New Job /Application Form Advice - Got An interview - any tips

demy_2

Hi all,
I am new to all this so please bear with me. I have been in my current job for eight years as an office administrator. My current job entails sales ledger, purchase ledger, month ends, bank reconcilations, lodgements, payments, paye, vat, sub contractors payments & vouchers, etc.
However I am in the process of applying for a job with the local council and it is asking me to write in 250 words my knowledge of a integrated financial package which is throwing me a bit. I currently use Sage Line 50 Financial Controller and Sage Payroll. Do I write about these or what? Any help would be so much appreciated. I am terrified as I haven't filled out an application form in over eight years.
Thanks in Advice,
Demy

Savvy_Sue

Welcome demy!

I would interpret this to mean that you should write 250 words about your knowledge of Sage. I don't think they should be looking for an enthusiastic sales pitch for Sage, more an outline of what you've used it for. Give examples to show how practical you are.

I've never used Sage, so can't help you much more than that. But if I was doing it for MS Office, I'd describe how I've used Word to automatically produce a contents page and for indexing, laid out minutes brilliantly using tables, and the clever stuff I've done with Excel. Since I don't use Publisher or PowerPoint very much, I'd briefly say what I have used them for.

So if Sage has different 'bits' like that, make the most of what you have done, especially if not many people do that, and make it clear that you know what the rest of it does.

Does that make sense?

I'm sure if you post your 250 words later someone will pick 'em apart for you and find any spelling mistakes etc ...

demy_2

Hi
Thank you for all your help with my application form.
I have now got a letter inviting me for an interview on Friday.
I have not been at an interview for over 8 years.
Any tips or advice?
Thanks
Demy

Oldernotwiser

demy wrote:

Hi
Thank you for all your help with my application form.
I have now got a letter inviting me for an interview on Friday.
I have not been at an interview for over 8 years.
Any tips or advice?
Thanks
Demy

Congratulations!

I think that you might find the links in this thread useful.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=361565

Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

Don't know which thread has been linked to, but if you search the benefits board for Job interview you'll find lots of good advice (like not being late, shining your shoes etc!)

Good luck!

Oldernotwiser

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Don't know which thread has been linked to, but if you search the benefits board for Job interview you'll find lots of good advice (like not being late, shining your shoes etc!)

Good luck!

It only takes a click to investigate the link.

jobbingmusician

Hey moderators, I think it would be a great idea to have a sticky - 'checklist for how to prepare for an interview' which incorporates these helpful links. Does anyone else agree?

Savvy_Sue

Oldernotwiser wrote:

It only takes a click to investigate the link.

Indeed, but as I said there are several about interviews on the Benefits board, and I was pressed for time, and if I'd started clicking one link I might have wanted to find the others for which I didn't really have time!