A
female
age
30-35,
*mzy1591
writes:Hi, I know this isnt a relationship question but i really need some advice! I have a job interview on Wednesday and its my first ever interview so i want to know what would be good things to say and what kind of clothes to wear? I really want this job and want to make a good impression so does anyone have any advice?!Thanks!!x Reply to this Question
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
male
reader, Namatjira +, writes (23 May 2008):
Congratulations.
A
male
reader, Sandman  +, writes (22 May 2008):
 Congratulations! Welcome to the work force.
Let this be your stepping stone towards greatness. Be confident, and others will be confident in you!
Hope this helps.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (21 May 2008): Good for you!!
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A
female
reader, Emzy1591 +, writes (21 May 2008):
Emzy1591 is verified as being by the original poster of the question Thanks for your advice guys. I got the job :)
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A
male
reader, Namatjira +, writes (18 May 2008):
Dress smart, and just slightly conservative. By that I mean do not wear the latest trendy hot fashion but by all means look up to date.
Use carefully applied makeup that accentuates rather than exaggerates. Just a faint splash of perfume. Make sure that your shoes, hair and hands are clean, well groomed and take a small umbrella in your bag even if the weather forecast is good as nothing can start an interview wrong if you arrive looking like a drowned rat due to a sudden unexpected rainfall. Make sure that your breath is okay and teeth clean so do NOT drink any coffee for 24 hours beforehand. Stick to tea or juices. Coffee does affect your breath so give it all a chance to settle down.
Listen to some of your favourite mood music before you go in or while you are travelling there.
In preparation, search information about the company on the internet. take a look at their web site. Try to find out something about their competition and business area. Do some homework also about the job itself or at least the kind of job it is.
If you get really panicky send me a PM and I will try to help.
When in the interview, be calm. Listen carefully but don't try to stare the interviewer down. Feel free to take a few notes while they are telling you about the company and the job. After your research in preparation, make a few questions of your own. I would say between 2 and 4. 1 question is not enough and 5 is really too many. Think carefully about the questions. They could be about what resources are available for you to learn more about your job and the company, or about career prospects, or what their attitude is towards employees attending work related courses. It might even be about their products or services. But do think them through.
If they ask you a question that you do not understand then say so. If they ask you a question where you do not know the answer say that you do not know but you can find out.
An interviewer is looking for several things and knowing what they are looking for can make a lot of difference.
1) Is the candidate suitable for our company?
2) Can they do the job or be trained to do the job?
3) Do they present the kind of image our company wants?
4) Do they appear to be a good worker?
5) Can they be taught and are they willing to learn?
6) Have they actually prepared for this interview?
This last one is very important when interviewing either long term unemployed or young people just starting out. You would be horrified at the number of people who do no preparation at all and still expect to get the job. By you asking this question you are showing that you are serious. Feel free to tell them that the job is important enough to you that you asked for some guidance from friends to help improve your chances. Most places like initiative and honesty.
At the end of the interview is possibly the most important part..... If you have decided at that point that you like the job and really want it. TELL THEM. Say that you are keen to work for them and that you think you could learn to do the job well. Say straight out "I like the sound of this job and would really like it". They need feedback from you just as much as you need it from them. By telling them you really like the job and want to do it you are giving them something to make you stand out from the crowd and to remember you by. This may make all the difference. Over the years I have interviewed hundreds of candidates and I could name no more than 20 who actually said that they really wanted the job because they liked it and were confident they could do it well. You may feel shy but you do not have to show it. That is your choice.
All the best and lots of luck.
Remember PM me if I can help.
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A
male
reader, Sandman +, writes (18 May 2008):
Welcome to the working world!
Well, not sure what type of job this is - so without any info on that, I would say to wear a business suit. If you don't have a business suit, wear something that is conservative and non-revealing (not showing too much cleavage and not showing too much leg). No need to high heels, low heel shoes will do just fine (as long as it matches the outfit) - but you can wear them, they're just not necessary.
Things to say. Well, one of the things people will tell you when you're interviewing for big jobs is to know a little bit about the company of which you are interviewing for. That way you can ask something about the company (it gives them the impression that you took the time to find out about them and that you really want the job if you're willing to find out about the company before interviewing). Also, things you might want to consider asking is:
• What would be the expectations of me as a new hire? What would be some things I would be expected to know and things that will be taught to me.
• What is the evaluation process? Who is the person evaluating me? How much time elapses between each evaluation? Is that a merit increase (raise) with the evaluation process?
• Are there opportunities for advancement? What are some of the qualities of people who have recently advanced (have been promoted)? How soon after beginning to work for this company can I look to be advanced (promoted)?
Some other things you will learn as you get older and get into the swing of job interviewing is the other hard questions like - is the salary negotiable? If it is, then you want to make sure you know the going rate (wage, salary) for persons working in the field of which you are applying and try to negotiate for that same wage or higher (some employers will give a lower number to a potential hiree because if the person accepts the offer at a lower wage, it saves them money). The caveat is, try not to negotiate the salary until you've been given the job. That way, you know that after they have interviewed all the people and looked at all the resumes, yours is the one that stood out and they felt you were most qualified for. This gives you the power now because you know they want YOU, and now you can negotiate how much they should be willing to pay for your services.
For instance, at my current job, the initial offer was for $47,000. I could have taken that offer and ran with it. But after talking with the person and light negotiations ensued, I ended with a final offer of $59,000. Just to give you some insight to the power of negotiated once you get the job.
If you wish to talk further, you can PM me anytime. I hope you get the job and good luck!!
Hope this helps.
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