Interviews- needing help with.

tiff

Thanks Sar El, I'll work on it. I had my questions written down before hand but could only think of one at the time. I'm just wary of taking notes in and focussing on them too much or shuffling them around nervously.

Spendless

So to update ....I've been working 13 hrs a week over 2 days. Last week of school term I did extra hours, fortnight later (2nd week of school hols) I was asked to do extra hours which I did. Cos it was then becoming obvious that I needed to do more than 13 hours and I was told by the agency that 'the job will evolve and the hours increase over time'. I suggested to the office manager that I did 18 hours over 3 days. I asked for 9-3 cos it means I don't have to sort childcare out in term time if Mr S can't work from home. It is better in school hols (and cheaper!) if I can pick kids up at 3.30 instead of a 5pm (by which time mine are incredibly grumpy). It allows me to be more flexible, I can swap x day for y day (if they request me to) I can work extra without having to say yes, but first I'll have to ring the childcare provider to see if they have space or yes but I can only work till x time. My request was agreed to and I've started it this week.

HOWEVER the office manager has told me today that they are advetising a permanent position in the office but it is f-time and they are aware that I can't do f-time. I asked what the f-time hours would be and was told 8-5 mon-fri. Personally I find this a lot it's 40 hours with an hours lunch stopped, but there's no table in our kitchen for you to eat at, so you grab a sarnie and carry on. It's amongst the reasons I requested a 3pm finish instead of 4, cos 9-3 I can work straight thru, 9-4 I was having half an hours lunch stopped even tho I wasn't really getting it. I have been told that this f-time position is in additon to my job, but I've looked at the job description and some of the things are what I do and don't require 2 people. Maybe I am being v.cynical but I think once they have found their f-time bod and that person has settled, then I'll be surplus to requirements and since I'm a temp thru an agency I'll be gone. Also the jobs on the job description that I'm not currently doing well I was told my job was to evolve, so it doesn't look like that's going to happen either.

I did a quick working out of f-time salary less tax and NI less breakfast and asc costs (and I don't really want mine in f-time childcare 5 days a week- no disrespect to anyone who does) and petrol costs for an extra 2 days and I'd end up with less in my hand than I currently have for part-time!

I'm a bit miffed tbh that it wasn't run past me first saying we need to up hours, how much are you prepared to go upto and see if we can sort out a compromise or explore other options such as job share or another part-timer. I think it's time to look for something else, though I'm not going to leave till I've found something or been pushed..whichever is first.:(

Rainmaker_uk

Your best bet is spending a fiver on this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Interview-What-Employers-Want/dp/0273714902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1282079244&sr=1-1-spell

The Brilliant Interview book helped me get a good job and has done the rounds amongst my friends - it will be the best money you have ever spent I promise (not including winning lottery tickets etc)...

Spendless

Rainmaker_uk wrote: »

Your best bet is spending a fiver on this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Interview-What-Employers-Want/dp/0273714902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1282079244&sr=1-1-spell

The Brilliant Interview book helped me get a good job and has done the rounds amongst my friends - it will be the best money you have ever spent I promise (not including winning lottery tickets etc)...

what's it like for competance based interview questions as the 1st review says it isn't any help for them?

Rainmaker_uk

My main reason for rating this book is that it logically organises the process and prep you need to go through to be successful.

Not quite sure what they mean by competancy based questions as I thought that was the whole point of an interview and every question in it? After all they are assessing your competancy to do the job better than any of the other candidates.

Spendless

Rainmaker_uk wrote: »

My main reason for rating this book is that it logically organises the process and prep you need to go through to be successful.

Not quite sure what they mean by competancy based questions as I thought that was the whole point of an interview and every question in it? After all they are assessing your competancy to do the job better than any of the other candidates.

If you read this thread thru you will find that for a job in a school office where the role was mostly counting dinner money (I asked what a typical day involved) that instead of saying 'ahh Mrs Spendless, I see you used to work in a cash office, how much cash/cheques were you used to handling?' which to me would be completely relevant they don't tell you anything about the job (I asked at the end when asked 'any questions') instead they ask 'What initiatives can you fetch to this role' and score you with a mark out of 6. Then when you ask for feedback you get we were looking for x, y and z, and you said x, a and b.

Savvy_Sue

Sorry it's not looking so good in the longer term, Spendless. But you are now in a stronger position, and the agency might find something else for you.

Spendless

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Sorry it's not looking so good in the longer term, Spendless. But you are now in a stronger position, and the agency might find something else for you.

I don't feel I can ring them and ask them if they have anything else at this stage cos I have been told that 'this f-time job is in addition to yours' by office manager. It's me who doesn't really believe this to be true ..at least not in the longer term. I'm worried that if I did ring them then they would tell my office manager that I don't really believe what I've been told..I also feel there isn't much point in getting another temp job at the min, I might as well stick with the one I have....

Savvy_Sue

I wasn't suggesting you do anything immediately with the agency, but if this job doesn't work out I meant that you'd have a good start with them.

thriftytracey

I have been working for 32 years and every permanent job I have had has been in the private sector. I have been for many interviews with the NHS and local authorities and have never been successful. Hours spent filling in the application form, references requested up front before an interview and as previous posters have stated 3 or 4 interviewers asking stupid set questions "to be fair". Never again. Incredibly rigid interview techniques. Years ago I "temped" and that put me off working for the NHS and local government for life!