made redundant last frieday got job interview monday i need help with the interview p

ross_uk

hey guys well some of you maybe know from my posts that i was made redundant when the company i worked for went in to administration on friday well i have been sending cv's off to everyone i can think off and i got a phone call today asking me to come to a interview on monday, the last company i worked for never gave me a interview i just started, can somone give me some advice on what i will be asked and how to prepare im very nurvous now as i have never had to have a interview.

Always_Harassed

There is a lot of help on line so have a look through some of it. Most important is to get a copy of the job profile or get a job description from one of the careers sites like Connexions. The questions you will be asked will be around previous jobs and this job. Many interviewers ask questions like can you tell us a time you did ...... and this will relate to the job. Write down answers to likely questions and practise them outloud so you know what you will say. Never say anything bad about any job, if you have had a bad experience in the past find a good explanation or just say something like I realise now that this was not the correct way to handle the situation. Make good eye contact and prepare everything in advance down to cleaning shoes and finger nails.

http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?pid=75&catalogueContentID=119

ross_uk

Always Harassed thanks for the information, the main question im stuck on is what is my weakness i know i must have some but i just cant think of anything can anyone give me some avice on answering this question as i would not like to sound big headed and say i dont think theres anything that would not look good.

Zazen999

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2600391

Try looking at this thread.

Always_Harassed

The answer to a weakness question is to turn something good into something bad. Text book answer is that you take on too much work and end up under pressure. One other thing you can say is something ammusing like I am useless at work politics and that can lead to me say things that are embarrassing.

paulwf

Although far from perfect if you are at a loose end over the weekend there are some examples of interview prep in Fairy Jobmother that you could watch:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-fairy-jobmother/episode-guide/series-1

Wear your suit over the weekend so you are comfortable over it and if you are due a haircut soon maybe move it forward to this weekend. If you haven't visited the company before do the trip this weekend so you won't be stressed trying to find it on Monday. Leave yourself loads of extra time on the day, better to have extra time and be calm than being late and stressed.

Can anyone help you do a practice interview over the weekend?

Zazen999

Always_Harassed wrote: »

The answer to a weakness question is to turn something good into something bad. Text book answer is that you take on too much work and end up under pressure. One other thing you can say is something ammusing like I am useless at work politics and that can lead to me say things that are embarrassing.

I'd not say this, ever.

Evilm

ross_uk wrote: »

Always Harassed thanks for the information, the main question im stuck on is what is my weakness i know i must have some but i just cant think of anything can anyone give me some avice on answering this question as i would not like to sound big headed and say i dont think theres anything that would not look good.

how about something like "Im a bit of a perfectionist, like everything done right"

emilyteach1

ross_uk wrote: »

Always Harassed thanks for the information, the main question im stuck on is what is my weakness i know i must have some but i just cant think of anything can anyone give me some avice on answering this question as i would not like to sound big headed and say i dont think theres anything that would not look good.

I always took this question as an opportunity to mention something I didn't used to be any good at, but through experience and hard work, have begun to master. For example, "my ICT skills used to be pretty poor, but I took on some classes in night school and eventually gained my ECDL, which really helped me in my previous role, and meant I could take on extra responsibilities when our designated ICT specialist was on leave".

That's a silly example, but you get the picture.

I may be completely wrong in my approach to the 'weakness' question, but this method has always worked for me. It acknowledges that you're not perfect, but on the other hand, you don't have massive development areas either, and when you do spot a weakness in yourself, you tackle it head on.

Whatever you do, don't say "I don't have any weaknesses"!

Also, "too much of a perfectionist" is a massive cliche. I'd only resort to that if my mind went completely blank during interview [as it does occasionally!!!].

I wouldn't opt for the humourous approach either, personally, but it might work for some people.

Zazen999

Evilm wrote: »

how about something like "Im a bit of a perfectionist, like everything done right"

Nope not that either.

How is that a weakness?

What happens when you don't have everything done right?

What would you do if I pointed out that you had made errors?

If there was a project on and you didn't have time to proof read, what would you do?