Job Interview... Monday....

K9cuddles

Well some of you may remember back in July I was really dissapointed with my pay review with my current employee. Well I've started a very good recommended course in my field (all paid for!) and thought I'll keep my eyes open for anything other jobs of interest as my department have had a service review which means my role may alter (maybe not for the better!).

Anyhoo.. I found an IT Trainer job. I sent off my application and I've got an Interview Monday! I'm sooooooooo apprehensive!!! I've got a 20min presentation which I've drafted last night and feel ok with that. A 10 min Q&A session! :eek: and a 30 min comptencey based interview.... Oooooooo I hate that kind of interview.. so I've got to have loads of examples in my head!!!

I'm sure the standard is very high but I could potentially be taking home an extra £250-£350 a month for the same hours!! :j

Anyways... can anyone offer any advice! I've used loads of stuff from businessballs.com but the interviews are really were I let my self down and selling myself doesn't come naturally! I'm one to prove it not talk about it!!!

K9

Rikki

Good Luck.

I'm not great at interviews either so I'm going to listen in to the advice offered you. Hope you don't mind.:o

Emmzi

For a trainer, they'll be looking for examples of times when you have coached other people; how you communicate with different groups of people (ie thiock, senior, junior, clever, experienced, inexperienced); how you plan and organise things; as well as technical knowledge of the subject.

Have a think about times when you have copached people, explained complex ideas, and how you make sure you achieve all your tasks in a week.

K9cuddles

Okay.. well outfit sorted.. (I'm wearing a dress.. and OMG I don't do dresses!)

Presentation done.. read through in 10 mins.. mock presenation to bf and mam tomorow hoping it got 15-18 mins!

Covered - Learning Cycle, Training Cycles, Hunney & Momford and Kolbs

Left to do: Flip Charts (5 in total) and find a nice handbag!!!

Oh and with draft of interview answers and questions to ask!!!

homersimpson_3

Anyways... can anyone offer any advice! I've used loads of stuff from businessballs.com but the interviews are really were I let my self down and selling myself doesn't come naturally! I'm one to prove it not talk about it!!!

people make instant judgements and first impressions unfortunately do count.
look presentable but wear clothes you feel comfortable in - polish shoes, mark sure you hair is tidy, clean nails, if possible wear clothes which don't crease easily. ensure aftershave/perfume is not over powering etc
do you research about company and the field you can enter. what can you bring to this company- knowledge, skills, experience. be honest about gaps in these.
usual rules- turn up in plenty of time- allow for traffic delays etc - make sure you know where business is located- prepare list of questions to ask. when you give presentation relax and prepare before hand. what questions do you think they will ask? have you got the answers? if you're giving power point presentation have you back up plan just in case computer not working? when giving presentation don't just read things on screen- flip chart etc. talk 'around' the subject.

DisneyLyn1

Hi K9cuddles,

Just wanted to say that when I went for an interview recently (my first in 9 years), I bought a book called 'Brilliant Interview' by Ros Jay. I think it was £9.99, but worth it because I found it sooooo helpful. I am not great at interviews and was really nervous but I followed the advice in the book and I got the job!

Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

moozie_2

Hey K9 :hello:

Some great advice here already. Don't forget to smile and maintain eye contact as well. You may be nervous and interviewers allow for that, but smilling is always a nice thing to remember about someone

Last time I interviewed someone they kept interrupting me while I was asking a question or putting a hypothetical situation to them. I found that VERY off putting.

Good luck :T

flowerofscotland

Smile at each person in turn and acknowledge everyone if they are introduced.

If there is more than one interviewer try to look at each in turn rather than directing your answers at just the person who asked the question.

Never make assumptions about who is most senior

Be in "interview mode" from the minute you arrive at the company's premises. Be pleasant to the security personnel, receptionist etc - you'd be surprised how often comments are made by these front line people. This also applies on your way out - assume anything you say or do could be fed back to the interview panel.

Take a written list of questions you want to ask and when you are asked if you have any questions say that you prepared a list and although some of them may have already been covered you would like to check if there are any others.

Ask what the culture of the company is - not only is this a good thing to know about, it also suggests that you are considering your options carefully and not just desperate to move to another job.

Don't criticise your existing employer or boss. If you are unhappy about your latest review explain it in terms such as " there are currently limited opportunities for progression.

If you don't understand a question don't be afraid to say so and ask them to explain again what they are looking for.

If they haven't told you ask at the end of the interview what the next steps are - when you can expect to hear from them and so on.

Best of luck and remember - they are just as desperate to fill the vacancy as you are to get the job!

saubryn

Good luck! It sounds like you're really prepared and organised! I've found looking interested and showing willingness to learn if you pull a blank on anything works wonders - most employers don't seem to expect a perfect interview and look at how you react if things don't go totally your way.

I hate competency based questions too - they involve selling yourself in a way,and I hate doing that - kinda thinking 'but I was just doing my job....'

If you want to do the training job and think you'll enjoy it then you should do great!

leon103

K9cuddles wrote:

Well some of you may remember back in July I was really dissapointed with my pay review with my current employee. Well I've started a very good recommended course in my field (all paid for!) and thought I'll keep my eyes open for anything other jobs of interest as my department have had a service review which means my role may alter (maybe not for the better!).

Anyhoo.. I found an IT Trainer job. I sent off my application and I've got an Interview Monday! I'm sooooooooo apprehensive!!! I've got a 20min presentation which I've drafted last night and feel ok with that. A 10 min Q&A session! :eek: and a 30 min comptencey based interview.... Oooooooo I hate that kind of interview.. so I've got to have loads of examples in my head!!!

I'm sure the standard is very high but I could potentially be taking home an extra £250-£350 a month for the same hours!! :j

Anyways... can anyone offer any advice! I've used loads of stuff from businessballs.com but the interviews are really were I let my self down and selling myself doesn't come naturally! I'm one to prove it not talk about it!!!

K9

Good Morning K9.

What sort of IT training is it? What is the organisations business.

I am an IT trainer in the NHS. Had similar type interview to you with presentation and Q&A session.

All I can say about the presentation is get as much info has you can, don't go over the time limit, talk in a clear voice. Also if possible think or make up of examples where you can elaborate more on.

Before any Interview I try my to go and visit the department or person in charge to a have chat. It breaks the ice and makes me less nervous when it comes to the interview. I guess this is a bit late now.

Sorry if you have already answered my questions but don't have time to read all the posts.

Good luck

K9cuddles

Thanks everyone for your advice! I can't stop thinking about this poxy interview!!! It's totally ruined my weekend as I want to make sure I'm prepared but I've done most the hard work!!! I must really want this job as I've never really been that bothered before!

I have alots of questions to ask so covered that! But my presentation is quiet comphrensive so not sure what they will cover in the Q&A!!!??

No powerpoint allowed! My flipcharts are VERY basic so I WILL HAVE to talk round them!! I have 9 page of notes to talk through!

I talk fast..when nervous.. I just have to remember to slowwwwwwwwwww it down!!!

I'm chirpy, friendly by nature and am a believer that common courtesy costs nothing, plus I've got a wicked smile with dimples!! I am doing a course that inthe job description said I needed to be willing to do so that defo shows my willingness!

I'm very aware at the position is not like for like... I'm currently a workplace trainer and laisie with Central Training.. the position I'm applying for I will be the equal to Central Training position, so I know what's banking on it!! Nerve are good right??! lol