JobSite - Be My Interviewer

Jimm, the students DO bring something into the department. Working with them ticks a lot of boxes. organisation, resourcefulness. team player, managing relationships, leadership etc etc. These will be strong selling points at your next interview.
Good luck

Sally Rowe - June 14, 2008 1:02 PM

Hi Angela - I completely understand

My boyfriend was in a similar situation, he'd worked in retail management for a big supermarket chain for 10 years and was finding it a real challenge to get another job. He found that he'd become quite institutionalised by the large chain he worked for and the prospect of external work was quite daunting.

He also really needed to brush up on his IT skills, as being in a retail environment meant he didnt use them very much in his work.

He took a course on IT and business and found his confidence improved and he could offer alot more scope in interviews.

Hope that helps.

Vicky - June 18, 2008 12:19 PM

What is the hardest decision you have ever had to make?

Mavic Dacayanan - June 25, 2008 9:33 AM

A basic tip is to imagine you are talking to someone you know, and respect. If that happens to be current or last boss then that's good. You should not be too casual, maybe imagine its one of your colleagues and you're talking technical. That can really help take the edge off your nerves.

Paul - July 18, 2008 3:41 PM

I suggest to every candidate I speak to, to firstly take notes with them, and secondly take notes while you are in there!

Taking pre-prepared notes indicates to the interviewer that you have prepared for the interview in advance, essentially showing that you are keen on the position - vital if there is more than one applicant with a similar skill-set.

Taking notes while you are in there shows a lot. Mainly:

1. Its one thing to be listening but if you are writing notes, you are SHOWING that you are listening.

2. You will have questions about the role to the interviewer - writing down the responses helps you to remember them in case you are expected to quote them at follow-up interviews.

3. Keeping notes of the questions you struggled with will help you remember the question to research alternative responses on sites like this.

REMEMBER - you need to keep a balance of writing notes and keeping eye contact with the interviewer! You don't need to write down every word they say!

Tim Kirk - July 21, 2008 12:42 PM

Hi Kat

I work in the employment industry and put together CV's for several different clients on a weekly basis. Don't think that having time off work to raise your children is at all a bad thing!

It takes a great deal of "transferable skills" to raise children such as organising and leadership qualities, time/deadline management, prioritising workloads and schedules, these are all things you should be mentioning on your CV.

If you're struggling to find some good references it may be considering doing some voluntary work, this also a good thing to have on your CV to break up those employment gaps as they show you're active and motivated to work.

Matt - August 1, 2008 2:59 PM

I would start very briefly with qualifications, move on quickly to recent work experience and roles relevant to the job and expertise gained relevant to the position.

Lois Roberts - August 12, 2008 12:15 PM

What you need to say, is although chocolate may be your biggest weakness, it is actually full of the B vitamins so you can forgive yourself for this, and try to limit your weakness to time when you are lacking in this area. That is explain how something negative can be seen as a positive.

Lois Roberts - August 12, 2008 12:18 PM

I have personally been thanked by e-mail after interviewing someone and was impressed by it, so I would say 'yes' I think it's a nice touch if you have their e-mail address already.

Jayney - October 13, 2008 10:32 AM

I am a sufferer of panic disorders and im wanting to get into to work but feel like my panic is stopping me

Jane - October 14, 2008 7:55 PM