Applying For Jobs - Tips

Airwolf1

I'm hopefully in a job/career that I'll stay in now, but completing an application form can sometimes be as daunting as an interview itself. Over the last few years I've had a few of these and had help from HR teams etc.

Just a couple of pointers for anyone needing them...feel free to add any others as well.

If in an interview you can't think of an answer to a question, ask if you can answer that later and crack on with the other questions. Then, when you're asked it at the end, take and time and think about your response.

On the application and at job interview, when you may be asked to say show how you've achieved something, so don't just say "I've done this or that", but give an actual example, eg, "I helped a customer out by obtaining an up to date meter reading from her and re-billed the account, which then enabled me to ascertain her correct usage of gas and allowed me to lower her payments."

Go into detail and don't worry if you think it is too much.

brightonman123

makes me wonder what they will ask at an interview, if everything covered on the app form..

Airwolf1

Sometimes they ask more or less the same questions, wanting more examples, or further detail etc.

ravravrav

Ok, whilst doing my accountancy course we covered some things about interviews and recruiting people. This is what your employer wants to know:

1) Can you do the job? Do you have the right skills and so on? Well, if you're in the interview then basically they've sorted you out from the other candidates and they think you've got what it takes. So just reinforce that you can.

2) Will you do the job? In other words, will you stick it out and stay interested in doing what they want. Show them you're interested in the field you're applying for - and also that you have a longterm plan of staying in the job.

3) Will you fit in? This depends on the workplace and culture of the business. You could some research to find out what sort of people there are there, whether they are formal or laid back, that sort of thing. Show that you are friendly, professional, easygoing and whatever else they expect from their staff.

Hope that all makes sense,

loue79

Can I remind people that before they go for an interview that they should be able to quote a couple of facts about the company. At least if they do ask "What do you know about our company?" you can answer.

GrammarGirl

I always think rehearsing answers to hypothetical interview questions is a bad idea, because if those questions don't come up, you're more likely to get flustered and try to wheel out your pre-prepared answer even if it isn't relevant.

I guess it's different in different areas of work, but I would always treat an interview as a discussion about my skills, rather than a test. Like someone else says, the interviewer already believes you can do the job, because they've picked you out. You just have to reinforce that belief!

One other tip is to wear something bright/interesting/eyecatching in the interview. So at the end of the day, when an interviewer has seen 20 people all wearing black trousers and a white shirt, they can pick up your CV and think 'that was the girl with the red scarf' etc etc.

greenwheels007

Just a few pointers regarding interviews, I hope they are of use.
You are there to prove that you have the best experience, qualifications and skills to perform the role. Employers may want you to fit in etc... as suggested but the majority of interviews now are solely competence based.
Step 1 - Identify the role requirenments, most jobs come with some sort of post profile, this is also what the interview questions should be written from.
Step 2 - Identify your best example of EVIDENCE of when you have performed each element of the post profile.
Step 3 - Practice talking about these pieces of evidence.
Step 4 - Practice again
Step 5 - Practice again

Too many people come out of interviews and say, 'damn, why didn't I tell them that' the simple answer is usually that they didn't practice.

I have interviewed a lot of people who have the evidence on their application form then somehow look vacant when you ask them to talk about their experience in a particular area!

Appearance - I would suggest against the red scarf approach. Look smart professional and comfortable. Sit outside the place of work before the interview and see what the smartest people wear. Possibly wear something subtly assertive but nothing too distracting. A nice smart dark suit with plain shirt / blouse is perfect.

Finally, if you don't get the job and are offered feedback then take it.
Feedback is a gift and it might be hard to swallow at first but it should improve your performance next time.

MrsB2100

There are some invalulable tips here, so thanks guys! :beer: I'm looking for a job now, after being made redundant in August. So far, I've been lucky enough to get an ongoing temp job (although for much, mych less than I was on). I have to admit that I struggle at interview, especially with the selling myself part, so I think practice is the best approach.

One thing I'd like to mention about recent redundantees (?) - it's very easy to come across as negative about your former employer. I've done it myself, without even realising it so be aware this can happen! I think I even lost out on my dream job because of it, so it's made me aware of how I talk about my former employer now.

Good luck to everyone going for interviews!

solarstone

Recently I had the experience of being the InterviewER for a considerable number of candidates.

From that experience, I always filtered the CVs carefully to try to get what I wanted on paper, and then just confirm face to face, that I :

a) Liked the person
b) They didn't have 2 heads
c) They knew what they said they knew
d) That they would fit in and work well with the exisiting team

Generally I think as an InterviewER you know within a few minutes if they're right for the job, despite the fact they may make mistakes or be wearing the wrong tie, etc. One of the best guys I employed in an IT position had tattoos and an eyebrow ring, so first impressions can be misleading.

Really in summary, get a good CV with relevant (brief) summary of previous jobs (getting briefer the older the job). Do some research on the company's website. BE interested/interesting and ask questions.

greenwheels007

solarstone wrote: »

From that experience, I always filtered the CVs carefully to try to get what I wanted on paper, and then just confirm face to face, that I :

a) Liked the person
b) They didn't have 2 heads
c) They knew what they said they knew
d) That they would fit in and work well with the exisiting team

If you are being interviewed by a professional organisation or civil service type role then most of the above should not apply. Professional interviews are evidence based so even if you turned up in your pyjamas the scoring should be based on evidence of what you have done, previous skills and qualifications.
I would suggest that if you are being scored on what you look like and whether you will 'fit in' then these are unfair interview criteria in most cases and there are some good solicitors that will be able to help you make an appeal!

solarstone

greenwheels007 wrote: »

If you are being interviewed by a professional organisation or civil service type role then most of the above should not apply. Professional interviews are evidence based so even if you turned up in your pyjamas the scoring should be based on evidence of what you have done, previous skills and qualifications.
I would suggest that if you are being scored on what you look like and whether you will 'fit in' then these are unfair interview criteria in most cases and there are some good solicitors that will be able to help you make an appeal!

Agreed... in my example, which I didn't make clear, I had two very similarly skilled candidates and the way I eventually chose between them came down to the softer skills.

As you say, anyone who pre-judges a candidate on their gender, sexuality, race, size, or age is in for BIG trouble !