My First 'Formal' Interview

GaryL

I've had a few jobs and over 20 interviews but never had an interview where wearing a suit is expected. I was working as a temp for a couple of weeks in a stockbrokers. My superviser recommended me to some of the heads and now I've got an interview for an adminstrative role on Monday.

I'm just wondering what the big differences will be compared with interviews with shops, bookies, etc.? The agency say this particular company's interviews "can be quite formal". I'm actually going to be working in their on Monday and will get time off for the interview. What should I do to prepare? There are looking for a number of people and I guess I'll probably be the least experienced.

Thanks in advance.

AARRRGH

By formal they mean there will be loads of bull**** HR questions.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Your strongest and weakest points...

That kind of nonsense. So have answers learnt off (they will expect this.)

Learn as much about the company as possible. Make sure your appearance is perfect.

GaryL

dublindude wrote: »

Learn as much about the company as possible.

How exactly do I bring up my knowledge of the company in the interview though?

The agency say they're especially looking for someone with excellent attention to detail. I don't want to use those exact words because it would look a bit suspicious so what would be the best way of saying I have an excellent attention to detail without exactly using those words?

In my opinion my strongest point is my work rate and the effort I put in. What would be the best way of putting that? As you can tell I struggle to put my thoughts into words.

When they ask at the end of the interview if I have any questions what would be good questions to ask? Should I ask about the wages even though it doesn't matter in the least to me?

I had a few more questions to ask but they've escaped me atm.

leeroybrown

GaryL wrote: »

How exactly do I bring up my knowledge of the company in the interview though?

Opportunities always come up. Your interview will be relevant to what you will be doing if you get the job and knowledge of the company and their business area will always be useful in some answers. You need to be able to show that you have put in some preparation for the interview and a good knowledge of the employer is one good way to do this.

The important point to remember here is that this is a formal interview. They'll pick over your CV and ask you questions about your education, experience, etc. If they spot a weakness they'll question further into that area until they are satisfied one way or another. It's up to you to answer the questions well bringing in your knowledge of the company and past experience where you can.

GaryL wrote: »

The agency say they're especially looking for someone with excellent attention to detail. I don't want to use those exact words because it would look a bit suspicious so what would be the best way of saying I have an excellent attention to detail without exactly using those words?

In my opinion my strongest point is my work rate and the effort I put in. What would be the best way of putting that? As you can tell I struggle to put my thoughts into words.

I'd suggest being straight forward about it (without being overly blunt). The questions that they will ask will be seeking to find this out. There is no reason not to say that you've got good attention to detail, an excellent work ethic and you work well in a busy environment. It's important to be able to reference this to your experience in other jobs in order to backup your answer and give them more confidence in it.

GaryL wrote: »

Should I ask about the wages even though it doesn't matter in the least to me?

Generally this is considered to be a bad idea. It's not particularly subtle and it can put a lot of people off. Also, it's not uncommon for the interviewers to have no dealing with the financial terms and contract.

GaryL

Thanks again.

Just bumping this up in the hope of a few more tips. I'm bricking myself.

AARRRGH

GaryL wrote: »

I'm bricking myself.

Don't be. Most HR staff are totally incompetent, and a lot of Managers are morons, so you have nothing to fear.

Just be polite, honest, well prepared and well presented and you'll be fine.

I've done loads of interviews and they're grand. The employer normally knows within a few seconds if he'd want to hire you, so make sure your first impression is very good!

the_syco

GaryL wrote: »

When they ask at the end of the interview if I have any questions what would be good questions to ask? Should I ask about the wages even though it doesn't matter in the least to me?

Ask a question for more information on an answer they've given. This will show that you actually listened to their crap about how great their company is.

Also ask about something that you've found out about them, through their website (relation to the role is a plus) to show that you actually read their website.

justfortherecor

dublindude wrote: »

Don't be. Most HR staff are totally incompetent, and a lot of Managers are morons, so you have nothing to fear.

Just be polite, honest, well prepared and well presented and you'll be fine.

I've done loads of interviews and they're grand. The employer normally knows within a few seconds if he'd want to hire you, so make sure your first impression is very good!

Someone has a problem with people involved in HR:D

leeroybrown

justfortherecor wrote: »

Someone has a problem with people involved in HR:D

Hardly surprising for someone working in recruitment with a lot of dealings with them...

GaryL

Off topic but I notice the job advertised on the internet since 7th December. If the company hadn't requested an interview with me I wouldn't have heard anything from the agency. I do wonder what the agency do with their time.

Quality

Hey,

Just gonna put my oar in.

I have never been to an interview, where I havent got the job.. so these opinions may help you.

Be really positive during the interview. Smile a lot. Give lots of eye contact, Nod your head in agreement. dont fold your arms sit with your knees together. and hands crossed as in prayer.

DO NOT Cross arms or legs.

Be as positive as you can about the position I find it helfpful that when they are descriving the position to maybe say... Yes I have experience in that, or yes that was part of my job,,, or i remember that from college..

Just try and put yourself forward for the most likely candidate.

I always find two good questions for them when the dreaded, "Do you have any questions?" question comes up are


"How do you find working for the company?"

and

"Is there much room for progression?"

This shows you are interested in long term employment and the ethics of the company.

Anyhow,, I think most HR people are just looking for someone, who has the right qualifications (as you must have or you would not have been called forward for the job) and for Yes People, People who will nod and agree to to what is on offer.....

Best of luck

and please come back and tell us how you get on..

x x x

GaryL

Quality wrote: »

and please come back and tell us how you get on..

The interview was a lot easier than I expected and I surprised myself with how confident I came across. 2 really nice guys interviewing me and we had a bit of a laugh and a joke about some of the things on my CV. Anyway, just got off the phone to the agency and I got the job.

Eoin

dublindude wrote: »

By formal they mean there will be loads of bull**** HR questions.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Your strongest and weakest points...

That kind of nonsense. So have answers learnt off (they will expect this.)

Learn as much about the company as possible. Make sure your appearance is perfect.

OK, the strongest and weakest points question is a bullshìt question, but asking where you see your career going is a completely valid question. They may have an idea of the career path for a certain role, and want to see if you see yourself taking the same route.

@GaryL - congrats!

Quality

Congratulations!!!

AARRRGH

Well done

Dave!

GaryL wrote: »

The interview was a lot easier than I expected and I surprised myself with how confident I came across. 2 really nice guys interviewing me and we had a bit of a laugh and a joke about some of the things on my CV. Anyway, just got off the phone to the agency and I got the job.

Well done man, all the best with it.