Interview help needed

Woodvale

Hi all, I've been reading this forum for a while now but only getting round to asking my own question. Seems to be some good advice on here so I'm looking forward to getting some.

I'm trying to prepare myself for any upcoming interviews, that I'm hoping to get. So I want to be prepared just in case

I don't know what to say when they ask me why I want to work there. I know I could do the job or I wouldn't have applied, and I could see myself working there. Of course I know its not appropriate to say that sort of thing. I'm just stuck as to how to word it so I don't end up spouting a stupid answer. It'll be one of the first questions so I don't want to mess up my chances at the start.

Another one I'd be stuck on is why should they pick me over the other candidates. In fairness I've only ever been asked that once so it mustn't be too popular.

I'm a bit stuck with the weaknesses one too. People who know me would probably say I talk too much, but if I told them that in an interview they might think I'm a gossip, or that I'll spend all day chatting to customers and doing no work. I don't get all this, mention something that was a weakness and now you've fixed it, sure that's not a weakness anymore. They're asking what are your weaknesses, not what were your weaknesses?

Does anyone actually take their cv to the interview? I've read that you're supposed to do that, but it seems a bit OTT to me.

andrewjf

Woodvale wrote: »

Does anyone actually take their cv to the interview? I've read that you're supposed to do that, but it seems a bit OTT to me.

I do. Plus I have notes related to competency based questions, such as strengths/weaknesses and that sort of garbage.
There's no rule that says you can't do this, and having important points right in front of you might just save you if your mind blanks.

This_Year

andrewjf wrote: »

I do. Plus I have notes related to competency based questions, such as strengths/weaknesses and that sort of garbage.
There's no rule that says you can't do this, and having important points right in front of you might just save you if your mind blanks.

I do this too. With a few notes for each potential question. It's certainly made interviews flow better knowing I have the notes in front of me (oddly enough I usually don't need to refer to them!)

anamenottaken

Woodvale wrote: »

Another one I'd be stuck on is why should they pick me over the other candidates. In fairness I've only ever been asked that once so it mustn't be too popular.

Of course you can't know what strengths and perfection the other candidates may have. However this question, when it is asked, is your opportunity to sum up how you would be just right for them.

Woodvale

What about why I want to work there? That's the main one. I think anything I say for that is rubbish.

Dunroamin

Woodvale wrote: »

What about why I want to work there? That's the main one. I think anything I say for that is rubbish.

Imagine there were several similar jobs - why have you chosen to work for that particular company?

ladylouise62

Why work there?
You need to look at what type of company it is and what it does and compare it positively to other types, for instance:
-Like the idea of a smaller company where what I do really makes a difference to the success of the company/ like large company as it offers lots of scope for development.
- like a company that does/makes something useful
-has a good reputation with customers

...basically anything that makes it sound like you really have considered the company properly.

andrewjf

Woodvale wrote: »

What about why I want to work there? That's the main one. I think anything I say for that is rubbish.

To be honest with you, questions like this become easier to answer when you've done more interviews. For that specific question, it actually helps if you've had some crap jobs, which I've found helps me to set some reference points for what I don't like in a job, or things that demotivate me.
I like the suggestions from ladylouise62, it's very positive to show interest in the company, and evidence that you have done research.

Woodvale

ladylouise62 wrote: »

Why work there?
You need to look at what type of company it is and what it does and compare it positively to other types, for instance:
-Like the idea of a smaller company where what I do really makes a difference to the success of the company/ like large company as it offers lots of scope for development.
- like a company that does/makes something useful
-has a good reputation with customers

...basically anything that makes it sound like you really have considered the company properly.

The one about having a good reputation with customers is actually very true for one place I've applied to recently. Even being a customer there myself it is somewhere I would recommend others to go as there is excellent customer service and friendly staff.

I never thought of saying stuff like you've mentioned above, I suppose I thought they might just think I was lying or something.

Woodvale

Dunroamin wrote: »

Imagine there were several similar jobs - why have you chosen to work for that particular company?

If there were several similar jobs, I'd probably go for the one which I knew had a good reputation, or had more potential for career growth, and if I knew one of the companies was a good place to work in, as in there is a nice atmosphere between the staff.

Woodvale

andrewjf wrote: »

To be honest with you, questions like this become easier to answer when you've done more interviews. For that specific question, it actually helps if you've had some crap jobs, which I've found helps me to set some reference points for what I don't like in a job, or things that demotivate me.
I like the suggestions from ladylouise62, it's very positive to show interest in the company, and evidence that you have done research.

Yes I can think of some crap jobs alright and can certainly think of things I wouldn't like in a job from those.