Interview Tips

[Pubey]

Shocking as it may seem... but at the age of 22 I am about to have my first "proper" interview for a summer placement as part of my masters... quite rightly I am bricking it and don't really feel very prepared (although deep down i know roughly what i want to say).

So has anyone got any tips (apart from having a pint before hand!)

 

[Lucas D]

A few pointers JonTosh:
Don't come across as a suck up.
Smile.
Appear motivated.
Don't swear.
Think about why you are good for the job.

 

[Cricko2]

Listen to what you are asked and try not to rush at your answers....Listening is 60% Answering is 40%

 

[Mad Cyril]

Shocking as it may seem... but at the age of 22 I am about to have my first "proper" interview for a summer placement as part of my masters... quite rightly I am bricking it and don't really feel very prepared (although deep down i know roughly what i want to say).

So has anyone got any tips (apart from having a pint before hand!)

Pre-prepare answers to popular interview questions such as..

Tell me about yourself....

What are your weaknesses....what don't you do well......

 

[MrB]

Flopping your **** on the table and shouting 'Who's your Daddy' normally helps.

 

[DTS]

I personally have always bashed one out seconds before leaving the house to relive the tension and its never done me any harm.

 

[Pubey]

Flopping your **** on the table and shouting 'Who's your Daddy' normally helps.

might be a winner seeing as I'm being 'interviewed' by 2 chicks... it's blatently going to turn into some porno fantasy!

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Be prepared for standard questions - strengths/weaknesses etc
Why you want the job.

Also, have a batch of questions lined up yourself i.e. training, development, working conditions etc

Don't come across as too ****y, yet not too shy

Actually look like you want to be there!

 

[sufcintheprem]

Learn about the company and the role you want to do. They'll probably want you to ask questions such as 'Where do you see x expanding to next?'. It sounds obvious but if you know the role and you know the company then you'll be able to answer questions in context as well as showing (in a way) you actually have an interest in the job you've applied for.

Having been loosely involved in recruiting the next me in this job and the last, enthusiasm for the job and a building a rapport with the interviewer seem to be massive. As someone who screwed up two interviews in the summer having never faile done before, I'd say the lack of enthusiasm was pretty telling in both.

 

[Pubey]

Learn about the company and the role you want to do. They'll probably want you to ask questions such as 'Where do you see x expanding to next?'. It sounds obvious but if you know the role and you know the company then you'll be able to answer questions in context as well as showing (in a way) you actually have an interest in the job you've applied for.

Having been loosely involved in recruiting the next me in this job and the last, enthusiasm for the job and a building a rapport with the interviewer seem to be massive. As someone who screwed up two interviews in the summer having never faile done before, I'd say the lack of enthusiasm was pretty telling in both.

cheers mate that helps a lot... in the end it is for a placement (2 months in the summer)... but the little information i can find about the firm (it's a small canadian set-up that has recently moved over the atlantic) will come in useful i reckon

 

[SUFC_Al]

Don't slouch in your chair or fiddle with your fingers or any other kind of fiddling :eek:

 

[DTS]

Ask the interviewer which team they support - Unless they come back with the Blues- regardless of team start chanting - "Your Support if ****ing ****".

Always worked for me.

 

[Slipperduke]

When you are asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years," never respond by staring them straight in the eye and whispering, "in your chair, drinking your brandy, smoking your cigarettes, making love to your wife."

 

[Pubey]

When you are asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years," never respond by staring them straight in the eye and whispering, "in your chair, drinking your brandy, smoking your cigarettes, making love to your wife."

*crosses it off my list*

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

Don't answer a question and then scratch your mouth. it means you've lied and are trying to take back the deceit.

Don't look away on finishing an answer, it means you've decieved them.

Don't clench fist when answering, it means you're being defensive.

Don't play with your ears when they're asking questions, it means you really don't want to hear what they're saying.

When answering with a long winded answer use your hands ala:blair to effect symbolism of what you mean, it shows you're not bull$hitting and are trying to explain as best as possible the answer.

Scratching your nose doesn't mean you're lying, it just means you're unsure.

If there's a gentleman quizzing you, handshake him by pressing your thumb between the knuckles of his second and third fingers, he might be on the square and give you a job as you've indicated you're a master mason. Tell him you're on the level.

Alkways look ladies in the eye, even if they've got fabulous breasts. Pretending everyone is naked so you don't feel belittled isn't a good idea, instead assume you are two foot taller than everyone else.

It is best to pause slightly before answering a question, a slight nod and then speak pronouncing all the vows and consonants, even if you speak in broad Thameside Estuarian.......

..... ermmmm

 

[Pubey]

Don't answer a question and then scratch your mouth. it means you've lied and are trying to take back the deceit.

Don't look away on finishing an answer, it means you've decieved them.

Don't clench fist when answering, it means you're being defensive.

Don't play with your ears when they're asking questions, it means you really don't want to hear what they're saying.

When answering with a long winded answer use your hands ala:blair to effect symbolism of what you mean, it shows you're not bull$hitting and are trying to explain as best as possible the answer.

Scratching your nose doesn't mean you're lying, it just means you're unsure.

If there's a gentleman quizzing you, handshake him by pressing your thumb between the knuckles of his second and third fingers, he might be on the square and give you a job as you've indicated you're a master mason. Tell him you're on the level.

Alkways look ladies in the eye, even if they've got fabulous breasts. Pretending everyone is naked so you don't feel belittled isn't a good idea, instead assume you are two foot taller than everyone else.

It is best to pause slightly before answering a question, a slight nod and then speak pronouncing all the vows and consonants, even if you speak in broad Thameside Estuarian.......

..... ermmmm

nice!! I'll bear it all in mind... basically to be sure I should keep my hands on my lap (without playing with myself) and look them straight in the eye without looking like a ******

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

nice!! I'll bear it all in mind... basically to be sure I should keep my hands on my lap (without playing with myself) and look them straight in the eye without looking like a ******

haha yeah... practice all the moves in body language and you'll look like a mannequin.

You could counter manoeuvre their postures.
Sometimes people want to be the boss, so drop your shoulders slightly to give them the illusion they indeed are better than you. They'll feel empowered particularly if you are having a fantastic interview and dealing with their questions easily.


I once knew someone who tried a self confidence tape before the interview. Suddenly she got a bit nervous during some tough questioning and because she so relied on the tape couldn't understand why her confidence was going, immediateley doubting the effectiveness of the tape she fainted.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Remember when people are recruiting they aren't just recruiting for someone who can do the job, they are also recruiting a colleague. So you need to show you have the skills to do the job, but also that you'd be someone good to work with on a personal level.

Jobs aren't just decided on the technical aspects during the 'formal' interview, but also on the small talk in the corridor on the way out after the interview.

 

[The Artful Shrimper]

Jobs aren't just decided on the technical aspects during the 'formal' interview, but also on the small talk in the corridor on the way out after the interview.

Very Good point actually, I've seen this first hand.

 

[Pubey]

Very Good point actually, I've seen this first hand.

and also you hear stories of the "receptionist" actually being an interviewer and seeing how you treat them and speak to them