Interview on Wednesday

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Hi,

I just got a phonecall from a data entry in town, I have an interview tomorrow. The role is only for 4 weeks, but it's better than noting. It's a basic data entry role. The lady I was talking to was more worried about candidates staying at the job as it can be quite boring and people tend to leave the role early. I didn't get a job spec, would it be too late to ask for one now? Go over it tomorrow before I go in?

"We will go through your cv and ask competency questions based on the role."

Is all the information I really have about tomorrow.

Would anybody have any suggestions or tips? Sorry, I am a little nervous and anxious. I really want this job.

miec

Hi Op

I think if you convince / reassure the interviewer that you don't mind mundane tasks then I think you should have a very good chance, a word of warning though, data entry can be mind numbingly boring, can you handle putting in numbers to a computer for eight hours a day? The fact that it is only four weeks is good, they might also test your data entry skills so if you want to get speeds up, I think there are some online data entry tests (free I think) and just have a little practice on that, other than that I think you'll be fine.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

miec wrote: »

Hi Op

I think if you convince / reassure the interviewer that you don't mind mundane tasks then I think you should have a very good chance, a word of warning though, data entry can be mind numbingly boring, can you handle putting in numbers to a computer for eight hours a day? The fact that it is only four weeks is good, they might also test your data entry skills so if you want to get speeds up, I think there are some online data entry tests (free I think) and just have a little practice on that, other than that I think you'll be fine.

Thanks
Yea I don't mind doing any work like that at all. Anything is better than the dole, after expenses I should be on about 100 more extra (depending on their hours) than social welfare, which is brilliant. I worked in a company before Xmas that done data entry, more complicated than the basic stuff, it sure is mind numbing and we were doing 10+ hours 6 days a week. The thought of that extra money just keeps you going. I wouldn't consider myself above any job, if you seen my job history, it's not amazing :P

Thanks for the reply Excited for an interview that will get me 4 weeks work... that's saying something.

MikeC101

You probably already know this, but just in case - a compentency interview is one where they'll ask "Tell me about a time you..." style questions.

So, for example rather than them asking "Do you work well under pressure?" or "What would you do if you had to handle a lot of data in a short time", they'll ask "Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure / to a deadline".

Sounds like a small difference I know, but when you're on the spot it can be hard to remember specific situations. Conventional wisdom seems to be you tell them the answer in the format "STAR"

Situation / Task

Action

Result

That's not to say they won't also ask more standard questions as well, but if you do a bit of practice with the examples from your past history you can really come across well in an interview.

Best of luck!

Edit: Gah, missed that it was Wednesday! OP is probably at the interview right now.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

MikeC101 wrote: »

You probably already know this, but just in case - a compentency interview is one where they'll ask "Tell me about a time you..." style questions.

So, for example rather than them asking "Do you work well under pressure?" or "What would you do if you had to handle a lot of data in a short time", they'll ask "Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure / to a deadline".

Sounds like a small difference I know, but when you're on the spot it can be hard to remember specific situations. Conventional wisdom seems to be you tell them the answer in the format "STAR"

Situation / Task

Action

Result

That's not to say they won't also ask more standard questions as well, but if you do a bit of practice with the examples from your past history you can really come across well in an interview.

Best of luck!

Edit: Gah, missed that it was Wednesday! OP is probably at the interview right now.

I read this before I went for the interview, thanks. The interview was very short as the roll is pretty simple. I also got a phone call on the way home from the interview, I have another one tomorrow. I assured the lady today that I would stick it out for the few weeks, but the interview tomorrow is for a 6 month contract. I am crap in these situations, what would you say? When would you say it etc etc?

One thing that always gets me in an interview is "do you have any questions" which I normally reply with "What training do you offer" "would you support me in further education if the chance arose" or "Is there a possibility of staying on when the contract is finished", Not sure if they are the best questions to ask, anybody have any suggestions?

MikeC101

Brynlee Faint Author wrote: »

I read this before I went for the interview, thanks. The interview was very short as the roll is pretty simple. I also got a phone call on the way home from the interview, I have another one tomorrow. I assured the lady today that I would stick it out for the few weeks, but the interview tomorrow is for a 6 month contract. I am crap in these situations, what would you say? When would you say it etc etc?

Great stuff

What do you mean exactly? Like should you tell the interviewer tomorrow about your possible four week role? I should warn I'm not expert on interviews, apart from having sat in on a few in a previous job and done a lot lately.

Brynlee Faint Author wrote: »

One thing that always gets me in an interview is "do you have any questions" which I normally reply with "What training do you offer" "would you support me in further education if the chance arose" or "Is there a possibility of staying on when the contract is finished", Not sure if they are the best questions to ask, anybody have any suggestions?

One thing I tend to ask is something along the lines of "Have I answered all your questions fully, or is there any area you might want me to expand on a little?". It might seem a little odd, but it seems to work well for me in interviews.

Might not apply to a contract role, but I'd also consider "Is there a general career path that someone with my skills and experience might take in this company?"

Failing that, questions about team structure, or, as you said, the possibility of staying on after the contract (shows you want to be there long term, and you'll probably work hard during the contract to achieve that).

Make sure to stress you're a "good fit" for the role - use their questions to emphasise the skills and experience you have that they're looking for.

Best of luck!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I got the temporary role (4 week contract), the pay is crap, it's miles away and the work is bad, but I am damn happy. Little jobs like this really really help your confidence and finance, however small that is, are are very very welcomed. Thanks for all your advice guys, much appretiated.

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Brynlee Faint Author wrote: »

I got the temporary role (4 week contract), the pay is crap, it's miles away and the work is bad, but I am damn happy. Little jobs like this really really help your confidence and finance, however small that is, are are very very welcomed. Thanks for all your advice guys, much appretiated.

Good to hear, congrats!

jd83

Congrats on the job! always good to hear about people finding work. Its only 4 weeks but if you impress maybe they will ask you to stay on longer. I got offered a 3month contract after been unemployed for 6 months. 9 months on im still working there

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Hayley Deafening Mint wrote: »

Good to hear, congrats!

Thanks

jd83 wrote: »

Congrats on the job! always good to hear about people finding work. Its only 4 weeks but if you impress maybe they will ask you to stay on longer. I got offered a 3month contract after been unemployed for 6 months. 9 months on im still working there

It's quite possible they might take on somebody for longer, which would be great. They hired 3 people so I just have to bust my balls for a month and show them I mean business. An opportunity I am not letting go of :P They take on people when the work load gets really high, so not sure if they have room for more people on their team. Something I will keep my ears and eyes open over the next few weeks

Eoin

Brynlee Faint Author wrote: »

I got the temporary role (4 week contract), the pay is crap, it's miles away and the work is bad, but I am damn happy. Little jobs like this really really help your confidence and finance, however small that is, are are very very welcomed. Thanks for all your advice guys, much appretiated.

Congratulations on the job - you've a really good attitude towards it