Interview @ the national space centre in Leicester

lethal_2

Interview @ the national space centre in Leicester

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Hey, I have got an interview at my local attractions (the national space centre in Leicester) and just got informed today. I am currently in my first year at college, studying for my A-levels. I have been looking for a part time job for the last 6 months with a few unsuccessful interviews reached. But, in recent weeks I have stepped up a gear in an attempt to get a job, and been consistent in applying for jobs, as well as taking my time to fill out application forms, and it’s looking like its paying off.

The thing is that I am terrified for the interview (next Thursday) and was wondering if any1 has ever been to an interview at the space centre? I know there is only a few people on here that even live in Leicester never mind applying there but it is always worth a try. If not, what sort of questions do you think they would ask? What should I wear! Am so excited and extremely scared!

Lethal

LittleVoice

My questions to you:
Have you visited the centre recently?
Would you be working in a job where you would meet the public?
Do those people wear any kind of uniform?

Their questions to you could include:
What was your journey here like today?
What interests you in working here?
What do you want to do when you complete your college course?
What experience do you have of working with the public?
What skills will you bring to the role?
Tell us how you meet the person specification.
What would you like least about the job?
What would you like the most?
Tell us about a challenge you have had and what you did.

lethal_2

Have you visited the centre recently? YES ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHERE I COMPLETED AN AS LEVEL MODULE RELATED TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THEY OFFER (WHEN I NOTICED THE JOB VACANCY)
Would you be working in a job where you would meet the public? YES MOSTLY WORKING WITH CHILDREN
Do those people wear any kind of uniform? I CANT REMEMBER

and thanks for all those potential questions, can any1 recomend any good interview help sites online?

LittleVoice

My reply will bump this up the board again.

I wondered about the kind of job you had. Given that you would be working with children and it should be a fun place to be, I guess you wouldn't be expected to be wearing a business suit! So I would guess you just need to look clean and tidy for the interview. (I'd hazard a guess that work-wear could involve a tee-shirt/sweat-shirt as uniform.)

You could also try https://www.monster.co.uk and click through to get to advice on interviews - including sample questions where you select from 3 possible answers and then get feedback on your choice at each step.

lethal_2

OK... i am in a bit of trouble and very scared, I really want this job but this guy in my college already works there, and his girlfreind got an interview there! That did not really bother me but I overheard him and he is apparently going to put a bad word in for me or do something that would dismiss my cchances of getting the job or possibly even dismiss my application! what can I do to prevent this! he works there so can and proberbly will do something! and I really want this job!

LittleVoice

First thing - Stop worrying.

Maybe he wanted you to overhear him and was trying to unsteady you as a way of giving his girlfriend an edge.

You will be judged by your application and what happens on the day of the interview and what your referees have said or will say about you. One thing is for sure, the Centre is a professional organisation and they will not just dismiss your application on the word of someone who cannot be in a position to have a real say on what goes on. If anything if he said anything he would probably just look like a stirrer.

Yesterday, you said your interview was "next Thursday", so I'm assuming that is next week. So till then, as well as working on your college tasks, simply do your preparation for the interview. Do not worry about what this other guy may say about you. You cannot do anything to prevent him saying anything but you can prepare for your interview.

Best wishes

LV

Jarvisma

My advice would be completely ignore what this guy said, it was probably just scare tactics and I doubt he would have that much influence over the people making recruitment decisions otherwise he wouldn't have been so indiscreet!

In the interview itself, if you are a little nervous feel free to tell them this from the outset, there's nothing wrong with nerves and it is better they know rather than mistakenly take your nerves to be something else, either arrogance or not good at communicating.

As hard as it will seem, try and be 'chatty' rather than just straight answering the questions asked of you. Imagine it is a meeting not an interview and you are simply having a discussion about your experinces and the job you are applying for.

The best peice of advice - ask lots of questions and show how keen and enthusiastic you are. Ask for more detail about what the job would entail, ask about what an example day to day routine might be, ask if there are any specific tasks they have in mind that you would be working on if you got the job...... the list is endless.

(As a side note but hopefully it won't come to it, if you don't get the job it could be worth a call / complaint to the HR dept that a member of staff was overheard saying what he did, they should know that they have someone that unprofessional working for them and they should look into it if it turns out his girfriend got the job)

Good luck, let us know how you got on.

lethal_2

thanks for all the help! I think I would be able to get the job even if he says his petty stuff to the HR! as I know I have the qualities and experience to work there!

I have now (well yesterday) finnished and handed all my a-level coursework and now I can just prepare for the interview!

does any1 know what I should wear to the interview? (I thought a suit, but some people have said I shouldn't)
Does any1 know any good interviwing skills?

I so excited and scared for this interview as it would mean so much if I got offered this job!

also, when speaking over the phone to the HR person, she said if i come early I would get a complimatary ticket to tour the attraction! do you think this is wise! if so, should I go an hour early? I have been there many times before but thought I would look more keen for the job if I go and visit early

lethal

a thanks would be donated to everyperson who posts on this thread to show my apprication of your help and support!

LittleVoice

If you were applying for the vacant job of their Education Director then a suit would be appropriate. But I don't think you are!

If you have a suit you are comfortable wearing, that would be fine. Better to dress up than dress down but think about the environment in which you would be working. Unless you will need to wear a suit for the work, I think that just wearing shoes (not trainers), smart trousers (not denims) and a shirt and tie would be sufficiently formal and OK.

The important thing is to feel comfortable so that you aren't worried about what you are wearing and can concentrate on the interview.

It would be a good idea to take up the offer of the complimentary ticket and see round again before the interview. Not only will it make you look keen it will give you something else to talk about if asked at the interview. For example, they might ask you about any changes/new exhibits you had noticed compared with earlier visits. Also looking round somewhere with the eyes of a potential employee is different from being a regular visitor.

As an aside - I quite envy you. On one visit to Leicester I considered going to the Space Centre but was then too miserly to pay £11. (The Smithsonian in Washington is free - but the cost of getting there somewhat higher!)

It's been enjoyable having this conversation with you. I hope Jarvisma or others will return too.

lethal_2

Thanks every1 for all you advise and help! now something else major has come up! what to wear?

I was going to wear a suit, with a tie but everyone I have talked to says something diffrent.

Before I say the options, I want to say I would like to give the imppression that I am eager for this job, smart, freindly, approachable, as well as someone who is easy to get along with. So the options that I was thinking were:

- BUSINESS SUIT WITH TIE WITHOUT GLASSES

- BUSINESS SUIT WITHOUT TIE + WITH GLASSES

- BLACK TROUSER, SHIRT, TIE, WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES

- BLACK TROUSERS, SHIRT, WITH GLASSES

THE REASON WHY I HAVE SAID WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES IS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO LOOK TOO SMART, AS MY GLASSES ARE THE BIG BLACK CHUNKY ONES, AND ACCORDING TO OTHERS MAKES ME LOOK SMART

LittleVoice

Hi

You already have my thoughts on clothes but -

Why are you prescribed glasses? (I assume they are prescription lenses.)

If you need them, wear them. (Prescriptions suggest need.)