Interview advice

[TDi90]

Right, so heres the thing, i have never done an interveiw before, and on wednesday i need to go for one.
i have been getting bits and peices of advice here and there, and any more advice is really very much welcome!!
thank you all,
Rob

[Thrasher]

As as employer I'd say :

1. Be confident, but not cocky.
2. Ask relevant questions - do not just sit there and answer questions.
3. Know your CV - expect to be asked questions about it, and your potential experience.

Obviously dress smartly.

[Range Rover Blues]

Errm, first impressions count.  Also how you sit, don't slouch, sit forward in your seat like you're interested in what the interviewer is saying, or relaxed back in the chair, perhaps with your legs crosse at the shin if you have the upper hand.  Stand up when the interviewer comes into the room and shake their hand.

Never have the last interview before lunch, or at 5.00 either, make sure you are early so you have time to check your appearence etc.

Look up some practice questions and know the answers, if you have the interview then your CV says you can do the job, all you'll do is talk yourself out of it so think before you open your mouth about your answers.

Keep in mind that the interview is not just about you seeling yourself but also the potential employer selling themselves to you, why do you want the job and what's in it for you.  When you get asked if you have any qaueastions you should have a good couple for them, like career progression, training, promotion that kind of thing (not how much do i get paid and how  any sickies can I get away with).

[beast5680]

do a bit of research on the company before you go for the interview, take an interest in what they do , be yourself dont try and be something your not you will get found out

[davidlandy]

clean your shoes - you'd be surprised what some folk look for!

dont harp on about money

research the company

dont be too cocky, but do let them know about your successes.

[Jake]

Take some advice from the film Trainspotting
Have a little dab of speed before you go in  :lol: :lol:
Better not Rob

Eye contact is always good and do some research about the company so you can ask some good questions.
Dress smart. A tuxedo is a bit over the top but a nice shirt (tucked in) with tidy trousers and smart shoes show's you care about your appearence which means you should care about your everyday conduct
 :D

[Range Rover Blues]

What's the job then Rob? and who's it for.

[Sharpshooter]

Dont Lie about things. They might catch you out.

Be yourself. A good Intrviewer can tell if your acting.

And best of luck.

[Bouncy]

ok so the whole list is ;

clean pants, clean nails, tidy hair, clean hanky, go for a pee before the interview itself , check your handshake and if it is like a limp wet fish firm up and use a spray of antiperspirant on your palms! SMILE !
think before speaking
research
know your stuff
be keen
think of your strengths and weaknesses and how to use them to your advantage
how do you fit into the company
what are you looking for
have questions ready that make sense and take in notes if you want to (despite what others may say i like to see people with prepared notes as it means they are organised, methodical, understand things may get forgotten in a slightly tense situation and so prepare  not to fail)
think about why you wantthe job and do not be scared to say no if it doesn't feel right.

Also very good book called  "Answers to tough interview question" by susan Hodgson  ISBN number 978-0-273-1464-4 is a good place to look at.

Fingers crossed

[Defender]

Step one: Reasearch the employer. Find out as much as possible about the employer & the job.
Step two: Match you skills, experience, achievements & qualities to the employers needs. When answering questions, use examples to illustrate your reply.
Step three: Practice talking about yourself. Anticipate some of the probable questions & work out your answers.
Step four: Present a positive image. The way you look & how you present yourself & how you say things has a huge impact on the outcome of the interview.

The interviewer will like people who listen, answer questions with examples, are brief in the right places, come prepared & appear confident.

I am job searching myself at the moment & am having to brush up on my skills with CV's, application forms & interview techniques. :)

[Thrasher]

Just to add, if you have to fill in a written form (we make people do this) then try and make sure you spell everything properly. If you are not sure, use a different word. Ensure you capitalise correctly as well. Make your writing neat and do not look like you have rushed.

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

go for a pee before the interview itself

But be careful! Watch for taps that splashback onto grey suit when washing hands - so says the voice of experience.

Lots of sound advice so far....

Imagine the types of questions they might ask. "What are your strengths"? Easy enough, time to blow your own trumpet - the other will certainly be blowing theirs! Often followed by "What are your weaknesses"? Ouch - good answer is you are a perfectionist! Be prepared to ask them to repeat the question and always take time to think through the answer before blurting it out.

Think of the worst/nastiest question they might ask and have an answer ready.

Smile and always have a firm handshake (no pun intended).

Good Luck.  

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

PM'd you

[Jake]

There's a lot of talk regarding handshakes
I cant stress enough how important it is not to place your limp hand into another mans/womans hand
Wet, limp and comes across a bit camp  ;)
Obviously dont crush the shakers hand to death but a decent grip show's good character and strength of personallity
 :D

[beast5680]

Wet, limp and comes across a bit camp  ;)

Just How did you get the job at D44 then Jake???????????? :lol:

[littlepow]

Beware bizarre questions, your answers will tell them more about your character than you think.
They can be aimed at finding out how honest or trustworthy you are, but at the same extend they can show how much a liability to them you could be.

The only questions that have worried me were;

When was the last time you broke the law without being caught? [-X 
(was from NY Police when I was younger. :-#)

But best was,

How do you feel about having to kill someone? :shock:
(I'm in the military, not an assasin!) Was quite glad it wasn't a practicle test. =;

[TDi90]

What's the job then Rob? and who's it for.

Rolls Royce apprentice.  :dance:

[freelanderpx54]

Beware bizarre questions, your answers will tell them more about your character than you think.
They can be aimed at finding out how honest or trustworthy you are, but at the same extend they can show how much a liability to them you could be.

The only questions that have worried me were;

When was the last time you broke the law without being caught? [-X 
(was from NY Police when I was younger. :-#)

But best was,

How do you feel about having to kill someone? :shock:
(I'm in the military, not an assasin!) Was quite glad it wasn't a practicle test. =;

Yes the killer questions are always good. Be prepared for daft ones like "what are the ingredients of ice?" These questions probe how good you are at thinking on your feet in a stressful situation

[Jake]

Wet, limp and comes across a bit camp  ;)

Just How did you get the job at D44 then Jake???????????? :lol:

Because i have a man's handshake and act a bit butch
 :lol:

[mobi]

There's a lot of talk regarding handshakes
I cant stress enough how important it is not to place your limp hand into another mans/womans hand
Wet, limp and comes across a bit camp  ;)
Obviously dont crush the shakers hand to death but a decent grip show's good character and strength of personallity
 :D

in the last few days i've had to shake a few hands, and they have ALL been limp wristed (or is it i'm a 21 stone trucker) :shock:

[Mark_Solesbury]

I work for a Japanese company - Fujifilm.

I have to meet a lot of oversea colleagues from Tokyo.

I have a good firm handshake - Says a lot about a person i think....

Japanese do not  :doh:

Limper than a limp think on limp day!

[Boggert]

Try to be relaxed, show that you have a sense of humor as well, I remember when I was a surveyor and interviewing for staff or a secretary, i always looked for some one who was smart, could communicate but also had a sense of humor.
I not saying crack jokes but smile and try to relax.

I always took a small note pad tucked into my jacket with a few questions written down, it shows that you come prepared, small things like that always help.

Good luck Rob....

[sas pinkie]

There should have been a list of skills required and what the job involves in the advert. If not ask for a job spec..... Then sit down and work out a good example of how you have that skill/requirement for each of the sections of the add/job spec.

You will get some "HR" questions, these will not relate directly to the job but are designed to work out what kind of person you are.... they can be a little off the wall as described above, but do not panic, take a second to plan your answer then reply.

Some typical HR questions are:

Where do you see your self in 5 years?

Give an example of how you work as part of a team and as an indervidual.

Give an example of a problem you faced and how you resolved it.

Why do you want to work for us/ want the job? Dont say the reason is cause you need the money!!! lol

Good luck!

[carbore]

Not yet on the list.

Take 2-3 copies of your CV as the interviewer may be late and not have it! (but dont rely on reading it, you should know it its your life)
Take at least 2 pens, one for you one for them (you may have a test or need to fill in a form)
Take copies of the Job description any possibly something about the copany
Take some blank paper and some people may want to take notes, but only if its a long technical interview.

Remember that most interviewers want you to do well, they are no doubt desperate for someone to start and be good.

Think about salary expectations JIC they ask and you dont want to be on the spot re that or youll go too high or too low.

GOOD LUCK, DONT SPEND IT ALL ON CARS!

[lee celtic]

Forget about asking about money if you get the job and the money is rubbish at least you have a job while your looking for the next one. and rolls royce will look good on a cv.

be yourself, as if you put on an act you will have to keep it up forever (or get caught out)

if they ask you something and you don't know , say you don't know, but you would like to learn.

be confident but not cocky .

and good luck.

[Mareng]

I've only had one interview, just before christmas, and am not looking forward to having to do it again....

Most things to remember are pretty much already covered, one thing I would add is to do woth getting there on time.

If its somewhere you've either never been before or dont got to usually, do a trial run a few days before at about the same time as you will on the day.  Make sure you know the route, and how long it wil take, as theres nothing worse than looking on RAC.co.uk and seeing their route finder saying it'll take 20 mins, to hit roadworks/school run traffic/closed roads etc.

When I went for mine at Prodrive, I found the place and then went to find the nearest cafe, just so that if I found that I got there early, I could go somewhere to get a brew.

Above all, relax, be confident and be yourself.

[TDi90]

thank you everyone for your helpful replies...
i have read it through lots of times and will do up until wednesday!
ill let you all know when i know  :P
a nervous Rob

[kizz81]

Rolls Royce apprentice.

i nearly went for a post 16 rolls-royce apprenticeship, best of luck

[burgerman]

 Apart from most of the above, WITHOUT being cocky i always go into a interview with the attitude that they need me to employ, not that i need the job, Hard to describe really but i guess its confidence i guess  :)   I reckon it works as every job i have seroiusly gone for i have got ( so far)   Bit too late now but going for a coupe of interviews before hand usually settles things down a tad  ;)   Best wishes rob


  If it makes ya feel better my WORST performance in any interview was for aston martin, In a word it was a complete balls up :lol:  I genuinely walked out of there thinking "it was nice to have a looky around anyway" And to my amazement they rang me the next day and offered me the job  :shock: 

   Nout as wierd as folk   :lol: