Interview advice please

boosas

Hi All,

I have started today swotting up on the skills I'm not so comfortable with just in case they do test me.

After all your comments I will also scour the website and take notes on their EOP and so forth, just in case!

Don't you just hate this feeling? Excitment yet scared to death?! I still haven't decided on the suit, I am female so have more options but want to make a memorable impression.

Thanks guys for all the reassurance, I feel heaps better now, and if the panic kicks in again, I'll remember all your comments and re compose myself by taking deep breathes.

3plus1

I used to work at a council, and often went for lunch with the HR girls. They used to complain that if they didn't want to give a job to someone, they had to provide 'concrete' reasons, e.g. the candidate did not have a particular certificate. If there was something that niggled at them (e.g. bad handwriting!) they couldn't use this as a reason not to make a job offer.

Based on what I know, I would say wear the outfit that you look good in, and that you know you look good in. (As long as it doesn't involve a mini-skirt or low top ) Wearing something flattering will give you extra confidence. The brown suit sounds nice, if you suit brown best, go for it. If you're more comfortable in the black suit, that's also okay. Good first impressions are great, but if your interviewers don't like your clothes, they can't not give you a job offer because of it. Ahh, the benefits of interviewing for local government. Every decision they make about you has to be justifiable.:)

Good luck.

Plasticman

boosas wrote:

I still haven't decided on the suit, I am female so have more options but want to make a memorable impression.

In that case, I think you can ignore this earlier comment:

NigeWick wrote:

No excessive jewellery, hair neat and tidy with beard trimmed or clean shaven.

Astaroth

would definitely go with clean shaven - for anywhere that will show anyway

Savvy_Sue

Astaroth wrote:

would definitely go with clean shaven - for anywhere that will show anyway

:rotfl:

OK, since you're female, definitely go with whichever of your outfits suits you best OR IS MOST COMFORTABLE! Especially shoes. It's impossible to do your best at an interview if your feet hurt ... or you're worried about falling over ... Don't be afraid of a bit of colour under the black or brown. And I would say that actually, local government probably doesn't dress that conservatively - I could be quite wrong here, but I used to work for a Housing Association, and I was astonished by what the front-line staff appeared to be able to get away with! As long as you're covered from shoulders to knees, you should be fine at interview ...

I would, for any interview in an office / facing the public, remove any (non-religious) facial piercings and go for discreet or smart earrings if you wear them, not big dangly ones. Call me piercist, but I know I'm not the only person slightly scared of heavily pierced faces ... I've known some really sweet people with them, and not really known anyone I DON'T like with a piercing, but I'm still slightly off put by them.

And I know HR have to give a reason for not employing someone other than "we just didn't like them" but trust me, if a good interviewing panel gets a bad vibe they'll find a way to justify it!

boosas

Astaroth wrote:

would definitely go with clean shaven - for anywhere that will show anyway

:rotfl:

hehe when I read beard trimmed I had to check in the mirror to be sure

NigeWick

Read through my first message again. I would go to the council office and ask the receptionist what they think of working there. Also, get information on the council and read it. This will show your interest and may give you some insights others have not cottoned on to. The first impression thing is very important as the interviewers will like/dislike you in thirty seconds or less. Then, they will tend to word their questions and comments accordingly. If you make that good first impression, they will try and get what they want from you by being helpful. If they don't like you, you'll have a much harder time convincing them you're good. Don't forget to smile, nod and comment in the correct places. Make sure that you face each one individually as they ask a question showing them that you are actively listening and giving them your full attention. Good luck.

>>>would definitely go with clean shaven - for anywhere that will show anyway <<<

If I can spread a little sunshine as I go along.....

Nigel.

boosas

Hi All,

Just a quick update, had the interview and I really cannot say I feel confident about it. They didn't test me as stated on the job spec (phew), and I ended up wearing a black skirt suit with a white shirt however did feel very overdressed as the interviewers both dressed casual...

I just don't know, I will find out hopefully by the end of the week. I didn't sleep last night worrying and my nervousness probably showed. I feel the way I answered the questions kinda made me look like I was "warbling on" if you know what I mean. I just feel really deflated and useless as I seem so pants at interviews!!

I hate this feeling, I feel so insecure. Que sara sara I guess, whatever will be will be!

Thanks for the tips as I took it all on board.

Plasticman

boosas wrote:

Hi All,

Just a quick update, had the interview and I really cannot say I feel confident about it. They didn't test me as stated on the job spec (phew), and I ended up wearing a black skirt suit with a white shirt however did feel very overdressed as the interviewers both dressed casual...

I just don't know, I will find out hopefully by the end of the week. I didn't sleep last night worrying and my nervousness probably showed. I feel the way I answered the questions kinda made me look like I was "warbling on" if you know what I mean. I just feel really deflated and useless as I seem so pants at interviews!!

I hate this feeling, I feel so insecure. Que sara sara I guess, whatever will be will be! Thanks for the tips as I took it all on board.

Don't feel deflated - most people feel like this at interviews! Well done for giving it a try, I hope it works out for you. Let us know what happens. Most importantly, did you trim your beard?

boosas

Plasticman wrote:

Don't feel deflated - most people feel like this at interviews! Well done for giving it a try, I hope it works out for you. Let us know what happens. Most importantly, did you trim your beard?

:rotfl:

Thank you Plasticman, that did cheer me up!