A few interviews in next few weeks, panicking

dekaspace

My main failure at interviews is I come across as negative in some ways even if I am trying to just create banter, my job coach who comes with me to some tells me its more framing things.

I mentioned at last job my training finished the day before New Years Eve and I was informed at 6pm when I was going home I had to do a 10 hour shift 12-12 on New Years Eve and start 8am New Years Day, I said I didn't like the idea but did it anyway.

I meant that in the sense that I did the work despite not liking the idea, was told to reword that in future to I am commited to the job that I was willing to work New Years Eve and day with no notice.
What else shall I look out for? My other main issue is I get confused if asked to give an example, im autistic so makes it worse.

I know what to say if I am told give a example of when I gave good customer service.

One at most recent interview was give an example of a time I had a difficult task that required thinking outside of the box (not their exact words) in that I came up with new ideas to find a solution to the difficult problem.

I didn't know exactly what to say.

Passed telephone interview anyway but got the face to face with company next

BorisThomson

Banter is not for interviews. Or any work environment. It's better to have silence and think through your answers, than to jump in without thinking.

If you don't have any recent work experience then think about when you have fixed something at home, perhaps a computer or other tech, when the usual methods have failed.

Sncjw

Maybe have some answers ready. Have a look online for common questions. Try and spin a negative to postive if you can.

Interview isn!!!8217;t for banter. Your supposed to present yourself the best you can be. Banter is not a good idea.

Les79

dekaspace wrote: »

My main failure at interviews is I come across as negative in some ways even if I am trying to just create banter, my job coach who comes with me to some tells me its more framing things.

To be honest, just try and avoid the whole "banter" thing! I haven't read ANY of the posts from other users on here, but I can assure you that at least some of them won't be a fan. This reflects in real life.

The problem with "banter" is that it is completely hit and miss for two reasons:

1. The recruiter must either be receptive to that sort of thing and/or be able to give you the benefit of the doubt.

2. It must not cross the line from "banter" (assuming you get past point 1) to inappropriateness.

You'd probably fare better by saying "yes sir, yes sir. Three bags full" from that old nursery rhyme! I'm not even kidding there either.

I mentioned at last job my training finished the day before New Years Eve and I was informed at 6pm when I was going home I had to do a 10 hour shift 12-12 on New Years Eve and start 8am New Years Day, I said I didn't like the idea but did it anyway.

Did you only have 8 hours between !!!!!!? Or does 12-12 mean 12am to 12pm?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but LEGALLY you need to have 11 hours between shifts.

I meant that in the sense that I did the work despite not liking the idea, was told to reword that in future to I am commited to the job that I was willing to work New Years Eve and day with no notice.

Well, don't say that you worked it despite not liking the idea (whether the "idea" is the hours, the job role, or anything else). Just say that you worked it! Any job you take in the next 6+ months will be giving you better notice regarding the New Years working hours! So in that respect you don't really need to share any grievances with them relating to next day notices!

What else shall I look out for? My other main issue is I get confused if asked to give an example, im autistic so makes it worse.

Well, here's the rub! If you are applying for jobs which are, for the most part, all on the same sort of level then you'll often find that the questions don't differ too greatly. You may be autistic, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of you coming up with a few scripted answers to probable questions!

I know what to say if I am told give a example of when I gave good customer service.

That's cool Listen, if you really want then feel free to post your example on here and we can critique it! I'm not saying that it isn't good, but if you are seeking help on here then most people on here would be more than happy to look over your example and, if necessary (it might not be the case), help to smooth it out.

One at most recent interview was give an example of a time I had a difficult task that required thinking outside of the box (not their exact words) in that I came up with new ideas to find a solution to the difficult problem.

I didn't know exactly what to say.

That can always be a tough question to be fair!

BUT you have to learn some examples!

miriamac

dekaspace wrote: »

..
One at most recent interview was give an example of a time I had a difficult task that required thinking outside of the box (not their exact words) in that I came up with new ideas to find a solution to the difficult problem.

I didn't know exactly what to say.

..

That's one of those questions that sounds very grand and complicated and very difficult to answer. Until you break it down:

Q. Was there a difficult task/problem?

A. Yes

Q. Had anyone else come up with a solution/way to do it?

A. No

Q. Did you come up with a solution/way to do it?

A. Yes

Now you have your answer to the question:

- this was happening/not happening
- the team/business was looking for a solution
- I suggested that we do x, y, z
- the problem was solved

Fireflyaway

Try to avoid jokes or chit chat. It can come across too familiar or over confident.
I think having some rehearsed examples helps. You already have one for customer service, so thing about what questions might be relevant to the role you are applying and have some examples ready. Being put on the spot with no response does knock your confidence.
Remember you were short listed so these people already believe you have potential.

dekaspace

I was trying at the interview to not sound like I was giving scripted answers and being friendly the answer was in response to what job coach told me at end was to ask what the interviewer liked about working for the company and both interviewers started giving their own banter and joking how theres some companies that wont treat their employees that well, and how they have staff parties etc, I joked that I had been rushed through training so the company got me working on New Years Eve and had to miss pre booked plans but I did it to prove myself.


Yes it was 12pm-12am as in midday to midnight then over a hours walk home and in again at 8am for another 12 hour shift I felt exhausted after it as by time I got to bed was 2am and woke about 6am for work!


The answer to the question I wasn't exactly sure what to say, I ended up giving an example where I had to repair a friends phone and had to to take it apart, see if any visible faults, research online then attempt a fix.


The interviewer did seem happy with it but lead me into some answers somewhat like "during the repair did you do X" "did you think about Y"

xapprenticex

Banter lol

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Les79 wrote: »

Did you only have 8 hours between !!!!!!? Or does 12-12 mean 12am to 12pm?

That's really not that unusual. Quite frequent, if anything.

Les79

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

That's really not that unusual. Quite frequent, if anything.

Is it?

dekaspace

They were a company with a bad rep, 2 years later they were bankrupt.


It was common for me to work 10-12 days straight I left luckly when they wanted me to work 18 days straight.


It was because the way they worked the system, ie saturday sunday off one week and monday tuesday the next so meant you had 10 working days straight, at 12 hours a day 5 days a week hence why I thought of them as a bad employer, technically even then I was meant to have less hours as well but I remember once technically my own "choice" working 22 days straight as they told me they were short staffed and that really drained me but I needed the money.