Job interviews - how to improve

dickydonkin

Another tip - take no notice of 'feedback' from job interviews unless it was an internal application. They are unlikely to tell you the real reason you didn't get the job.

And many are unlikely to provide feedback!

EconomicsGirl

Thanks very much. I get feedback from about 50%, other 50% say they don't do it. However 50% of the feedback is just someone else scored higher so that's like no feedback so only a quarter give you feedback which says something. Of that quarter its been:

1. You came very close - considered making an offer to you as well as the lady they took. Very impressed with you.
2. Came third - passed competency interview and a couple of years ago would have got the job but with public sector cutbacks have been besiged. Would happily employ you. Answers were fine but a couple were a bit short, not wrong but not enough info. Suggested I take a pen and paper to interview to remind me of question. Also told me the perfect answer to 1 question and asked me to apply again. Haven't done pen and paper yet as wasn't sure about this but I do sometimes vere off subject at interview so it would help me just don't want to look wierd.
3. You were completely useless at interview and clearly hadn't prepared the basic answers like what you'ld bring to the role (didn't even realised they'ld asked me that!) and why you wanted to work here. Didn't think you could explain things to a less bright person.
4. Job which said about offer an interview - we were concerned about the future development of the role (took that as code for we think you'll leave as soon as you can get something better/more money).

I do think its worth asking for feedback but it is rare to get useful feedback. Some interviews I also find they give feedback at interview. A lot will only give feedback over the phone presumably for fear of litigation. The one I just had and have a 2nd interview for said I was very strong in a couple of areas but weak in another and would need to learn more about the other area. The other area I do already know about so not entirely sure what they are on about but think they mean a small part of the subject which I am weak on but have done small amounts of in the past.

EconomicsGirl

Just saw it says Comptency based interview - "you may use notes". Anyone any idea what that means? Do you think it means you can take notes or does it mean you can take prepared answers in with you? Never had that before.

an9i77

EconomicsGirl wrote: »

Just saw it says Comptency based interview - "you may use notes". Anyone any idea what that means? Do you think it means you can take notes or does it mean you can take prepared answers in with you? Never had that before.

I would interpret that to mean you can take notes in you from the preparation you've done for the competency based questions. So if I were you, I'd list each competency on a separate piece of paper, think of several examples of when you've illustrated this compentency in the past (use star technique ie situation/ task/action/result - google star technique if you want to know more) and then make sure you read the list several times before the interview. Then take it in with you and if I were you I'd highlight the salient points so it is easy to refer to in the interview. i wouldn't be referring to it constantly, as hopefully you'll know your examples pretty well before the interview, but you can use it as an aide memoir when they ask for examples. You can usually suss out from the person spec / job description what competencies the role will focus on, I'd have at least two examples for each competence just in case one is not enough. Good luck

EconomicsGirl

Thanks very much an9i77. I haven't had the full details through yet but I know its a competency based interview and meet the team / get shown round.

The role profile has different competencies to the corporate ones so I'm a bit confused as to what to prepare for as they are different except for one. In my old company we always used corporate ones but this is private sector so could be different. I guess I'll prepare for all but there's about 20 in total so rather a lot!

an9i77

Prepare for all if you want to be on the safe side, but the interview will prob have been written based on job spec.

EconomicsGirl

Thanks an9i77 - that would make sense. First interview wasn't like the corporate guidelines so its probably that.

EconomicsGirl

Thanks for all the replies. I got offered a job today - its exactly what I want to do and the people are lovely.

ronmark

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