Prep for job interview

[kim532]

I am hoping some of you guys could give me some tips on what I could do to prep for a job interview. My interview is on Wednesday so I planning on getting my stuff together this weekend and making my husband practice with me.

I am trying to make a move within my current company. I interviewed for a position 3 months ago and completely blew the interview and did not get the position even tough I feel like I am highly regarded individual in the company. I work hard...meet deadlines....follow thru on tasks...and usually go above and beyond what I see my coworkers doing.

How I messed up in the interview is that I let nerves completely take hold. It is like my brain quit functioning because of the nerves/stress of the situation. I had a hard time coming up with examples for the questions.

My prep plans is this weekend to go thru all my annual evaluations for the past couple of years so I know my career highlights. I think my examples should be recent and I have some notes from monthly meetings with my supervisor I can look to for examples.

Is there anything else I should do? I think my biggest concern is how do I manage the nerves?

Thanks,
Kim

 

[JenM]

I've been doing interviews since being laid-off earlier this year (and finally started a new job this week, yay!), so I've had lots of practice lately. Best advice I can give is:

-Ask questions! Always have questions when they ask if you do. It shows that you have an interest in the position and want to know more. You can ask what a typical day is like, what would be your first priority on day one, what are they looking for in an employee...stuff like that.

-If they ask what your weakness is, think of something you overcame and how you overcame it. They don't want to hear what you're bad at, but how you can problem-solve or improve upon what you do.

-Send a thank you. If you can, get business cards of the people who interview you. Within a day of the interview, send them a note (email is fine), thanking them for seeing you and expressing your interest in the position.

Good luck!! They're nerve wracking, but you can do it!

 

[Maggie7313]

Totally agree with asking questions! Try to find out as much as you can about the company before the interview. When I interview, I'm always impressed by candidates who ask questions that show they know the basics regarding what try are about.

For the nerves, and I know this is hard, try to pretend that it is just a normal conversation at the beginning of the interview. Like you are talking to someone you met at a picnic or a PTA meeting. Professional but friendly.

Finally, if you do start to get flustered, that's OK. It happens to everyone. Just stop, take a deep breath, and start again with whatever you were saying. It's also OK to take a few seconds to collect your thoughts before answering a question.

Good luck!!!

 

[RitaZ.]

I am hoping some of you guys could give me some tips on what I could do to prep for a job interview. My interview is on Wednesday so I planning on getting my stuff together this weekend and making my husband practice with me.

I am trying to make a move within my current company. I interviewed for a position 3 months ago and completely blew the interview and did not get the position even tough I feel like I am highly regarded individual in the company. I work hard...meet deadlines....follow thru on tasks...and usually go above and beyond what I see my coworkers doing.

How I messed up in the interview is that I let nerves completely take hold. It is like my brain quit functioning because of the nerves/stress of the situation. I had a hard time coming up with examples for the questions.

My prep plans is this weekend to go thru all my annual evaluations for the past couple of years so I know my career highlights. I think my examples should be recent and I have some notes from monthly meetings with my supervisor I can look to for examples.

Is there anything else I should do? I think my biggest concern is how do I manage the nerves?

Thanks,
Kim

Good plan!

How to manage the anxiety? My suggestion is to drink chamomile tea 1 hour before the interview. In fact, start drinking it a couple of days before the interview to see if you notice a difference. Chamomile tea has no caffeine and has a calming effect.

You have already been through the interview once, so you know what to expect. You are going to be better prepared this time. Good luck!

 

[Riverhill]

Answer all questions using the STAR model. Situation/task/action /result. Give credit to your co workers or team for their part in your success on projects and tasks. Be yourself!!!!

 

[tcufrog]

Is it a different department or boss? If so, do you know anyone at the company who can give you inside information WRT what the interviewer is looking for and./or what he or she is like to work for? Are there any holes that need to be filled within the team or department that you would be able to fill? What projects is the group working on? What challenges is the department facing?

 

[Bob NC]

I work hard...meet deadlines....follow thru on tasks...and usually go above and beyond what I see my coworkers doing.

Everyone is giving you good ideas.

Just one more thing.....Try not to talk about your coworkers or what you do better than them.

Don't compare yourself. Talk exclusively about YOU and what YOU do, not what anyone else is doing.

If you want to talk in generalities about new processes that might make everyone more efficient, that's one thing, but don't single out anyone or any group that you don't think is working the way you think they should.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Everyone is giving you good ideas.

Just one more thing.....Try not to talk about your coworkers or what you do better than them.

Don't compare yourself. Talk exclusively about YOU and what YOU do, not what anyone else is doing.

If you want to talk in generalities about new processes that might make everyone more efficient, that's one thing, but don't single out anyone or any group that you don't think is working the way you think they should.

This! I interview people frequently, and it is a major turn-off when they start talking about others or comparing themselves to others, because I'm interested in hiring you, not the people you believe yourself to be better than. That's why I'm interviewing you, and not them!

Always talk about how you want to move the organization forward and how you are excited to be a larger part of the team.

Sit forward in your chair and listen actively (but don't become a bobblehead, either). Smile and try to look excited at the things that the interviewer finds to be good things. Mirror the interviewer's body language but make it more active.

If you get the cliche question about "what is your weakness," give an actual weakness. Please note: "I try too hard" is NOT a weakness and saying it makes you look cheesy. While I haven't taken a new job in years, I do occasionally interview to keep myself fresh and I've found that saying "I have a tendency to come off as condescending without even realizing it, mainly when I think I'm being funny, so if you ever notice that, please step in and point it out, because it's never my intent" has worked for me (and it's true).

As far as managing nerves, I think it has to do with your innate personality. I don't get nervous, but DW, who is FAR more talented than I do, does. What I always tell her is to remind herself that "They chose to interview me, so I must be qualified. Now I just need to be myself."

Good luck!

 

[GaBelle]

Great suggestions so far. Biggest one to repeat is ask questions. Be prepared to ask questions. Why is this position open? What qualities/ characteristics did the last person in this position possess that made them successful? Etc.
I believe you said that it is a different position in your current company. Do you know if there are any upcoming projects or challenges there? How can you affect them? What can you bring to the table?

As a former HR manager, the candidates that came in prepared and asked good questions (beyond starting salary) were always top of my list.

 

[Aliceacc]

The hard part about an interview is trying to overcome your nerves so you can be yourself.

I've been on both sides of teaching interviews. The very best ones are like cocktail parties (minus the glass of wine and the cocktail franks)--they're conversations as opposed to interrogations.

Come up with a list of possible questions, and prep your answers to them. Not so that you can reel off a memorized response, but so that you become comfortable with your thoughts on each question. You can find lots of teaching interview questions online; not sure about your line of work.

Dress professionally. I know that for a lot of people, it's all about comfort. Great, then find professional clothes that are comfortable. But the interviewers KNOW that you're trying to make a good impression. So part of that impression is how you would look meeting a client (or, in my world, a parent.) If jeans and a T shirt are the best you can do, they're going to wonder how you look when a client unexpectedly shows up.

There's a fine, but very important, line between why you want the job and why they might want you in the job. The first is centered on you-- how it's always been your life's ambition, how you would love the added responsibility, how you could learn from the position. That's all nice, but it's not what they're looking for. They want to know what you can do for THEM. So make sure your responses reflect why YOU are the person THEY want in that position. Let them know about the results they can expect.

And, as hard as it can be, be yourself. Don't be afraid to make a small joke at your own expense. If they use a term you're not familiar with, ask what it means. If you don't know an answer, admit it.

When you send that thank you, bring up something that was said in the interview: "I'm particularly happy to hear... and feel sure that I'll be an asset..." Let them know that you were paying attention, and that the note wasn't pre written.

The best of luck to you!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Answer all questions using the STAR model. Situation/task/action /result. Give credit to your co workers or team for their part in your success on projects and tasks. Be yourself!!!!

I will have to look that up. Thanks.

I am applying everywhere and going to a big job fair this Thursday.

Great thread for me too. I need to shop for an outfit. Keep the tips coming.

Good Luck OP!!!!

 

[kim532]

You all are great and I love all these suggestions.

Asking questions, not comparing myself to others, STAR response (new term to me and makes complete sense), and the chamomile tea for calming.

The Mystery Machine - good luck on your job fair.

I am somewhat familiar with the hiring supervisor and his department. It is a different department, but have worked with him in the past on some projects. He has said flattering things about me to my supervisor who passed along the compliment to me. So I really feel like this is my position to lose, which is completely possible because of how poorly I interview.

Kim

 

[Luvchefmic]

You all are great and I love all these suggestions.

Asking questions, not comparing myself to others, STAR response (new term to me and makes complete sense), and the chamomile tea for calming.

The Mystery Machine - good luck on your job fair.

I am somewhat familiar with the hiring supervisor and his department. It is a different department, but have worked with him in the past on some projects. He has said flattering things about me to my supervisor who passed along the compliment to me. So I really feel like this is my position to lose, which is completely possible because of how poorly I interview.

Kim

No No No get that " self fulfilling negative prophecy" right out of your head If you feel that way it will show on the outside Not good !

You have many positives that you are bringing to the table or you would not even be considered for this position Look in the mirror right before the interview, look yourself confidently in the eyes and tell yourself, " Why NOT me for this position ? " In fact practice this above all else between now & then

 

[kim532]

No No No get that " self fulfilling negative prophecy" right out of your head If you feel that way it will show on the outside Not good !

You have many positives that you are bringing to the table or you would not even be considered for this position Look in the mirror right before the interview, look yourself confidently in the eyes and tell yourself, " Why NOT me for this position ? " In fact practice this above all else between now & then

Thank you so much! This is exactly the pep talk I need!

Kim

 

[elaine amj]

A close friend of mine who is VERY talented with oodles of experienced just bombed a recent interview. They told her it was because she didn't speak up enough about herself and what she could offer. She had approached it as - answering whatever they asked - but didn't offer any additional detail.

As an interviewer (I manage front line staff), I find we end up looking for certain buzzwords. So read the job description carefully and USE those buzzwords in your interview.

Also, enthusiasm. Always a breath of fresh air to see some passion.

On the other hand, PLEASE don't spend too much time on topics irrelevant to the interview. One standout in my last interview round was a girl who brought her portfolio. We asked to see it and flipped through it. She started telling us about the poems she wrote. How nice. Then, she started reading several lengthy poems out loud. AAACCKKK!! That immediately made her a "no".

Another time I interviewed one of our staff who was applying for a very similar position. I knew she knew her stuff. Unfortunately, she interviewed horribly - not being able to answer even the most basic questions.

For myself, I study a huge list of potential questions and write out my answers for each one (to help me remember). I use a lot of facts and numbers - e.g. I increased profits for that project by 300% over the previous year.

Good luck!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thank you so much! This is exactly the pep talk I need!

Kim

I have not blown many interviews in my life but when I did it was ALWAYS nerves

Sweetheart if nothing else I have learned in almost 60 years on this earth its be confident, know my weaknesses, know my strengths, and there is not a soul on this earth that is better or more deserving than me Remember that

 

[SunDial]

KSA's knowledge skills and abilities and STAR are the key. I have had to go thru a couple of interviews in the past few years with success. Later this evening i will have to find what i had to help with STAR.

 

[Luvchefmic]

KSA's knowledge skills and abilities and STAR are the key. I have had to go thru a couple of interviews in the past few years with success. Later this evening i will have to find what i had to help with STAR.

absolutely agree but she needs to work on her confidence which is the foundation of it all



on a side note to you there are questions on my thread...when you get a chance


OP Best of luck & let us know when you get the new job I will be thinking of you on interview day

 

[Maggie7313]

Adding on to the pep talk! You are NOT a bad interviewer - you just had a not so great interview in the past. That's over so no more worrying about it.

Your soon-to-be boss already likes you so just be the person you are everyday at work. You've got this. Now go seal the deal!

 

[kim532]

Sorry so long for the update. You all were so encouraging I wanted to share what happened.

I had 2 interviews. The first with the person who would be my supervisor. I started down my horrible path of being way to nervous for the first 10 minutes. The I realized what I was doing and reminded myself that he knows me and this was silly. The rest of the interview went great. At the end, he and I were chatting and even though it was still the interview it was a lot less formal. At the end as we were chatting I got the impression I wasn't a serious candidate. We talked about development within the company for a few minutes. It was in a flattering way like he thought that maybe there is something better for me in the company.

Since I was basically told that I wouldn't be getting the job (my interpretation) I went into the second interview that was with a manager in his area basically care free. I feel I nailed it. I had awesome answers.

So I got the call this week that the position went to one of my co-workers who had applied. I am happy for her. Sad for me. I really like him and thought it would be good to work with him. My coworker who got the position has her MBA (this is Finance area). Now I am wondering how much that credential played a role in his decision. I don't have mine.

Have to evaluate my next move. This is my 3rd interview in a year and a half and I haven't gotten a position. I like my current job OK, but I just feel like my time in it has run its course. I am hoping to move up in the company and get into a supervisory role and I think broader company experience would help.

I will get there..Everything in its own time....

Thanks again you all.