Job interview tips and tricks

[TravellingPants]

Which comments on appearance? Just wondering, not being crappy

I am probably being oversensitive, but just some of the snap judgements that someone not dressing the part makes a bad impression... there are lots of reasons that might be the case. Maybe they’re not able to afford something new (wearing things too small, or showing signs of wear) or maybe they are a person with neurodiversity and they haven’t got the same idea of ‘appropriate’ as the interviewer. If they’re the best person for the job, part of their feedback in offering them the role can be a steer on dress code and making sure that’s not an issue.

Of course I’m not advocating rocking up in your PJs but personally it’s further down my list than others I guess!

 

[Kim Mild]

I've worn Jean's to job interviews before ( with a smart trench) and got the job . I think often people look better in a smart outfit with Jean's than they do in a crap suit that's probably from the supermarket that they grabbed for an interview.

Acting confident, like eye contact and sitting a certain way helps . It's just an act when i do it in interviews.

 

[Begborrowsteal]

I am smugly proud of my record that I have got every job I have interviewed for. Before an interview, I cannot explain the anxiety I have. I spend days talking myself out of the job, I have nervous poos, I get ineffective breathing etc. As soon as I start an interview, I try and flip a switch - fake it til you make it. Act confident, talk with confidence, it comes across.

 

[Monkeybum]

I work for the civil service, we do competency based too, I've done a lot of interviewing so hopefully can help with what they're looking for the other side. It may not be the same for your area but this might help.

Basically we have almost a tick list of behaviours to tick within the competency, so try and make sure your examples cover as much of the competency as possible. If we ask additional questions it's because there's a bit you haven't covered, so try and find something to show you have experience of that, even if you have to say something like 'not in this example, but another time this happened and I did this...'. If we don't ask questions it's because you've covered everything.

I always get petrified going for interviews but from the interviewers side they want you to do well and are on your side From a government perspective, questions from the interviewee show an interest but aren't marked

Good luck! X

 

[Monkeybum]

Will defo have some sticky prompts too as it's a virtual interview. Thank you

I had a zoom 'getting to know you' with a lady i'd virtually interviewed the other day

She said she thought it was really obvious she had posters with notes behind her laptop as she kept looking to read them for prompts and thought we'd know We just assumed she was looking up for inspiration so maybe consider this

 

[Sardine]

Due to both of your job roles, any advice on how to even get to interview? Without sounding big headed I’m a fantastic employee. Always the one who goes above and beyond, generally the most competent and just got my head screwed on. I find it so hard to get this across on CV/Cover Letter and I KNOW I could do most jobs as I am good at learning but how do you even get to that point without any previous experience?

Have you had someone who recruits take a look at your CV? I had a really old fashioned looking one and then changed mine completely after starting my last HR job. It's now modern, bright but professional. You could take a look at examples online or use an MS word template.

I think I've managed to get to interview stage so many times because I spend lots of time on the applications. I spent ages one day writing out a statement of suitability that details all my skills and experiences and I can easily edit it for different companies. Look at the person specification and add points on how you fit it.

I haven't managed to get an interview based on my CV alone. Usually on indeed they will send me a further application form to complete.

I hope this is a little helpful? I'm no expert and I'm still waiting to hear back

 

[Happy Lady]

CVs these days. Don't include your date of birth or address. Ensure your mobile number is included. Check spelling and facts. Use bullet points only, along with professional wording throughout. Short but effective profile with about six points only. No more than two pages. I've worked in different HR departments, for directors, so have read plenty of CVs from directors who have a wealth of experience, but manage to condense it into two pages.

As you say this role is within HR, your dress sense will be taken into account. Smart suit, never wear a cardigan when a jacket will do. Make sure all clothes and shoes are clean, pressed and presentable. Some corporates would say no mules. Hair and make up nicely done, not too much make up. No chipped nails.

Having read through the questions and everyone's super advice on here, do you feel comfortable and confident if they were to suddenly call your mobile and wish to carry out an initial phone interview?

 

[Ceelea]

I've actually witnessed people applying wearing clothes they'd either wear to a BBQ or a Friday night manhunt.

 

[Sardine]

I don't think I got the local authority job. I'm kind of glad because the interviewers did not make me feel at ease at all. They were grumpy and one of them actually sighed when reading a question out.

I've been successful in a very similar role with the NHS though. So I'm happy

I've got an interview on Monday that I've prepped a lot for. It's a HR role with a local authority.The interview is competency based and they're sending me the list of questions to prepare beforehand and come up with my answers. (I've never had this before)

Does anyone here have any tips, tricks or stories from interviews they've aced? Anything that went wrong or was just horribly cringe at the time?

- I once took time off work as i had an interview for an internal role with my company. I turned up early for the interview and as I knew the place, I decided to go and sit on a bench and wait until it was time to go in(also didn't want any colleagues to see me on site on my day off and ask awkward questions) I decided to walk down a grassy verge in my crappy primark ballet pumps (my plan was to change into heels but flats were semi smart for hanging around) anyway, I slipped and landed hard on my a and was absolutely covered in mud, in pain and embarrassed. Lots of people also witnessed this and only 1 person asked if I was okay . I panicked and decided to wash my dress in this accessible shower we randomly had on site at reception. I took it off, rinsed it and dried it with the hand dryer (badly) I debated cancelling but wanted the job so badly i carried on. I turned up and explained what happened, the woman thought I was nuts. She looked to her colleague as if to say "what is wrong with this person??!" it was honestly like something out of peep show. I don't know what i was thinking that day. I should've just bloody cancelled

My tip: ALWAYS research the company beforehand and prepare a list of potential questions. Definitely practice with someone so it feels more natural on the day. It's an obvious one but important

 

[Happy Lady]

I don't think I got the local authority job. I'm kind of glad because the interviewers did not make me feel at ease at all. They were grumpy and one of them actually sighed when reading a question out.

I've been successful in a very similar role with the NHS though. So I'm happy

Well done you . That's great. Enjoy your new role

 

[Phil Anne Throw Pee]

I work in HR and have a recruitment background. It's an age old one, but be polite to everyone, receptionists etc even if they are stand offish with you. The impression you create with everyone is so important.

re- appearance: In 2016, I went for an interview at a local college. The panel was 4 people, a guy in a suit and 4 women, including the Principal, who was dressed in leggings and t-shirt. Anyway, I wore a smart silver dress, navy jacket and sandals (it was summer). I didn't get the job but part of the feedback was that I was dressed too smartly and should dress for who is interviewing me. Well, if I'd known you lot were going to get dressed in the bleeping dark I'd have turned up in shorts and t-shirt. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Sardine]

Well done you . That's great. Enjoy your new role

Thank you!

 

[birdiefly246]

I work in HR and have a recruitment background. It's an age old one, but be polite to everyone, receptionists etc even if they are stand offish with you. The impression you create with everyone is so important.

re- appearance: In 2016, I went for an interview at a local college. The panel was 4 people, a guy in a suit and 4 women, including the Principal, who was dressed in leggings and t-shirt. Anyway, I wore a smart silver dress, navy jacket and sandals (it was summer). I didn't get the job but part of the feedback was that I was dressed too smartly and should dress for who is interviewing me. Well, if I'd known you lot were going to get dressed in the bleeping dark I'd have turned up in shorts and t-shirt. Absolutely ridiculous.

Thing is how would you have known they were going to be wearing leggings?! You dressed like you were going to an interview which imo is standard! I wonder what the person who got to the job in end wore!

 

[emm]

Thing is how would you have known they were going to be wearing leggings?! You dressed like you were going to an interview which imo is standard! I wonder what the person who got to the job in end wore!

yeh exactly, unless you were going for a personal trainer interview why would leggings ever be your first thought to wear?! Even if I was told to dress casually for an interview I would dress more smart casual as I always think in that situation it is better to be over rather than underdressed surely?!

 

[Ticktickmeh]

I don't think I got the local authority job. I'm kind of glad because the interviewers did not make me feel at ease at all. They were grumpy and one of them actually sighed when reading a question out.

I've been successful in a very similar role with the NHS though. So I'm happy

Congrats on the job