I have an interview tommorrow - Help!

lmp0507

I have an interview tommorrow working in a telesales role,
I'm wanting any tips or advice that would really make me shine at an interview? I always get nervous beforehand but if I plan out what I need to say/do/study, Hopefully I should ace this one!
Thanks in advance everyone!

Daisy-May*

What I have done in previous interviews (and believe me I get very nervous!!) is look at the job spec and work out an example answer to each part of the job spec for example:

Can communicate effectively, I would describe work in my current employment that shows how I communicate effectively (speaking to managers/customers etc in a polite and friendly manner etc)

I think once you have got your head around what examples you can give for each part of the job spec it makes it a bit easier to flow answers in the interview and provides evidence (to the interviewer) that you can do the job advertised.

booter

I second Daisy-May's advice! Once I even wrote a list of potential questions an interviewer may ask, and then recorded myself answering those questions. That was an eye-opener! (My voice sounded so dull and bored, better than a sleeping tablet for the interviewers, so I practiced "pepping" it up )

A tip given to me by a careers officer was to try and think of 3 answers for each potential question. That way, you're never going to give one word answers - and it looks like you really know your stuff! (Even though you may forget one answer, you'll still have another 2 to have a crack at!)
Another tip was to (silently:)) count to 3 before answering a question - it makes it look like your giving the question some serious thought (even though you've already anticipated the question, and practiced the answers:)) Research the business you're hoping to work for - that usually goes down well. And you know that bit at the end of the interview where they ask "have you got anything you'd like to ask us?" - try and think of something to ask them! Whether it's re: training, further career developments, whatever.

Take a couple of deep breaths before you go in, and try to relax! If it helps, picture them on the toilet and good luck!

Blether

Another tip is if you can't think of an answer fake a cough or have a sip of water and that gives you a small amount thinking time. Write your answers as if it is a presentation and practise it lots. Take Daisy May's advice and plan from the job spec. If the question varies from your planned one you should be able to change it to suit.

slig

I've done a few interviews recently, and I think the ones I've done well in are (perhaps unsurprisingly) the ones where I felt confident that I could do the role well. So if you think you can do this job well, then just go in and tell them why. Have confidence in yourself, and they will have confidence in you. When I haven't felt confident that I could do the role, then I think it's really shown. So hopefully you are feeling confident in your own abilities, even if you are nervous about the actual interview (that's normal).

Make sure you do your research on the company and the role beforehand.

My best interviews have been ones where it's felt like a two-way dialogue between me and the panel. I think this partly comes down to the panel's interviewing style, but it helps if you can show that you're interested and engaged, and that you know what they're talking about and aren't just trying to blag it. And make sure you have several (around five works for me) questions to ask at the end. Questions could be 'what training and development do you offer?' 'why has the post become available?' 'how many people work in the team/company?' 'when will you be letting the successful applicant know?' 'what are the best and worst things about this role?' etc.

As others have said, make sure you have at least one example for each of the 'competancies' that the role requires - team work, problem solving, communication, etc. Have them written down and read through them before you go in. If you're very prone to stage fright then you could even do a few bullet points on an index card and ask if they mind you using it.

I have a tendency to talk very fast and gabble in interviews and presentations; I'm trying to rein myself in a bit. I think that leaving pauses of a few seconds whilst you're talking shows confidence and control - if you look at professional speakers they will leave pauses to emphasize a point (watch a video of Martin talking for an example). Plus it gives you time to think about your answer. If they ask you something and you have no idea what to say, then rather than just babbling on about nothing, I think it's better to say 'hmm, I need a moment to think about that one', and then if you really can't think of anything then say 'please would it be possible to come back to that one later?' I've also been trying to stop myself from talking once I've answered the question - I think a clear concise answer sounds better than talking for ten minutes in the hope that you will stumble upon the answer at some point in your ramblings. There's no point in tell them you are a clear and confident communicator if you do the opposite in the interview.

And finally, I take plenty of rescue remedy before an interview

Good luck!

lmp0507

Thanks for the advice everyone I really appreciate it!
Went for the interview earlier, turns out it was a commision only which they failed to mention on the website
Shame really, would have been a great job if not.

slig

Oh how annoying. Did you feel the interview went ok, even though you don't want the role? Think of it as practice for your next interview

booter

lucymelissa wrote: »

Thanks for the advice everyone I really appreciate it!
Went for the interview earlier, turns out it was a commision only which they failed to mention on the website
Shame really, would have been a great job if not.

Sorry to hear that lucymelissa - it's so frustrating to find something's not what it's cracked up to be . Did you still do the interview, and if so, how did it go? As slig said, just look upon it as practice - do enough interviews and the nerves get less with each one - honest!

lmp0507

Sorry for late reply guys! the interview went very well, practically offered me the job on the spot - until I asked about commision!
Onwards and upwards, I have an interview tommorrow and another on tuesday, So I will use everyone's fantastic advice!