Interview after many many years, nervous

Fresh_Start_2012

Hi All,

Finally after working in a department in the same role for 7 years as a Team Manager a role has finally came up that I have been wanting for a long long time in the same company, better money and much higher up than my current position.

Applied for the job before christmas, got a call today saying the interview is on Friday. Got to present for 10 mins to the panel on a subject they give me 30 mins on the day to prepare and create followed by a 90 min interview.

The last interview I had was in 2007, hence why im really quite nervous.

Does anyone have any tips they can give me?

Thanks.

Wellery82

Firstly well done on getting the interview and good luck. I have worked in HR and Recruitment for a number of years so will give my two penny's worth, which hopefully may give some ideas.

My main tip is to make them think you understand the job, want the job and can do the job in everything you say. Be yourself, be friendly, professional and enthusisastic.

Do you understand the role -
I would suggest that in the interview it will be good if you can show a real understanding of what the role will entail and how you can link your skills to that - maybe you have time to eeet up and discuss the role with the previous incumbent, or with individuals the role interfaces with? If so definitely try and do this and mention it also would be my advice. In understanding the role from a practical viewpoint of someone who has done the job, or had to work alongside it you aren't just seeing it as a theoretical job title, you understand the challenges that go with it and show you are prepared for these. If you can't do this make sure you have really read the job description and understand the different elements of the job.

Can you do the role -

It would be good if you can have ready in your mind examples to the kinds of things they will want you to show to prove you can do the job - whether it is managing a team, commerical nouse, customer service etc - how have you shown it previously in roles. Often interviews nowadays are competency based, and will be asking "tell me a time when" type questions.

I would also have a think about their concerns they may have about you - what areas of this job haven't you done before or may you have less experience? Have you transferable skills or experience that makes this less of a concern? If so try and get this out into the open in the interview - even if they don't ask the question directly try and sell yourself.

Do you want the role -

You can demonstrate you want the role in many ways. Being enthusisatic throughout, and having questions to ask is one. Telling them outright you want the role is another, and also helping them to understand why - how does it tie in with your aspirations and the things that motivate you.

Best of luck anyway

planning303

just to add to what jim suggested, if you already work in the company are you aware of any company "values" that they have as part of their company statement or anything?

If so try to link these buzz words into your real life examples and suggestions of what you would do in the role.

HR managers love that sort of jazz lol

Well done and good luck, you've got the interview because they must think you are good enough

Fresh_Start_2012

Hi,

Thanks very much for the suggestions/advice.

I've spoken to the previous manager who is the recruiting manager (she strongly recommended me to apply) and she is on the interview panel as she was promoted so essentially it is her previous job I am going for. I had a meeting with her and she told me about the role and what she previously did so that gave me an insight into the role, not sure how to drop this into the interview session, does it look bad if I was to say I had spoken to her.

Tomorrow I'm going to start pulling together compentcy based examples in prep for the interview so that they are there in front of me during the interview as a reminder.

Thanks for the quick responses.

ellieellieellie

Fresh_Start_2012 wrote: »

does it look bad if I was to say I had spoken to her.

No. It shows you've thoroughly researched the role. I wouldn't try to shoehorn it in, but if it's a natural and relevant part of your answer to a question, I see no reason not to mention it. It would look strange if they asked you and said nothing, they might think you have something to hide - especially since at least one of the interviewers already knows!

Good luck!

**Juice**

Familiarise yourself with the job description and person spec, and how your skills and experience match up with this. Also make sure you're clear about what you've put on your CV/in your application. I agree that you should research the company/department and I would look up some common interview questions and prepare and learn answers to them. I'd also think of some questions to ask at the end of the interview.

Take your time with your answers and don't feel bad if you have to pause for a few seconds before your answers.

Do you have any inkling at all what the presentation might be around? Keep an eye on the time when you're preparing it too.

Good luck with your interview!