I have an interview to become a Passport Officer - how to stay calm at interview

bluenose1

Hi all,
recently applied for a job in the Identity and Passport Service (the passport office to you and me.)
They were running a nationwide recruitment exercise as all first time passport holders will have to attend interviews shortly.
Although I know I have all relevant skills and have carried them out in a similar environment just wonder if anyone has got any advise.

Not helped by the fact that interview is in the next major City and I am not a confident driver (no train/bus links)

jobbingmusician

Re your last sentence - I obviously don't know your financial circumstances, but I think the first thing I would do in your shoes is to think about arriving at the interview cool calm and collected.

Look on the Travelodge site (and on laterooms.com) to find out how much it would cost you to stay in your interview city the night before the interview.

With regard to the interview itself, I guess they are likely to give you an imaginary scenario to think through. (One question might be - and I am making this up as I go along - what sort of things might make you suspicious of someone's passport).

I'd get on to their website (you may already have done this!) and also LOOK AT YOUR PASSPORT so that you remember what sort of thing you'll be doing.

(OF course, I may have imagined quite wrongly what a passport officer does!)

Good luck with the interview!:beer:

Savvy_Sue

If you do a search for interview on this board you'll find a few more tips to add to jobbing's excellent advice. Being late for an interview does not make a good impression! :rotfl:

cats_whiskers

Hi

Just a suggestion but could you do a trial run in the car a few days prior to the interview so that at least you are familiar with the route. Have you been advised if there is parking available or will you have to use a car park. If you do have to use a pay and display car park then make sure you have plenty of change to pay for this. Do an AA route plan so that you have some directions. Also keep a note of interview office telephone number so at least you can call them if things do not go according to plan. Allow extra time for your journey if travelling in peak traffic or leave early to avoid this as much as possible.

Another suggestion is perhaps asking a friend/relative if they could drive you so that you arrive more relaxed.

Good Luck
Cats

fbs_4800

I always find it helps if I don't think of it as an important interview - I know too many people who just think "Interview, interview, interview!! OMG!" and work themselves up into such a panic that they don't do themselves justice when they get there.

As for revision - don't do too much or you'll end up confusing yourself on the day. As jobbingmusician says - the easiest thing is dig out your passport and read it cover to cover. Maybe once or twice - that's all. Also go on their website and familiarise yourself with it so if you're asked you don't sound like someone who's pretending to know what you're being asked about.

The important thing though - is to RELAX. At the end of the day - YOU are trying to convince THEM that you're the best person for the job. Sell yourself a little without sounding cocky. IMPROVISE the same as you would when you're sat with your mates in the pub and someone turns to you and says - 'So what do you think about [insert any random subject here] then?" Just be friendly, confidant and take a second to think before giving them an answer.

I sat many interviews when I was younger as I was always going where the money was better. Believe me when I say I've been to LOADS of them - and I've only ever been unsuccessful once.

The last thing is, best of luck and let us know how you get on.

CFC

I wouldn't fret too much about it. It'll either be alright or it won't, and if you don't get it at least you'll miss all the demonstrations and other things that are likely to go on once the public realise exactly why all these offices are opening. It might not be a very healthy place to work, you know.

http://www.no2id.net/

code^express

oh, I love to have that job too... but alas I am still very very happy with my current job/ employer. I'm one of those staff who has more say than the boss! Having the employer saying me as the boss!!

Every now & than my boss will say " it is bad enough to have a wife a home telling me to get on with this & that and the same in office - I can never get away from you 2!!! at least I get to sleep with her (his wife) at night"

Good luck... hope you get the job...

Lil2002

If the Passport Office work the same way as the DWP, there's an emphasis on the 'Values' (http://www.passport.gov.uk/careers-values.asp). The interviewers ask for examples of how you showed the values in your work.
So, first one, working together - "One time I had to organise a blahblah, so my colleagues and I blahblahed."

If this is how they're going to do it, it should talk about it in your interview information.
Hope that helps.

fbs_4800

Any update?