Job Interview

markiepat

Hi All,
I have job interview tomorrow ,Monday. Is it acceptable to go in with written list of point/questions and make notes during interview. Surely this shows some planning and interest in the answers to my questions, and not just coming up with questions on the hoof, just to ask something.
Any pointers, as it is my first interview after 12 years in the RAF.
Cheers
Mark

PinkPig

I'm assuming that you're being interviewed for a job, rather than interviewing someone else for a job, since your post is very slightly vague. You run the risk of coming across as very demanding or picky, or possibly just a bit strange, if you do that sort of thing. From their point of view the interview is predominantly to find out whether they want to employ you. If it sounds like you're "vetting them" or aren't really interested in working there unless they meet some some complicated list of requirements it won't necessarily look too good.

Having said that there's nothing wrong with looking prepared, but if I were you I'd remember any questions rather than bringing them written down - do you really want to be rummaging around on a piece of paper for inspiration when asked if you have any questions? If you do get offered the job and there's anything you're uncertain of, you can always ask the questions again later.

RobertoMoir

I've always very strongly believed that an interview is a two way process, with both sides trying to find out if you and the company you're interviewing with will be a good "fit" for each other. You are vetting your new employer, just the same as they're doing to you, but you shouldn't be too obvious about it.

You can and should be asking questions, that goes without saying. You should, however, remember the questions you have to ask and the answers you get without the benefit of a notebook.

Remembering what you want to ask and remembering their answers will need to a more natural "flow" to the interview, let you smoothly change course if their opening talk about the company renders half your prepared questions irrelevant, and will allow both sides of the table to relax and get on with the process of finding out if you and they would be a good choice for each other.

Good luck tomorrow.

PinkPig

Just to add that I completely agree with RobertoMoir - you certainly should be evaluating the company just as they're evaluating you, but you don't want to across as if you have nothing to offer yourself, and keeping a list of questions and a notebook is unlikely to be the best way to do it.

marksoton

The key is to do your research before the interview.If you know plenty about the company you can form the sort of questions that will be pertinent in the interview.

I agree with the other posters, the more casual and spontaneous you appear with this side of things the better.

Remain open minded as to how you approach the interview. Whilst most interviewers are trained in common practices they are all different, so what one interviewer is looking for another may not.

Best of luck !!

ohreally

PinkPig wrote: »

If it sounds like you're "vetting them" or aren't really interested in working there unless they meet some some complicated list of requirements it won't necessarily look too good.

It's a two way relationship, you should be interviewing the employer as much as they you.

It's a little late to find out things aren't quite what you thought they would be when misunderstandings could be avoided at interview stage simply by asking.

cazziebo

Absolutely nothing wrong with writing down a few points and questions in preparation for the interview... in fact, that often impresses me as an interviewer. The other posters are dead right - you are interviewing them as much as they are you.

Keep it natural, don't take copious notes (that would be a bit disconcerting!) and maintain reasonable eye contact with the interviewer (which you can't do if you are focussed on a notebook!)

Wee word from experience - I used to work with many ex and soon to be ex forces personnel in job hunting (through the Forces Transition Partnership). It is well worthwhile spending some time thinking about how your forces experience translates into civilian life. For instance - tank drivers who sell themselves as tank drivers don't have many opportunities outside the forces. However, the nature of that role means they have to be team players, must use initiative inside very strict parameters, take difficult decisions, carry responsibility for security and safety of co workers, follow instructions to the letter, pay close attention to detail, work to strategic plans. Break down your forces roles into transferable experience and skills. Many civilian employers are quite ignorant of the breadth and depth of the skills demanded in the forces - make sure you sell yourself well.

Good luck tomorrow

RobertoMoir

ohreally wrote: »

It's a two way relationship, you should be interviewing the employer as much as they you.

It's a little late to find out things aren't quite what you thought they would be when misunderstandings could be avoided at interview stage simply by asking.

Oh absolutely. I've said as much in interview tips I wrote on my website ages ago in fact. But there are ways and means of going about it.

ohreally

cazziebo wrote: »

However, the nature of that role means they have to be team players, must use initiative inside very strict parameters, take difficult decisions, carry responsibility for security and safety of co workers, follow instructions to the letter, pay close attention to detail, work to strategic plans. Break down your forces roles into transferable experience and skills. Many civilian employers are quite ignorant of the breadth and depth of the skills demanded in the forces - make sure you sell yourself well.

Your post had me reminiscing. A few years ago the organisation i work within started a chap in a junior managerial role, he had been a RN officer for many years and to say it was a culture shock (for him mostly) was an understatement. Every bit of communication became an order, to be carried out without question, the guys on the receiving end were, lets say, culturally very relaxed. The tension and conflict this caused had to be seen to be believed. He has since moved on to be replaced with similar type, who strangely enough has now moved on. A forces ethos does not always travel well into civilian work life.

Oh, good luck tomorrow op.

Voyager2002

Quite a lot of selling points can be presented in the form of a question: eg "How do you think my skills in database design could be used to contribute to the success of the company?"

I think it is OK to ask about opportunities to develop new skills and grow professionally in the new position. Be careful about asking for expensive training. And do not ask about salary or holidays unless they bring up the subject.

brightonman123

so markiepat, how did it go?