Interview Question - help

[newtofl]

This is to follow-up on my last post - Yippee.  

My interview is tomorrow at 1:15. The job is between myself and someone else so I have a 50/50 chance in getting the job.

Can you please give me some tips on what to say, what questions to ask, what to wear (I have a blue flowery skirt with a blue sweater with nice shoes that I wear once in awhile to the office but usually wear slacks so anything really out of the ordinary is strange) in order to not get caught in my current office as we are business casual/casual etc in order to land the job?

I am already nervous because I really want this job because I cannot take another week of being yelled at, looked at funny and anything else my co-worker does just to drive us all crazy (yes, it happens to almost everyone in the office and no one will do anything about it). So as you can see, for my sanity, I really need to get this job or another job as quickly as possible. And to top it all off, I have TOM and it is making me crabby (teary eyed) - hopefully it will be calmer by tomorrow.

Thanks for all of your help.

[laurafmcdermott]

Do you have a blue blazer?  I would say wear the sweater and skirt, but bring the blazer with you to throw over the top of it for the interview.  Then you'll look professional without raising eyebrows where you are.  I think the only other alternative would be to bring a suit and find somewhere to change.

As for interview preparation, Monster.com has some great preparation questions and things to think about before your interview so that you are more polished.  Or do a search for employment websites for helpful articles.  Also your bookstore or library should have books on interviewing tips.  Things like how to buy yourself a few seconds of thinking time if you are asked a difficult question, questions to anticipate, etc.  I found this type of thing invaluable when I was interviewing.  Also make sure you know about the company's history and business, and what attracted you to want to work there.

I'm sure others will have great advice as well!  Best of luck!

[galaxyblue]

Good luck - let us know how you get on

"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes"

[gee4]

Do you have a suit newtofl? I would wear it rather than separates.  Always remember this - dress for the job you want, not the job you have!

You want to ask as many questions as you can about this post - hours, benefits, holidays, who will you report to and what is he/she like to work for, training (including in-house and outside of work), new challenges, progression opportunities in the company, do they have an org chart they can provide you with so you can see where you are in the company and more importantly where you boss and his management team sit.  You may also want to ask if the company is in profit - very often we forget to ask if they are a thriving business and are making money!

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

G

[beaintheuk]

Quite right to sound interested in the company you want to join.  My boss actually asked me at the interview 'do you know what we manufacture', I knew and said so, and thought it was a strange question, then he said 'believe me, some people think we make mars bars'.  He obviously meant that some people turn up not having researched the company, so my advice would be to go on their website and get some background, think of a couple of questions about the company.

Ask if they have a job description to show you - that would be great to see what's listed.

I would also wear a suit, if you have one, you do need to look professional at the interview (or borrow one from a friend?).

If if it's quite a drive and it gets hot in the car, I now keep some little individual deodorant wipes.  I used them last night as I drove in the heat for 1.5 hrs and went straight to the bathroom when I arrived to use them!!!  

All the best of luck

Bea

[countrigal]

If you have a suit, put it together, leaving the jacket in your vehicle so your current job won't say much about your mode of dress while allowing you to put it on prior to the interview and look your best.

For the interview questions... I know that there were some good ones posted here in DD in one of the forums.  You might do a search for those and review what they stated there in addition to what other sites offer.  Be prepared to give examples from your current job on how you do certain things (ie: Give an example of how you handle stress in the workplace;  How do you handle a difficult client and give an example of when you dealt with one; etc).

Most importantly, be calm, speak clearly, and let "you" shine through.

Good luck!

CountriGal
Peer Moderator