Interviews and cracking them.

studentphil

I just wish to share with all those going for interviews that the secret to getting a job is to spend a long time learning your answers and to have examples of all your skills fresh in your mind and you will go a long way to getting the job.

It makes you feel more confident and come across more confident. Using that method worked for me and I have managed to get a job and I am a really shy person, however, that method made me seem confident in the interview.

I hope that might help some of you worried about interviews.

In a nut shell, treat it like an exam and learn your answers beforehand.

chocolatechipcookies

I'd like to add what calms my nerves. When I go into an interview with the thoughts, "OMG I have to get this job because this this and this depends on it." or when I think about being nervous I get nervous. But when I go in with the thought, "I don't care if I get it or not, another better job will come along. It's just a conversation with someone asking questions like when people first get to know you. WHATEVER I DON'T CARE." I'm perfectly fine and I usually do very well.

Sharifa_2

I always took the view that I was interviewing them as much as they were interviewing me. I wasn't going in begging; I was eyeing up a potential 'match.'

studentphil

chocolatechipcookies wrote: »

I'd like to add what calms my nerves. When I go into an interview with the thoughts, "OMG I have to get this job because this this and this depends on it." or when I think about being nervous I get nervous. But when I go in with the thought, "I don't care if I get it or not, another better job will come along. It's just a conversation with someone asking questions like when people first get to know you. WHATEVER I DON'T CARE." I'm perfectly fine and I usually do very well.

Thats a good bit of advice!!

That is the irony, you accept a job and then the next day you see a post you would like more when you can't apply.

nearlyrich

Glad you got a job Phil, but I don't agree with learning answers you come across as a parrot.
I think the key to interviews is to keep calm, listen to the questions and give appropriate answers, have a killer question of your own to ask and treat it as a learning experience.

seven-day-weekend

Well done Phil on getting the job - was it the cash handling one?

About interview skills, I think the main thing is to come across as confident (but not pushy) and if learning your answers helps you to do that, then sobeit.

cazziebo

I would agree with everyone (except studentphil - sorry!) You are spending a significant proportion of your time with an employer so you should look at it as if you are interviewing them. This also presents you as someone genuinely interested in the role on offer. I've also found, like chocchip, that if I'm not too bothered about the job I usually get an offer.

I wouldn't "learn" answers, but it is important you are prepared and know your stuff. It's not like an exam in that you can't predict what answers will come up. If you think about who you are, what you have to offer, where your strengths are, what your successes have been, and do a bit of research on the company and the job then you're well on the way there.

It's like everything else - remember the 6 Ps - Preparation and Planning Prevents P*ss Poor Performance!

Congratulations, phil!

studentphil

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Well done Phil on getting the job - was it the cash handling one?

About interview skills, I think the main thing is to come across as confident (but not pushy) and if learning your answers helps you to do that, then sobeit.

No, it is a different job to that one but I am really pleased to get it.

nickyhutch

What is it Phil?

studentphil

nickyhutch wrote: »

What is it Phil?

Library, information and records.

Savvy_Sue

Well, Hallelujah, and hopefully now you'll be able to get a life ... and spend less time online! When do you start?

And while I agree that preparation is a good thing, it is LIKE an exam in that you don't KNOW what the questions are going to be, so learning answers is not necessarily going to get you very far!