Interview advice please

[rachbon]

didn,t think that was allowed

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Sometimes I think a rejection would be easier to handle, at least then I could commit fully to some other plans.

[minute5072]

Another final interview....another "not quite good enough" FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I have a question about application forms.

I have an application pack and the employer is being explicit that I provide evidence that I meet the Person Specification with examples. Now usually I would go for an essay style in the futher information section, but I am feeling that headings would be more appropriate i.e easier to read and straight to the point.

So would you think sub headings or bullet points are valid (I think they are expecting loads of applications as they are taking on loads of folk).

[Katster]

I suggest headings. I can send you some examples if it will help?

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Try bullet points, as they'll be easier to read for the people going through them. Will have been through loads and would rather get to the point as quickly as possible which isn't as bad as it sounds as you if you send to much time writing it may cause them to loose focus and miss the point you're trying to make.

When giving evidence of blah, blah, always remember to write like this...

Problem that needs to be addressed

Action that you took

Results that came from your work

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I suggest headings. I can send you some examples if it will help?

[Katster]

That would be helpful kat

[Katster]

Yeah, I was doing something along those line.

I am a little stuck on "Evidence of applying Equal Opportunities policy in a previous role.". My examples of "I used to let Gay Nigel in finance use my mug and I didn't catch Gayness" and "Evn though I sat next to Mr Patel for 2 years I never once asked him for a good curry recipe"

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I've had to answer this a few times I think (maybe in actual interview though) I'll have a scan through now for some good ones to send on to you

[dakyras]

I've just been offered a job as an English teacher at a university in China.

Hot. Diggity.

[TalkShow Bob]

It's one of those questions that gets really up my nose. I was once asked "What do you think of our Equal Opportunities policy?" and I answered "Well what was the problem you had in the first place to have the policy".

Seriously what do they expect you to say?

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I've had to answer this a few times I think (maybe in actual intervoew though) I'll have a scan through now for some good ones to send on to you

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I've just been offered a job as an English teacher at a university in China.

Hot. Diggity.

[dakyras]

Cheeeeers.

If anyone gets offered a telephone interview, I would definitely recommend wearing a suit for it, and preparing the room you're taking the phone call in so you've got a desk to sit at, and have a tonne of notes prepared for any questions you think they might ask.

Wearing the suit and sitting at a desk really gets you in the right frame of mind for an interview. I know if I hadn't done it, my tone of voice and attitude would have been completely different. You feel pretty silly sitting around the house wearing your best interview suit, but it was definitely worth it.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaah. Fleeing the country!

Also, good luck Rufus

Edited June 2, 2010 by dakyras

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Only supposed to be a 30 minute panel and it ended up in over 50!!.

Equal Opps came up, and I actually had a clever answer.

Q. "What is your view of Equal Opportunities".

A. "Well it is removing barriers to allow everyone the same opportunites. In fact it's about not treating everyone equally, as to do that would remove the mechanisms to allow for Equal Opportunities. At the end of the day it is about identifying the need for a certain bias towards a person needs".

We did waffle a bit, but I was happy with that

[rachbon]

i'm in a really annoying situation with work..

i work for an outsourcing company at the moment and the last job i have listed on my CV is an operational support assistant (admin for an insurance company), although i haven't actually worked there for over 2 months now. i was off for a while, then was transferred to another project doing a different job which i haven't put on my CV because i'm off sick again and had just finished training, so didn't actually know what job i'd be doing, so it wouldn't be possible for me to put any info regarding that job on my CV.

the problem is, i really need to leave this company because they've put me through so much shite that i really can't go back there. i'm looking for another job and i'm really not that fussy, i'm going to apply for some retail jobs and would even take temp work over christmas but i think it would look strange to an employer that i'm leaving an office job for temp retail work.. does it look bad that i have loads of office experience on my CV and am wanting to leave that to work in a shop? i don't know if it goes in my favour that im currently employed, or if it would look better if i'm unemployed.. i just desperately need to leave this company that i'm with. does anyone have any advice?

Edited November 18, 2010 by _rachelbon

[RABun]

Theoretically it is better if you are employed when looking for a job, though it hasnt done me any favours this year while looking. The plus side is that lots of places must be looking for christmas staff anyway.

Do you have previous retail experience? If so make sure you put it in your summary at the start of your CV as some recruiters will only look at the most recent employment history.

I dont think it looks bad at all, most people go through a career change or two in their employment life. Nothing wrong with moving into retail from an office environment if thats what you want to do

I totally understand the need to leave your current company i went through a few months of that earlier this year, to the point where my ex actually told me to just leave. I'm glad i didn't as i'm now single again and would not be able to support myself unless i'm working, and things have improved a bit at work. With the job market being what it is, things would have to be really bad to warrant leaving employment. Having said that, your personal wellbeing is more important than any job.

[rachbon]

Theoretically it is better if you are employed when looking for a job, though it hasnt done me any favours this year while looking. The plus side is that lots of places must be looking for christmas staff anyway.

Do you have previous retail experience? If so make sure you put it in your summary at the start of your CV as some recruiters will only look at the most recent employment history.

I dont think it looks bad at all, most people go through a career change or two in their employment life. Nothing wrong with moving into retail from an office environment if thats what you want to do

I totally understand the need to leave your current company i went through a few months of that earlier this year, to the point where my ex actually told me to just leave. I'm glad i didn't as i'm now single again and would not be able to support myself unless i'm working, and things have improved a bit at work. With the job market being what it is, things would have to be really bad to warrant leaving employment. Having said that, your personal wellbeing is more important than any job.

Edited November 18, 2010 by _rachelbon

[RABun]

yeah i think employers should understand that people might want a change, i would prefer retail to office work right now, i just want something different. i always get all flustered though and don't know what to say when they ask why i'm leaving my last/current job.

i don't think i'll go back to work, i'd probably end up getting sectioned if i did, they're f**king evil. i'm just desperate for a new job

[rachbon]

there is nothing wrong with saying you dont feel your talents are suited to your current job and are looking for a change in career.

[treacle]

yeah

i'm just going to apply for everything i can, and hopefully get something.

[rachbon]

I thought you were thinking about traing as an OT? Might be a good time to look for a college/uni offering courses in that?

[treacle]

yeah i am going to do a course in something i could get a decent job out of, just not sure what yet. still considering becoming an OT, or possibly something completely different.. i think some colleges start courses in january so might look at starting something then. the way i've been treated at work is the best motivation to actually go and do something that really interests me.

[rachbon]

aaargh i have a job interview today! it's just for a wee part time job at a hotel near my house.

i've had a few phone calls today about jobs but got really flustered and nervous because i just hate the way people from recruitment agencies are so aggresive

i was offered a job at this hotel a few years ago but turned it down because i had just taken another job in a restuarant and it was closer to my house.

should i mention that? i was thinking it could go in my favour, they've offered me a job once so maybe could make them more likely to offer me a job again?

i just get all worried that people think it's strange i'm leaving a full time office job for a part time job in a hotel... i would genuinley prefer that sort of work though and just hope that they will believe me.