Some Interview advice please?

[omega 616]

snip

If they say "give me an example of a time you gave excellent customer service", don't say "I always give excellent customer service", they want an example ... I have been told to use a S.T.A.R system, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Situation = "When I was working at", "One time when I was" etc
Task = "I was asked to"
Action = "I did X"
Result = "and my supervisor/customer was happy", "the team met it's goal on time". Never just end with what you did, say what the result was.

Have 1 example for a time you had excellent customer service and 1 example for a time you worked as a team.

Keep good eye contact but don't have a serial killer stare, after they ask you a question glance away for a second (or even half a second) to think and then look back at them and answer. You want to come across as confident and not creepy or intense. Also helps if you smile and relax, I know easier said then done when you're being put on the spot.

If you wear a coat to the interview, take it off and put it on the back of your chair. Don't sit huddled up in a coat, whats the point in putting on a nice suit if you're just covering it up with a coat?

They may ask you what animal best represents you, don't say "dog" or "cat" as just about everybody will pick that ... take the opportunity to have a little laugh but don't say something like "whale 'cos they have a 6ft cock". Say something like a pig, likes to get stuck in, doesn't mind getting dirty, quite smart and loves to eat ... that's going to be my answer to it anyway.

Have 3 or 4 questions lined up to ask the interviewer, do not ask about holidays or sick days! Something about future job prospects in the company, any training available, (without sounding like a money whore) over time etc.

Don't marinade in manfume, it's ok to smell nice, it's not ok to choke the interviewer.

Don't answer the question "where do you want to be in 5 years" with "in your job" or end the interview with "so when do I start".

Sorry that was a lot but I have been on many many "employability" courses, I've had so many mock interviews I am pretty much a pro (I still fuck up though).

(I fuck up on the "tell me about yourself" question, it's just so broad I never know what to say or where to start)

 

[HoneyVision]

Be natural and comfortable, never forced or awkward. An employer can easily sense falseness.

 

[Shinsei-J]

My best advice.
NEVER sell yourself short, brag if you must.
NEVER say maybe, they want someone decisive, even if they don't really like your answer they'll like it better than maybe.
KEEP your posture straight the whole time.
ASK them more, not clear on a question? Ask them to clarify.
and finally just be happy about being there.

Good luck on it, hope it all goes well for you.

 

[Galletea]

Remember that in the worst case scenario, you don't get the job and you move on to the next one. Answer the questions as fully as you can. I would look up interview questions, they usually give you hypothetical situations and having an idea of the correct way to deal with things in your job is a good idea. Mostly it is common sense, but if it's in retail, they'll ask about difficult customers, so check up on the right way to deal with that, even if you think you know.

 

[Batou667]

Be yourself. Don't lie, but don't sell yourself short either. Be "yourself, but on a really good day", as I like to think of it.

Smile. Look the interviewer in the eye. Answer positively to every thing that comes up. If there's a negative, put a positive spin on it. "Any relevant experience?" "No, but I'm eager to try new things and I believe I'm a fast learner" - stuff like that.

Have a can-do attitude, don't mess the interviewer about with wishy-washy answers, and don't forget to ask questions yourself. If the interviewer asks "do you have any questions" and you don't have any, say "I did, but they've all been answered by what you've told me so far, thanks. If think of anything, I'll be sure to ask".

Best of luck and remember, sometimes you can say everything right and still not get the job. Put yourself out there for enough jobs, frequently enough, and you WILL get a job.