First Interview for a job I've actually wanted in years

Engine No.9

I have an interview on Friday for a factory role. I've been unemployed for 4 years save for a few sales jobs, which I hated, but I breezed right through the interviews and left them both after a few weeks.

This interview is really scaring me though. It's a job that requires previous experience in manufacturing roles which I have, from over 10 years ago. I was a retail manager for many years since then. I really want this job and have been given a list of general questions that the interviewers might have by the recruitment company. I've written out all my answers, and I've gone over them with my friend who says that the answers I've given seem right on the money.

I'm nervous as hell. I think that the interviewers will want to hear mostly about my experience in the previous factory I worked in but a lot of the answers I've come up with only vaguely reference that time and most reference my managerial work aswell as some personal experiences. Should I try to focus on my manufacturing experience or will any examples, so long as they're relatable, suffice?

Also, I've hired a suit for the day. I asked the recruiter would this be over formal, but he told me just to go how I feel comfortable saying that when he meets them he leaves off the tie as that's the kind of atmosphere it is in there. Advice here also please.

I'm literally bricking it here. I know I'm not going to sleep Thursday night worrying about it.

efb

Best of luck- be able to demonstrate how your a team player, reliable and hard working.

Have a good answer for what you did for your 4 years of unemployment.

Most of all, relax, and it will be fine.

James esq

If you are nervous you will not get the job. Ask your doctor,his is probably your only chance as you are clearly very passionate about this work, you will only be able to express this if you are relaxed.

Alpha_zero

Definitely your previous factory experience is pertinent for this role, so you will need to be able speak about it in some detail as it was probably a factor that got you the interview. You will also be able to speak about your other work experience and personal achievements too.

Nerves are normal and almost anyone who attends an interview feels the same way. I would concentrate more on your previous work experiences and only address the gap in employment if you are directly addressed. At the end of the day you are applying for an entry level factory work and the recruiter is already aware of the employment gap from your C.V. so that should not be an issue.

What company is it for?

Irish_Elect_Eng

Good advice from other posters.

"answers I've come up with only vaguely reference that time" be specific, being vague in answers is a red flag and may convey that you are spoofing the experience and had a lesser role. Butter to give specific answers from more recent experience.

Suit = Yes.

8-10

I would also look at any experience as a retail manager that you can tie back. Stuff like process driven work, deadlines etc that you might have examples of that could work in manufacturing. Times when something went wrong in your usual process, what you did to fix it and what the result was. Can be anything but write out situational examples so they're fresh in your mind And you can speak then more about your skills and how you can apply them

Greenmachine

Congrats on getting the interview OP. Hope it leads to great things for you.Somewhat similar to the OP as far as his previous work experience in manufacturing goes, and the gap since working in that area.

druidhill

Don't let the nerves get the better of you either before or during the interview. Always remember, they called you for interview.

I breezed right through the interviews

What differentiates this interview from those? Try and find the root cause of the nerves. It sounds like you're self-confidence is low (Swiss Toni style) - this is to be expected given your situation.

"answers I've come up with only vaguely reference that time"

Your answers would be more relevant if they were based on this time, and as Irish_Elect_Eng eluded to previously, be more specific. This is something you CAN be working on before the interview (it will almost certainly help with the nerves too).

Personally, I don't feel it necessary to be fully suited and booted, smartly dressed for interview suffices (tie mandatory for the men, imo).
Hiring a suit can be an expense too far when you're out of work - it shows a good attitude on your part and hopefully you will show this attribute of yours in some other way at interview.

It is substantial, no getting away from it, so be prepared to address the gap due to unemployment, but only if asked.

save for a few sales jobs, which I hated, but I breezed right through the interviews and left them both after a few weeks.

In addition, be prepared to explain to them what happened in these situations?

Based on the information provided in your post, if I were you I'd be emphasizing an interest/intent in a supervisory role - that should be your closer.

Best of luck.

reallyrose

Your recruiter should be able to give you a mock interview and run over potential questions with you. (If they are worth their commission!)
It's what I do with anyone that wants it.

Broadly speaking answer your questions in a loose competency format.
Situation Task Action Result

So..
How do you handle [manufacturing fault #5] (I don't work in manufacturing sector so not sure what the specific questions might be!)
I would usually [most common action]. This one time, when I was working for the Death Star, the architect put a huge grid with protective lasers over the exhaust port. This was causing exhaust fumes to build up in the main Evil Manufacturing Floor. I removed that grid right away, liaising with my manager and technicians on site and there were no more fumes until I left the Death Star for a new opportunity working for Zorg.

Questions will often spiral off from this - they'll ask more detailed questions about parts of your answer.

If your recruiter has worked with this client before, they should know what kinds of questions are asked.
Definitely go back to your recruiter and ask for more assistance. They should be helping. It's their job to get you this job!

Engine No.9

Thanks everybody for your replies. I've gone over my questionnaire and reworked the answers to make them tie in more with my time in the factory all those years ago. Thinking more about it now, I think that while a suit might be over formal, it does speak business, even it is a product builder role, so hopefully it will work in my favour. Thanks every again. I will keep ye updated.

efb

Doing mindfulness breathing exercises might help you to relax, some good ones on YouTube