How to word myself at interviews?

dekaspace

For example I am a honest person so at interview I mess up as I make a positive sound negative.

Like I start off at a slow pace whilst I learn the ropes, I may seem slower than others at first but quickly improve to the point where I go above any expectation

If they ask for a example I mention when I was in a call centre we had quotas for people buying things (inbound customer service so not actual sales role) we also had targers for call time, customer satisfaction, new sign ups etc and by the end of my training period I was like double or more my quota.

In a seperate call centre job I was advised to apply for a supervisor position in my training period because I was that good with customers and excelled at computer skills so they used me to train the other trainees and all the other staff liked me

I wasn't sure about what to say if they ask me about being long term on the sick (was in education for 5 years then been on the sick for another 5 years)

Flyonthewall

Why not just say you're quick to improve and go on to the examples and miss out the bit where you say you start off at a slow pace (and may seem slower than others). Unless they ask you what a weakness is in which case you can use that and turn it into a positive.

As for long term sick, just be honest. Just keep the explanation simple and to the point. They just want to know whether it'll be an issue in the future or if there is anything they need to take into consideration regarding it, they don't need to know your entire life story or a daily report of how you were during them years. Depending on what it is you could turn it into a positive - it's made you stronger overcoming it, for example, or you used the time to learn something new (if you did that).

daytona0

dekaspace wrote: »

For example I am a honest person so at interview I mess up as I make a positive sound negative.

Watch this informative video:

https://youtu.be/-Nc88_ZEfxg?t=19s

Like I start off at a slow pace whilst I learn the ropes, I may seem slower than others at first but quickly improve to the point where I go above any expectation

Or you could say something like:

I enjoy new challenges and learning new systems. In my previous job I had to learn X and I achieved Y. Your company would allow me to achieve my aims whilst [insert something specific to their company]

If they ask for a example I mention when I was in a call centre we had quotas for people buying things (inbound customer service so not actual sales role) we also had targers for call time, customer satisfaction, new sign ups etc and by the end of my training period I was like double or more my quota.

Nothing wrong with that...

In a seperate call centre job I was advised to apply for a supervisor position in my training period because I was that good with customers and excelled at computer skills so they used me to train the other trainees and all the other staff liked me

nothing wrong with that either....

I wasn't sure about what to say if they ask me about being long term on the sick (was in education for 5 years then been on the sick for another 5 years)

One of two options:

1. Tell the truth (contrary to the youtube clip above!!)

2. Make up a really believable lie which can hold up to scrutiny

Please bear in mind that number 2 is a high risk play, and if you mess up then you're screwed. Honesty is the best for long absences which cannot be easily blagged (6 months off can be blagged easier etc). One of my friends got a job despite declaring, in the reason for leaving last employer box, that they had an affair with one of the employees.

dekaspace

The only truth I would consider twisting is length of time at the 2 call centres since neither of them exist anymore, so instead of saying I worked for like 9 months at each say more like a year and that will cover a few times I was unemployed.

I also moved from a area of high unemployment to one with much better last year so I could use that if worded right.