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So, I had an interview today where they'd asked me to prepare a presentation ("no more than 20 minutes") on how I'd tackle the project they are about to commence, what pitfalls they might encounter and what steps I'd take to mitigate them. Oh, and can you also cover improving staff engagement and access whilst you're at it?

Which is pretty cheeky if you ask me as they're basically on the cadge for some free consultancy from me.

It's actually impossible for me to talk about my subject for just 20 minutes. And once I get my teeth into my particular field it's hard to stop me. At one point I think I said "This isn't an act, I really am this enthusiastic for [.....]" :D

Anyway, my presentation went on for near enough an hour. I think I might actually have frightened them a bit... :cool:
 
RubyToogood said:
I did not get the civil service role to nobody's surprise. They said my answers were too short, which is fair, because the only examples I could bring to mind on the spot of the things they were asking were extremely tenuous and thin.

I think this was largely due to the difference between their context (gov) and mine (sort of agency). I had to think laterally but this isn't easy to do on the fly.
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:(

as i've said elsewhere on this thread, there seems to be a very specific mindset / language they are looking for, and i've not got the hang of it. apart from a few years ago when i did land something temporary (and think that's because not many people wanted it) civil service, the only time i've got to interview, i didn't do well...
 
I do hope that something I had a call about comes through by end of tomorrow - there's not much else out that i think is a realistic chance at the moment.

I sent CV for a standards org that had several editorial type roles going and then realised there was a fucking typo in the CV so I re-submitted it an hour or two later when I noticed (like most, it was via form rather than email) and will just have to hope they open the second version. :oops:
 
Artaxerxes said:
Redundancy process is kicking off, gonna do nothing for 6 weeks.

Have a range of jobs in my to apply for and at least one interview lined up
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Be careful you don't get caught out by applications closing early if they get lots of applications.

That's happened to me in the past. At first, I used to apply as and when I saw job ads I was interested in, but then I realised that maybe I'd spent a day/night/whatever working on an application with a closing date in three weeks' time, and just after submitting I'd do a job search and might come across an ad with a closing date that night at 23:59h or a closing date the next day, and so I missed out.

So I switched and would do a job search and save details and write deadlines in my diary and do them chronologically. But then I found out I'd missed the boat on some because they closed applications early because they'd received lots of good applications.

Sometimes they say in the job and that they might do that, but not always. As a result, if you're super keen on any particular job, (rather than this looks okay and matches my experience and skillset), I'd say don't wait till you're close to the deadline, submit your application asap.
 
Cloo said:
I do hope that something I had a call about comes through by end of tomorrow - there's not much else out that i think is a realistic chance at the moment.

I sent CV for a standards org that had several editorial type roles going and then realised there was a fucking typo in the CV so I re-submitted it an hour or two later when I noticed (like most, it was via form rather than email) and will just have to hope they open the second version. :oops:
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Argh! That's sod's law, when you've tailored it, re-read it, copy-edited it, proofread it, double-checked it, hit send, gone and made a cup of tea, come back and thought let me just read that one more time...

Noooooooooo! 😱

Fingers crossed they'll appreciate your diligence caught it and made amends. (And they will be thinking of their own similar experience and giving you some leeway.) x
 
RubyToogood said:
I did not get the civil service role to nobody's surprise. They said my answers were too short, which is fair, because the only examples I could bring to mind on the spot of the things they were asking were extremely tenuous and thin.

I think this was largely due to the difference between their context (gov) and mine (sort of agency). I had to think laterally but this isn't easy to do on the fly.
Click to expand...
Sometimes, interview questions have thrown me.

And I always think, much later in the day, or the following days, 'I really ought to sit down in a cafe round the corner when I've come out of interviews and make a note of the questions they asked, especially the ones that threw me a bit' because that might help me prepare for future interviews. But then I forget. And I forget the questions. And so I don't learn some potentially valuable lessons.

However, I've had a few years of bad luck, well, maybe not bad luck, but not exactly outstandingly good luck, in that over the past decade or so I've had some jobs that were fixed term contracts (and I was unemployed for a while in between) or I had shitty jobs for shitty companies or shitty jobs for otherwise nice bosse/companies, and so job-hopped, which didn't always work out well.

The upshot is that I've quite a lot of experience doing job applications and job interviews, to varying degrees of success.

And I've learned that with those types of questions, although they seem quite specific: 'Tell us about a time you XYZ,' they're actually quite generic in that they're not asking you about your skills and qualifications for that particular role, they're asking you about your previous work experience, so prior to interview you can prepare and write some bullet points that will hopefully cover most situations, eg Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult customer/client or colleague. Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team and what was your role. Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge. Tell us how you would deal with problem XYZ.

So I tend to go through the behaviours or person specification section of the job pack, if there is one, and wherever it says something like, the candidate should demonstrate their ability to meet deadlines, or working under pressure, or working on their own initiative or working as part of a team, or whatever, I write my bullet points for that scenario in a rough SMART format.

And given that they're fairly generic 'my experience meeting deadlines was working at Company X as [job title] where I blah blah blah' or 'my experience working as part of a team that won an award for working on Project X' that I could use/have used in a fair few interviews, I've generally got an answer in the back of my mind that covers most eventualities.

So it helps to think up 'draft' responses to questions not just about the job that you're going for, which might be difficult, if there's aspects of the role you don't have any experience in - in which case, emphasise transferrable skills, eg 'I'm afraid I don't have experience using Software X, but I've used Software Y in my current/previous role, and I'm very computer literate and quick to learn - but also think up draft answers to questions about your prior experience.
 
AnnO'Neemus said:
Argh! That's sod's law, when you've tailored it, re-read it, copy-edited it, proofread it, double-checked it, hit send, gone and made a cup of tea, come back and thought let me just read that one more time...

Noooooooooo! 😱

Fingers crossed they'll appreciate your diligence caught it and made amends. (And they will be thinking of their own similar experience and giving you some leeway.) x
Click to expand...
I did actually once get a job where I did have an error in the CV.

the one yesterday, luckilyvI reread it as I used it as template for my next application and clocked the error then. That was fortunate as I have a couple of different 'base' CVs, but was using that one twice in a row and also I'd only just made the change where the error got in so that was the only wrong one I sent.
 
AnnO'Neemus said:
Sometimes, interview questions have thrown me.

And I always think, much later in the day, or the following days, 'I really ought to sit down in a cafe round the corner when I've come out of interviews and make a note of the questions they asked, especially the ones that threw me a bit' because that might help me prepare for future interviews. But then I forget. And I forget the questions. And so I don't learn some potentially valuable lessons.

However, I've had a few years of bad luck, well, maybe not bad luck, but not exactly outstandingly good luck, in that over the past decade or so I've had some jobs that were fixed term contracts (and I was unemployed for a while in between) or I had shitty jobs for shitty companies or shitty jobs for otherwise nice bosse/companies, and so job-hopped, which didn't always work out well.

The upshot is that I've quite a lot of experience doing job applications and job interviews, to varying degrees of success.

And I've learned that with those types of questions, although they seem quite specific: 'Tell us about a time you XYZ,' they're actually quite generic in that they're not asking you about your skills and qualifications for that particular role, they're asking you about your previous work experience, so prior to interview you can prepare and write some bullet points that will hopefully cover most situations, eg Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult customer/client or colleague. Tell us about a time you worked as part of a team and what was your role. Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge. Tell us how you would deal with problem XYZ.

So I tend to go through the behaviours or person specification section of the job pack, if there is one, and wherever it says something like, the candidate should demonstrate their ability to meet deadlines, or working under pressure, or working on their own initiative or working as part of a team, or whatever, I write my bullet points for that scenario in a rough SMART format.

And given that they're fairly generic 'my experience meeting deadlines was working at Company X as [job title] where I blah blah blah' or 'my experience working as part of a team that won an award for working on Project X' that I could use/have used in a fair few interviews, I've generally got an answer in the back of my mind that covers most eventualities.

So it helps to think up 'draft' responses to questions not just about the job that you're going for, which might be difficult, if there's aspects of the role you don't have any experience in - in which case, emphasise transferrable skills, eg 'I'm afraid I don't have experience using Software X, but I've used Software Y in my current/previous role, and I'm very computer literate and quick to learn - but also think up draft answers to questions about your prior experience.
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That's basically what I did. Their questions were actually more specific than I had anticipated.
 
So, misspelt CV role guys called me back, which is positive. The job I applied for (and another potentially interesting one) might not be enough money, but it sounded like she might be able to shove one of them up to something acceptable if it came to it - 2k less than I'm on now, but I can live with that, as it's still £6k more than my previous job at the end of the day. There is also a more senior one in my salary range which needed line management experience and I told her I do have that, as I was interim line-managing two editors in my last job for best part of two years. I said I'd happily go forward for that, and would consider the other two if they can get nearer my salary, so she'll get back to me today or tomorrow.

It's BSI so in sodding Gunnersbury, but hurrah for hybrid working as one would only have to do that twice a week. I wasn't wholly surprised about the money as I suspected they wouldn't get up to what I was on but realistically I have to expect anything not with a big business is not going to offer that much and might have to accept current salary as a bit of a fluke.
 
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Cloo said:
so in sodding Gunnersbury
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not to be confused with sodding chipbury, or chipping sodbury...

May not be as difficult as all that - the bit of london overground that does richmond - stratford goes through gunnersbury. (i haven't quite caught up with the new names for bits of what was the orange line/s) although there isn't a simple interchange from the northern line, it's a bit of a walk from hampstead underground to hampstead heath overground, or kentish town underground to kentish town west overground. i'm not quite sure where you'd be starting from, but doing that might be a bit quicker (and avoiding zone 1, cheaper) than going in to central london then out again.
 
It's on district and Overground (aka funny sideways line) - I'd have a couple of ways there: Euston, overground, change to gunnersbury branch at Willesden I think. Or bus to Finchley & Frognal, Overground (but probably would take longer)... or even embankment the Districts to Gunnersbury if I wanted to be a masochist and use the District line!

The BSI thing has potential as it sounds like they are recruiting a bunch of editorial/content people and want them quite soon and I've got a big plus of having working in a standard-setting organisation before (RICS) so I understand that publishing standards is a very specific kind of undertaking.

I've finally got an update on the internal role I second interviewed for, which is that they are at final stages, which sounds like they picked up some other internal candidates in the last few weeks so I'm guessing it will be a 'no' or just maybe they'll want to speak to me again. And the weird job WFH job with international essential oil trading org is reviewing CVs today, so should hear tomorrow - glad to hear it's still on table potentially, as I said I reckon I'll get on shortlist for that one.

We're going to Wales week after next (crosses fingers car passes MOT today and isn't declared a write-off, which is not impossible) so wouldn't be surprised if I end up having to take a laptop with and headset with to take an interview there. In fact I should anyway to keep the option open.
 
AnnO'Neemus said:
Be careful you don't get caught out by applications closing early if they get lots of applications.

That's happened to me in the past. At first, I used to apply as and when I saw job ads I was interested in, but then I realised that maybe I'd spent a day/night/whatever working on an application with a closing date in three weeks' time, and just after submitting I'd do a job search and might come across an ad with a closing date that night at 23:59h or a closing date the next day, and so I missed out.

So I switched and would do a job search and save details and write deadlines in my diary and do them chronologically. But then I found out I'd missed the boat on some because they closed applications early because they'd received lots of good applications.

Sometimes they say in the job and that they might do that, but not always. As a result, if you're super keen on any particular job, (rather than this looks okay and matches my experience and skillset), I'd say don't wait till you're close to the deadline, submit your application asap.
Click to expand...
I recently got caught with this, 5 jobs at the same place, all advertised as by the 23rd, checked in on the 18th to find the advert changed to 2 jobs and closing date the 17th...
 
Yes, some seem to have closed early, but if I'm really interested I apply ASAP. I have missed some roles I've saved on LinkedIn or Indeed, but nothing I cared about that much.

RIBA interview just now seemed to go remarkably well - as it's a mat cover it sounds like it's just going to be this one stage. There was good rapport and they seemed impressed with my experience and knowledge, but it sounds like it'll be another week or two before decision is made. I would really like it, even for less money and just 12 months. Not sure where I'd go from there, but it's worth a try.
 
a_chap said:
So, I had an interview today where they'd asked me to prepare a presentation ("no more than 20 minutes") on how I'd tackle the project they are about to commence, what pitfalls they might encounter and what steps I'd take to mitigate them. Oh, and can you also cover improving staff engagement and access whilst you're at it?

Which is pretty cheeky if you ask me as they're basically on the cadge for some free consultancy from me.

It's actually impossible for me to talk about my subject for just 20 minutes. And once I get my teeth into my particular field it's hard to stop me. At one point I think I said "This isn't an act, I really am this enthusiastic for [.....]" :D

Anyway, my presentation went on for near enough an hour. I think I might actually have frightened them a bit... :cool:
Click to expand...

Well, I seems I frightened them into offering me the job... :)
 
RIBA has asked for second meet, in person - unfortunately when we're on hols in Wales. I'm going to ask if we can do next week, but I suspect one of their side is away next week, and I suppose after that next option is teams again while we're in Wales, or wait until we're back.
 
Cloo said:
RIBA has asked for second meet, in person - unfortunately when we're on hols in Wales. I'm going to ask if we can do next week, but I suspect one of their side is away next week, and I suppose after that next option is teams again while we're in Wales, or wait until we're back.
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Congratulations for jumping through the first hoop! Well, second really, first hoop being shortlisted for first interview, second hoop being making it through the first interview and being invited to second interview.

I hope they can fit you in before/after your trip or alternatively do it remotely.

Good luck! 🙂
 
I haven't heard back about the RIBA so I guess it's either Teams on 9th or it'll have to be the next week.

BSI are going to interview me next Friday about two possible roles and I applied to a large local accountancy firm (literally they're about 200m from our front door) for a comms role, almost of the LOLs of applying, and have been asked for a phone screen. Dunno if I'll get the job but was genuinely impressed by their very useable and really inclusive application form, creates a very good impression of their working culture. So worth getting on their radar even if I don't get this one.
 
Cloo said:
Phew, RIBA can meet me on Thursday, so that really helps,I need to send skew article ideas - have had one good one and will consider a few more.
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Christ almighty could they just give you the fucking job? You're blatantly perfect for it and it's only fucking mat leave :rolleyes:
 
I've spent four years imagining scenarios where, during a meeting of my peers, I dramatically quit to everyone's shock and amazement.

Turns out there are no departmental Teams meetings this week due to the Bank Holiday so it'll be an email tomorrow saying: "hi [manager]. Just to let you know I'm handing my notice in."

I feel cheated :mad:
 
a_chap said:
I've spent four years imagining scenarios where, during a meeting of my peers, I dramatically quit to everyone's shock and amazement.

Turns out there are no departmental Teams meetings this week due to the Bank Holiday so it'll be an email tomorrow saying: "hi [manager]. Just to let you know I'm handing my notice in."

I feel cheated :mad:
Click to expand...

Can’t you instigate a Teams meeting anyway and go full Glen Cullen from The Thick Of It?
 
Sadly I can't figure out a way to instigate a Teams meeting with the right audience.

And believe me I've tried to think up loads of scenarios but none would work ☹

I am toying with the idea of waiting a week 'til the next Monday Teams meeting but that brings its own problems ☹
 
Good luck nonetheless managing a world-class flounce a_chap !

I'm relieved that the way things have fallen out that on the off chance I am offered a job after this week's interview, I won't have to be weighing it up against a permanent role as there's no chance of anything else coming through, as it would suck (in the unlikely event) I had to choose between the cool 12 month role and something less exciting but permanent.

I have sent some article ideas for Thurday's interview and I was relieved to see they said it's for discussion and also a chance for me to understand more about how they work so it sounds like they're not expecting you necessarily to be 100% on target it's just a way to discuss the job.

I have a phone screen tomorrow and another 1st round for something on Friday so I've actually diarised time properly to cover prep for each. Then I'm away for a week so I'll probably at this rate have a break and not need to have any interviews while away.
 
Another 12-month contract I'd had an initial discussion about but thought has gone dead has come back to ask for a 1st interview call this week, so that's also good. I figured I must have asked for too much money but now I suspect the recruiter must have just been away or something.

Just writing notes for BSI interview Friday, quite a lot to juggle this week now. Hope I sleep better from tonight - two night ago wasn't great and last night was dreadful.
 
Well having checked my local councils website more often, after discovering the latest job by complete accident..... They have 40+ jobs available, the latest is over a old and only 2 do not have "Be the first" on their on website and dates are not completed yet. It is not available anywhere else, whoever is in charge of recruitment there is robbing a living.
 
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