First real interview ever on Thursday... I'm going to pee myself

[KarenAylwood]

I got my Masters in chemistry about a month ago and have been on the job hunt since January but there is very little in my field in my area. It seems like I'm either applying for stuff I'm overqualified for or really underqualified.

I haven't gotten a single interview in the past three months- other than this so I'm feeling the pressure and it's making me even more nervous. If I have to borrow rent money from my mom again I'm going to scream.

So Thursday I have a 3 hour interview set up at a local chemical lab (big international company) and it's for a job I'm pretty overqualified for but it's at least something I can get my foot in the door with and it's at my limit for how low I'd go on salary. Also there is room for advancement. I have been told that they will tell me if they want to hire me within a week and expect an answer within a few days of that- so it's important that I also make a decision quickly about whether or not I could see myself there.

I've never interviewed before short of for part time retail jobs. Does anyone have any tips? Suggestions? What questions could they ask me? I'm kind of afraid of the "so tell me a time you failed and what you learned from it" questions.

I know not to ask questions on benefits and focus more on job/workplace related questions. I know eye contact is important too.

I was told that in the 3 hours I'd be shown a safety video and given a test on it, interviewed by the Human Resources woman, given a tour of the facility and they have set up a chance for me to meet and talk with two chemists.

Help! Any advice/suggestions/words of wisdom??? I know my DISer's can help me out!!

 

[kdibattista]

No suggestions but good luck

 

[beckmrk04]

Good for you!! I know how you feel- Dh and I are in the same process now of trying to find "real" jobs! It can be so frustrating!!

I suggest going to MSN.com and looking through their career pages- they have tons of advice articles that I have found really helpful. Also research this company and be as knowledgeable as you can be about them- it shows your interest.

Ask the chemists what a typical day is like. You're right- no ?'s about money/benefits. And, if this is the first interview you've gotten in 3 months, especially in a field where there isn't a huge demand, I would take what I could get, at least for experience and resume boosting.

"What's your biggest weakness" is always my least fav. My stock answer is that "sometimes I have trouble delegating details, I like to do things myself to make sure they get done "right." Then I say something about how I am working on that...

SMILE. Make eye contact and smile.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Good for you!! I know how you feel- Dh and I are in the same process now of trying to find "real" jobs! It can be so frustrating!!

I suggest going to MSN.com and looking through their career pages- they have tons of advice articles that I have found really helpful. Also research this company and be as knowledgeable as you can be about them- it shows your interest.

Ask the chemists what a typical day is like. You're right- no ?'s about money/benefits. And, if this is the first interview you've gotten in 3 months, especially in a field where there isn't a huge demand, I would take what I could get, at least for experience and resume boosting.

"What's your biggest weakness" is always my least fav. My stock answer is that "sometimes I have trouble delegating details, I like to do things myself to make sure they get done "right." Then I say something about how I am working on that...

SMILE. Make eye contact and smile.

Thanks so much! I actually do find that what you mentioned is my biggest weakness but may not have pulled that out first in an interview. I started to look at the msn.com career/interview pages and they are great! Thanks so much for that tip!

This should be a resume booster and a way of paying the bills at the least. I really need a jumping off point, and the fact that a large chemical company in my area just closed doesn't help anything either- they are picking up the jobs that required experience that I might have been able to talk my way into

Thanks for the goodlucks and the advice!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Good Luck! My brother is a chemist and is working toward his Masters. He works at some chemical plant now.
He says the job market is very hard for his field.

Maybe this will help you..a "cheat sheet" from Monster.com
Good Luck!!!!

http://interview.monster.com/articles/cheat/

 

[Taylor]

I have conducted many interviews for positions ranging from managers, engineers, and salesmen over the last year. The biggest reason applicants have failed to be accepted by me is that they try too hard to provide answers that they think I want to hear.

Answer truthfully and be true to yourself.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good wishes, hope all works out.

And don't forget to bring a paper towel along for the piss.

 

[Stacerita]

My advice, dont pee yourself. That would make for a really bad interview.

Good luck!

 

[SDFgirl]

Arrive early, but not too early. 10 minutes is good. Make sure you know how to get to the office and give yourself an extra 15-20 minutes of driving time. I almost always arrive at interviews at least 30 minutes early and wait in my car until about 10 minutes before my appointment.

Pop into the bathroom before greeting the receptionist to straighten your hair and collect yourself. That way you'll feel assured and together.

No perfume.

Most inerviewers will forgive nervousness - we've all been there. Don't worry about appearing nervous, just take a few deep breaths and remember - you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you.

Make sure you have a few questions to ask about the job and/or the company.

Drop a handwritten thank you note in the mail the same day as your interview.

Be friendly but maintain professionalism - I have seen a lot of candidates get way too "chummy" when I worked in HR and it felt like they were trying too hard.

This may seem obvious, but don't mention that you feel you're overqualified for the job. Just say that you'd be really excited about the job responsibilities and that you would be eager to see what other opportunities are available in the company after a year or so.

Best of luck to you!!!!

 

[disnygoof]

Bring several copies of your resume with you. Many times they won't need it, but always always always have copies, just in case. Also, you can glance down at it if need be during the interview to help you out.

Bring a cup of water into the interview. If you're like me, you get dry-mouth when you get nervous (not to mention all the talking!). When you are not talking, take a few sips and deep breaths!

Write down some examples of STAR formatted questions. Monster.com has a lot of good tools to use. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Spend about 1-2 minutes at the most on the situation/task and most of the time on the action and result. That's the most important part interviewers are looking for.

Most of all, sell yourself! Don't think you're being too boisterous about yourself - this interview is all about you, so shine!

Take a deep breath, speak slowly and realize the interviewers all put their pants on the same way you do! Do the best you can, that's all you can ask of yourself! And remember, if this door doesn't open, two more will.

Good luck, we're all pulling for you!!

 

[KarenAylwood]

Just bumping to say I just got back from the interview- it took almost three hours and went GREAT! Well, as good as I could have hoped. I talked to four different people- a human resources woman and 3 chemists.

I have a good feeling about it - they pulled out the benefits list pretty early (it's really sweet too! 401K, pension plan, health & dental, the works!!)

And they made it clear that there was a lot of room for advancement!!!!

Thanks for your advice/support DISer's!!!!!

 

[kdibattista]

Keep us posted