Applying For Jobs - Tips

LynnT_2

Preparation is the key to a good interview, and as already mentioned:

# research the company you are applying to - and how to get there, who the panel are and what format the interview will take

# re-read the advert, job spec, your application/CV and match up the potential requirements of the role with when and how you have already successfully carried out/had the same responsibilities

# look the part, be smart, be open and be you

# prepare some questions to ask about your role, your team and your future [preferably not just about benefits and reward!]

# remember you will be asked open questions which require responses that will include examples of what you can do/did do with whom, how and what the results were

# competency based questioning is becoming more popular and gives the interview panel objective criteria to benchmark candidates in a fair and equitable way

Good luck

MrsB2100

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what exactly are competency-based questions? Are these the ones that ask you to explain how you resolved a problem and what the outcome was?

These are the ones I find hardest to answer! I have a real problem in selling myself without wanting to sound like a know-it-all - even though I know that's exactly what I need to sound like! (More practice on the interview front I think!)

LynnT_2

Yes, 'fraid so.

Competency based questions might well start with "Tell me about a time...."
Interviewer is looking for a SOAR response

# Situation
# Ownership
# Action
# Result

Look at the job spec to understand what competencies might be required for example; achieving results, customer focus, team working, communication and quality standards.

Let me know if you want any examples.

MrsB2100

Thank you! I like the acronym ... must try and commit to memory! That actually makes it easier to structure examples - for me, anyway! :beer:

LynnT_2

Good luck! :beer:

greenwheels007

I thin the SOAR acronym is great!

If the question is "tell me about when you have worked as part of a team?" for example, quite a common one, then you might structure your answer like a story...so...once upon a time....

I was working in an office of 3 people and one went sick just at the time when an additional piece of work was required...
What I did was....
What the objective was...
What the outcome was...

and like all good stories...we all lived happily ever after.

One massive point here is to talk about what 'I' did, not what 'we' did. I have been on panels before where it is not possible to score people for 'we' answers so further questions may be required to probe. However structured interviwing doesn't allow random probing questions so you may get a zero for 'we'.

Blow your own trumpet!

There is no point going to an interview and being shy. As long as you simply explain what you did and what the outcome was then you are just telling the truth. You simply can not be shy and humble in an interview, you must explode in to the room, engage the panel and make them tick those boxes.

I can not stress enough how imporatant it is to practice explaining your pieces of evidence. You must practice these mini stories and litter them with the power words such as 'team, task, achieve, goal and quality'.

People complain that they don't know what they are going to say. You don't know what the questions will be but by hard work you can narrow down the possibilities. Revise and practice exaclty as you would for an exam.

And, if it helps, most people are pretty bad in interview and do not do themselves justice, so if you can step up and be confident you are off to a head start.

You may not have enough evidence to get the job in the end but never walk out of an interview not having given the best account of yourself.

In the current climate interviews are rare so don't have any regrets.

Airwolf1

Some good stuff coming in, I wonder if this could be made a sticky for folk?

MrsB2100

I agree. This thread has given me a new perspective (and a new

enthusiasm) on my job hunt. In fact, I am now writing down all the instances where I actually prove SOAR, so I can read it through and practice at home, kind of like a 'diary' of events which might be helpful.

tidge6

I am new to the forum and have recently been made redundant with a notice period to the 28th Feb. I have actively been looking for employment, registered with a number of agencies who all seem to have the same positions on their books which is very disheartening as you are often looking at the same vacancy over and over.

I attended a face to face interview on Monday following a lengthy 2 and a half hour telephone interview which involved having to complete 2 role play scenarios and then followed up with email confirmation of what information I obtained and a sample of an email to the client on how to close the deal. I was exhausted but was successful enough to be offered a face to face interview. Initially I felt everything went well but then I had to complete 2 ASE MOST tests, one was gramatical and the other was handling situations. I'm not sure how well I did in these tests as I really was so bewildered following the face to face interview that I found it hard to focus. They have said that they will let the successful candidate know in the early part of next week. I am having all sorts of insecurities now about how the face to face interview went, my results on the tests and whether in fact I even want to work for a company that are so intent on examining every part of your personality. Is this normal and has anyone been through this type of interview experience, friends have said that they couldn't do what I've had to do, I'm really keen on the job and I'm desperate to get something sorted before my redundancy period actually starts.
Help and guidance appreciated...

skintbutsmiling01

ooh that sounds like a nightmare process! I think the "higher up" your role is the more involved and lengthy the interview process is I'm sorry, and in these times employers are even more cautious about who they take on so will make the process as involved as possible to cover every angle. You sound like you handled it really well though, good luck!