Support Each Other In Looking For Work?

morizot

Thank you everyone.

It is very comforting to know that lots of you also have problems providing examples. Don't feel so bad about my interview technique now

Fresh_Beginnings

Another week - good Luck everyone !

I have the delights of signing on for the first time today - hopefully it won/t be for long !!

hayleymoo

I have 2 interviews tomorrow - I was contacted late on Friday for the 2nd. I REALLY want the first: it's permanent, sounds interesting, and the money is quite good. However I wouldn't turn my nose up at the second either I just want a job.

Getting really nervous now, I'm spending the day preparing for both (I have to give a presentation in one) but I feel I'm focussing more on being really knowledgable about the areas the roles encompass and not enough on my interview technique. I'll have to ask DH to "interview" me tonight!

I really understand what people are saying about the examples - it's these that I'm dreading. I feel like I use the same ones over. I'm trying to think up different scenarios and questions they could ask and be prepared with ready made examples:

An example where you had to take charge
An example where you solved a problem
An example where you had to come up with an alternative solution
An example where you suggested an idea that was implemented
An example where you had to deal with an upset/angry person

I've also heard of the STAR approach:
S: Situation – describe the situation
T: Task or problem – what dilemma or problem did you face?
A: Action – what action did you take?
R: Result – what was the result of your action?

Also, your strengths/weaknesses - I've read a tip that when discussing weaknesses that you should also add what you have done/are doing to overcome it and that it should be a "positive weakness": e.g. I am a perfectionist and I was spending too much time checking and re-checking work to make sure it was perfect. However I have been attending time/project management workshops, etc. etc.

I've also read that the least prepared for question is the "tell me about yourself" question, and you should prepare a few lines you can reel out about yourself as your unique selling point: I'm hayleymoo, I'm a degreesubject graduate with X years experience in XYZ. In the past I've worked for ABC and 123, roles which have required me to do/be/have XYZskills which I would bring to newcompany.

It's much easier to list these here though, sometimes your mind just goes blank :eek:

Hope this helps someone else, I'll let you know how well it went for me tomorrow!

Nessi

Hayleymoo - you seem to have a very good grasp of what they're after. There are just so many different scenarios that they can come up with. Don't forget if you are struggling you can always say 'sorry, could we come back to that one'? and if you're lucky they sometimes forget to re-ask it!

A few months back when I had an interview I struggled with 'tell me about a time when you worked within a team to solve a problem'.

They also like to ask about how you prioritise your work and how you deal with different bosses that may have conflicting priorities but it will depend a bit on your line of work. I'm a PA (or at least I used to be when I had a job!!) and that was always one they asked along with dealing with a heavy workload.

Good luck with it. I'm personally rather rubbish at these competency-based questions when I'm sat in front of a couple of interviewers anxiously awaiting my reply.

hayleymoo

Those are great questions to be thinking about too, thanks

It's a bit like you're on a gameshow or something - at home you'd be screaming out the answer, but when you're sat there and the pressure is on it's sometimes hard to come up with something decent to say!

Nessi

hayleymoo wrote: »

Those are great questions to be thinking about too, thanks

It's a bit like you're on a gameshow or something - at home you'd be screaming out the answer, but when you're sat there and the pressure is on it's sometimes hard to come up with something decent to say!

Heck, it has to be harder than all those game shows! And then your mouth dries up and you don't feel like you've got enough saliva to even talk. Your glass of water has run out and you're wondering if you should stop and ask for a refill.

i've got a useful list of questions that an agency sent me a while back. I'll see if I can PM it to you.

Disenchanted

Boots have started advertising for christmas sales assistants, been rejected already! Got through the the online app questions but they are really hard to answer, they make you choose between two descriptions of yourself such as are you a) I prefer to work alone or b) It takes a lot to make me angry. Every question is a random pairing like that, which is the right answer?? Apparently the right answers were the ones I didn't select

Nessi

Disenchanted wrote: »

Boots have started advertising for christmas sales assistants, been rejected already! Got through the the online app questions but they are really hard to answer, they make you choose between two descriptions of yourself such as are you a) I prefer to work alone or b) It takes a lot to make me angry. Every question is a random pairing like that, which is the right answer?? Apparently the right answers were the ones I didn't select

Oh, how frustrating for you. Pah, who wants to work for Boots anyway??!! Keep applying for the other shops, they can't all use this ridiculous way of sifting through applicants

morizot

Received my feedback, lovely personality but did not sell myself

Feedback was given in a constructive manner, I really appreciate and respect the agencies and employers who do that (unlike the feedback given last week)

Smidster

Disenchanted wrote: »

Boots have started advertising for christmas sales assistants, been rejected already! Got through the the online app questions but they are really hard to answer, they make you choose between two descriptions of yourself such as are you a) I prefer to work alone or b) It takes a lot to make me angry. Every question is a random pairing like that, which is the right answer?? Apparently the right answers were the ones I didn't select

Don't worry about not passing these tests..it is a terrible system where the computer determines your application.

On that question the 'right' answer is the 2nd one...they will be looking for extroverts who don't get angry in a hurry. If you can before doing the tests have a good look at the job description and try to work out what they are after.