Interview HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spinning]

I have been a SAHM for almost 8 years. A friend called and told me about a job that would be perfect. I called....it is a similar job to what I left. I would be very comfortable with the setting and job requirements. It meets all of my needs....
They called me back after my phone converstation and want me to come in for an interview! I am very excited but scared!

Any hints what to do? not do? Anything change with the resumes? I still bring my reference list. SHould I add a person to my list that has known me during my SAH time? I have been very involved with the PTG, my kids schools, volunteering etc...do I even put that on the resume?

 

[barkley]

i think its good to have some current references that can speak to your current strengths-and volunteer work can be just as pressure laden/detail oriented as employment so a good reference from one can lend itself to the other.

i sat on lots of interview panels that attracted recent sahm's. i always remember one lady who came in and blew away all the competition including those that were currently working in the field we were hiring for. she had been a sahm for 15 or so years but had some experience that related to the job, so when she was asked 'situational' qustions (like you have a project that is reliant on x providing a key peice, but the day the project is due x is nowhere to be found-how do you handle it?) she would tell us how she would handle it in the workplace and followed it up with a dead on example of how she had handled it in a volunteer/pto/school situation (if i recall right she told us how she had been involved in some type of pto fundraiser and there was an absolute cutoff to get the orders batched and sent off and she was responsible for getting it to the post office, but the person who was supposed to do it did'nt show up/could'nt be found-but she had photocopied all the original orders before they went to that person so she called the company up and got them to accept the photocopies with the post date in agreement to provide the master originals within so many days by overnite mail). she and many amazing, organized, talented sahm's were among some of the best folks we hired-and they were the first people you turned to in a crisis, they always had back up plans in place.

good luck at your interview.

 

[EthansMom]

Call all of your old references and make sure that they are still at the phone numbers/addresses that you have listed. Include at least one reference from your current volunteer work.

If you don't have new interview clothes, buy some.

Good Luck!

 

[bananiem]

Absolutely put down your volunteer activities!!!
Good Luck!

 

[LuvTigger]

I conduct interviews at my office as well. Be prepared with your resume and list of references, and yes, I think it would be a good idea to add your volunteer activities. Personally, I think that shows a lot about a person -- that you take initiative. Also, study your resume (know the dates you worked at other places, etc.) and have an extra copy in front of you to refer to. We recently interviewed someone who couldn't even get the dates right on a job she worked less than 2 years ago, and she didn't bring a copy of her resume and reached over to look at MY copy!!

For the references, I don't think it would hurt to add a personal, non-work related reference. And ditto what EthansMom said about calling your references. You would be amazed how many references we contact that seem "shocked" that they were listed as a reference!

Be yourself, be honest, and if possible, show how your qualities and skills can relate to the job you're applying for (but don't overdo it -- some people go on and on about how great they are, but they end up being a let down).

I would also try and do a little research on the company, esp. if you don't know much about them. We are always impressed by people who at least make some kind of effort to find out a little more about us, even if they didn't get very far.

If your job involves working with other people at any level (even if it's just co-workers and not necessarily external clients), mention something about your people skills. In my office, it's extremely important to find someone who has pretty good people skills. We are turned off by people who only talk about skills and qualifications and say nothing about their ability to work with others.

You may want to do an online search for interview tips and practice answering some typical interview questions like what your strenghts and weaknesses are, why you want to work there, etc. (Personally, and I'm pretty sure my office is an exception, but we tried to stay away from the typical questions -- however, it can only help you to be prepared, and you may be able to tailor some of your responses to the practice questions to the real questions that are asked.)

Anyway, I could go on and on because in my office, we go through a pretty intense interview process since it's really important that people "fit in," but I'll leave it at that for now. Good luck!!!

 

[golfgal]

The first thing I have listed on my resume under work experience is Stay at Home Mom. Is this ok to have there?

I have a friend with whom I have shared a very part-time job with and she was the president of one of the charities I worked with as a reference.

 

[LuvTigger]

One more thing I forgot to mention that I was just reminded of (they're talking about resumes and job applications on the radio right now!)...carefully review your resume for spelling, format, and grammatical errors, and have someone else, who is very detail-oriented, look at it too.

Golfgal, while being a SAHM is undoubtedly just as tough, if not tougher, as being in the workplace, I think it might be risky to place it under "work experience." However, if you did spend a lot of time out of the work force as the OP, I would list it somewhere on the resume because employers do look for gaps in work history.

I always appreciate seeing a resume that says something like, "I stayed home between 1995 and 2000 to raise my children." This could be listed at the bottom of your work experience, so it's clear to the person looking at the resume that there is a very good reason the candidate was out of the work force. We are much more likely to contact a candidate who listed something like this on their resume, than someone who left it out altogether.

 

[cheyita]

Gosh - why didn't I read this thread before sending out recent resumes? I didn't specifically mention my SAHM time on my resume, although I did in the cover letter and addressed it on applications that I left my last job for that reason. Ugh...

Also - I was using only current references - instructors of the related courses I've taken recently and a personal reference who is familiar with my volunteer experiences. While I was a great employee when I worked full time years ago - I almost feel foolish having someone contact an employer from ten years ago. I mean, those people don't know the person I am today! Another former supervisor no longer works for the company, and the deparment I worked for was dismantled, so I feel nobody there is familiar with my work either. I mean - a potential employer can call and ask if I was an employee, but there is nobody there to speak for my quality of work. Should I make a point of tracking down an old boss/coworker for a reference from a job 7 - 10 years in my past, or stick with the recent references?

I'm not enjoying job hunting. Being out of the game for a while, I feel like everything I'm doing is wrong!! And I really dread actually being called in for an interview....so much of what you say gets "read into."

 

[golfgal]

One more thing I forgot to mention that I was just reminded of (they're talking about resumes and job applications on the radio right now!)...carefully review your resume for spelling, format, and grammatical errors, and have someone else, who is very detail-oriented, look at it too.

Golfgal, while being a SAHM is undoubtedly just as tough, if not tougher, as being in the workplace, I think it might be risky to place it under "work experience." However, if you did spend a lot of time out of the work force as the OP, I would list it somewhere on the resume because employers do look for gaps in work history.

I always appreciate seeing a resume that says something like, "I stayed home between 1995 and 2000 to raise my children." This could be listed at the bottom of your work experience, so it's clear to the person looking at the resume that there is a very good reason the candidate was out of the work force. We are much more likely to contact a candidate who listed something like this on their resume, than someone who left it out altogether.

I have been a SAHM since 1992 with a smattering of part time jobs off an on through the years. I do list my volunteer activities, well my two biggest ones anyway, under a separate category. I guess I thought since SAHM was the most recent I should put that first. I will move it someplace else, maybe after my work experience.

 

[LuvTigger]

I have been a SAHM since 1992 with a smattering of part time jobs off an on through the years. I do list my volunteer activities, well my two biggest ones anyway, under a separate category. I guess I thought since SAHM was the most recent I should put that first. I will move it someplace else, maybe after my work experience.

Well, SAHM is certainly more important and definitely has more responsibilities than any other work experience! Since that is what is most important to you, why don't you put a blurb on the top (not as a work experience listing, but a short sentence), saying something like what you said above? I.e. that you have been a SAHM since 1992 and during that time, you have participated in numerous volunteer activities and held part-time jobs as listed below... If you want, you can also add another brief sentence saying something about how now that children are older, you are eager to get back in the work force (or you can mention the specific field you are applying for).

Cheyita, personally, I think it's fine that you mentioned it in the cover letter. I personally get a lot out of cover letters (as long as they're relatively brief). I'm just turned off when there's a gap in work history and absolutely no explanation of it anywhere!

As far as references, I would just stick with the ones that still remember you. I would choose recent references that can somehow attest to your work habits in any kind of setting (not necessarily a traditional work setting). So if you have someone that can say how organized you are, do things in a timely manner, are a great people person, etc.

 

[Spinning]

Thanks for all the input! I think I have most things in order. Called all my references. Spoke to the PTG pres and our school princ. for my volunteer and friend references.
My resume is up to date. To my surprise I must have worked on in some time back...Tweeked it a wee bit.
I plan to discuss my at home time in my cover letter.
I know the building, the job and what it will entail thanks to friends working there.
So I hope I am set...this is all happening so fast and the job is so made for me it is kind of scary! So here is hoping I don't loose myvoice! LOL!

 

[cheyita]

Thanks LuvTigger. I may be checking back in here if I actually get any calls!

Good luck Spinning!

 

[Spinning]

The interview went really well. Must say I was scared to death but I don't think they knew! LOL! Or at least I hope not!
I think I have the job....if not they are sending very mixed feelings. They talked about where I would work, hours, the answered my questions about vacation I already had set. They had me sign forms and then gave me the fromal application, health paper work, FBI check, child check, which I must pay for. I can't imagine not getting the job and paying for all this stuff. They said I was what they were looking for. Had the right experience. Only thing they didn't know what the salary. They needed to see my resume and the years of experience. She said she would get back to me......So only time will tell!
Thanks for all the input and help!