Interviews

I've never had to inteview anyone, but just because i'm excited!! I've got an interview on the 29th for a Job in another department, and i think i'm being interviewed by a couple of colleagues who i know from the last interview i was at (and got the job)!!

sorry, completely useless i know!

It's never happened to me, but I've known it to happen to a few other women. Interviewer raises the question about family, and if they intend to have one. Obviously it's completely illegal for them to ask, but how do you respond to that if they do?

I haven't had lots of interviews but my latest one I had nipped to the loo for a nervous last minute wee, and managed to break the zip on my trousers. Luckily my knickers matches the trouser colour and I held my hang bag strategically.

Also take a bottle of water or pour yourself a glass if drinks are available at the beginning of the interview. When being grilled I get a dry mouth and my lips stick to my teeth. As the meeting is in full swing I feel bad getting up get a drink half way through.

Don't be afraid to say 'I don't know' or 'sorry I haven't heard of that' because there is nothing worse than listening to someone spew nonsense about something they clearly do not know/understand.

Good luck, RKB!

Bazza, yes, that's pretty naughty and very nosey! I'd be inclined to give a big smile, say 'Oh, I didn't think you were meant to ask that!', small laugh, and then follow it by saying starting a family wasn't very high up on my list of priorities right now.

Even if it is your primary goal, I think it's an appropriate response - highest on your list of priorities right then is getting through the interview, showing them what you're capable of and getting the job.

Good tips, Ducky. I worked with a girl who turned up with lots of tissue stuck to her face where she'd been a bit sweaty. No one had bothered to tell her!

Ha!!

What did you do?!

Things that I would have thought were obvious but thinking about some of the people I interviewed might not be:

clean shoes

be on time - or at least apologise when you waltz in 20 minutes late

always greet the person at the reception and don't ignore any of the staff (I for one ask my team's opinion on someone and if you are rude to them I would not consider you)

And one of my favourites (although that's before the interview stage and more CV related): get a decent email address!!! **************@****************.*** will not get you an interview.

Edit: Sorry, I hadn't realised bullet points make the text larger!

Thank You Cricks!

I thought of something! Ask Questions!! If they mention something you don't know, make a mental note to ask them at the end. Shows you were listening too!

Weaknesses - Always have one, and don't say perfectionist! They've heard it all before!
Think of something that you can do, but aren't great at, but you can improve on!

Something that I have always been told is that remember you are on interview from the moment you drive into the carpark. Whether it's waiting in reception, talking to someone in the toilet, having lunch.

My sister in law, who does a lot a of interviewing, also told me to always wear something that was eye catching and make you stand out. So for example, a smart black suit with a red shirt or something.

I agree with this, in principle. It's important to match it to the job in hand so if I were to interview someone dressed like this within my industry I'd think they were channeling the '1990s magician' look. Not good.

Tricks - When I went out to meet her I said something like 'You've got something on your face. You might want to nip to the ladies before we go through'. I wanted to give her the chance to wipe it off before she met others. Quite why the bloomin' receptionist didn't tell her is beyond me. Top tip: take a compact to check your face before hand!

My tips would be to be confident without appearing arrogant, remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you, and read up on the company before you attend.

Yes, perhaps not the best example that I could have used!

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I like your penguin, by the way.

I always try to dress up for the job and add a little personality with a piece of jewellery for example (No, not socking great dangly earrings either!) . I've never marked anyone down for trying too hard, but have for an "I don't really care about this job" appearancng

Also I HATE lateness. Even phoning to say "Sorry I'm a bit lost" doesn't cut it with me. I'd expect you to find out beforehand exactly where you are going.

Totally agree with being pleasant and professional with everyone you meet.

And having some prepared questions to ask the interviewers at the end, but also listening throughout the process and refining those questinos as appropriate.

I have a full size replica suit for interviews - I definitely stand out from the crowd.

I'd invite you back for a second stage interview on the strength of that idea alone.

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This was couched to me as "How mobile are you?", which I took as a catch-all for "Have you got children at home? Are you able/willing to leave them?". I don't know what I'd do if asked outright though - report them to some kind of authority? It might be tempting to answer "Yes, I'm planning on a family" and then complain if they don't offer you the job...lots of money in such things these days...

I don't remember the exact words so I'll paraphrase but the most awkward question I've been asked at an interview is: "What would you do if you heard a member of staff slagging off senior management?" (by senior management) How are you supposed to respond to that?

Eeeeek, that's a tough one to answer! I suppose the best thing to do would be to say to the staff member that they ought to raise their issues with senior management directly and not be discussing it with other members of staff and then to keep your own mouth shut. Tough off the cuff question though! (I might nick it for some of my interviews!)

Nooo don't do that, it was a horrible question! I really don't see the point in giving someone a really tough time at interview. Hardly anyone has to perform under the same conditions in their actual job so it doesn't give you a true reflection of whether they'd be good or not. (I may just be biased though having had 10 horrible interviews in the last year....I obviously just suck at them.)

I have many a shocker to report on from the interviews I conduct, currently am doing about 40 a week, the lower levels tend to be the really bad ones- do you want horror stories?

Oh Mini if you can, please do share!

Interview tips;

Dont start a sentence with "Im not being racist but...." and then continue to be racist.

Dont ask "If I got the job here, how much notice would I have to give if I found a better job?"

When asked what company research you have done don't respond with "I was going to look on the website but I went to Tiger Tiger instead"

Dont turn up in jeans

Dont turn up in last nights clothes.

Are the people who do these at interview shocked when they don't get the job? What numpty would think these were acceptable??

I knew it wasn't just down to luck that I managed to bag my new job so quickly. I obviously have my Elizabeth Duke beauties to thank!

When I was looking for a new job last year, I did the following to prepare for an interview:

1. Prepare - research that company, any big organisational/ideological shifts that have come about (what thinking were they based in? Read the books and come with notes). Any publications made by the head honchos recently? Read those too!

2. Take a wallet folder with key notes from your reading, your CV so you can remind yourself of what you've already told them, a list of things you have done that you are proud of, the skills they show and when you might be able to drag them into conversations. I always take this into interviews - I also usually have some handouts from recent pieces of work I have done with graphs and figures and information to support what I actually say about the piece of work.

3. Look IMMACULATE. Make sure your haird and make up are neat and presentable

4. Wear something you are comfortable in but which looks the part - my interview staple was a pale pink suit dress with a 'double wrap' thin brown belt last Summer.

5. Ask for clarification on words that make a question ambiguous - interviewers know their questions can't be perfect. and it shows you are genuinely engaging with the person rather than reeling off a 'set' answer that you've prepared previously.

6. Always, always, always take some carefully thought through questions that elicit answers you are genuinely interested to know about, but also continue to place you in a positive light. You can still be 'evaluated' on the questions you choose to ask - it shows a lot about your priorities.