Thetownend.com

Do you get them? How do you deal with them? Drugs? Deep breathing? Meditation?

I ask because this morning I was invited to my second interview since finishing uni, and as I mentioned in the recession thread, I've been making applications but not getting very far. My previous interview was a bit of a disaster as nerves got the better of me, and although I felt I recovered after a bit, it's that initial meeting that I think sways a lot of people.

Trouble is, I know I'm going in as a weak candidate due to my lack of experience. And as interview practice is hard to come by, I can afford less and less to screw up the opportunities I do get. Which just stresses me out, frankly.

Anyway. I won't take any drugs for fear of ending up in some sitcom-esque situation where I have a bad reaction and try to dry hump one of the male panelists, or something equally hilarious. But any other tips are welcome.

In interviews a good interviewer will realise that an interviewee will be nervous. What I tend to do, is find the location first, say a couple of days before, arrive early and go for a walk before hand to clear the head.

a double whiskey 10 minutes before, followed by a chewing gum. No word of a lie.

I used to be the same and had some terrible interviews as a result. I know it won't help, but I found that going for an interview for a job I needed out of neccesity (e.g. purely for the money) I'd get very nervous. On the other hand, I've had interviews for jobs that I didn't really need but would've loved doing (and been a great career step) which I found much more comfortable.

As Sippo says, a lot can depend on the interviewer as well.

I find a way to calm the nerves is to be as prepared as possible, so that you're confident you've got everything cover. Know the location & how long it will take you to get there etc. Read up a little bit about the company and think of some questions you'd like to ask them. Also prepare for the questions they might ask you.

Visualise yourself getting the job and convince yourself they need you more than you need them. Also make it absolutely clear when you first arrive that you won't be answering any of their bullshit questions and you've got a better interview after this one. Then point out that if they could get a bloody move on and stop the inane small talk, it'd reflect favourably on them when you come to decide who it is you will allow to employ you...

Fuck it, bottle it and don't turn up

If no ones looking, knock one out in reception.

If they are looking knock two out,it shows commitment

Although not if the job involves any form of risk management.

Iv not really had to sit in many interviews as my line of work seems to go down the work experience route and they skim thru your cv, see where you have worked and then give you a week to see if you are any good.

2 interviews i have had to sit in, in recent years have both asked me the question "and what are your weak points" Can someone help me with a good answer to this? Obviously i could sit there for hours listing off how crap i am at most things but its not really talking myself into a job is it.

I failed both times at these interviews.   :(

Maybe two.

All this new age mental feng shui stuff might sound more sensible, but alcohol has a proven track record for medicating stuff like this over centuries. It's the safe option.

I wouldn't answer that one directly. I'd just say I don't have any weak points and my strong points are... and leave it at that. Or you could possibly say your weak points are being too strong at something, like being overly ambituous, can't leave a piece of work unfinished etc.

Head and Groin

Thats good, but both interviews have asked for my strong points first and then attacked my weaker side. When failing to answer the question they have both said "so you are perfect then" I felt the jobs slipping away from then on.

1 job was for an underwater videographer in the Maldives, the other was for a subway graffiti cleaner in Sweden.

Similar roles then?

I initially read that as an "underwear videographer"

 :D

Thanks guy. Will have to rule out whiskey and playing with myself, as it's for a job at a school. Will remember those for non-school environment based jobs though  :thumb:

I think I have a better idea of what questions they'll ask me, based on my last interview (was for the same role, different school) so so long as I do the work I should be fairly well prepared. Might try going for a walk beforehand though.

Every interview I have had has resulted in a job offer (6 interviews). The thing to remmber is that an interview is your time to shine. So talk yourself up, even if you think you are a dickhead act like your not. It helps if your a cocky sod like me but self belive is the key. Before every interview I read all the good reports I have had from work, I look at all the thankyou notes I have from clients just to makesure my ego is nice a big! then I go in and smash the fuck out of the interview and get the job.

I also try and keep the conversation lighthearted get the interviewer to laugh and the job is yours. If the interview is a man play up on sport etc get to know the interview on your way out mention something like "I hope swindon do well this year" or whatever you have spoken about. If the interviewer is a women ask her what perfume she is wearing on your way as you think it smells nice and wouldn't mind get a bottle for your girlfreind.

During the interview I also talk as if I have the job "When I start, where do I park? What time do I have to start? etc etc

*cringe*

Weak points? "I'm a perfectionist..."

As if.

Amateur. What if she's not wearing any?

Much better to say she's got beautiful eyes. Everybody has eyes.

well clearly you change what you say tot he sistuation say you like her top or dress. I don't know just do soemthing postive.

Might be good to go for originality. I like your left arm. How did you get it so nice?

at the end of the interview stand up clap your hands together and say "lets fuck"

School jobs are the best

If someone actually said that to me I would give them the job immediatly!!  :soapy tit wank:

Have you tried the herbal sleep aid / stress relief stuff? Not exactly drugs as they're all made from plant extracts.

I find they work pretty well to calm you down a bit. I'd recommend trying them out before hand to see what effect they have on you, they might do nothing or they might knock you out a bit. You don't want to fall asleep in an interview.

Yeah right. I bet if you were in a bad mood you'd get all snappy - "What's wrong with my right arm?"

I think its important to remember that the interviewer can possibly be as nervous as you if they don't have much experience. Its pretty common place in my organisation, but I'd imagine less so at a school.

Have they told you if its a competence based interview? If so, do a quick google search on the funnel method, as its the most popular interview style used. It will at least give you a clue as to the type of questions you may be asked, so you can start to think about how you could answer them.

Also remember the phrase "Me Me Me". They want to know what YOU did, not what 'the team' or somebody else did. Make it up if you need to, so long as you emphasize the Me bit.

hmmm maybe - but if it was YOU saying it not a random I would love it

Would you say that your left arm is nicer than your right?

Bit of a tip, schools like flexibility. Saying you're willing to work til the job is done. They like people who are prepared to take on challenges.

Once you're in it really is a life of riley. Free trips galore. I was asked if I wanted to go on two week skiiing trip fully paid last year to italy.

Probably my right arms a bit nicer than my left actually

I think my right is probably a bit nicer too. Arm buddies.

I have had very few interviews but have been the interviwer a few times. All I would say is that you don't get an ionterview if you are clearly not able to do the job. Why would they waste their time interviewing you unless they thought you maY BE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB. You highlight your lack of experience, but really you need to highlight the reasons that you would be good at the job, & prepare for the lack of experience thing. eg. Ask the interviewer how they gained the experience for THEIR first job, point out any of the positive aspects of it such as you have " a clean canvas"
Above all though, the worst that can happen is that you don't get the job. It's not life or death & in the grand scheme of things is not going to affect the rest of your life

A wrap of speed will normally do the trick.

Either that or get some practice interviews done.  Ideally from someone you don’t know to well to fire a few questions at you and run through your CV.

Like Spud from trainspotting you mean!  "your leisure, is my pleasure"

I always think being candid shows good character strength, so i've always been frank with my negatives, as well as thrown in a couple of positive negatives. Such as:

Being very poor at delegation , "because i'm unable to leave anything at a loose end, such is my desire to complete something properly."

Speaking up too much "because I like to share ideas on things I think could be improved."

I also always tell potential employers some negative negatives simply because you come across as honest. (I also always say i'm too honest and have difficulty dressing things up, whch will tie in and vidicate you when you come out with some nproper negatives.) For instance I always say my time keepings crap, because i'm never on time. I then elaborate by explaining that I don't have to "attempt" to make up the time, simply because i'll always be there later than everyone, tying up lose ends because i have to finish everything i start.

Totally agree Barry, you have to be able to admit you have areas which you can work on and develop rather than making out you are perfect as from my experience, they will see right through you otherwise.

Wanting to improve yourself/work on your weaknesses normally comes across as a positive as it shows honesty and a desire to improve.

Getting frustrated and/or bored if not kept busy is one of my admisssion's in interviews. Has a very good hit rate for me and is the absolute truth.

Jobs in this part of the world are mostly gained through nepotism though and so I haven't been asked such a question since......... (I can't actually remember when).

P.S. I did notice my 3 "S's" in admission's, but I liked it and so decided to keep it that way.

I think being prepared is the best tip, have a rough idea of what you want from the employer as well as what they want from you. You can then base the interview around these points.

The interviewer may throw a couple of tricky questions into the mix to catch you on the hop and see how you react. If you don't know then don't bullshit, say you're not sure but applying other knowledge you think [this].

Try not to think about it too much when you're in there, you'll appear more genuine and engaging. If you're interacting with the interviewer then they'll see you as being able to get on with people and fit into a team/interact with clients.

I've not had many interviews but of the ones I've had I've been offered the job very soon after or on the spot, save one occassion where the interview didn't go well. The manager who interviewed me just wanted to talk about nights out and getting pissed which wasn't very professional.

I've interviewed a fair few people over the years. Here's the things I look for. Good eye contact. I wouldn't ask people to an interview if I wasn't prepared to employ them but you can sort out the bullshitters early on. I want somebody to have done thier homework - if they phone me in advance of the interview for information its a plus point.  I want somedody to tell me they want the job - its obvious but not may people do it. Dress the part - it shows you care - fuck later. Don't chew gum. If you can't answer a question, don't waffle ask  if you can come back to that question. Don't bullshit - give straight answers - be youself. Make sure you have a couple of questions to ask.  At the end of the interview tell then you want the job and ask them if there are any questions you have left unanswered or if they feel you have been ambiguous on any point that you could try and clear up.
Best of luck matey. I've taken on people who have been nervous if they can show other qualities. Your lack of experience shouldn't count - if it did then wht interview you. 

Right, I got the itinerary the other day, and as it turns out, the head is the ex-husband of one of my former teachers. So I'm hoping a bit of common ground will do me well.

I did a little research earlier on the school, will do some more later/tomorrow but right now I'm going to go through and re-read this thread. Mucho gracias to those who contributed!

I spend my life interviewing people - its simple - tell the truth, don't bullshit - they will spot it it if you do

I find it useful to just remember the interviewer is just another person, we all meet new people all the time and are comfortable with it so there's really no need for this to be any different.

Like you mentioned, if you can find common ground, then that helps, it makes you equals and reduces the pressure.

Good luck mate and remember to make the most of it either way, if it's positive then awesome, if not then it's invaluable experience.

Didn't get it. My answers lack depth, apparently - nothing to do with me personally (my warmth and personality went down well apparently). So I'm pretty gutted, as it's back to square one and not knowing what the fuck is going on with my current job.

Who cares about that? How did you handle your nerves?

Could be worth posting an example question on here and how you answered, then others could suggest how you could have answered and it may assist you for future interviews.

Using the TEF as my guide, I bigged myself up in my mind, told myself not to worry because it's not the end of the world, and that was more or less it. I didn't feel anywhere near as intimidated as last time though.

townenda - the questions were mostly situational ones, for example, 'how would you deal with a disruptive child in the class?' or 'what are your thoughts on positive re-inforcement?'. If anyone has any thoughts on those you're welcome to post them, but I get the feeling that this is where my lack of experience hinders me - having never been in a position where I'm in total control of a class. I was up against at least one qualified teacher, possibly two, so I'd guess they got it.

Did you say give the little bugger a slap ?

Knock him out with a 2kg weight ?

drop the swede into the mush!

And your answers were?

Give the little bugger a slap.

Er, I said it depended on the type of disruption - if for example, he or she is preventing others from doing their work because they themselves claim that they cannot do it, then it might be a case of trying to sit the pupil next to someone a bit more clued up. If they're just being a dick and won't work at all, maybe isolate the child, move their desk or something.

The positive re-enforcement thing threw me, as all this time I've been focusing on dealing with naughty kids, not really thinking about rewarding the good ones. And I said as much, in the vain hope that honesty would reflect well on me. Guess not.

at least you know to consider that and will have smeting to say if it comes up next time.

what sort of age group is this and are you focusing on a specific range or open to where opportunities are?  sorry if this has been covered, i can't remember...

It's secondary. The job is called a cover supervisor - you basically spend your day covering the teachers lessons when they're off sick and stuff. Teacher sets the work, you deliver it and try and keep the class in order and on task.

I've been applying for stuff in Swindon and Bristol (and South Gloucester), primarily because thats where the opportunities are locally.

To me, the first answer sounds more than reasonable. If anything, where it lacks (to me) is the use of just the hypothetical element. Are you able to back it up with a practical example from any work experience?

I can understand if the second question caught you out, but as KT said above, its something you can think about how can answer when the question next comes up.

You might have just been a bit unluucky. I always ask a couple of "dodgy" questions just to see how people answer them.  It sorts out the bullshitters from those who are genuine. The bad news is that it appears they may well have been after experience and you were a sidebet should that experience not been evident.
On the positive side, you had an interview and learnt from it. I would be fairly upbeat if I were you. There are always ceratin stock questions and answers you would expect as an interviewer. As there are several people on here with experience then try and tap into it. A few PMs would do you no harm - the worst you;'ll get is a "fuck off " which is standard fare for the TEF.
You're on the right track, in my opinion.