1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
No 1. It must fit and be clean. There is nothing scruffier than a bad suit. Shirt - ensure collar is good cut (this is where the traditional English cuts do, in my opinion, outperfom many others) and not damaged or worn. The first thing I notice is bent collars or points too close together creating a cramped, uncomfortable, look. Shoes - clean (polished) and not crusty.
No 2 - Bearing and posture can improve a nastier suit.
No 3 (optional): No black suits, baggy suits, nasty collars, no polyester, no white socks, no obtuse cuts or styles which shout 'spiv'.
Having said that, I would also say controversially, that wearing a suit is not the be all and end all - industry dependant of course. You can be smarter in a nice shirt and trousers, than in a failed suit.
#20
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
My advice - IF you are going to wear a suit, do it properly.
No 1. It must fit and be clean. There is nothing scruffier than a bad suit. Shirt - ensure collar is good cut (this is where the traditional English cuts do, in my opinion, outperfom many others) and not damaged or worn. The first thing I notice is bent collars or points too close together creating a cramped, uncomfortable, look. Shoes - clean (polished) and not crusty.
No 2 - Bearing and posture can improve a nastier suit.
No 3 (optional): No black suits, baggy suits, nasty collars, no polyester, no white socks, no obtuse cuts or styles which shout 'spiv'.
Having said that, I would also say controversially, that wearing a suit is not the be all and end all - industry dependant of course. You can be smarter in a nice shirt and trousers, than in a failed suit.
No 1. It must fit and be clean. There is nothing scruffier than a bad suit. Shirt - ensure collar is good cut (this is where the traditional English cuts do, in my opinion, outperfom many others) and not damaged or worn. The first thing I notice is bent collars or points too close together creating a cramped, uncomfortable, look. Shoes - clean (polished) and not crusty.
No 2 - Bearing and posture can improve a nastier suit.
No 3 (optional): No black suits, baggy suits, nasty collars, no polyester, no white socks, no obtuse cuts or styles which shout 'spiv'.
Having said that, I would also say controversially, that wearing a suit is not the be all and end all - industry dependant of course. You can be smarter in a nice shirt and trousers, than in a failed suit.
You gotta explain this one...please
Dougie
#21
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
I think he means keep the Ted Baker suit 'til you get the job.
#22
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
#23
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
As the job is at a hospital will have an HR dept and probably formal recruiting procedures which includes interviewing.
The method these days is competency based interviewing. They will have established what competencies they are looking for for the role/person.
To establish this the questions will typically be "closed" - that is not hypothetical. For example they wouldn't ask "What would you do if....." but "Can you give me an example of when....."
So think about the skills required for the job and examples you have from your past proving you have these skills. Even if they ask open questions, answering with examples is far more powerful that hypotheticals - anyone can give these but there is no substitute for experience.
The method these days is competency based interviewing. They will have established what competencies they are looking for for the role/person.
To establish this the questions will typically be "closed" - that is not hypothetical. For example they wouldn't ask "What would you do if....." but "Can you give me an example of when....."
So think about the skills required for the job and examples you have from your past proving you have these skills. Even if they ask open questions, answering with examples is far more powerful that hypotheticals - anyone can give these but there is no substitute for experience.
#24
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
My advice - IF you are going to wear a suit, do it properly.
No 1. It must fit and be clean. There is nothing scruffier than a bad suit. Shirt - ensure collar is good cut (this is where the traditional English cuts do, in my opinion, outperfom many others) and not damaged or worn. The first thing I notice is bent collars or points too close together creating a cramped, uncomfortable, look. Shoes - clean (polished) and not crusty.
No 2 - Bearing and posture can improve a nastier suit.
No 3 (optional): No black suits, baggy suits, nasty collars, no polyester, no white socks, no obtuse cuts or styles which shout 'spiv'.
Having said that, I would also say controversially, that wearing a suit is not the be all and end all - industry dependant of course. You can be smarter in a nice shirt and trousers, than in a failed suit.
No 1. It must fit and be clean. There is nothing scruffier than a bad suit. Shirt - ensure collar is good cut (this is where the traditional English cuts do, in my opinion, outperfom many others) and not damaged or worn. The first thing I notice is bent collars or points too close together creating a cramped, uncomfortable, look. Shoes - clean (polished) and not crusty.
No 2 - Bearing and posture can improve a nastier suit.
No 3 (optional): No black suits, baggy suits, nasty collars, no polyester, no white socks, no obtuse cuts or styles which shout 'spiv'.
Having said that, I would also say controversially, that wearing a suit is not the be all and end all - industry dependant of course. You can be smarter in a nice shirt and trousers, than in a failed suit.
#25
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
If I get another chance, I'll ask why they don't want to hear about my skills and experience, and just want to play hypotheticals.
#26
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
To be fair to my interviewers, they asked the set questions but let me ramble on and go off the point. They also asked me at the end, was there anything more I wanted to say about myself, and I was able to ask questions.
They asked me how I would do certain things relating to the job, but also about examples in my past that would show xyz.
One of the questions they asked me (also the first "essential" point on the selection criteria to which I had to submit a written response) related to a software package you'd only have heard of if you worked in one specific area of a specific sector, and I hadn't. I aproached this by researching the sofware as much as I was able - not much without a copy of it, TBH, but I ran an online demo - and comparing it to software I have used.
Generalising greatly here I know, but a huge part of your suitability for a role relates to personality and how you'd fit into the existing team, so don't get too hung up on technical aspects unless they're crucial to the job.
If you can do 100% of what they want with your eyes closed and one arm tied behind your back, do you really want the job?
They asked me how I would do certain things relating to the job, but also about examples in my past that would show xyz.
One of the questions they asked me (also the first "essential" point on the selection criteria to which I had to submit a written response) related to a software package you'd only have heard of if you worked in one specific area of a specific sector, and I hadn't. I aproached this by researching the sofware as much as I was able - not much without a copy of it, TBH, but I ran an online demo - and comparing it to software I have used.
Generalising greatly here I know, but a huge part of your suitability for a role relates to personality and how you'd fit into the existing team, so don't get too hung up on technical aspects unless they're crucial to the job.
If you can do 100% of what they want with your eyes closed and one arm tied behind your back, do you really want the job?
#27
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: South Australia - previously SHeffield, UK
Posts: 277
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
Working my way up the ladder in a solicitors in the UK, then having maternity leave twice in 3 years before I went back for my bonus then handed my notice in to come to Australia! I was very popular!!!!!!!
#28
Re: 1st interview in 13 years any tips please?
Well had the interview today. First 30 minutes had to produce a flyer for a health promotions seminar then provide a detailed list of how I would organise the venue, getting people there etc.
Then 40 minute interview with 4 people asking me questions and all writing down my answers. Didn't really ask me questions about what I have done before really about situations I have been in.
After the interview was told not to expect to hear something until after Easter.... the waiting goes on.
It went ok but you can never tell, fingers crossed for the next 2 1/2 weeks.
Then 40 minute interview with 4 people asking me questions and all writing down my answers. Didn't really ask me questions about what I have done before really about situations I have been in.
After the interview was told not to expect to hear something until after Easter.... the waiting goes on.
It went ok but you can never tell, fingers crossed for the next 2 1/2 weeks.
Possums ex Sheffielder