job interview need advice please???

byteme23

Hi Everyone,

Would like a bit of advice if possible....

I currently work for a recruitment agency, I perform well, feel I am good at my job, and enjoy my job role.

However I HATE my manager, I feel she is holding me back, blocking my career path, and cannot stand working in our office with her.

I have been here now for 2 1/2 years and feel I am at the end of my tether and need to get out...however I work for a specialist recruitment and there arent a lot of jobs out there.

After browsing for a couple of months I came across and have applied to a competitor agency.

I have been contacted today and have an interview next week.

My concern is that the competitor agency have only requested to see me for interview to find out information about my current agency....

also what do i say when they ask why do i want to leave my current job??

and any advice about the dreaded questions what is your current salary??

any advice would be greatly recieved!!!

Hammyman

You've told us the reasons you want to leave so use them in the interview. As for salary, try the going rate.

claire16c

I would tell them your salary, but you can also say 'But Im looking for x to x amount', if you feel that the company you work for now underpays/overpays for example, I usually try to say an amount I know they are likely to pay but at the same time you dont want to undersell your self, it can be tricky. When Ive interviewed people I ask that, but only to check that they dont want 10k more or something! The pay is pretty much already set, so what they say doesnt affect it that much.

I would tell them you want to leave because the way the company is structured it is hard for you to progess any further, you have been there for over 2 years and want to move onto something new and further your career, and want a new challenge. I would not say you hate your boss!!

byteme23

thankyou for the advice.

an ex colleague of mine has been for an interview for the same job yesterday and they asked her a lot of dodgy questions....

like what did you used to pay your staff, how much did you charge, which businesses did you deal with, what was the bonus scheme like??

are these normal things to ask in interview??

Emmzi

not "which businesses did you deal with." For that I'd say "obviously it's taken me a while to build up my customer base and I really on't feel comfortable divulging details of that. I work with industries x y and z and am comfortable with small or large volume recruitment."

Sambucus_Nigra

byteme23 wrote: »

like what did you used to pay your staff, how much did you charge, which businesses did you deal with, what was the bonus scheme like??

How is this relevant to my suitability for the role? I would never divulge information on companies that I deal with or detailed information like that, as it would be unethical.

Other possible answers to your other questions:

I'm looking for a new challenge.

My current salary is X and I am looking for Y in order to facilitate a move with potential that I can really get my teeth into and make my own.

RobertoMoir

byteme23 wrote: »

thankyou for the advice.

an ex colleague of mine has been for an interview for the same job yesterday and they asked her a lot of dodgy questions....

like what did you used to pay your staff, how much did you charge, which businesses did you deal with, what was the bonus scheme like??

are these normal things to ask in interview??

If they ask any questions that you feel would break your current employer's confidentiality then politely explain that you cannot answer due to that, and that you hope they appreciate that you'll show their confidential information the same duty of care.

(In fact, who knows, if they have any integrity themselves that may be the exact sort of answer they're hoping to hear!)

byteme23

thankyou all for your comments, I wouldn't answer them, and I think all of your advice on what to say is great!!

however my ex colleague did answer all the questions they asked, and she has been invited back to a second interview.

my interview is going to be with the branch manager and regional straight away, as her first interview was with just the branch manager.

the manager hasnt seen my cv yet, she know me by reputation when I phoned to enquire about the position and immediately offered me an interview, looking at it optimistically that could be great as she is aware of what I can do as she is a competitor, but looking at is pessimistically I am the competition and I worry she only wants to dig information out of me, if that is the case I wouldnt want to work for them anyway. I just want out of my current job, and the company I an interviewing with is a very large successful company.

claire16c

RobertoMoir wrote: »

If they ask any questions that you feel would break your current employer's confidentiality then politely explain that you cannot answer due to that, and that you hope they appreciate that you'll show their confidential information the same duty of care.

(In fact, who knows, if they have any integrity themselves that may be the exact sort of answer they're hoping to hear!)

I agree. I think that answer would be fine.

CapJ

Re confidientiality - agree with previous posts.

WRT reason for leaving don't say the unedited truth. Try and spin it to a positive. This manager knows you by reputation? Do you know her reputation? Better to say that you are really keen to work for her as you know her (and list some of the things you like). Or else talk about seeking new challenges, or positive things about the company you are applying to. Whatever happens, don't say that you hate your boss.

byteme23

does anyone know if you HAVE to work your notice period??