Job Interviews - losing confidence

EconomicsGirl

Just to clarify when I was told it was OK to take notes they meant it is OK (I'ld also check before/at start of interview) to take a blank notepad and take note of the question so you remember it. You would just do this for the odd question not everyone. It would be useful say for a competency based interview where you are asked to show 4 skills. I had this and once I started talking rapidly forgot the other 3. Never tried a notepad though but had 2 interviewers suggest it to me.

Where do you want to be in a year's time - definately with the company, they are looking for loyalty. As for saying about promotion I'ld be wary if its a year, if its say in 5 years then it would be reasonable to say in another role within this company. Depends a bit if there's likely to be another role to be promoted to. Safest answer would be with this company. A sales role would expect you to be ambitious, other roles e.g. admin they may not want this as may think you'll leave.

You should ask questions it shows an interest but just a few not loads. You can ask things like If I got the role what would initially be working on? How did this vacancy come about? Is there anything I could prepare to help me do the role (to appear keen). How many people are in the team/how is the team structured? Do not ask about holidays/pay or money.

Why do you want the job? Need to show enthusiasm, knowledge of the job/firm and emphasise what you'ld bring to the firm I think when I looked it up online. Most questions if you google them you'll get sites which give you set answers but generally sell yourself to the firm. Like a science job - I want the job because I love science and because I feel my x years as an scientist and my specialist knowledge of x could be very useful for your firm.

katerinasol

Hi OP, I just wanted to say don't give up! It's so difficult to pick yourself up off the ground but you have to grow a thick skin and treat each interview like it's your first.

I've had two interviews for 'proper' jobs - the first one, I was convinced I messed up the test and barely spoke to the interviewers and went home certain I wasn't going to get the job but I was offered it anyway. The second one I got on really well with the interviewers but again flunked the test but was offered the job as well. Both times I thought I would be interviewed by one person but there were three people sitting there facing me - pretty intimidating. So anything can happen!

I have three main tips for interviews:

1. Body language - at the start, pick up on the body language your interviewer/s are using and copy it. If they're very formal then stay professional but if they're relaxed and jokey then mirror that, that way they can see that you would fit in with the culture at the place.

2. Examples - when they ask things like, 'How do you deal with angry clients?', tell them but also back it up, e.g. 'I stay calm and collected and make sure not to downplay their problem. At my last job, a man got very angry because we were unable to refund him as he didn't have a receipt. Instead of getting angry back, I listened to him without interrupting, explained to him our store policy and offered to exchange the item for one of equal value or a shop voucher.'

3. Research - this is probably the most important one because employers LOVE it when you research their company as it shows you're keen. Look at the company site and on Wikipedia if you're being interviewed for a large shop, then drop it into conversation. For example if they ask why you want the job, say that you have always wanted to work for an innovative company, then say, 'And I was very impressed with your viral marketing campaigns, plus you have won awards for innovation in 2004 and 2007' and so on. When they tell you about their company, interject with your own information. I was being told about where the company I work for had offices, the bloke was saying, 'We have one in Nottingham, Birmingham, Glasgow...' and I said, 'You have one in Manchester as well don't you?' and he turned round to his colleague and said, 'Do we?!' so it makes you look really good when you know about their background, even if it's the year they started operating and how many employees they have. I usually make a list of bullet points and read through it on my way to the interview.

Hope that helps and good luck! I know how soul-destroying it is to spend ages jobhunting and constantly getting turned down but your time will come!

**Juice**

What I did for my last interview (I got the job):

• Researched the company really thoroughly
• Made sure I was really familiar with the role - job description, person spec - and the reasons why I was suitable for it
• Revised my relevant experience and skills
• Researched common interview questions and prepared answers for them (with examples) and always said "I did" or "I implemented" rather than we or the team, which I learned almost by script
• Took all my qualifications/certificates with me in an organised folder
• Made a point of memorising everyone's names/roles that I met on interview day and referred to them by name throughout

I've had probably about 10 interviews in the last 4 years and never got anywhere, with this one I was the one who got the job out of over 100 applicants I'm so chuffed and I honestly believe that this extra preparation got me the job - previously for interviews I've kind of just scanned over the job description prior to the interview but I really really wanted this one.