Job interview- how to make myself look good?

LuckyStar

This Tuesday I am going for my 2nd ever interview for a "proper" job since I graduated from college. I had an interview with a company during the summer, i was asked some horrible questions, the interviewer seemed to be trying to trip me up constantly. I had all my research done, was polite and friendly etc. My friend has the exact same job in a similar company and said her interview was just an informal chat!

Anyway I have an interview in a different company now for a QC/customer service role. I feel I do have the right qualities for the job but I suffer terribly from nerves, I muddle up my words when I am stressed and this lets me down, I answer a question with the first thing that comes into my head and shoot myself in the foot. I think I could manage this better if I could resolve the following issues:

I kept on my weekend job in a shop during the summer and left in August. I left primarily because I wanted a good graduate job and working 40 hours a week could prevent me going to interviews. Another part of the reason I left was because the money was crap and there were no benefits. (I went to college to improve my prospects). Besides this, we had a new manager who was a complete cow and terrible at her job.

As I have been unemployed for 2 and a half months I am afraid I am going to look like a dosser. This is not true, I left my job and full time wages (bad as they were) behind so I would be free to look for a good job. The reason I am still looking for a job now is because there were few advertised that appealed to me. I didn't want to be taking a job for the sake of it just to leave again. I am worried saying this will make me look fussy!

I am also worried about the better salary/benefits thing. I will be honest, I would like a salary better than my last job and i would like VHI etc.
If I was asked "What was wrong with your current or last position?", the bad salary and lack of benefits is one of the reasons but how do I avoid looking greedy?

Also on the "What was wrong with your current or last position?" position- as I have outlined above there were a number of things wrong. How do I avoid looking like I am badmouthing my shop job?

One more thing. If I was asked "What did you think of your last boss"- honestly she did not have one good point, she was power mad, rude, incompetent and everyone hated her! I can't say this, it's too bitchy. Can anyone give me a response to this question that will make me look good or at least stop me looking bitchy?

There is one last thing. This job is not my ideal job. It will have a substantial commute (unless I get a car which I would have to drive illegally as I only have a prov. licence). Plus it is a customer service job. However it is better than most of the jobs I have come across. I have a science degree and so many of the jobs are lab-based which I would not like. My ideal job would be in a zoo but these jobs are not at all common. This job is in the top range of a mostly uninteresting bunch, it is with a large company, the money is very good and so are the benefits. There is good opportunity for working my way up to a more senior position. I have enough money saved up to last me another while but I would like to put those savings towards driving lessons. The 100% perfect job is unlikely to come along. I know I said I didn't want to take another job just for the sake of it but I meant I did not want just any old job.

WindSock

LuckyStar wrote: »

One more thing. If I was asked "What did you think of your last boss"-

Well I have never come across this type of question in an interview, but if it does come up, or something similar regarding colleagues, never ever say anything negative. It only reflects badly on you, no matter how much at fault others are. People don't want to hire a percieved moan that doesnt get on with anyone and bitches about them.

LuckyStar

that is what I am afraid of.

Kali

LuckyStar wrote: »

I am also worried about the better salary/benefits thing. I will be honest, I would like a salary better than my last job and i would like VHI etc.
If I was asked "What was wrong with your current or last position?", the bad salary and lack of benefits is one of the reasons but how do I avoid looking greedy?

I wouldn't advise you state salary and benefits as reasons for leaving a job. It's much better to put a longer-term slant on things, so they can see that your career is in their company... so things like: "I'm very keen to get into BLAH area" or "I see this as a great opportunity to start my career", "I'm looking for a position in a respected and forward-thinking company which will enable me to move forward in my career" .. waffle like that, I'd write a page of quotes like that a few days before the interview and hone them so they sound good... even if you only remember one or two it'll help steady your nerves as well, and you'll come across as more confident. Note you can always mention and use any experience gained in your previous jobs, as irrelevant as they may seem (management experience/responsibilty/finances etc.).. just don't talk the most banal things up to the point where its obvious!

LuckyStar

MSN's careers section say I should not expect my first graduate job to be my permanent job, it says "you wouldn't enter the swimming Olympics without learning the doggy paddle", I think this is good advice for me because even though this job is not perfect it would be a good start for me.

LuckyStar

I got the job

But now I have to go to work instead of lazing all around the house all day!

I am very nervous, this is my first proper job and I have never worked in an office before, has anyone any advice?

Oh yeah and the dress code is Smart Business, this is blouse and trousers right? Would a knee-length black skirt and flat, black leather calf-length boots be OK either? I went shopping for blouses today and it was a nightmare.

Oh yeah and I will have to have a medical, what will this entail? They won't want blood will they????

Goldenquick

Congratulations on securing the job LuckyStar, don't be worrying so much about it though. There will be people there that will help you to settle in and remember that they all had a first day too and were just as nervous as you are.

Wear what you feel comfortable in while being smart, don't wear anything that you will feel uncomfortable in half-way through the day as this will bring negativity on you, in that if you're not comfortable with what you're wearing, you will be thinking about that and not concentrating on what you're learning.

I don't think they will look for blood in the medical, as far as I can remember from my last medical it was blood pressure and listening to the heart that was all that was required.

Enjoy your new job .

LuckyStar

Thanks!

Now I am one of those office chicks that I have been reading about in Cosmopolitan for the last 6 years!

It will be nice to be able to buy nice clothes for work instead of the horrible uniforms I wore in my weekend shop jobs during college!

Madge

LuckyStar wrote: »

Now I am one of those office chicks that I have been reading about in Cosmopolitan for the last 6 years!

It will be nice to be able to buy nice clothes for work instead of the horrible uniforms I wore in my weekend shop jobs during college!

I know the feelin'! It's like you're all grown up and an adult or something
BTW, don't forget to buy the accessories for all your new threads

LuckyStar

Yep yep!!! I have a friend in an upmarket accessories shop (dont want to say which one) who is happy to use her staff discount for me, it's great!

the_syco

Wear the blouse thing for the 1st day, but look around, to see what the other ladies were wearing, to see what to wear. Did that on my first day a while back. Wore the suit in, got told that X goes, but don't take the piss. Some places, though, business casual means no tie, nothing ultra formal, but still formal'ish. If you work in a place, where you don't talk directly to customers, it's usually more relaxed, I've found.

LuckyStar

i will be talking to customers but just on the phone,

keefg

LuckyStar wrote: »

Thanks!

Now I am one of those office chicks that I have been reading about in Cosmopolitan for the last 6 years!

Congratulations Lucky Star, before you know it you will be drinking Cosmopolitans and "doing lunch" like yer woman off Sex in the city

Good luck with the job, hope it works out for you.

LuckyStar

thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated!

i am very nervous about being a real live grown up!!!

hopefully office work isn't too bad... at least I have regular hours and can wear my own clothes!