Informal job interviews ?

AP007

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Will do. It seems aa though because I've been told it will be an informal chat kind of thing that preparation isn't as important

But I'm assuming you still have to sell yourself even if it is informal

Who told you that preparation is not as important?????

skivenov

I'll be honest, and say I've never passed a formal interview in my life.

I used to have to do recruitment interviews, and I tried to keep it as informal as possible.

I'd generally get a member of staff to greet them and bring them through to the canteen, not let on I was the interviewer, chat, make them a brew, put them at ease, and then invite them through.

I'd explain that any notes I made were just so I didn't forget things that I would like to talk to them about. I'd tell them as much as I could about the job, the people there and the management, and give them the opportunity to say if based on that, they didn't think it was for them. If they said it wasn't I'd ask if they'd be able to tell me why, for my own reference, and listen to their concerns. I'd give them a straight answer, or allay it if it was just worries.

Then I'd ask them about what they'd done for work in the past, make conversation around anything they didn't seem keen to talk about, to gauge how they handle a stressful/challenging situation, and to make sure they're not lying to me, but generally, I'd let them run the conversation.

I'd ask them if there's anything they want to ask me, and anything they want me to know that they haven't had chance to tell me.

The catch is, compared to formal interviewing, this technique is very subjective, and not at all easy for the interviewer, so I've no doubt there's people who try to do this who don't do it well. I'm also aware that I was by no means perfect. The upside is, you see people as they really are, not in a contrived situation where they feel they need to sell themselves.

Claire_MUFC

AP007 wrote: »

Yes and I Can not work out why you have not insisted in this or made a complaint by now.

Also I've been put on courses where they were supposed to do interview techniques, but didn't gain much from them. One course they did a mock interview and that only feedback given was that I dressed well and how to improve my handshake. The most recent course we did mock interviews in groups of three but the two I was with didn't take it seriously so never gained anaything from that

Work Programme advisor did do interview techniques and I was kind of improving then got put with a different advisor and she did a couple of preparation questions with me. We did a mock interview with the development qdvisor and he said my answers were good but it was knowing where to end my answers with some questions I.e. dont give info not relevant to the question. Also avoid repetion and nothing since then

Basically been going in each week for jobsearch. Now I could be wrong but I think interview techniques and practicing all different questions could help me more when applying for stuff as sometimes I let the fact I know I'm awful at interviews put me off

Claire_MUFC

AP007 wrote: »

Who told you that preparation is not as important?????

No-one, but when I asked my advisor if I could get some advice on how I could relate past experience to the role, she just said it will be more of an informal chatxabout what I like etc

Claire_MUFC

skivenov wrote: »

I'll be honest, and say I've never passed a formal interview in my life.

I used to have to do recruitment interviews, and I tried to keep it as informal as possible.

I'd generally get a member of staff to greet them and bring them through to the canteen, not let on I was the interviewer, chat, make them a brew, put them at ease, and then invite them through.

I'd explain that any notes I made were just so I didn't forget things that I would like to talk to them about. I'd tell them as much as I could about the job, the people there and the management, and give them the opportunity to say if based on that, they didn't think it was for them. If they said it wasn't I'd ask if they'd be able to tell me why, for my own reference, and listen to their concerns. I'd give them a straight answer, or allay it if it was just worries.

Then I'd ask them about what they'd done for work in the past, make conversation around anything they didn't seem keen to talk about, to gauge how they handle a stressful/challenging situation, and to make sure they're not lying to me, but generally, I'd let them run the conversation.

I'd ask them if there's anything they want to ask me, and anything they want me to know that they haven't had chance to tell me.

The catch is, compared to formal interviewing, this technique is very subjective, and not at all easy for the interviewer, so I've no doubt there's people who try to do this who don't do it well. I'm also aware that I was by no means perfect. The upside is, you see people as they really are, not in a contrived situation where they feel they need to sell themselves.

Thank you. How would you suggest preparing for an informal chat about a job then ? Do you still have to relate paat experience and all that kind of thing ?

AP007

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

No-one, but when I asked my advisor if I could get some advice on how I could relate past experience to the role, she just said it will be more of an informal chatxabout what I like etc

A chat about what you like?

Really? The WP said that? LOL

Informal I think would be more like for you to visit them have a look round, see what they do and a chat about you and what you have done possibly and what roles they may have available.

skivenov

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Thank you. How would you suggest preparing for an informal chat about a job then ? Do you still have to relate paat experience and all that kind of thing ?

If they're doing it right, be relaxed, know who you are and what you've done in life.

However, the cynic in me would say that some people would use "an informal interview" as an excuse for not being a very good interviewer.

GothicStirling

My experience of informal interviews is that they're looking to see what your personality is, what they are looking for is friendly and approachable. If you go into a coffee shop the last person you want to served by is someone who looks like they been sucking on a lemon and everything is a chore (although there are a few people like that in my local Sainsbury's caf! I can tell you!)

But still, do a little preparation, and also prepare a few questions to ask them. Some thing like, 'where do you see this company in five years?' (turn the old classic on them.) As asking for strengths/weaknesses, prepare an answer before you go. For strengths 'teamwork' is also a good one.' As for weaknesses, choose something that you've improved on, a task you didn't like or something you couldn't do, but practiced until you got it right. So in my last review my line manager commented that my confidence level was holding me back, so I had a good think about it (watched a few YouTube tutorials), and when I saw a management job being advertised in my company - even though I was anxious - I applied for it. Some thing like that.

scooby088

OP did your adviser say whether it's a big factory making sandwiches on a industrial scale or a small shop.

bugslet

AP007 wrote: »

No never anything informal and have no idea why a company has informal interviews.

skivenov wrote: »

The catch is, compared to formal interviewing, this technique is very subjective, and not at all easy for the interviewer, so I've no doubt there's people who try to do this who don't do it well. I'm also aware that I was by no means perfect. The upside is, you see people as they really are, not in a contrived situation where they feel they need to sell themselves.

If I interview for a manager, then it's a formal interview. If I interview for a driver, then it's informal. The most informal was when where I met one at a truckstop and interviewed him in his cab, though usually they come to the office.

The reason for informal interviews, from my perspective, is that a lot of people get stressed by the more formal approach, particularly in a job that is more blue collar. We are a fairly relaxed small company, I want to get that across as some drivers like a more structured envirnonment, and I find that if the interviewee is relaxed, then i get a better feel for how they will fit in to our culture. I look at their experience and what qualifications they have over and above a driving licence;) as well, but in terms of drivers, that doesn't tell you that much. I'd rather shell out money and fill in the gaps of training for the right person than hire someone who had the extras, but wasn't going to fit in.

Claire, I'd smile a lot, try and relax and sound like someone that just wants to work and gets on with people. For that kind of position, the interviewer wants to feel that he can ask someone to do something and they do it. I wouldn't worry about the experience side of it. Good luck.