The job hunting support thread

[weltweit]

Ta!
I don't really know how to prepare for the interview, bar going over my application and memorising as much of it as possible

1. Learn the job spec
2. Read everything you can on their website
3. check out the interviewers on LinkedIn (if you have their names)
4. check back over your CV and letter
5. check possible questions on the net and rehearse your responses
6. repeat step 2

Oh and get a TMAY (an answer to the "Tell Me About Yourself" question)

 

[strung out]

I regularly interview people for library jobs Orang Utan. Not sure what type of organisation you're going for, or even what type of library job, but happy to give advice if you want it.

 

[stuff_it]

And now my CV has been put forward for another job that's totally frickin' awesome.

Like bloody busses. Let's hope I manage to catch one this time.

 

[friendofdorothy]

I've been offered an interview for a job I'd love at another charity- as receptionist, almost identical to my current job, but much better paid.

They asked me to choose a time for a half hour interview stating the location, full address and a map of their office. Then after I'd chosen a half hour time slot there was a box saying 'initially a telephone interview' Odd they didn't mention this in their text/email or on the site until you had chosen a time. If I'd not scrolled to the bottom of the screen it wouldn't have seen the bit about telephone interview. Very confusing.

I've never had a telephone interview as such, before so I'm not sure what to expect. Any hints or tips anyone?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I've been offered an interview for a job I'd love at another charity

I've never had a telephone interview as such, before so I'm not sure what to expect. Any hints or tips anyone?

can't disagree with much of this

be aware they may ring you a bit earlier or later than they say

it's likely to be the same sort of stuff as a real interview - the 'give an example of a time you have done this' (and as ever, refer to the job spec or whatever to see what experience they say they want)

hope it goes well

 

[friendofdorothy]

thank you Puddy_Tat thats very helpful.

 

[Orang Utan]

Just had a brilliant interview. First I've ever had where I've come out smiling and not mortified and full of dread.
Feeling cautiously optimistic, but I'm very aware that pride comes before a fall.

 

[xsunnysuex]

Just had a brilliant interview. First I've ever had where I've come out smiling and not mortified and full of dread.
Feeling cautiously optimistic, but I'm very aware that pride comes before a fall.

Fingers n toes crossed for you. x

 

[friendofdorothy]

Just had a brilliant interview. First I've ever had where I've come out smiling and not mortified and full of dread.
Feeling cautiously optimistic, but I'm very aware that pride comes before a fall.

Well at least thats encouraging. best of luck x

 

[weltweit]

.. I've never had a telephone interview as such, before so I'm not sure what to expect. Any hints or tips anyone?

Actually probably quite appropriate for a receptionist position, it will show how you come across on the phone.

I recommend waiting for your moment to speak even if you are tempted to butt in, and when it is your turn to speak - talk slower than you might have to ensure you can be clear. Other than that usual interview preparation applies.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I have applied for something - first time in over 2 years that I've done a job application, so may or may not have done it right.

been invited to an assessment day sort of thing.

which will mean a day off that's going to be difficult.

which may lead to an interview which will mean another day off which will also be difficult.

i think i'm going to tell them to stuff it.

or at least decline politely.

blargh.

 

[friendofdorothy]

been invited to an assessment day sort of thing.

which will mean a day off that's going to be difficult.

which may lead to an interview which will mean another day off which will also be difficult.

i think i'm going to tell them to stuff it.

or at least decline politely.

blargh.

If you think its a job you'd like, go for it.

 

[friendofdorothy]

I had my telephone interview today - think it went ok. Glad I'd practised lots of answers including the old what are your strengths and weaknesses question. Thanks everyone for all the hints and pointers.

 

[Orang Utan]

Just had a two hour group assessment - there were 8 of us all competing for the same job.
Is this a thing in recruitment now?
Have HR people been watching Masterchef and The Apprentice a little too much or is it just an effective use of limited resources and a good way to find suitable candidates?
Anyway, I did OK, everyone was very nice and mutually supported - we had to work together to make presentations. I don't think I'll get through to the interview stage as I was the only candidate who wasn't already working for the organisation who were hiring, in fact many of them were doing the job that I interviewed for last week. They knew a lot more than me about the services the organisation offers (even though I did my homework and contributed well) and I feel like I'm the outsider candidate (they all seemed to know each other). Will probably find out later today.

 

[doodlelogic]

Telephone interview - have them call you on a landline if possible - voice quality is so much better than mobile.

 

[Orang Utan]

Just had a two hour group assessment - there were 8 of us all competing for the same job.
Is this a thing in recruitment now?
Have HR people been watching Masterchef and The Apprentice a little too much or is it just an effective use of limited resources and a good way to find suitable candidates?
Anyway, I did OK, everyone was very nice and mutually supported - we had to work together to make presentations. I don't think I'll get through to the interview stage as I was the only candidate who wasn't already working for the organisation who were hiring, in fact many of them were doing the job that I interviewed for last week. They knew a lot more than me about the services the organisation offers (even though I did my homework and contributed well) and I feel like I'm the outsider candidate (they all seemed to know each other). Will probably find out later today.

Heheh, I got an interview so I must have done well, despite all that!

 

[friendofdorothy]

Telephone interview - have them call you on a landline if possible - voice quality is so much better than mobile.

too late. They called on my mobile. Two of them on a speaker phone sounded like they were in an echo chamber and it was impossible to tell the two voices apart. I said this at the beginning and, bless them, they then said 'this is A' or 'this is B' before each question.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Heheh, I got an interview so I must have done well, despite all that!

fingers still crossed for you x

 

[Orang Utan]

fingers still crossed for you x

thanks! my challenge for next week is to bring a book with me to the interview. that's all they said. so i'm going to spend the next week agonising over my choice. asking a keen reader to pick just one book to talk about/present/whatever I'm expected to do is so so cruel!

 

[friendofdorothy]

thanks! my challenge for next week is to bring a book with me to the interview. that's all they said. so i'm going to spend the next week agonising over my choice. asking a keen reader to pick just one book to talk about/present/whatever I'm expected to do is so so cruel!

hang on what sort of organisation is this for? - is this for a library job / publishing related - at least a book would be relavant there? You could tell the story of the most popularly borrowed book (probably some mills and boon romance?) or a surprising best seller maybe?

Reminds me of the whats your favourite book question on stupid interview questions thread. Maybe what is important is the reason why you like the book it says something about your personality.

I'm not sure any employer would be impressed by my choice of 'Tales from Mooming Valley' - I like the moomins because they are sensitive thoughtful creatures, who are individuals, feel deeply about things and want to make each other happy. I also like that Tove Janson the author refuse to sell out to Disney. And the stories are good for clearing my mind to help me get to sleep. That will never impress any business will it?

buscador says take a blank book.

What are you going to choose?

 

[Orang Utan]

i don't know - maybe Michael Chabon's The Adventures Of Kavalier & Clay cos the copy I have was given to me by kids from one of my school jobs and is covered with their signatures and best wishes, but I'm supposed to be talking about the book, I guess, rather than unsubtly conveying to them that kids like me, and I've forgotten a lot about it.
I could bring Dostoievsky's Notes From Underground, but if I say I identify with the narrator, they'll think I'm unwell, and they'll probably think I'm being pretentious.
I dunno - there's so many I could bring!

 

[Puddy_Tat]

If you think its a job you'd like, go for it.

i've booked to go (it's a bit unclear whether it's an assessment sort of thing that may be followed by an interview, or whether interview is part of the same thing.)

somewhat mixed feelings really. lot of complications.

 

[friendofdorothy]

Orang Utan edit your post if you think you've revealed too much.

Michael Chabon's The Adventures Of Kavalier & Clay cos the copy I have was given to me by kids from one of my school jobs and is covered with their signatures and best wishes

sounds like a reasonable choice - especially as you don't know what they want you to do with it. With some thing like you can talk about the previous job, the kids, how books helped you relate to them, maybe why they chose that book as your gift, about books as gifts, as well as the book, author, story itself. Possibly best to read it again/revise/research a bit about the book just incase. Kids can't sign an ebook - you can talk about books as artifacts as well as just words.

 

[Orang Utan]

it's not a kids' book and i will not necessarily be working with just kids in the job - it's much broader than that. lots of good advice and food for thought there though - thanks!

 

[Teaboy]

Mein Kampf obvs.

Congratulations on getting the interview, sometimes being the outsider can work in your favour.

In answer to your other question, yes sadly the group assessment interview thing is becoming far too common, the reason? HR. They are just poison and they need to be involved in everything and they spend vast amounts of company money on off-the-shelf management and recruitment philosophies. So for a whole day they get to be all self-important and play kingmaker for a role they haven't got the first clue about and could never do themselves.

 

[chilango]

Considering yet another application but I'm drawing a blank on my "personal statement". I've got plenty of stick paragraphs from previous applications that I spent hours crafting but they're not really relevant for this post (a detour from my current role) So, I've to sit down and start afresh. I know what -in theory- to write, I'm just struggling to actually write it. I'm so crap at selling myself. Which is where I fuck up in interviews. I just don't do competitive.

*sighs*

 

[Red Cat]

What's the post chilango? If you don't mind saying.

 

[chilango]

What's the post chilango? If you don't mind saying.

SEN teacher

 

[Red Cat]

SEN teacher

Any specific area of SEN?

I would've thought art teaching experience and your current role would be a really good mix of skills, plus maturity, outdoor stuff, international experience.

 

[Orang Utan]

Just been offered a full time job, even though the position I interviewed for was part time!
I have two more job interviews coming up - not sure what the etiquette is about that - what if I get offered those too?