Interview Advice PLEASE

[croft210]

Had my first interview in ?!*& a lot of years this morning and felt it was going well until they asked me questions like "why do you want to work for this company", to reply "for the money of course" didnt feel appropriate and when they asked me my strengths and weaknesses I didnt like to say "wine &chocolate". Why do they ask questions such as these, I told them all about my quals and experience so I am not sure what the correct replies are, ok so i guess there are no right and wrong answers but I felt flumoxed! What would you guys have said/think they are trying to get out of me? And any other tips-I have another interview on Thursday so no i am scared!

[ummmm]

How old are you Croft???

[Nosha123]

dont panic.. its a common interview techinique to catch you 'on thehoof'.. always try to be positive - even if they r asking a negative question. keep your answer clear and constructive.
eg : weaknesses: I cope very well under pressure and a heavy workload - but need to learn that sometimes I should delegate easier tasks to my junior
or
why do you want to work here: I am looking for a new challenge where I can gain experience and grow within a big company as yours.

[croft210]

42!! But I've only had 3 jobs which I kept for a long time, since leaving school so not much interview experience

[croft210]

They're good answers Nosha. I do cope well under pressure but not if I'm in the spotlight, I prefer to be left to my own devices and not scrutinised, like in an interview situation!!

[Barney's pal]

nosha's answwer is good but I would add to that try to do some quick research about the company in question. It impresses if they think you have taken time to learn a bit about them and puts you above other candidates who haven't.

[croft210]

Ok Barneys Pal, I'll do that too. Its a local council job so shouldnt be too difficult to research, infact I've done a bit already

[Nosha123]

Good suggestion Barneys pal.......

[croft210]

Any other standard interview techniques I should know about?

[Ankou]

i asked an interviewee why he wanted to work with us, he replied:

“i have followed the success and failings of your company over a number of years and have noticed an increased market improvement/presence in the last six months which to me indicates a new management style, ambition and future growth. i am confident that i can match and enhance those ambitions and therefore want to be on board riding towards the future success of the organisation.”

i said, “that sounds great but i was talking about me and kevin and our team. why do you want to work with us?”

it was actually quite a good answer, but just try not to make it sound too scripted as he looked like he was reciting – it is often obvious and unappealing – so i bought it back to role specific. aim your answers to the job specific and the people interviewing you. they want you to fit in with them, not take over the world. you can do that once you are in the door.

[croft210]

Good advice Ankou, thank you. It would be pointless me practising a script anyway as I'm sure I would forget it all the minute I walk in the door, I find it much easier to be myself and be natural than to "act" in an interview. Feels like if I rehearse too much I am going to work myself up into a panic and blow it

[Naomicorlett]

I once asked someone what they had done to prepare for the interview eg. research about job etc. and they replied that they had laid clothes out the night before and had an early night! Not quite the answer we were lokking for !