Interview Tomorrow, Need to ace this!

Casshern88

Ok so i have a job interview tomorrow, Its for a job in a local spar nothing specialized, im a 25 year old college student under a lot of financial stress at min i REALLY need to get this job, im on the cusp of losing my accommodation and not being able to pay for college etc.

Can anyone offer me any tips or advice on impressing the interviewer?

I have been out of the workforce for last 3 years as i have been in education but i am extremely eager to work now, I'm hardworking and reliable. I have some shop experience as i worked in a dunnes stores a number of years back so that should work to my advantage.

Whats general practice for after the interview if i haven't heard anything in two days should i call back in to the shop and speak to the manager again thanking them for there time and expressing my eagerness to work there or just wait and see.

Any kind of advice is appreciated !

tempnam

Best advice I can give is to just relax and be yourself - I know it's probably a tired and over-used cliché but it really is the truth.

I was recently in a 'different-but-similar' situation to you.... I was made redundant, and have a child to provide for, and a mortgage, car loan, household bills etc. to think about.

I went for a few interviews knowing in my own mind that I NEEDED a job, but I didn't want to come across as desperate.

Calm yourself beforehand, and just remember - we're all people. Managers / directors etc. in companies you might look to in the future for work are all just people.

Many people treat bosses differently - they put them on a pedestal in some cases. By doing that you're being false IMO. Just be yourself and speak to the interviewer like you would chat to anyone.

The job I'm in now - the interview felt more like a chat than an interview. We even spent a few minutes at the end just chatting informally. I came away from it knowing that it went well.

Best of luck in the job hunt!

Piriz

Hi, best of luck for the job interview...

you seem extremely eager to get this job and i would advise that you make sure to listen to the questions asked and answer accordingly...this of course is obvious but a persons enthusiasm combined with nerves can result in rambling and not listening to the questions carefully..

make sure your well presented and arrive a few minutes early.

expect to be asked questions about how you dealt with difficult customers in the past etc.

have one or two relevant questions prepared for the end of the interview..

Like is there opportunities to work additional hours when you have time off college..? or something that shows interest and enthusiasm...

they should tell you at the end when they will let you know... going in looking for the manager two days later is not a good idea...

all the best...

seamus

I would say you should study up on the business, understand where they're coming from.

Spar is a franchise business, with a mix of large stores run from a central location, and smaller stores which are each owned and run by a single person, under the Spar brand.

So if you understand what kind of business it is, you will be able to relate more to the person interviewing you.

For example, if it's a smaller shop (most of them are), then chances are the manager is the owner, or if he's not, he's someone who cares a great deal about the business (the manager is often a family member or a good friend of the owner). When he/she is interviewing you, they're coming from a position where if you screw up, or turn out to be a thief, you are literally taking cash from their pocket.
They will also have to deal with you on a day-to-day basis. So you need to convince them that not only are you hardworking and intelligent, but also that you're easy to get on with, and won't act the maggot with holidays, calling in sick, etc etc. Think of it more like you're being interviewed for a babysitter position, to get yourself into the mindset of where the interviewer is coming from.
On top of that, many customers will be local people. So you'll need to be flexible and friendly rather than the kind of person who would be stiff and professional.

On the other hand, if it's a much larger store, then you're part of a larger team, and the impact of your actions have less of a direct effect on the interviewer. While you still need to show that you're good at what you do, a friendly professional attitude is probably more important than being exceptionally familiar.

Casshern88

Great advice guys thanks!

Ya its a smaller corner type spar!

any advice on after the interview? best policy is to just wait and see?

seamus

Casshern88 wrote: »

Ya its a smaller corner type spar!

any advice on after the interview? best policy is to just wait and see?

That's a hard one to say.

As it's a small shop, there are less people to make a decision, so he could tell you on the spot. Or he could have a few interviews and will be pretty busy in general, so it could take a couple of days.

If he doesn't say, then best to ask at an appropriate time, "what are the next steps?". It's the easiest way to say, "When will I hear anything", without sounding like you're demanding information.

Casshern88

Just received my timetable for the next semester of college, which is ok, wednesday off and short days thursday and friday, do you think i should bring this to my interview so the manager can see when exactly im available for work. I can tell them im available to work anytime im not in college. Or is that something i should worry about if i get it.

fran38

Casshern88 wrote: »

Just received my timetable for the next semester of college, which is ok, wednesday off and short days thursday and friday, do you think i should bring this to my interview so the manager can see when exactly im available for work. I can tell them im available to work anytime im not in college. Or is that something i should worry about if i get it.

Is the job a relief type position or is it full time? If it's full time, then the manager will expect the successful candidate to be available for the full roster. If it's relief or part time, you need to bring your college timetable issues up so your availability will be clear to all concerned.
Do you have an email address for the manager/HR? Coz you could drop them a 'thank you' note for the chance to be interviewed. There's plenty of templates on the net for these things...

Casshern88

The first line of my cv clearly states im available for part time work and i got a call for a interview so i assume it part time they want, Its a small sized shop theres no HR department, looked online couldnt find any managers name or a email.

Piriz

hi again, yea I think it's a good idea to bring a copy of the timetable, it shows consideration and backs up your claims... you can say to the interviewers to keep the timetable.. if your availability suits the job and you did a good interview then I think that you will be very employable..

Casshern88

Hi all

Just a update, Interview went very well, so well indeed that they told be i had the job i start on thursday!

Cheers for all the sound advice!

Nelly1234

Casshern88 wrote: »

Hi all

Just a update, Interview went very well, so well indeed that they told be i had the job i start on thursday!

Cheers for all the sound advice!

Delighted for ya!! Well done!:)

roxana

This topic is very helpful for me too, thanks for your advices, I have my interview tomorrow in Centra shop
And congrats Casshern88!

tempnam

OK Casshern88 time to share.... who's advice did you follow to get the job?!

Casshern88

Everyones really. I had this script written out about how i was a hardworking reliable person and all that kind of stuff, i practiced that a few times, but in the end i just went in and tryed to act natural and be myself. the interviewer saw i was a friendly person who could do the tasks required in the job.

bumper234

Casshern88 wrote: »

Hi all

Just a update, Interview went very well, so well indeed that they told be i had the job i start on thursday!

Cheers for all the sound advice!

Congratulations