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I haven't got the job I had an interview for last week.............

20 replies

HRHQoQ · 12/10/2005 14:11

yet! I have a 2nd interview on Friday ! (I know some of you already know that ).

Last weeks interview was my first ever job interview, so obviously this will be my first ever "2nd" interview. Does anyone have any tips for me. Could I be asked anything different??? I'm even more nervous about this interview as I know it means I'm even closer to getting the job.

ARGHHH

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Fimbo · 12/10/2005 14:12

Good luck, I read the other thread and thought they had cancelled your 2nd interview or something - phew!

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doormat · 12/10/2005 14:13

sorry to hear than QoQ
but hope the next interview is a success

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zippitippitoads · 12/10/2005 14:13

Most likely it's a chance for someone else to see you, and to go into a bit more detail about your suitability for the job

Good luck you should feel confident at this stage

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HRHQoQ · 12/10/2005 14:24

doormat - this is a 2nd interview for the same job - so I haven't got it - yet .

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HRHQoQ · 12/10/2005 19:40

come on you lot - you must have some tips for me.

Looking back on last weeks, I don't think I "sold" myself very well - how can I make sure I do this time round????

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doormat · 12/10/2005 19:46

sorry I read wrong QoQ
hope ya get it

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Nightynight · 12/10/2005 19:51

be yourself
don't crack any jokes
look the interviewer in the eye, but not all the time.
don't look down at the desk/your hands

did you get asked these the first time round:
why do you want this job?
how will you get to work?
what if one of your children is ill?
do you have childcare arrangements fixed up?
what skills do you have that make you particularly suitable for this job?
where do you see yourself in 5 years time? (ie are you going to stay in the job)
why did you leave your last job?

And think of something to say when they ask "do you have any questions?"

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RachD · 12/10/2005 19:51

QofQ, my experience of second interviews - and yes I have had alot, and interviewed quite a few aswell is that the atmosphere is quite different from first interview.

You will be asked different questions.
They already like you.
They already know that you are suitable.
Or else you wouldn't be there.

The emphasis for second interview is more about selling yourself.
The questions are more based around "why should we take you, rather than the other person"

The fact that they need a second interview is because its close , and they can't decide between you and the other person - or else they already would have decided.

Go sell yourself girl.
Chin up.
Tell them that you are so worth it.

Good luck.

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Nightynight · 12/10/2005 19:52

and good luck!!

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HRHQoQ · 12/10/2005 20:11

did you get asked these the first time round:

why do you want this job? - YES - but don't think I gave that great an answer

how will you get to work? - yes

what if one of your children is ill? yes - DH will get up with them in the night while I'm busy working

do you have childcare arrangements fixed up? - yes - as above

what skills do you have that make you particularly suitable for this job? yes - but again don't think I really answered it very well.

where do you see yourself in 5 years time? (ie are you going to stay in the job) no - but hopefully still there

why did you leave your last job? - errr what last job LOL.

ARGHHH - I found writing the application form hard enough....and I'm even worse at putting into spoken word what I want to say (hence the reason most "deep and meaningful" discussions between DH and I are initiated by me writing a note - then he knows what I'm wanting to say )

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Nightynight · 12/10/2005 20:45

cant think of any more, but good luck!

they might give you a tour of the place?

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HRHQoQ · 12/10/2005 22:17

nighty - already had the tour too !

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MiladyMarsLady · 12/10/2005 22:19

DH off at footie. Have asked him. Will remind him when he's back and post straight away.

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zippitippitoads · 13/10/2005 08:50

I think the important thing is to listen to the question you're asked and then answer it.

My worst failing in interviews is latching on to a word from the question and rambling for ages, then realising I've forgotten what was asked and left the interviewer with no time to ask the rest of their questions.

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crunchie · 13/10/2005 09:54

Oh and when they ask if you have any questions, don't say NO. Have a couple of prepared ideas in your mind, and not about holidays/pay etc. Perhaps in your case about training courses you could go on to supplement your skills, or gain proper qualifications to be able to offer them more. That is if the subject has not been covered already.

Think prior to the interview what you can offer, which the other candidate MAY not be able to.

Your mothering skills are VITAL here, you can use it to your advantage. You have already shown commitment to caring for people, you are used to multi-tasking, keeping calm, working with troublesome toddlers (and old people often have similar slightly selfish needs). Bear in mind being a mum uses an amazing amount of different skills, everything from multi-tasking to careing as already said, but negotiation (I was always told the best negotiators are little kids!!) Organisation, time keeping (school runs etc) Also the albility to smile when cleaning up poo and vomit (!) and not being afraid to work hard and get your hands dirty.

How local do you live? This can be a real advantage if you only need walk to work (no public transport excuses)

How flexible can you be? At the moment the job maybe for set hours etc, but there maybe opportunity to be flexible as your circumstances change

Have you ever done work like this job? even if it was years and years ago it is worth mentioning. If not think of what skills the job entails, and match them to what you HAVe been doing (eg Motherhood)

You are SOOOOOO qualified for this job, words on a bit of paper are not important, practical experience is.

If I were an emplyer I would usually look to employ a mother as they make the best, most loyal, most flexible, commited workers in the world and they are not too hung up on the whole ego trip (usually)

Good luck

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HRHQoQ · 13/10/2005 11:38

crunchie - I had loads of questions prepared in my head last time - but she answered them all when telling me more about what the job involved, I already know about the training.

Thanks for the advice - I just have to hope I've got the confidence tomorrow (can't believe it's so close!) to sell myself properly.

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Bozza · 13/10/2005 12:26

QofQ - perhaps you could ask about opportunites to extend your hours once your youngest is at school. Would suggest that you were committed to being there long term. I think there can sometimes be trouble with retention of careworkers.

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HRHQoQ · 13/10/2005 12:50

bozza - it's a night job - so DS's being at school doesn't come into the equation unfortunately. I guess I could offer to do more nights a week

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zippitippitoads · 14/10/2005 11:00

Good Luck if you aren't there yet

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HRHQoQ · 14/10/2005 12:25

Thanks - just come back. Apparently they're taking on 4 new night staff, and they had 5 shortlisted .

Think it went well, "if" they offer me the job they're offering me 2 nights (istead of the 3 I wanted) but there's plenty of opportunity to cover for people off sick, on leave etc etc.

They're going to call me about 2ish - to let me know if I've been successful or not!!!