I have my first job interview in 12 years tomorrow!

[Saluki]

I have taken the decision to stop grooming, it's hurting now. I have an interview tomorrow, in Exmouth, for a customer advisor role. My friend, who already works at the company, let me know that they were recruiting so I applied.
I've done a bunch of online assessments, a telephone interview and am about to go hire a car to get me there and back. I don't quite trust the Rover at the moment.
Having entertainment trying to find 3 personal references of people that I think will actually answer the requesting email. I know people who could write a lovely reference but are very much of the 'I'll do it tomorrow' persuasion, and then totally forget.

I have found smart trousers, nice blouse and a sensible cardigan. Shoes too. Hair is recently cut and I have no large zits. I need to force my printer to talk to my laptop now and dig out all sorts of ID. Who knew that it had got so difficult to prove who you are.

Anything that I should be aware off nowadays for applying for jobs that I really want to get?

 

[fossyant]

Good luck. Just be yourself. Lots of jobs are about personality, once you've got the basic quals to do the job.

 

[Spinney]

No handy hints, other than what fossy said. Just good luck...

 

[Paul99]

Good luck. Just be yourself. Lots of jobs are about personality, once you've got the basic quals to do the job.

^^^^^ This.

Good luck!

 

[welsh dragon]

Just talk to them saluki. As a customer adviser, they will want you to be able to talk in a clear voice, and be able to explain precisely and concisely. Having a nice sunny personality will also be important, so be positive, smile. Show them you are willing, and you are looking forward to working as part of a team, after spending so long working for yourself and on your own, even if it isn't true. Lol

Be truthful, and honest, but don't dwell too much on your wrist, , otherwise they may think your going to need a lot of time off work because of your injury. Be positive. Tell them about your hobbies IE cycling.

Don't ramble on and on though saying nothing. Just be yourself. I'm sure you'll do well. And good luck.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

@welshdragon s is great advice

Have you done any linkedin and google research on them, see you able to chuck in an interesting snippet of recent company business or mention a shared charity/passion etc.

Unless they tell you otherwise, assume that they've never seen or heard your application and assessments to date and use those examples where they fit in the interview questions, they've got you this far so they must be decent ones.

I was quite impressed with one applicant recently that asked if she could refer to her application form in the interview and pulled a copy out when we said yes. As far as we were concerned it wasn't a memory test; although in reality she made reference to the examples she wanted to give for our benefit rather than using it as a crib sheet for hers; and it enabled us a more detailed unpicking of some of the interesting stuff that had got her to interview, she's in post now and doing a very well.

 

[Ganymede]

Having entertainment trying to find 3 personal references of people that I think will actually answer the requesting email. I know people who could write a lovely reference but are very much of the 'I'll do it tomorrow' persuasion, and then totally forget.

My tip? Type it yourself and ask them to copy, paste and send.

Make sure they use these words:

Reliable
Punctual
Honest
Works well in a team
Hard worker (imply that you are low maintenance too, not sure how to phrase that)

and they should say how they know this, ie they worked with you or employed you etc.

Good Luck! In some ways it is such a relief to work for someone else. And maybe you'll never have to see those blasted Huskies again...

 

[EltonFrog]

Good Luck Saluki.

 

[swee'pea99]

Some great advice above. The only thing I'd add (and it's so obvious you're doubtless there ahead of me) is to make sure you have prepared answers in your mind ready for 'obvious' questions they might lob at you: What attracted you to this job? What do you think particularly suits you to this role? and the like. They probably won't ask them, but you'd be kicking yourself afterwards if they did and you floundered for lack of a bit of prep.

Oh, the only other thing...if you do use Ganymede's list of 'good words', make sure you split them up a bit: if they got three different 'spontaneous' references that all contained identical terms, they might smell a rat!

Best of luck. Take three deep breaths before you go in, smile, be yourself.

 

[numbnuts]

Good luck

 

[Ganymede]

Oh, the only other thing...if you do use Ganymede's list of 'good words', make sure you split them up a bit: if they got three different 'spontaneous' references that all contained identical terms, they might smell a rat!

Hah! True dat!

Honest - Trustworthy, unimpeachable
Reliable - dependable, steady
Punctual - good time-keeper, conscientious
Works well in a team - good co-worker, good team-player, excellent colleague
Hard worker - diligent, energetic, engaged, enthusiastic

Hope that helps!

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I wish you the very best of luck Saluki.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Great advice above. The three main things I'd underline are:

1. Do your homework. Check the company's website and read the press releases. Google the CEO to see what s/he has said recently. Find out as much as you can about the division/dept/role.

2. Practice answers to the clichéd interview questions: why you want the job, why you left your last role, greatest strengths & weaknesses, where you see yourself in five years, etc. There are some great youtube videos on these.

3. Be yourself. They want to hire someone with a personality and views, and if they don't like yours, you won't be happy there anyway. Express yourself.

 

[martint235]

Good luck. All good advice above.

I'd also add to the practising answers to well known questions, see if you can build hooks into your answers. IMO if you can get an "Oh that's interesting, could you tell us some more about that?" you're doing well. Remember it should be an interview ie more of a conversation than a question and answer session.

 

[raleighnut]

Good luck Also mention that you'd like to move to this area but not why you'd like to move!!! and that you have a friend that lives nearby.