Job Interviews

Claire_MUFC

Does anyone here understand what I mean when I say that with job interviews my biggest frustration, or the thing I find hardest is coming up with examples from work history etc.. to use to answer different questions?

I don't mind turning up to interviews, even though that make me partly nervous. The thing that affects me is getting asked questions and not knowing properly what to say, or what type of response the interviewer is looking for.

I have been told about the STAR technique, so I know how to structure answers. Just don't know if this works for every question, and find it hard to think and extract examples to use in my answers.

How can I actually improve on this?

I was thinking about getting questions off the internet, and going through them to come up with answers as practice, but then the only problem is that learning it word for word can sound robotic.

The one thing that someone has suggested to make it sound less robotic is come up with good answers, but then condense them down into bullet points, so I'm not literally learning them word for word ? Is this a good idea ?

I'm seeing my work programme advisor tomorrow, so thinking of asking suggesting to them about the going through different questions, and get answers but then condense them into bullet points thing.

Thanks for any help, or suggestions !

AP007

You mean competency based questions?

Claire_MUFC

Yeah, them. But also stuff like why do you want to work here, where do you see yourself in 5 years time ? etc. etc.

Only question I could give more than a vague answer to is what my strengths are.

AP007

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Yeah, them. But also stuff like why do you want to work here, where do you see yourself in 5 years time ? etc. etc.

Only question I could give more than a vague answer to is what my strengths are.

Why do you want to work here should be the easiest one to answer and the 5 year projection too.

Claire_MUFC

AP007 wrote: »

Why do you want to work here should be the easiest one to answer and the 5 year projection too.

My answer to that would be something like "because I am interested in this type of work."

AP007

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

My answer to that would be something like "because I am interested in this type of work."

Should be more you are interested in the company, what they do and where they are going and that you want to work for a forward thinking company. Then mention your skills and experience and how they fit with the role.

joolsybools

Do a Google search of 'interview questions' or 'competency based interview questions' and you should get an idea of the sort of answers employers expect.

I had a hideous competency based interview today *shudders*. I hate this type of interview and am crap at them.

November5th

joolsybools wrote: »

Do a Google search of 'interview questions' or 'competency based interview questions' and you should get an idea of the sort of answers employers expect.

I had a hideous competency based interview today *shudders*. I hate this type of interview and am crap at them.

Me too - I often find that interviewers don't like them either and would prefer just having a chat.
I really over practiced competency based interviews and did become robotic, it also meant I made more mistakes as it feels so unnatural. I felt like a fraud with my practiced answers tailored to the JD.

I am now really just relying on my personality and experience in interviews - winging it I suppose. I am really worried as I am on about my 30th interview now without success (although getting 2nd stage). The curious thing is that no-one had been hired and the jobs eventually re-advertised which I find odd. I mean, was I really *that* bad? Hmmmmm.... It is tough out there!

saxonrosecliff

I've ever done one competency based interview and it was awful. I used to be an HR Admin Assistant and my HR Manager who did a lot of interviewing said don't practice too much (despite what the job centre/work programme may tell you) because it is so obvious and they'd rather have people stutter and um and ah and come up with an answer than sounding like a robot (as she said it shows you can "think on your feet")

Paully232000

Not sure what type of job you are looking for, but when i started and knew it was to be competency based in the main I found this useful. Academic focused, but some general tips applicable to all interview situations.
Might help.

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips

joolsybools

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

I've ever done one competency based interview and it was awful. I used to be an HR Admin Assistant and my HR Manager who did a lot of interviewing said don't practice too much (despite what the job centre/work programme may tell you) because it is so obvious and they'd rather have people stutter and um and ah and come up with an answer than sounding like a robot (as she said it shows you can "think on your feet")

Glad to know this, I felt really awful afterwards as this is what I did!