Interview Surgery tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17 2008-06-25T09:35:52Z Movable Type 3.34 Returning to work - Gaps in your CV tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.632 2008-06-24T09:34:08Z 2008-06-25T09:35:52Z I have spent quite a long time at home looking after my children, now I want to get back into work and find myself stuck when it comes to listing referees (doubt they'd remember me) and trying to turn my... Vicky I have spent quite a long time at home looking after my children, now I want to get back into work and find myself stuck when it comes to listing referees (doubt they'd remember me) and trying to turn my experiences into something an employer would see. Kat Nerves tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.628 2008-06-06T12:19:29Z 2008-06-06T14:56:36Z I am an active job seeker in IT. I have lots of skills, but I am not performing well in the interview. I can feel I am not smiling, looking either sad or serious and cant use my presence of... Vicky I am an active job seeker in IT. I have lots of skills, but I am not performing well in the interview. I can feel I am not smiling, looking either sad or serious and cant use my presence of mind. I am basically a person who doesn't talk much to strangers, but once I get to know them I am fine. How can I avoid this habit to be successful in interviews? Vitha Reviewing your employment history in interviews tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.630 2008-05-21T12:00:50Z 2008-06-18T12:04:04Z I have a question about when your interviewer refers to your CV, particularly your employment history. You are moving from one job to another on avg. every 2 years - for at least last 4-5 instances and you have overall... Vicky I have a question about when your interviewer refers to your CV, particularly your employment history. You are moving from one job to another on avg. every 2 years - for at least last 4-5 instances and you have overall 10 years employment history. Say, the good part is you have been sticking to the same industry [say Telecom], how much weightage do you think your interviewer would give to this. Positive or Negative? Saleem Khan Interview Etiquette tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.631 2008-05-13T12:05:52Z 2008-06-18T12:08:51Z Is it a good idea to thank an employer via email after having had an interview? J Shah... Vicky Is it a good idea to thank an employer via email after having had an interview? J Shah First Impressions tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.617 2008-04-29T11:45:39Z 2008-04-29T11:46:27Z What are the most important things to do in the first five minutes of an interview? Jennifer... Vicky What are the most important things to do in the first five minutes of an interview?

Jennifer

]]> Killer Questions tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.618 2008-04-20T11:48:21Z 2008-04-29T11:49:12Z Killer questions can be difficult to respond to, but they are just a tactic used by interviewers to understand how you think and react in a given situation. Have you got any examples of tricky questions you have faced? The... Vicky Killer questions can be difficult to respond to, but they are just a tactic used by interviewers to understand how you think and react in a given situation.

Have you got any examples of tricky questions you have faced?

The Jobsite Team

]]> Negotiating salary tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.616 2008-04-18T11:44:56Z 2008-04-29T11:47:02Z If I am asked what I want to be paid as salary, what am I supposed to answer? Hilda... Vicky If I am asked what I want to be paid as salary, what am I supposed to answer?

Hilda

]]> Progressing within your department tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.615 2008-03-28T11:41:20Z 2008-04-29T11:47:55Z I graduated with a good 2:2 in Bsc biomedical sciences. I have had numerous interviews for a training position within the NHS in vain. In 2006 I decided to apply to a position I'm overqualified for and landed a job... Vicky I graduated with a good 2:2 in Bsc biomedical sciences. I have had numerous interviews for a training position within the NHS in vain.

In 2006 I decided to apply to a position I'm overqualified for and landed a job in order to progress within the department. My manager gives excuses that they dont have money, yet they keep training students (3 so far) on sandwich university courses who bring nothing in to the department.

I'm dedicated and I know I have good interview skills, what can I do because im getting frustrated now?

Jimm

]]> Prepare a Presentation tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.580 2008-03-06T14:05:24Z 2008-03-06T14:07:02Z I have an interview and need to do a presentation. The presentation title will be - "What major priorities and risks should be considered when completing a major office reorganisation?" This should be no longer than 10 minutes. Any advise... Vicky I have an interview and need to do a presentation. The presentation title will be - "What major priorities and risks should be considered when completing a major office reorganisation?"

This should be no longer than 10 minutes.

Any advise please

Jean

]]> Telephone Interviews tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.574 2008-02-25T17:40:16Z 2008-02-25T17:47:43Z I am to have a telephone interview based on competence and technical knowledge with GlaxoSmithKline. What specific questions should I prepare for? Do you have any advice regarding my approach for this interview?... Vicky I am to have a telephone interview based on competence and technical knowledge with GlaxoSmithKline.

What specific questions should I prepare for? Do you have any advice regarding my approach for this interview?

]]> Second Interviews tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.573 2008-02-25T09:18:24Z 2008-02-25T09:19:22Z Hi, I've got through to the second stage of an interview and they've told me that it will require two tests to examine my written and communication skills. Do you know of anywhere I can find an example of the... Vicky Hi, I've got through to the second stage of an interview and they've told me that it will require two tests to examine my written and communication skills.

Do you know of anywhere I can find an example of the test to help myself prepare. Alternatively if you have any tips you believe would benefit me then please let me know. Thanks, Eli

]]> Selling myself tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.572 2008-02-22T08:25:39Z 2008-02-26T11:17:50Z I have a tendency to play myself down. I'm going for a senior position that I know I can do well but I tend to think it's too far over my head. How can I manage this in front of... Vicky I have a tendency to play myself down. I'm going for a senior position that I know I can do well but I tend to think it's too far over my head. How can I manage this in front of my prospective new boss and remain confident? Apprenticeships tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.569 2008-02-19T17:55:35Z 2008-02-20T09:22:34Z I am going for my first job interview this week, I am applying for an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic I was wondering does anyone have any advice for me?... Vicky I am going for my first job interview this week, I am applying for an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic I was wondering does anyone have any advice for me? Making the change from academia to the world of work tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.568 2008-02-19T17:02:37Z 2008-02-19T17:14:29Z I have been working for universities most of my life, as a researcher. Now I am 36 and I need to change career. The problem is I am overqualified for most of the jobs but do not have necessary experience... Vicky I have been working for universities most of my life, as a researcher. Now I am 36 and I need to change career.

The problem is I am overqualified for most of the jobs but do not have necessary experience (I am considering administrative jobs). I have only had one interview so far and it did not go very well. First problem was I could not answer very specific questions related to work, although I am a quick learner and I am sure once I have started I would figure it out very quickly.

Second problem - what do I say when asked why I am changing career? The truthful answer is that I am not too good in my current job, and I also need stability (I could continue on fixed-term contracts but I have a family now and I am tired of uncertainty), but I cannot say that.

Could you please give me advise on how to convince employers that despite being an old academic, I will quickly learn new tricks. And how to answer "correctly" why I am changing jobs...

]]> Notes tag:blog.jobsite.co.uk,2008:/interview_surgery//17.562 2008-02-18T19:39:00Z 2008-02-19T16:20:32Z Is it okay to take notes along so that I can refer to them should I need a prompt?... Vicky Is it okay to take notes along so that I can refer to them should I need a prompt?