Interview tips for tomorrow

BunnieJ

Hi everyone! :hello:

I managed to get a job interview tomorrow (short notice , hopefully I can get time off!) I didn't expect to get an interview as the job is quite bit above what I'm currently doing. It would be an amazing opportunity if I did get it, so I really want to impress them! I know my interviewer has already seen 3 people today, so I need to stand out.

I've been having a bit of a crisis the last couple of weeks (you may have seen my other thread on here...) so I'm not at my most confident right now :-/ I'm going to get my hair trimmed and my nails painted after work to make me feel I look presentable (the company are very conscious of appearance) and I've got an outfit planned (smart dress, shirt and heels).

Anyone got any tips for how to "wow" in an interview? I don't think I'm that great at selling myself. I think this is the break I've needed to begin a career change and I don't want to mess it up!

TIA x

InsideInsurance

What sort of grade is this? How old are you?

Assuming its fairly junior then simply not being nervous will set a good impression. The interview really starts when you meet in reception and actually being able to hold a conversation whilst you're walking to the interview room will help give a good impression and break the ice so you are calmer when the formal interview starts.

After that you are into the normal swing of the interview its a case of giving complete answers to "give an example" questions (situation, action, result) and have some good questions to ask them (not just salary, days holiday etc)

BunnieJ

I'm 26, the job is a regional secretary/PA role reporting to the regional manger. It seems to be a step up from my current position (legal admin, bottom of the grade scale). I'm generally not *that* bad with nerves, but this job is a couple of grades above me and quite a healthy pay increase...so making me nervous! :-/

InsideInsurance

BunnieJ wrote: »

I'm 26, the job is a regional secretary/PA role reporting to the regional manger. It seems to be a step up from my current position (legal admin, bottom of the grade scale). I'm generally not *that* bad with nerves, but this job is a couple of grades above me and quite a healthy pay increase...so making me nervous! :-/

Easier said than done but dont be. They're a human bean just like you and you're there as much to judge if the jobs good enough for you as they that your good enough for the job. If they have called you in they already think you can do the job and its really about can they work with you/ do you fit the organisation as anything else.

Try and think of the questions you are likely to be asked and come up with bullet point answers to them.

Whilst having never been a PA I imagine there are going to be a fair few about prioritisation, ie how do you deal with a full diary but the national manager is wanting a meeting that day with your charge the regional manager etc.

TELLIT01

Be yourself. Don't try to bull*** or exaggerate as you will probably come unstuck if you do. If you are offered something to drink accept it as you can take time to sip the drink after being asked a question. It gives you thinking time and avoids the natural tendency to answer too quickly, without giving due thought to what you are going to say. Just don't overdo the delay in answering.
Good luck.

WolfSong2000

go through the job description and pick out the key words, skills and responsibilities which crop up. Write down examples of situations where you have used these skills, or handled similar situations well, etc.

Basically if they have a skill down as "essential" on the job description they're very likely to ask you about it - e.g. your experience to date, so if you already have an example in your head you'll be in a much better position to provide a good answer. As another poster said above, structure your answer by focusing in the situation and/or task, actions and then results.

chewynut

Good luck tomorrow!

Think of it that they just want to know who you are and if you'll fit in with them. It's no use pretending to be somebody you're not because it's impossible to keep it up. I found it helps to think about a few things that make me laugh whilst I'm waiting for the interview. I think about the daft things my dog gets up to and it helps me stay calm and have a smile on my face. There's nothing worse than sitting there in silence getting anxious as you try and remember everything you need to say.

Depending on what kind of company it is, you might want to brush up on things like EDI and safe guarding. I had my last interview for a college and came out a mark on top of the other candidates because I understood them even though my job isn't about them.

Also, try and speak slowly and give them time to write things down. It also gives you time to think and remember more examples.

Good luck :beer:

Dizzy_Ditzy

Having spent all day interviewing for secretaries, I'd firstly try and do a bit of research on the job so you can tailor your answers to their questions.

Keep good posture- one today sat too relaxed in the chair and was wearing a short skirt- we were all :on for her. Another turned up wearing jogging bottoms

You might be given some scenario questions so try and think of some answers ahead of time if you can

Good luck

YORKSHIRELASS

Good luck. Be honest and be yourself - dont try too hard to impress them. As someone else said it might help to think of the interview as a two way process, you are interviewing them too!

Try and think of answers to stock questions. In my interview I was asked "describe a difficult situation that you feel you have handled particularly well in your current job". Apparently quite a few of the other interviewees couldnt come up with anything.

If you get asked something and you genuinely dont know the answer dont be afraid to say so. If its a technical question say how you might find out more about it. I scored brownie points by doing this too but at the time I was worried that I should have known the answer.

Make sure you know your CV like the back of your hand and if you have filled in an application form make sure that you know what you put on it.

As you go through the interview try and think of some intelligent questions to ask them. It makes you look interested in the job.

Do some research on the Company. Have a good look at their website. Maybe pick out something that you have come across about them that you can drop in at the interview. Again it makes you look serious about the job and shows that you are interested in the Company.

Even though this job is a step up you might be exactly what they are looking for and there is no reason why you shouldnt have a good chance. I think most of us are pretty rubbish at selling ourselves and you just have to go there and give it your best shot.

BunnieJ

Thanks for the advice everyone! !

I've just ironed my clothes for tomorrow (got a choice of 2 outfits). I know the company is really hot on appearance - they don't like anything OTT - so I've had my nails done in French polish and have picked minimal jewellery. I still need to get a fringe trim, hopefully I can get it done tomorrow before the interview!

Waiting for my partner to come home so we can go through some questions/things that might come up. One question that's bound to come up is why I left the company (different department) for a "better" job, but 4 months later want to rejoin their company. Not sure how to navigate that question! :-/

Nicki

For a PA job don't forget personality will also be important. You will be working closely with someone so you need to inspire trust and come across as likeable. Make good eye contact and smile as much as is appropriate (don't be a grinning loon though). If you can check up on your boss or interviewer or both on linked in, see if you have any common interests or areas where you overlap (even if it's just you grew up in the same county) and make a personal connection if you can.