Job Interview... Monday....

Claudie

Hi K9 -

You've had some great suggestions here and I agree with them all!

I was a Trainer for years before taking a break with my son (and I hope to go back to it next year).

Practicalites - get good felt tips for Flip Chart - are you allowed to pre do your flip charts? I used to pencil in notes on my charts v lightly that only I could see close up - good for nerves and as a back up. Also - have some blu tack and if you need the charts you can tack one to a wall when you show another (ask first), saves going backwards looking for something.. And make sure your flip chart pens actually work and write clear enough for those at the back to see you, and write in sentence case. Sorry if you have all of this already but I am fast thinking before I go out

And if at all possible and relevent give them something to take away - perhaps an over view sheet or if it is a particular software you are presenting then perhaps a tip sheet for them?

And the Learning Cycle is great, I like all that stuff...Honey and Mumford - did you know Peter Honey writes for the Training Journal

http://www.trainingjournal.com/news/trainingtips.jsp

I was addicted to their forums. If you fancy a bit of reading to get in the training mood, their web site is a brilliant resource.

Ask questions to them as you go along to ensure they are with you, same as you would a group of delegates. And when you are all done and they ask any questions for us?" you can actually ask them if there was anything they would like you to clarify or go over. And don't be afraid to tell them that the job sounds like exactly the job for you and show you are really interested.

Be yourself - make eye contact and if they ask what you like to do to prevent getting stressed out or what you have achieved that you are proud of don't forget to mention you taught yourself to run!! That is a great accomplishment!

Good luck - if you need anything specific feel free to PM me, I have a few bits and pieces still lingering around.

Have a great time.

Claudie

Oh and good luck to everyone with interviews next week!

lil_me

Good luck to those with interviews

K9cuddles

Thanks everyone!! And good luck toomuchdebt! I don't envy you that's for sure! Make sure you let us know how you get on!

Well.. I didn't manged to do a test run on my presentation (will do that Sunday) but I found the perfect bag, and borrowed a very nice notebook from work!!! In doing so I found some old course design notes so I plan to redo what I done with this additional information!! I'm not allowed to ask the group any questions (as you would do normall training.. probing etc). As I was explaining the the bf... when I train I'm in my niche.. I know 100% what I'm talking about and in my usual enivornment. But Monday I'm out my ennvironment, happy with the course material but unsure of there extra Q&A's!!

Claudie..thanks for the link your a star!!! I'm allowed predone flips and 1 blank spare.. I plan to use post it notes so will defo take some blue tack!! I'm going to reorder my trainer notes for clarity.

Emmzi

K9cuddles wrote:

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!!!

Just to say, impressed with your content. I've interviewed for trainers for a few years now, and it's very rare to get someone who actually talks about the proper theory. (90% of people think they can train because it's a natural inate ability they have, and reckon they don't need to work at it...!!!!!!)

If you can, give examples of start to finish projects eg a time where you had to do training needs analysis, design and deliver a product, the evaluation of it. A time when you were coaching a theorist vs an activist; and so on. Lots of people totally miss the chance to sell their experience in the presentation, and only talk theory - make sure you bring it to life with the wonderfulness that is you!

tattooed_lady

Good luck K9, let us know how you get on x

Claudie

K9 don't worry about the questions - just be prepared to handle those you may not know the answers for and be confident in your reply.

I think everyone appreciates you can't know everything and I really think it is how you say you don't know that matters - you can always confidently say "Thanks that is a good question, I haven't had that before, I may need to look that up and get back to you". Or that foolproof "That's a good question, I haven't come across that, would anyone like to answer Susan?"

I was on a Finance Systems training course last week and the poor young lad (who up to that point did v well) was asked something he obviously didn't know and he waffled on for a good 10 minutes flipping screens and looking sheepish - I felt really sorry for him.

Claudie

Oh also meant to add - I have twice been asked in interviews how I prepared for my presentation (and I have used that as an interview question myself as I think its great).

Do you have a lesson plan or a session overview prepared? If you do, it may be worth making sure it is tidy enough to show and if you are asked that, you can say "well here is a copy of my session plan" and it will show your time frames, assesment etc.

jobbingmusician

If I were interviewing a trainer (and I'm not a trainer, but have been on some carp courses in my time) I would want to know how they would deal with hecklers. What will you do tomorrow if one of the interviewers is deliberately disruptive?

Sorry to ask a horrid question, but it might be a useful scenario to prepare in your head.....

K9cuddles

Thanks all.. well flipscharts are ready.. I've run through my presentation 4 times, the first was shockingly bad!!!After a few amendments etc.. I've nailed it in 17 mins ( hence I won't have time for peronsal examples here!) and infact my mum finds the whole topic rather interesting!!! lol

12 hours from now.. it will all be over and done with!!!!