Job Search Advice

Claire_MUFC

One thing someone on another site said was when we've been practising interviews, have we been just doing generic questions. To which my answer was 'yes'.

They have said maybe look at admin specific related interview questions, i.e. you could be asked about confidentiality, what programmes you have used, filing, use of telephone etc. etc.

Was wondering whether to speak to my work programme advisor and see whether we can come up with a list of a couple of generic interview questions that I'm not so confident at and some admin specific related questions (loads on Google), and go through each one in some of our appointments to come up with good answers for them.

Doing something like that would help me feel alot more confident applying for stuff, as it would help ease my fear of interviews because we'd be working on a major barrier and improving the way I answer stuff.

Does this seem like weird suggestion, or would it come across to my advisor like I'm being pushy expecting him to go through each question ?

The thing I found most hard is relating examples of past experience to questions. I'm alright giving a basic answer, but my problem is expanding more on stuff.

Planning on speaking to my advisor to see whether this is something we can do in our appointments. I know he's mentioned about some pilot interview practise thing their getting an employer to do, it is a group thing, and I don't mind doing it. But I'd also like to go over this stuff in our one-to-one sessions, I learn better that way than in a group setting.

Jules2012

https://www.office-angels.com https://www.brookstreet.co.uk and https://www.searchconsultancy.co.uk are usually good to find admin type jobs.

Although recruitment agencies get a lot of flack, deservedly, I think they can be useful for people who are a bit nervous, not sure and lack confidence in applying for jobs/interviews etc.

I would say look up any nearby offices and just walk in, with a CV, chat to someone. The last two have you performing some tests via Office tools, to see what level you are at.

DCFC79

Yes definitely mention to the advisor about needing some interview practice esp tricky questions. It can only be a good thing. Good luck.

asdf1982

5. taking minutes in meetings is nothing scary. Just write down a brief version of whats being said and you can type it up later. You won't be expected to know short hand.

Claire_MUFC

So, asking my advisor to go through interview questions and answers is deffo not such a bad idea, and something they should be able to do considering it is a majot barrier of mine.

Also, the actual job search sessions every week are helpful. Felt silly going in every week, but they help in the way that constant rejections and being ignored knocks your confidence and motivation to keep looking, but those sessions mean I have to.

DCFC79

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

So, asking my advisor to go through interview questions and answers is deffo not such a bad idea, and something they should be able to do considering it is a majot barrier of mine.

Also, the actual job search sessions every week are helpful. Felt silly going in every week, but they help in the way that constant rejections and being ignored knocks your confidence and motivation to keep looking, but those sessions mean I have to.

No I dont see a problem with mentioning that you need some interview experience.

brightonman123

rather than specifying 'admin', i would search 'all', and see if your skills match whatever a listing is asking for..

also, tweak / reload your cv on the cv sites (reed.co.uk, cvlibrary, etc) every couple f days, to stay near top of the pile when a recruiter searches!

saxonrosecliff

brightonman123 wrote: »

rather than specifying 'admin', i would search 'all', and see if your skills match whatever a listing is asking for..

also, tweak / reload your cv on the cv sites (reed.co.uk, cvlibrary, etc) every couple f days, to stay near top of the pile when a recruiter searches!

I'm looking for admin work and I always search "all" and in all categories. You will often find that when jobs are categorised into types of company e.g. engineering, engineering companies will advertise their admin work under "engineering" rather than "admin"

With regard to applying for jobs where there is a task that I am not experienced in if I really can't think of a transferable skill that would cover it I say, for example, "although I am not particularly experienced in taking minutes this is an area in which I would like to develop my skills".

You are lucky that you have a supportive work programme provider who was willing to pay for your NVQ. I asked mine if there was any funding available for me to do a Sage Accounting course as some admin jobs ask for experience in Sage Line 50. She said they didn't have any funding available for training apart from fork lift truck drivers and a few other completely unrelated professions!

I've got a telephone interview later on this morning and I get extremely nervous (I am now) so I try and concentrate on what I am going to do after the interview and maybe even plan a little treat - it might be a trip to the cake shop today!

Good luck.

brightonman123

try the Indeed site too- seems to grab job listings from all sites..?

www.indeed.co.uk

EndlessStruggle

I work in admin in a college, there are loads of office support staff there, if you have a college nearby check their jobs section as most only advertise on their own website.