Interviews

[Ant132]

Ive got an interview coming up soon, but the site i found it on is a site that shows the number of applicants that have applied. As im just a college leaver i would consider myself one of the least qualified/experienced of all the applicants (of which there are over 70 ), but, Ive got an interview.

I really want/need the job (its in accounts btw), so what approach can i take to give me the best chance of leaving a good impression and hopefully getting a phonecall telling me when i start ?

Obviously times are tough and i doubt that firms will want to take a chance on the 'unexperienced kid' as opposed to the middle aged guy with 10 years solid experience, but ive got an interview from my CV and covering letter so i must at least have chance; With the job situation the way it is, i cant afford to let this chance go by, so any advice much appreciated, as ive never had an interview before so it is all new to me.

Ant
____________________
1980 Suzuki TS50 ~ 1984 Honda CB400N ~ 1992 Triumph Trident ~ 1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[technophobe]

The number one rule of interviews, do your research!

Whenever I'm going into an interview, I always try to get to know the company inside out, find out who the interviewer is likely to be, what sort of person they are etc etc. Each interviewer has likely been doing that for a number of years, and will have a core set of questions. What are they? What are your answers?

The length of research I usually go to means I can usually ramble on for about 45mins happily whenever I'm asked "So what do you know about the company?" - that's a classic question that almost always comes up! Don't ramble that much though, just keep it succinct & if they want to know more, let them ask.

What questions would you ask in the interview? How would you like them to be answered?

Classic questions include "What do you know about the company?" and "Explain your negative points?" (make these as positive as possible - eg for a technical support job I've answered "Sometimes I can get a little too focused on issues & won't put it down until I've solved it no matter how long it takes" and "My other half hates it when I wake up before the alarm goes off" - in both cases the chairman laughed & congratulated me on having positive negatives).

For jobs that involve a certain skill set, they can ask you to demonstrate this in the interview by giving you a test scenario. They could even put you in one of the many "team building" exercises since there's so many applicants - research these.

Dress smart/casual - with more emphasis on smart. Be positive (never ever speak a bad word about your previous employer!!), smile, make eye contact (believe it or not, I know of an interviewer with my current employer who doesn't like eye-contact) - you'll come across better.

Don't be afraid to say you don't know the answer to a question - but quickly follow it up with how you'd find out the answer if you were sat in the office & not in the interview. Also, let this kind of answer be the exception, not the rule.

Remember that they've decided from the CV that you can do the job, they're interviewing you to see if you'll fit the team they already have.

Use the interview as a negotiation, they want to see you can fit their team, see if their team & the workload fits how you work (or how you can adapt to working). Despite financial pressure, remember there's every chance you might want to turn around at the end of the interview & thank them for their time, but decline the position.

Have a list of questions for them, memorised - minimum of 5 questions. Base these on the research you do. Treat the interview as a chat, not a Q&A session, and raise your points mid way through. At the end you'll be asked "Anything you want to ask/clarify?" at which point you reply "I think we've pretty much covered everything, thanks."

Seriously, I can't stress it enough, research everything, even their competition!!
____________________
Riding isn't dangerous, crashing is. A 'good' ride is one from which you can walk away. A 'great' ride is one after which you can use the bike again.

[Ant132]

Very good advice there mate, thanks alot! All taken on board
____________________
1980 Suzuki TS50 ~ 1984 Honda CB400N ~ 1992 Triumph Trident ~ 1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[D O G]

What's the job Ant? No need to give the company, but the job title, company size (turnover) and industry would be useful.

[Tonka]

Great advice given above but just to add one thing CONFIDENCE!

Like you said you've been invited to be interviewed, so they obviously liked what they saw in your paperwork. Don't belittle yourself! You are not just a college leaver and a youngster. There are many advantages to employing a fresh enthusiastic individual over someone who could be considered to be inflexible and institutionalised (stereotyping obviously).

If I was you I'd be very encouraged that they are open-minded and try and use that to your advantage. What do you think that your future with them might be? What training are you thinking about? You said it was Accounts so maybe AAT, ACCA as they are all normally encouraged and if you're lucky they may even contribute towards your fees. Being willing to learn and enthusiastic can make an enormous difference to an office and company, so as said above do your research and most important be yourself - Good Luck
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Ant132]

PM sent Chris (Ignore funny rating - finger slipped off helpful )

Tonka - Thanks for the advice! Yeah, its AAT. My plan is to finish AAT and then onto ACA/ACCA depending, as the company seems willing to contribute towards study and exam fees by the job description so that is encouraging. Must be more confident

Ant
____________________
1980 Suzuki TS50 ~ 1984 Honda CB400N ~ 1992 Triumph Trident ~ 1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[growler]

But not to confident!
Can come across as cocky

Good luck loads of brilliant advice given
____________________
DILLIGAF

[Paivi]

When you walk in, smile and shake hands, and say 'pleased to meet you'. If you didn't catch the name (esp if you were expecting one person and there are two), check what it was.

Don't fidget, maintain eye contact (but don't stare). If you're not sure of a question, say so, don't just guess. If you do guess, though, say that you'd guess the answer would be 'x'. Don't umm and err, take a moment before rushing in with an answer to formulate a coherent one.

They will ask you if you have any questions. This is your chance to interview them, so use it. Don't ask about holidays, perks or salary. Instead, ask about what exactly you'd be doing on a daily basis, if there might be any project work involved, is there any structured training available, how long the interviewer has been with the firm, what s/he likes about her/his role and the organisation.

When talking about the role, use phrases like 'so, I will be doing this' and 'will I be involved in that'; you're 'subconsciously' placing yourself in the company already, or at least that's how the interviewer will see that.

Ask them when you can expect any feedback. And, if you're keen, say so. I screwed up an important interview once because I didn't appear keen, being a cool Finn. Now I've learned to fake visible enthusiasm, hope you don't have to. So, if you like what you're hearing, say so, even just 'oh, that's good' and 'I'm glad to hear that', etc.

When you leave, again, smile & shake hands, and thank them for their time or for seeing you.

Be confident: they've requested to see you, out of dozens of applicants, so they obviously think you've got potential. Don't forget, companies often go for the non-qualified & non-experienced, as they're cheaper and perhaps easier to train on the company's ways. There are a lot of experienced people out of work who are applying for much more junior roles, but the employers know that there's a risk they'll quit as soon as a more senior role becomes available, so even if you're up against an experienced person doesn't mean you're any less valuable, especially in the current climate.
____________________
My other bike's a Monster...

[Ant132]

Well, thanks alot for the advice everyone! My interview was today and it went really well. I also had an assessment at the end which could have gone better but i think i did ok. I was just forgetting basic things due to being still quite nervous. But talking to the interviewers i was calm, collected and confident

Just waiting to hear if i am going to stage 2 now, and if i get past stage 2 they will make me an offer. I really like the company, the people and the job sounds like just what i need. Im really looking forward to hearing from them, it could be the start of something new for me.

Thanks again for everyones help, it really did help me.

Ant
____________________
1980 Suzuki TS50 ~ 1984 Honda CB400N ~ 1992 Triumph Trident ~ 1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[JonB]

Like Paivi said if you look like you really want the job you stand yourself in good stead, however don't look desperate to get it otherwise it looks like you'd take anything.

Fortunately I was really keen to get the job i've just been offered and I think this came through my body language, I was asking questions like I was already working for them, it was an assessment day so I got to know the assessors (my now area managers) and the other candidates really well. There were 9 of us candidates and we were told that there are 9 jobs going so we were not competing for each other which made the experience so much more relaxed. They were just looking to see if we had the competencies needed for the role. It was actually a really good experience, a stark contrast to other assessment centres I had!

In the end, I came across as myself and they said they liked the enthusiasm I had for the role. So yeah just be yourself!
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Clanger]

They might have you in their shortlist because you are a junior, and that way they do not have to pay you much money. Therefore have a good think about the sort of salary you might consider at this stage, and perhaps speak with them about it. Especially if the subject doesn't come up in interview. Also ask about training needs.

I would advise you to look up the firm details before you go, so that you seem to understand what they as a firm are all about.

Good luck.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Ant132]

Through to stage 2
____________________
1980 Suzuki TS50 ~ 1984 Honda CB400N ~ 1992 Triumph Trident ~ 1998 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[Tonka]

Cool! Well done you - keep up the good work!!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[bazza]

I've used "Could I see where I'd be working?" a couple of times in the past when they get to the "Any questions?" stage. Usually when I've decided either I've blown the interview or if I didn't really want the job.

It never fails to catch them off-guard...
____________________
"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter