Job interview but need pointers/advice

DCFC79

OK basiclaly i have an interview for an Applications Co Ordinator but i fear the way i answer the question " Why do you want to work here" will prove to be my downfall, i didnt answer it all that well at last interview where i was stumped for answers so whats the best way to answer it.

i have listed the following if it helps:

Qualifications and expertise:
• Good PC literacy with knowledge of MS Excel and Word I am good at using a PC and am able to use word and excel
• Knowledge of Sage Line 500, Syteline and Sage CRM, i know what sage is ut dont use it but i can research what they are
• Good communication skills use this in current job alot and past jobs

Person specification:
The successful applicant will be organised, accurate and efficient in their approach to work, capable of working on their own initiative when necessary. The ability to communicate well, and with people both internal and external of the business, is essential. This customer focussed role demands a proactive, self-motivated and flexible approach in a challenging environment.


the above is basically what i have done in current and previous jobs

Thankyou for any advice/pointers

Wellery82

For why you want to work there tie i would suggest two main things

1.) Why that company - what attracts you about them in particular, maybe you could mention that when you researched them you found out .... could be anything from their development of staff, some award that suggested a dynamic place to work etc,

2.) Why that job - why does it interest you, what can you bring (don't mention on this question what you can't bring), where you see your career going.

There is no right or wrong, they are just trying to understand you and find out why it is you applied, are you actually enthusiastic about that type of work, are you just wanting any old job, are you really ambitious and they will need to manage that. Be yourself i would say is always good advice

Sambucus_Nigra

Why DO you want to work there?

Emmzi

have you used any systems that are *like* sage i.e. do the same things? Can you explain how you are quick to pick up software packages with examples from a time when you have done so?

"Good" at using the PC is also vague. I would be looking to know that you can build and format s/sheets in excel, manipulate data, if you can do the fancy stuff like v-lookups and macros talk about that - tell me how big the data files you worked with were, how you turned them into usabel monitr and control systems or management information, how you helped your bosses make better decisions with it, etc.

DCFC79

Emmzi wrote: »

have you used any systems that are *like* sage i.e. do the same things? Can you explain how you are quick to pick up software packages with examples from a time when you have done so?

"Good" at using the PC is also vague. I would be looking to know that you can build and format s/sheets in excel, manipulate data, if you can do the fancy stuff like v-lookups and macros talk about that - tell me how big the data files you worked with were, how you turned them into usable monitor and control systems or management information, how you helped your bosses make better decisions with it, etc.

ive not used any sage like software before, i believe sage is used for accounts or invoices that kid of stuff,

i did macros at college in excel but cant for the life of me remember how to do them but maybe thats soemthing i could look into doing this week,

ive only used excel at college and not had a job where ive used excel

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Why DO you want to work there?

becuase they offer training and maybe the training would be on going eg i might get the chance to get trained in something else plus i feel more confident in having training so i would be more capable of doing the job being asked

they are most likely a firm who looks after they're employees which in turn the employees would be happy to work there

DCFC79

Jimavfc82 wrote: »

For why you want to work there tie i would suggest two main things

1.) Why that company - what attracts you about them in particular, maybe you could mention that when you researched them you found out .... could be anything from their development of staff, some award that suggested a dynamic place to work etc,

2.) Why that job - why does it interest you, what can you bring (don't mention on this question what you can't bring), where you see your career going.

There is no right or wrong, they are just trying to understand you and find out why it is you applied, are you actually enthusiastic about that type of work, are you just wanting any old job, are you really ambitious and they will need to manage that. Be yourself i would say is always good advice

im just applying for jobs i see that sound interesting to do, maybe im wrong for doing it but its the only way i can get away from current employer other than just quitting which i wont do unless it was a last resort

thanks

Rainmaker_uk

One of the most impressive things you can do is find a way of using the research you have done on their company in this and other answers you give.

I would go on the website and see what their goals are. In addition if they are a larger company you will be able to download their Annual Report which will have lots of good info.

I cannot stress enough - doing this research will differentiate you from the competition.

Good luck!

bristol_pilot

Interesting. I would have said you don't have a chance at that job because you don't know Sage and knowledge of Sage is just about the only skill on that list that not just 'anyone' can do. Do they know from your application form that you don't know Sage? If they know that and are interviewing you anyway, it may be that Sage is not, in fact, a key part of the role. It could also be that they are more interested in the person than in a list of skills that can be quickly learned. As for answering the OP's original question - what Jimavfc82 said.

DCFC79

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Interesting. I would have said you don't have a chance at that job because you don't know Sage and knowledge of Sage is just about the only skill on that list that not just 'anyone' can do. Do they know from your application form that you don't know Sage? If they know that and are interviewing you anyway, it may be that Sage is not, in fact, a key part of the role. It could also be that they are more interested in the person than in a list of skills that can be quickly learned. As for answering the OP's original question - what Jimavfc82 said.

well i did not include sage anywhere on my cv or the application form i was askedf to fill in so my guess is they are aware of this fact,

well that could be 1 of the questions i could ask eg "is experience of sage important or could it be learnt on the job"

thanks