Interview tomorrow - Tips needed

Rightlad91

Hi guys.. I have an interview tomorrow for a customer service role. I finished uni since May and have found the job searching to be nothing short of a disaster, Iv had 5 interviews in my field of study and have been rejected each time for unknown reasons. I have been basically doing nothing with myself for over 2 months now and its driving me to insanity. I have even tried applying for manual labour/ factory work and havent even made the interview stage. I am educated to a masters degree level ( Id rather not say in what field as want to keep identity private), but what I am ultimatley asking is do you think there is a particular reason why I am being rejected for jobs, obviously you dont know me personally but I am a fairly normal guy from a normal background just like most people. I will say that most of the jobs I have been rejected for I found the interview very awkward as I am not really a self confident sort and I get very awkward when asked to talk myself up although I am positive I could do an excellent job for whatever company employs me. Is there any self confidence building skills that anyone can recommend / general interview tips ? Please and thanks

I don't claim to be an expert, but what I always try to do going into an interview is 1) Know the company really well. Read the website, look for news articles, know what they do as well as I can. 2) Try to find out as much as I can about the specific role I'm going for, what I'll be doing day-to-day, what other departments I'd be working with, etc etc. 3) Think of examples of how my experiences related back to the role I'm going for. Be able to show you're a good teamworker, innovative, commercially aware, all that kind of stuff.

If I can hit all those points it automatically makes me feel prepared for the interview and hence more confident. Good luck.

Egginacup

Rightlad91 wrote: »

Hi guys.. I have an interview tomorrow for a customer service role. I finished uni since May and have found the job searching to be nothing short of a disaster, Iv had 5 interviews in my field of study and have been rejected each time for unknown reasons. I have been basically doing nothing with myself for over 2 months now and its driving me to insanity. I have even tried applying for manual labour/ factory work and havent even made the interview stage. I am educated to a masters degree level ( Id rather not say in what field as want to keep identity private), but what I am ultimatley asking is do you think there is a particular reason why I am being rejected for jobs, obviously you dont know me personally but I am a fairly normal guy from a normal background just like most people. I will say that most of the jobs I have been rejected for I found the interview very awkward as I am not really a self confident sort and I get very awkward when asked to talk myself up although I am positive I could do an excellent job for whatever company employs me. Is there any self confidence building skills that anyone can recommend / general interview tips ? Please and thanks

Stand in front of the mirror, chest out, arms raised like a superhero, various hero faces, etc. Do this for about 3 or 4 minutes before the interview.
I know it sounds daft but my g/f is a fitness, yoga instructor and nutritionist and she showed me this bizarre trick. People who do this are generally 20-30% more outgoing and confident when they do the "superhero" mirror thing. Give it a go and tell us how it made you feel.

Other than that...have a good breakfast to get the brain engaged. Don't drink alcohol the day before an interview. Clouds your head and affects your skin/eyes. Don't smoke before the interview. Good solid handshake. Try to be cheerful. Finally, the interview is not over when it's over. A nice tip is to quickly print up a thank-you letter addressed to the interviewer and hand deliver it to reception. They don't forget you so quickly when you do this and it displays manners and enthusiasm.

Good luck.

omen80

1. Have answers ready for some of the common questions - strengths/weaknesses, where do you see yourself in 5 years, why do you want to work for that company etc etc...

2. Don't lie that you've used a specific piece of software etc if you haven't....they might ask you questions on it and then it can backfire. Better to be honest if you're not familiar with something.

3. Don't sit with your arms folded.

4. If there is more than 1 person on the panel then make sure to look occasionally at each person when answering a question.

5. Be polite and just relax. Most interviews I've been to are very informal.

Mr. Loverman

You should do some practice interviews to get feedback from people.

For your interview tomorrow, let's keep it simple. What kind of person do they want for a customer service role?

* Clear speaking voice.
* Really understands the concept of time keeping.
* Won't be ringing in sick because they're hungover.
* Friendly, patient manner.
* At least average intelligence.
* Easy to manage.

So just come across as friendly, mature, positive and you'll be ok.

I've interviewed probably a few hundred people at this stage and I can assure you us interviewers are normal people and can remember when we were just starting our careers too, so don't put much pressure on yourself and try to relax.

Rightlad91

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

You should do some practice interviews to get feedback from people.

For your interview tomorrow, let's keep it simple. What kind of person do they want for a customer service role?

* Clear speaking voice.
* Really understands the concept of time keeping.
* Won't be ringing in sick because they're hungover.
* Friendly, patient manner.
* At least average intelligence.
* Easy to manage.

So just come across as friendly, mature, positive and you'll be ok.

I've interviewed probably a few hundred people at this stage and I can assure you us interviewers are normal people and can remember when we were just starting our careers too, so don't put much pressure on yourself and try to relax.

thank you so much, you have no idea how much more relaxed i am after reading this