a job description (or at the very least have a good idea of what the job entails) before you would agree to an interview.
Ask about prospects by all means, try not to make it sound like you're after the interviewee's job though.
Generally if possible try to pick up on something that has been discussed in the interview itself. Otherwise prepare fall back questions on the company by doing some research. You could ask about department size or company size, if it's, part of a group you could ask where it fits in to the group strucutre etc... essentially to show yo've done some research and are interested in knowing more.

[pete]

I've an interview coming up next week. One question, I know it's good to ask interviewer questions at the end of interview so-What's the best questions to ask? I know, promotional prospects, working hours, daily tasks should be asked, anything else? Wages?

I suppose the simple answer is to ask any questions you have about the job itself. Maybe ask about the team you would be working in, maybe ask some general questions about training (it may depend how senior the role is)...

There are few worse things than when a candidate has no questions to ask. I've have yet to understand how anyone could come to an interview with no questions.

[shakermaker1982]

I once asked "why did this job opportunity come up?" for an NHS post (great money and only 30 hours, just out of uni mind) expecting somebody to say somebody got promoted or left for pastures new.......

Both interviewers started sweating and couldn't answer the question. I never did find out because I didn't the job, the lady who got it had a masters in public health and I ended up in Local government instead!

[pete]

I once asked "why did this job opportunity come up?" for an NHS post (great money and only 30 hours, just out of uni mind) expecting somebody to say somebody got promoted or left for pastures new.......

Sounds like a prefectly reasonable question. Easy enough to answer too - replacing person left, new role, promotion...

[endabob1]

I once asked "why did this job opportunity come up?" for an NHS post (great money and only 30 hours, just out of uni mind) expecting somebody to say somebody got promoted or left for pastures new.......

Both interviewers started sweating and couldn't answer the question. I never did find out because I didn't the job, the lady who got it had a masters in public health and I ended up in Local government instead!

I've turned down 2 jobs because of the answer to that question. basically in both cases the outgoing bod was getting the can & I was being brought in to clean up the mess, I've done it before but my gut feel was that there was a good chance I would have been next in the firing line

[Dodge]

There are few worse things than when a candidate has no questions to ask. I've have yet to understand how anyone could come to an interview with no questions.

Obviously depends on interview but I've been at one or two were they asked "So Dodge, is there anything you'd like to aks us" and the response has been "No, I think we pretty much covered everything already"

Good interviewers will incorporate a lot into the 30/40 minute conversation

[cullenswood]

I gave an interview recently and when we came to the end and asked the candidate did they have any questions they said "Ehm no, because I am in a rush back to work and am already late!"

They still got the job!

[pete]

Obviously depends on interview but I've been at one or two were they asked "So Dodge, is there anything you'd like to aks us" and the response has been "No, I think we pretty much covered everything already"

Good interviewers will incorporate a lot into the 30/40 minute conversation

I agree. I suppose I was trying to say when the candidate asks no question in the entire interview. As an interviewer I would use the "anything you like to ask" when I was fishing the CV for anything else for me to ask Interviews were like episodes of Seinfeld - low talker, fast talker, no talker (Yes/No answers & no questions)

[sligoman]

"So Dodge, is there anything you'd like to aks us"

They call you Dodge?

[Raheny Red]

Got an interview tomorrow, hopefully all your advice comes in handy . BTW I applied for the job online at 4ish this afternoon and by 6 the interview was arranged and everything for tomorrow

[sligoman]

I applied for the job online at 4ish this afternoon and by 6 the interview was arranged and everything for tomorrow

That happened me once too, they replied straight away as soon as I sent off my CV.

[dfx-]

^ (apologies)

Going through fairly rigorous sets of interviews at the minute and amongst the technical questions asked, the one that bothers me is "So dfx-, have you any other applications/interviews at the moment"

There's two possible answers I can think of:

1. Lots of interviews, indicating that you're looking for a job in any similar role anywhere.

2. No interviews, implying that this job is the one you've searched for all your life in this lovely company and are not interested in other places, but perhaps showing that nobody else is interested in you.

Is there a right answer?

[SligoBrewer]

Evening all.

I have two interviews on Thursday.
One for a Barman position, the other for a waiter position.

Any advice seeing as both would be minimum wage jobs not like the others here.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Evening all.

I have two interviews on Thursday.
One for a Barman position, the other for a waiter position.

Any advice seeing as both would be minimum wage jobs not like the others here.

Say your available the whole time, worry about when you can/can't work when/if you get the job.

Mention somewhere that you are very outgoing and like meeting people as this will help for the jobs you are applying for.

You might be asked have you any experience dealing with a situation where you have been under pressure, having more than one thing to do at a time. Have an answer ready saying "when I was blah blah blah etc". Don't be afraid to make it up, but make sure you would be able to answer any further questions that could arise.

Most important thing though is the same that applies to any interview- be confident, look the interviewer in the eyes and don't panic if an answer doesn't come to straight away.

Good luck.

[rambler14]

Evening all.

I have two interviews on Thursday.
One for a Barman position, the other for a waiter position.

Any advice seeing as both would be minimum wage jobs not like the others here.

You lucky b0llocks.
I must be after sending away nearly 50 C.V's in the last 3 months and in that time i've got 3 letters back telling me kindly NO! and i've had 2 interviews that I didn't have any success in because I wasn't qualified enough.

[oldyouth]

You lucky b0llocks.
I must be after sending away nearly 50 C.V's in the last 3 months and in that time i've got 3 letters back telling me kindly NO! and i've had 2 interviews that I didn't have any success in because I wasn't qualified enough.

It will be easier next year, when become Rambler 15. With age comes wisdom

[rambler14]

It will be easier next year, when become Rambler 15. With age comes wisdom

I've been Rambler14 since 2003. You do the Math and realise my frustration!

[SligoBrewer]

I've been Rambler14 since 2003. You do the Math and realise my frustration!

My advice would be to try everywhere and I mean everywhere.

I currently work in an opticians on Saturdays and I'm only 17.

[oldyouth]

I've been Rambler14 since 2003.

Held back eh??