So close to the Holy Grail

Emmzi

scooby088 wrote: »

I don't believe you ever need a degree for anything

open heart surgery?

[Deleted User]

Pretty sure I needed my degree in Genetics when I became a Genetics research assistant.

If you are attending dozens of interviews, then maybe there's an issue with your interview technique?

dave4545454

kingfisherblue wrote: »

A word of advice - prepare for your interviews. I know it sounds obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many people don't bother.

Know about the company as well as the job.

Relate your voluntary experience to the job you are applying for. Through voluntary work, you have shown commitment and loyalty, as well as any skills directly related to the job you are applying for.

Give examples.

Don't just bumble on, spouting hot air - listen to the question and answer it. Again it sounds obvious, but a number of interviewees don't actually answer the question asked. They start off okay, but then go off on a tangent and leave the question unanswered.

If you don't understand a question, ask them to rephrase it.

Dress smartly and have a high level of cleanliness.

Don't be late - far better to turn up 30 minutes early and have to sit in the car for twenty minutes than arrive two minutes late.

Remember to greet your interviewers. Smile.

If you don't get the job, ask if they can give you some feedback. Take it with the intention of using it wisely - it is no use getting feedback if you get yourself into a strop and decide that the interviewer is wrong. make sure that you correct any mistakes before another interview.

Good luck to you both

Thank you for the advice, some great points there.

dave4545454

astra5 wrote: »

You certainly need to prepare for your interview and expect them to challenge your lack of paid work experience. See link for National Careers service below for more info on interviews, I would suggest you contact the National Careers service, arrange to see an adviser in your local area and ask them to do a practice interview with you. On the positive side - they were aware of your record when you applied and you got through to the 2nd round - so you must have something they want.

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/getajob/interviews/Pages/default.aspx

Thank you astra, I will check that out.

dave4545454

Witchfinder_General wrote: »

Left school. Two days after my 16th Birthday went into the RN.

Left the RN after 24 years service in 2000. My 1st interview after leaving secured the job I am doing now.

34 years continous employment this year. Never needed a Degree.

And OP (dave454545) what is your 20 year old degree in?

The degree is in Engineering and Management. Luckily it was when we used to get grants therefore I had no student loan.

dave4545454

getmore4less wrote: »

Also need to watch out for basic errors like this one.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=51046753&postcount=46

correct.

21 million employed
8 million part time
8 million unemployed



so just under half of all working age adults are not in fulltime employment

8 million part time + 8 million unemployed =16 million

So 16 million not in fulltime employment and 21 million in fulltime employment means that so just under half of all working age adults are not in fulltime employment.

So I was right:)

Idiophreak

scooby088 wrote: »

I don't believe you ever need a degree for anything,

I was frustrated just this week that one of my former colleagues was looking for a job and I recommended him at our place. Sadly, my company passed on the basis he didn't have a degree...apparently that's more important than the 10+ years experience the guy has doing exactly the same job he'd be doing here. Not saying it's right at all, just saying it's the way it is.

OP, I echo the advice of kfb
* dress smartly, clean yourself up. Wear something comfortable that you feel confident in - this completely changes how you stand and even sit.
* greet people with firm handshakes and good eye contact
* take your time to understand the questions, answer the question and try not to ramble.
* be punctual.
* don't be afraid to ask for water if you get a bit nervous, calms you down and stops your mouth drying out.
* be friendly, engaging and enthusiastic.
* be honest - good interviewers will tell when you're lying.
* research - find out all you can about the company, the position and practice any interview questions they might ask particular to that job.
* prepare questions for you to ask then, too.

Finally, if I were you, I'd try and play down the 100s of interviews you've been to...

scooby088

Emmzi wrote: »

open heart surgery?

Most surgeons learn more after taking their degree than what actual paper qualifications it's more practical and hands on.

dandelionclock30

Good luck for the interview- whats the position?
Im surprised that during 20 years you have not managed to get a job, after volunteering. At one time it as relatively straightforward to get a job in the charity/voluntary sector as they used to recruit from their volunteers.
Have you got any significant barriers to employment like a serious criminal record or a disability etc?

wantsajob

bluenoseam wrote: »

Yeah 20 years without a job is slightly less than believable to be perfectly blunt

Without intending to be nasty to the OP in any manner...

It is perfectly possible the OP has a condition of which they're unaware, yet makes them not the first choice at every interview. As I have Asperger's Syndrome, I know this to be the case with that condition. Aspergers often goes undiagnosed. A short test which might suggest whether it is a possibility is at http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html