Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[winterwren]

I have had a few turbulant months in work where we have had to take a reduction in hours and recieved notice that we are at risk of redundancy. I never thought I would get so upset about it all but then realised that the competition for new jobs was really high!

 

Anyway... against all odds I have managed to secure an interview at a really lovely company doing something I know I can do . Soooo tomorrow I will totter off to the interview with all my fingers and toes crossed. I dont suffer from interview fright but I am going to have to do something I have never done before. They have said that I will have to do a presentation but will not be given the question until the day and then I will have 30 mins to prepare. Very scary!!

 

I have promised myself that If I get the job I will treat myself and my lovely ex battery hens to a cube... heres hoping!

 

Please please please positive thoughts for me tomorrow and any advice on how to go about the interview will be muchly appreciated.

 

[chickenanne]

Everyone else is in the same boat remember, so it isn't jsut a scary presentation for you.

You sound very enthusiastic about the job, and confident that it's the right one for you. So if you can get that across at itnerview as well as you ahve done here, then no problem!

[patsylabrador]

Good Luck !

[Egluntyne]

Best of luck, and if you can steer the conversation around to chickens, you will hold them spellbound.

[winterwren]

I think it will be hard NOT to mention the chickens lol. Its all I seem to talk about these days ! Thank you Chickenanne aswell, you spend so much ime owrrying about how you are going to do that you forget the other candidates will be just as worried

[chickinboy]

I can't remember the last interview I had where I didn't mention my chickens! Seems strange, but as I work in online marketing, one subject that comes up regularly is forums, so I end up discussing this very forum....and so on, you get the picture! I find it's a nice way to get some 'human' conversation into the process, and normally helps make it bit more friendly. Of course there are some companies who would really prefer you didn't bring your life into it, and slept in the car park to save time on travel, but still.

 

Presentations are another thing that I seem to have to do for every interview these days. In the old days I was actually guilty of turning interviews down if they mentioned presentations. Once I did one, it didn't bother me again.

 

Best thing I ever learned was to memorize my first few sentances - even without knowing the specific subject, you can do that. I find that by doing this, I can go in on auto pilot whilst I'm nervous, and with a dry throat, and by the time I'm into the actual detail, I've forgotten about my nerves, and can start to freestyle. So I always have a standard first slide if you like. I suppose in this case, it would be a bit about you, and what you're going to be talking about.

 

Include your objectives and some standard points about the methods you would employ to solve the given problem, eg. research, relationship building, other stuff related to your field (more stuff you can learn before hand). Often I find at that early stage, they're not always looking for all the answers, because you can't know everything about them. They're looking to see how you work, how you understand a problem, and how you approach finding a solution.

 

Just keep it brief - I stick to bullet points with the point in a sentance. I then elaborate with an example. I just keep going like that - point, example, point, example etc.

 

Oh, I judge it on the day, but I always casually ask if it's okay for me to stay seated infront of them. Unless it's a room full of people, there's no need to stand up, and it wouldn't happen in the real world -I think it sends the impression that you're comfortable and used to doing this. Not all formal and scared looking. Plus if I stand I end up pacing and and looking like I'm on something!

 

Good luck!

[Leicester_H]

Hi

Congrats on getting interview - its not easy these days.

 

Can you take some cards to write some bullet points on to prompt you what to say ? (not whole sentences to read out - just reminders )

 

One format is to

1. Start by telling the audience what you're about to tell them (eg. I'm going to tell you how I would tackle crime by a. reducing xyx, b increasing xyz, and thirdly xyz (run out of example!))

2. Tell them in detail about a,b,c

3. At end, summamrise what you've just told them (eg. so thats how I would tackle crime by a. reducing xyx, b increasing xyz, and thirdly xyz )

 

Good luck

 

H

[winterwren]

I was nervous posting on here as I am still relativly new to the forum, but I have to say that it is lovely to have so many take the time to help you out

 

Often I find at that early stage, they're not always looking for all the answers, because you can't know everything about them. They're looking to see how you work, how you understand a problem, and how you approach finding a solution.

 

This has really helped as I have been trying to cram in all this information, forgetting that it is more about impressions and style of working that they are looking at.

 

The formula is brilliant as well and easy to remember, this is what I am going to say.....detail of situation ...... sum up!

 

I hope they dont ask me how to reduce crime though maybe I could sneak my chickens in if they do. If every one had chickens they would be too busy watching them to cause any crime lol

[mostin]

Good luck, there has been some really good advice posted.

 

Remember, if you get a bit lost, or freeze up, what seems like a huge silence to you, is only a slight pause to the listener, so don't panic.

 

Just breath........smile.............think of what you want to say next...........and then carry on .

 

And don't forget to mention the chickens

[winterwren]

Thank you so much guys - I will let you know how it went when I get back tomorrow!

[craftyhunnypie]

Good luck!

 

Emma.x

[miffy]

Good Luck!!

[Bramble]

Fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you!!! Let us know how it goes (I'm really nervous for you!)

[Seagazer]

Good luck for today

[Snoxy]

Good luck for today from me too...looking forward to hearing how your interview has gone maybe later

 

Lou

[sage]

Good luck hope all goes well.

 

Sage

[chick wiggle]

Oooh do we know what time the interview is/was?

Hope all went well

[winterwren]

Well the interview has come and gone and thankyou for all the good luck messages!

 

The interview went really really well, they asked all the things I thought they would and I even predicted what the presentation question would be!

 

However.... they rang last night to say I didnt get it The man said I was a strong candidate, I didnt do anything wrong and the successful candidate just had a smidge more experience than me.

 

I am gutted...it is almost worse to know that I was so close.

 

But it was really nice to come back on here and see all the good lucks and the advice was awesome

 

On a good note he has asked me to apply next year x

[Egluntyne]

Oh ... bad luck, but some positive feedback.

[winterwren]

yes it is good to have feedback for a change... I have a sneaky suspition it went to an internal candidate

[mostin]

awwwwwww, bad luck. I know what you mean, when it sometimes feels worse just to have missed out by a whisker. .

 

I always console myself by thinking that fate didn't let me get that job as the perfect one is just around the corner

[jlo]

yes it is good to have feedback for a change... I have a sneaky suspition it went to an internal candidate

 

I would bet that you are right about that. Still, the feedback was good and it was great experience for you.