Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
This
I only interview people who per their CV can do the job. I then use the interview to see if their CV is accurate, I like them and they will fit into the business.
Help me get this job
- Thread starter Matthew_T
- Start date
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This
I only interview people who per their CV can do the job. I then use the interview to see if their CV is accurate, I like them and they will fit into the business.
OP
OP
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
The job offer I got was to be unpaid for 6 months trail and then you would work on a self-employed basis. Basically they just fobbed me off. It was for a fun club worker.
Having been in sales for many years and having interviewed and, obviously, been interviewed myself, there are 2 things you should do. The first one is something I learned to do when being interviewed and works very well. It comes from the military who have a technique they ask their people to do just prior to an interrogation; scare yourself! Ten minutes ahead of the interview, tell yourself you have literally no chance of getting the job and you'll make a colossal fool of yourself in front of the panel and they'll laugh you out of there. Really go to town on yourself and paint the worst possible picture you can of the outcome. Why do this? To stimulate our adrenals to produce that stuff it excretes into the blood, can't think of the name but it is the fight-or-flight hormone. You can only produce a certain amount of this and within the ten minutes you've got in hand, it's all secreted and as a result, you'll become calm and there will be literally no chance of you producing any more during the interview as it's all gone. Result? Calmer you in the interview and they'll see the real you, not the tense, hyper you who won't make a good case for himself. This one is up to you but the next one is most definitely not.
DO NOT LEAVE THE INTERVIEW WITHOUT KNOWING IF YOU'VE GOT THE JOB OR NOT. This is rule number one with anyone in sales. Your interviewers want someone in sales so you have to show you can sell and the most important thing you can sell is yourself. It's your most precious asset so if you can't sell it, you can't sell anything else. Do not accept them saying 'we'll let you know' and walking away hoping you've done enough. Would you accept that from a customer? Of course not. You ask questions to qualify the likely outcome. 'How did I do?' 'Based on what you've seen, can you see me doing the job?' 'Do you have any reservations about me filling the position?' They will LOVE this from a saley, they won't want a wishy-washy mealy-mouthed flincher who won't go for the business. Promise yourself you will ask at least one of the above questions and please remember, an interview is a two-way street. It's not them asking all the questions and you answering them like their subject. You want to know as much about them as they about you.
Good luck.
DO NOT LEAVE THE INTERVIEW WITHOUT KNOWING IF YOU'VE GOT THE JOB OR NOT. This is rule number one with anyone in sales. Your interviewers want someone in sales so you have to show you can sell and the most important thing you can sell is yourself. It's your most precious asset so if you can't sell it, you can't sell anything else. Do not accept them saying 'we'll let you know' and walking away hoping you've done enough. Would you accept that from a customer? Of course not. You ask questions to qualify the likely outcome. 'How did I do?' 'Based on what you've seen, can you see me doing the job?' 'Do you have any reservations about me filling the position?' They will LOVE this from a saley, they won't want a wishy-washy mealy-mouthed flincher who won't go for the business. Promise yourself you will ask at least one of the above questions and please remember, an interview is a two-way street. It's not them asking all the questions and you answering them like their subject. You want to know as much about them as they about you.
Good luck.
OP
OP
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
I am getting the bus.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Ah right, I had the impression you had on it all the time
[EDIT] forgot to add Matthew.....good luck buddy
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
That would be adrenaline then...
How will they know that unless he's the last candidate?
You sound like a guy on our management committee. Pushy loudmouth. About 5 minutes of meeting him, I knew I'd rather go without than buy anything he was selling, he was so rude, wouldn't let me finish a sentence he was so keen to sell me a ticket to his charity night. OUR charity!
Pushing for a sale is one thing. Alienating your customer is counter productive.
Risex4
Dropped by the autobus
- Location
- The Green/Gray Hills Of Debunshire
Plenty of good advice here already. All I'll say, speaking as a manager in the retail-sales sector, is confidence!
A sales assistant role is 10% knowledge, 90% people skills - product knowledge can be learnt, personality can't. Be confident without being arrogant, be talkative and engaging without waffling.
I've interviewed a fair few down the years, and mumbly bumbly people are generally an instant turn off (so to speak). You just need to show keen interest, that you can engage and converse comfortably and demonstrate a little bit of initiative. Also, gear all of your answers towards the customer; "whats your idea of a good shopping experience" is a typical question. Don't talk about yourself, answer along the lines of "its about listening to the customer, making them feel welcome and showing that you want to help them" or something slightly more eloquent. It demonstrates a general awareness of what customer service is.
Questions are a good one. I've forgotten to discuss things like pay and shifts before, and when I asked at the end of the interview if there was anything they wanted to know, a "no" was a good conclusion. Asking about the chances of development or progression shows commitment and a desire to succeed.
Another good question to throw at them right at the end of the interview is "Do you have any concerns about me as an applicant?". It can actually throw them off balance a bit, subtly reinforces the whole confidence-to-do-the-job thing, but most importantly you are inviting them to talk to you about the things that may be rattling around in their mind which may cost you the job, things which you can then attack again and hopefully clarify or correct for the better.
Good luck.
A sales assistant role is 10% knowledge, 90% people skills - product knowledge can be learnt, personality can't. Be confident without being arrogant, be talkative and engaging without waffling.
I've interviewed a fair few down the years, and mumbly bumbly people are generally an instant turn off (so to speak). You just need to show keen interest, that you can engage and converse comfortably and demonstrate a little bit of initiative. Also, gear all of your answers towards the customer; "whats your idea of a good shopping experience" is a typical question. Don't talk about yourself, answer along the lines of "its about listening to the customer, making them feel welcome and showing that you want to help them" or something slightly more eloquent. It demonstrates a general awareness of what customer service is.
Questions are a good one. I've forgotten to discuss things like pay and shifts before, and when I asked at the end of the interview if there was anything they wanted to know, a "no" was a good conclusion. Asking about the chances of development or progression shows commitment and a desire to succeed.
Another good question to throw at them right at the end of the interview is "Do you have any concerns about me as an applicant?". It can actually throw them off balance a bit, subtly reinforces the whole confidence-to-do-the-job thing, but most importantly you are inviting them to talk to you about the things that may be rattling around in their mind which may cost you the job, things which you can then attack again and hopefully clarify or correct for the better.
Good luck.
mrandmrspoves
Middle aged bald git.
- Location
- Narfuk
My advice for what it's worth.....
The interview starts the second you apply for the job - be prepared to expand on what you put in your application and always proof read it to ensure good grammar and spelling.
If a job advert says enquiries welcome - enquire!
If a job advert says informal visits welcome - visit! This gives you an opportunity to have already started to build a relationship with the interviewer or one of their staff (and they will ask)
Treat everyone you meet with the same degree of respect as you do the interviewer (I ask my receptionist what she thinks before offering a job - because she sees the "real person" and amazingly some applicants don't show her respect)
Follow the rules - park in the right place if there is one, sign the visitor book if there is one.
Do your homework and find out what you can about your potential employer, why do you specifically want to work for them? (don't give them BS - they will know it is BS)
An interview is an exercise in marketing (you) - so identify your unique selling point. If it isn't knowledge - it may be enthusiasm, willingness to learn, reliability. Think of things that you have done that will demonstrate these qualities.
Leave early and if the interview is being held somewhere you don't know, a dummy run is worthwhile - arriving flustered will seriously diminish your chances of being successful - being late will almost certainly kill your chances completely.
Try and enjoy your interview -even if you're not given the job it is a good opportunity to learn and develop your skills.
If you are not successful, ask for feedback as to why you were not successful and thank the person for taking the time to give it to you. Learn from the feedback or discard it if you don't think it valid - but just occasionally the maturity of seeking feedback and dealing with it will impress a potential employer and if a future vacancy crops up, or the person they offered the job to pulls out or produces poor references.............
Anyway do your best and good luck!
The interview starts the second you apply for the job - be prepared to expand on what you put in your application and always proof read it to ensure good grammar and spelling.
If a job advert says enquiries welcome - enquire!
If a job advert says informal visits welcome - visit! This gives you an opportunity to have already started to build a relationship with the interviewer or one of their staff (and they will ask)
Treat everyone you meet with the same degree of respect as you do the interviewer (I ask my receptionist what she thinks before offering a job - because she sees the "real person" and amazingly some applicants don't show her respect)
Follow the rules - park in the right place if there is one, sign the visitor book if there is one.
Do your homework and find out what you can about your potential employer, why do you specifically want to work for them? (don't give them BS - they will know it is BS)
An interview is an exercise in marketing (you) - so identify your unique selling point. If it isn't knowledge - it may be enthusiasm, willingness to learn, reliability. Think of things that you have done that will demonstrate these qualities.
Leave early and if the interview is being held somewhere you don't know, a dummy run is worthwhile - arriving flustered will seriously diminish your chances of being successful - being late will almost certainly kill your chances completely.
Try and enjoy your interview -even if you're not given the job it is a good opportunity to learn and develop your skills.
If you are not successful, ask for feedback as to why you were not successful and thank the person for taking the time to give it to you. Learn from the feedback or discard it if you don't think it valid - but just occasionally the maturity of seeking feedback and dealing with it will impress a potential employer and if a future vacancy crops up, or the person they offered the job to pulls out or produces poor references.............
Anyway do your best and good luck!
OP
OP
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
I must thank everyone so far for all the help they have given me. Good advice about the progression thing.
The interview I had in the past consisted of me being in front of a panel of people, each asking me a question. When it came to the "Any questions?" point I simply asked "Would I be going on field trips with the kids?" (the position was at a fun club). I thought it was relevant and we discussed the matter a little further.
The second part of that interview consisted of me working for about half an hour with the kids in a group exercise. At the end, the staff asked the kids how I did and if they liked me. All of them said yes.
The interviewers were very impressed with me and I answered all their questions to the letter. I was disappointed with the outcome but that was well in the past.
The interview I had in the past consisted of me being in front of a panel of people, each asking me a question. When it came to the "Any questions?" point I simply asked "Would I be going on field trips with the kids?" (the position was at a fun club). I thought it was relevant and we discussed the matter a little further.
The second part of that interview consisted of me working for about half an hour with the kids in a group exercise. At the end, the staff asked the kids how I did and if they liked me. All of them said yes.
The interviewers were very impressed with me and I answered all their questions to the letter. I was disappointed with the outcome but that was well in the past.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
[QUOTE 2414086, member: 76"] Guess who got the job?[/quote]
The one with the biggest tits?
The one with the biggest tits?
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
All seems like sound advice so far. A technique which has never failed me is a bit of humour.
I was asked if I had any weaknesses once, I replied "Yes, I support Kilmarnock." This led to a bit of a laugh and a more informal setting for everyone to get to know each other.
Won't always be appropriate, but if you've managed to gauge your interviewers level of formality, it could help.
Bonne chance!
I was asked if I had any weaknesses once, I replied "Yes, I support Kilmarnock." This led to a bit of a laugh and a more informal setting for everyone to get to know each other.
Won't always be appropriate, but if you've managed to gauge your interviewers level of formality, it could help.
Bonne chance!
That would be adrenaline then...
How will they know that unless he's the last candidate?
You sound like a guy on our management committee. Pushy loudmouth. About 5 minutes of meeting him, I knew I'd rather go without than buy anything he was selling, he was so rude, wouldn't let me finish a sentence he was so keen to sell me a ticket to his charity night. OUR charity!
Pushing for a sale is one thing. Alienating your customer is counter productive.
Get away? You think?
I'm nowhere near like the guy on your 'management committee' and as my industry is entirely medical, no-one lasts more than 5 minutes leading cases with the consultants if they are pushy and loudmouths get sliced at the knees.
And if you think I'm asking him to be 'pushing for a sale' and not, rightfully, standing up for himself, then you're not in a position to be giving advice. Unless you want all to be well in your twee world?
It is the way of the world. It is something that has become very big the last 5-6 years as workfare, work experience, internships, apprenticeships, zero hour jobs all blur into the same thing. But that's another thread.
I see from what you wrote later that there is indeed some positives out of your first interview. Having gone through several real interviews for unpaid positions I can tell you that although it may be completely ridiculous to you, they will very ruthlessly discard people they don't like even for unpaid stuff.
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
It was all that guff about "Don't leave without knowing if you've got the job". I just don't see how that's possible, unless he's the last candidate, and they've made a remarkably quick decision.
Still, at least I could remember adrenaline.
I couldn't give monkey's fart if the salesperson was a right sullen git, I just want accurate answers to my questions. I am sick of "faux" friendship, "trigger" questions and plastic smiles, as a potential customer I'd like the 90%/10% ratio to be reversed please.
