help! I have an interview/UPDATE...

[akhenaten]

Yikes!! I have been sending out some resumes for a few months and I got a call today!!
I am going for my first interview in 20 years this Thursday ...

I have only been on 3 other interviews in my life...

Any tips welcome.

It is for a part time clerical assistant position.... could be a good step back into the workforce.

UPDATE:
just got back... i do not know if it was successful in terms of getting the position... but it was a huge success in terms of my confidence !!

I was prepared and not as nervous as i thought I would be ...

yea!! thank you all for the advice and the good wishes....

 

[MoniqueU]

No tips just good luck!!!

 

[stashbin]

Be positive. Don't remark negatively about previous jobs. Let them know what you can do for their company and smile a lot. Good Luck!

 

[akhenaten]

Thank you both...
I have been a SAHM so I am really nervous!!

 

[Mr Man]

Yikes!! I have been sending out some resumes for a few months and I got a call today!!
I am going for my first interview in 20 years this Thursday ...

I have only been on 3 other interviews in my life...

Any tips welcome.

It is for a part time clerical assistant position.... could be a good step back into the workforce.

Good for you. Here are a few that have always helped me.

Research the company. A simple internet search to familiarize yourself with what they do.

Make a short list of questions you would like to ask the interviewer about the company when opportunity is offered.

Arrive 15 minutes early. You would be amazed how many people are late to interviews.

Take your time answering questions. It is not a race. Also, just answer their question, don't worry about expanding on things.......plenty of time for that after you have the job.

Thank them at the end of the interview. Also, send the interviewer a thank you note or email the day after the interview. Follow up with a phone call to the interviewer if you have not heard from them in 1 week. Speak only to the interviewer (as they are the only one who know your particulars).


The rest is just common sense, which you already have covered nicely (cept for that whole Obama thing-hehehe jk)

 

[All American]

If you are asked to describe yourself in one word:

Supercalifragilousdeexpialadoshus.

or however you spell it. You'll get THE BEST reaction.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Have a nice handshake and smile upon greeting. Make sure to make eye contact, don't laugh or giggle etc.,

Remember to say thank you for the interview and their time etc.

If you have done any volunteer work etc. during your stay at home time, make sure to talk about that. etc.

Don't dress too casually, conservative is best.

Best of luck.

 

[Mr Man]

If you are asked to describe yourself in one word:

Supercalifragilousdeexpialadoshus.

or however you spell it. You'll get THE BEST reaction.

I hate those kinds of questions. If asked, I would tell them I am a verb......and then give them a thoughtful, pensive look.

and then start looking for my next prospective employer.

 

[Stacerita]

Thank you both...
I have been a SAHM so I am really nervous!!

Don't be nervous. Be yourself. Be prepared. Know something about the company you are interviewing with.

Play up your stengths. I once interviewed a candidate and they said they never worked and had no previous experiece. After talking to her for a while, I come to find out that although she never worked in a job, she held many volunteer positions that were just as demanding and technical as any other job. Keep that in mind.

 

[akhenaten]

The rest is just common sense, which you already have covered nicely (cept for that whole Obama thing-hehehe jk) ;)

Thank for the tips LOL
and don't worry..I won't wear my Obama Tshirt...

and I will try not to say "you know" every other word ...like caroline kennedy...

but I may try a palin wink...

 

[Mr Man]

Thank for the tips LOL
and don't worry..I won't wear my Obama Tshirt...

and I will try not to say "you know" every other word ...like caroline kennedy...

but I may try a palin wink...

Good luck.

BTW, I scared the cat here by laughing so loud when I saw the advice for you to dress conservatively......I was thinking back to that other thread.......you know.......that one......the "Haight Ashbury Prom" and whatnot.....

Good times.

 

[akhenaten]

Good luck.

BTW, I scared the cat here by laughing so loud when I saw the advice for you to dress conservatively......I was thinking back to that other thread.......you know.......that one......the "Haight Ashbury Prom" and whatnot.....

Good times.

You would be quite surprised if you met me.... i am more conservative than you think..
the good old election threads.... I do miss some of them... and i made it thru without any points or bannings... that was an accomplishment...

 

[Mr Man]

You would be quite surprised if you met me.... i am more conservative than you think..
the good old election threads.... I do miss some of them... and i made it thru without any points or bannings... that was an accomplishment...

Yeah, I seldom post my picture.....because nobody believes it's me......

See whut I mean?

All my points are post-election. I attribute it to election fatigue....well that and the fact that I type too fast.....haha

 

[ckret01]

As someone else mentioned research the company....if they have a website look up their corporate values and Mission statement, get a good basis of what the company is about and what they do etc.

Do a google search on interview questions and practice answering the questions using your own experiences etc. Have someone ask you as if you are in the interview or talk out loud to yourself and practice answering them.

Think of a couple of questions to ask the interviewer. Make sure you don't ask a question they already talked about during the interview though

Bring extra copies of your resume to the interview just incase.

Good Luck

 

[akhenaten]

Yeah, I seldom post my picture.....because nobody believes it's me......

See whut I mean?

All my points are post-election. I attribute it to election fatigue....well that and the fact that I type too fast.....haha

I like your boots...

 

[akhenaten]

As someone else mentioned research the company....if they have a website look up their corporate values and Mission statement, get a good basis of what the company is about and what they do etc.

Do a google search on interview questions and practice answering the questions using your own experiences etc. Have someone ask you as if you are in the interview or talk out loud to yourself and practice answering them.

Think of a couple of questions to ask the interviewer. Make sure you don't ask a question they already talked about during the interview though

Bring extra copies of your resume to the interview just incase.

Good Luck

thank you... I have looked at the mission statement.... will take more time tomorrow to read it again...
and I will google interview questions..thanks


should the resumes be on really "good" paper..like the old days ...or is plain white computer paper ok??

 

[Mr Man]

thank you... I have looked at the mission statement.... will take more time tomorrow to read it again...
and I will google interview questions..thanks


should the resumes be on really "good" paper..like the old days ...or is plain white computer paper ok??

Good quality paper is a nice touch. 24lb off-white (ivory, eggshell etc) will do just fine. I have used the Southworth linen 25% cotton paper to good effect in years past (in fairness, my last interview was 10 years ago; however, I have interviewed quite a few people since then)

http://www.amazon.com/Southworth-Cr...=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1189266640&sr=1-1

Aw heck, just go to office depot and pick out some off white - fine paper and you will be good to go.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you both...
I have been a SAHM so I am really nervous!!

You give me hope! I have been a SAHM for 14 years and I am thinking of entering the work force but I am terrified! Keep us posted and good luck, you can do it.

 

[akhenaten]

Good quality paper is a nice touch. 24lb off-white (ivory, eggshell etc) will do just fine. I have used the Southworth linen 25% cotton paper to good effect in years past (in fairness, my last interview was 10 years ago; however, I have interviewed quite a few people since then)

http://www.amazon.com/Southworth-Cr...=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1189266640&sr=1-1

Aw heck, just go to office depot and pick out some off white - fine paper and you will be good to go.

Thanks ...that was the strangest thing for me to grasp.... just e mailing a resume...
I remember being told about quality paper..etc. back in the day...

should the follow up..thank you note be in letter form ( on same kind of paper) or is a simple note card( classic and conservative LOL) more appropriate?

 

[akhenaten]

You give me hope! I have been a SAHM for 14 years and I am thinking of entering the work force but I am terrified! Keep us posted and good luck, you can do it.

Boy..do I know what you are feeling!!
I will keep you updated!