Interview And Test! Eeeeek!

[turquoise]

Hi there,

I have an interview this coming Wednesday and prior to the interview I have a 30 minute written exercise testing prioritisation and communication skills. Can anybody tell me or give me an idea of what this would entail?

I haven't had an interview in 6 years and I am scared as hell, so having to also do a test really makes things better!!! :(

Thank you for your answers.

[boxtops]

Prioritisation will presumably ask you a list of tasks and to place them in order of importance or urgency (and you might be asked to explain your reasons). Communcation skills is (IMO) more likely to be verbal - unless (as you say it's written) they want you to write a letter e.g. to a customer in response to a query. Are you able to say what sort of company this is, where you have the interview?

[Peaspeculiars]

Agree with Boxtops.
Additional: more often than not employers look for people who are keen, willing to adapt and learn skills on the job. So, dress smart, be interested in what they are saying (lean forward slightly, make eye contact and breath steadily), think before you answer, and ask plenty of 'researched' questions about the role and their company.
Have a go at 'mind rehearsal' in advance i.e Of they ask me this question, this would be my answer etc. etc.
And Good Luck!! :-)

[turquoise]

Hi there boxtops, thank you for your response.

It's for a not-for-profit organisation and they are a socially responsible company called business in the community www.bitc.org.uk

[turquoise]

Thank you Peaspeculiars, I really appreciate your help and tips and boxtops. I am scared as hell, but I need this job because I am desperate to leave my current job :(

[boxtops]

One hint - don't let the desperation show. Don't say anything derogatory about your current job - if they ask you why you want to leave (or why you want to join the new company) speak about wanting to move in a new direction, or to develop into a new role, gain new experiences, etc., bringing what you've already learned into a new role to benefit the new job. Read up on BITC so you can ask questions - they are bound to ask you why you want to join them so you need to appear knowledgeable about what they do, and what you can bring to them!

[Peaspeculiars]

I sincerely hope you get the job turquiose :o)
If you have chance, ask them why the previous person in the position left - their body language will be very telling. And try to relax into the interview - just remember that they are humans too and may or may not have led an interview before and could be nervous too - If you look at the interview as an opportunity to obtain information about the role and how it could suit your skills and personality, rather than how they view you, you will relax a bit. You have nothing to lose!
All the very best
Peas
xx

[buildersmate]

Agree with Boxtops and her good advice given.

This sounds like the classic 'Inbox' exercise. You get a box containing random bits of paper with messages on them that need dealing with. Range of lengths of messages, nature of the issues involved, and relative importance. Some is very important (say an unhappy important customer with a complaint that needs sorting quick or business may be lost). Some is trivia (say request to fix a game of squash next Tuesday evening).

You need to scan the contents, work out what is important, and draft written replies to address each of the issues. There's a time management aspect to ensure you cover all the requests.

That's the way I used to run the exercise.

Expect a discussion on how you found the exercise, as part of your interview.

[turquoise]

I really appreciate both your time and help on this matter and well wishes. I will take on board your advice and do the best I can, nothing to lose, experience gained and learn from it. I'm getting nervouse just thinking about it :S

Thank you xx

[turquoise]

Thanks for the advice and heads up buildersmate :)

[Jennykenny]

Don't forget, they want to find reasons to give you the job.

[janbee]

Wishing you well for Wednesday, turquoise xx Knock 'em dead kid !!

[turquoise]

Awww thank you for your kind words guys! xx

[CheesecakeLover]

Congrats on the interview Turquoise - how did it go?

[turquoise]

Hi CheesecakeLover, thank you for the congrats, but I don't think it went too well :( It's like I prepared for it and know what to say but when I'm in front of them I just forget some of the stuff that I needed to say.

I haven't heard back from them yet, they said that they will let candidates know whether they need to come back for a second interview, but I doubt I got it x

[CheesecakeLover]

Job hunting is a scary roller coaster - I hate it. But have a little confidence, you never know what they were thinking. Keep positive, good luck and let us know how you get on :)

[DaisyNonna]

Sad that prospective employers set hurdles.
Some people are better on the flat and not allowed to demonstrate this.

[CheesecakeLover]

DaisyNonna - For one job I've had the experience of send an application (CV and cover letter) which I passed, to then be asked to complete a one hour computer based test (which I also passed), to finally be invited to an interview. The interview was in two sections, similar to Turquoise's experience noted above with an interview and another computer based test. I failed at this stage and was not invited for the second round of interviews.

Job hunting sucks!

[turquoise]

Thank you Cheesecake, yeah I totally know what you mean Daisy, I'm a very good worker and if they hired me I would show them this, but I'm just so rubbish at interviews which is my downfall, this is what blocks me from getting the job I want :(

[DaisyNonna]

Cheese, I too have been in that position and the fall back position seems to be that if you are not employed it is your fault. Employers seem to be more interested in what you can't do, rather than what you can. Obviously never heard of on the job training. Education and training should be on going. No one knows everything.

[harrylggy]

Interview before entering a job is so much fearful condition for me. I feel much fear when i think that I will be present in the front of some of the expert persons. I really feel afraid. But, my dear friend, I wish your best results for interview.