Not getting the jobs...interview advice anyone?

[jmo21]

I went for a permie interview with a car company. They gave me the "What would you say is your biggest weakness is?" question and I replied "can never manage to get out of bed in the morning".

Then i saw the HR lass actually write that down, nooooooooo.

marked down as a smart ass eh? no hire!

[MaryPoppins]

](...harsh opinion from Northernlad, as per[/I]...)

See if that throws up any insights and post what you found out and lets see if we can help further.

Although worded in his usual manner, I agree with the above really, time to stop being Mr Nice Guy, if that's your approach.

It's so hard at the moment, and of course it is hard to remain positive when it's been so long. Good luck, hopefully this third interview will come through.

My interview rules are usually to be as businesslike as possible while ensuring I come across as human, as well as appearing ultra confident and positive.

Never ramble, answer a question as required but don't be tempted to continue speaking beyond the point.

I was interviewing with my senior, for my replacement on my last gig. At the end of one interview, one guy was asked did he have any questions. He laughed in a slightly manic way, then proceeded to ask me the exact same questions he'd been asked "Ok, well, er...how would your colleagues describe YOU?" etc.

Another applicant had walked ten mins from the local train station and, while still panting and gasping at the beginning of the interview, asked (quite aggressively) to have twenty minutes to "catch her breath" and "could she have a cup of strong tea please".

[nomadd]

I'm getting a few interviews, for contract, and permanent roles (apart from this week, things died-down, guessing it's the christmas slow-down??), but not getting jobs.

Well, I went through 6 months of not even getting an interview, so I'm jealous already...

One contract job, had 2 interviews, and awaiting a third as they want me to meet another team... so I'm not holding my breathe as they sound dis-organised.

Stay positive. It's not over 'til it's over...

I'm not great at interviews, however now had 6, and slowly improving. But feedback I've had from some is that I'm "nice" and "sociable", and "honest".

Practice makes perfect...

For those who do interviews is this just code-words for: you are like an Andrex puppy and we'd much rather have someone with a bit of oomph?

Ignore the feedback. I have, for 20 years...

For one contract I was asked "what would your colleagues think of you?". I said "laid-back but I can be to the point". They fedback to the agent that they didn't think I could cope as I described myself as laid-back and it was a pressurised environment. Worrying I'm shooting myself in the foot every time I open my mouth.

Hmm... Can't say I've ever used the phrase "laid back" in an interview...

I've had a year and a half out which doesn't help, would you even bother to interview people if you thought this would matter? Or is it more likely they haven't noticed the dates?

Been there, seen that, done it: the 1.5 years out thing. My advice, do your homework before the interview. Make sure you've boned up well - even on stuff you've used for years - to make sure you are razor sharp in the interview. It's amazing how much you can forget in that short time... They probably haven't noticed the dates, or they don't care. Can't be that important, or they wouldn't have bothered even interviewing you...

Trying to stay optimistic, but if anyone has any interview tips would be great. Or any stories of getting a job after countless interviews.

Absolutely stay positive. I know it's very hard to do so after a longish stint out of work, but nothing is going to kill your chances more than a 'negative' attitude - both inside and outside of interviews.

As I said above, bone up. Make sure your IT skills are current. If you think your interview skills are that bad, consider taking some coaching (seriously.) And keep attending those interviews; they will all give you something positive.

I kinda messed up the first two interviews I had a couple of months back, but what the hell, I learnt from it. The next two interviews went much better, and both resulted in job offers. I don't think I would have been as sharp as I was if I hadn't had screwed up the first two, so there is always something positive to take away.

Nomadd

[Durbs]

I was interviewing with my senior, for my replacement on my last gig. At the end of one interview, one guy was asked did he have any questions. He laughed in a slightly manic way, then proceeded to ask me the exact same questions he'd been asked "Ok, well, er...how would your colleagues describe YOU?" etc.

Beauty.

Remember interviewing for a server admin/DBA years ago and asking the lad how he kept up with the latest technologies, what kit he had at home etc. All the previous interviewees had reeled off how they had Server 2000/SQL 2000 set up and subscribed to this and that.

This lad looked at us in horror and said "What? Mess with computers outside of work? I think you'd have to be some sort of wierdo to have that stuff at home, nah, i hate stuff like that"

We sensed a possible lack of commitment to the role.

[RichardCranium]

I'm getting a few interviews, for contract, and permanent roles (apart from this week, things died-down, guessing it's the christmas slow-down??),

Good. That means you are doing something right. Your CV is giving the employers the right message.

but not getting jobs.

That suggests you are giving a different message in the interview from the message your CV is saying.

I'll start with a seemingly rude question for you to think about, but not answer: does your CV really describe you?

One contract job, had 2 interviews, and awaiting a third as they want me to meet another team...

Well, you must have been doing something right then, mustn't you?

so I'm not holding my breath as they sound dis-organised.

Of course they are disorganised. If they weren't disorganised they wouldn't be recruiting contractors.

I'm not great at interviews, however now had 6, and slowly improving.

Well then. Interviews do take practice and you know you're getting better, and you are getting interviews. What's the problem?

But feedback I've had from some is that I'm "nice" and "sociable", and "honest".

Why is there a 'but' at the start of that sentence? Are you going for programme manager or financial manager or interim manager roles? If so, then I could see it might be a problem.

... runs off an does some research ... oh dear. I see.

12th May 2008
Get interviews but not job.. any tips?
I'm a project manager ... Have had 4 interviews in 2 weeks ... said I'm "nice, bright, intelligent" and would fit into the culture. But one also said "how honest I am".

This is a long standing problem, innit? Right.

Firstly, I assume you have read all the guides and tips on how to do interviews. You have, haven't you? You have taken the lists of standard questions and sat and practised answering them, yes? And you are doing all the standard correct things (take CVs, learn their names, smile, stand up straight, shake hands, ask questions, speak clearly, don't waffle, don't bulltulip, check they are happy at the end, etc.)? I have a folder of papers on interview technique I have built up since I was a permie supervisor recruiting staff for myself. It is all stuff that is freely available online.

Next, I take it you have done a Google search for "free interview practice" and the like and followed some of the links.

3. I also see you are signing on. Get up the Job Centre and tell them you NEED interview practice sessions. Not written down stuff, not being lectured but lots of practice. Get them to see what training they can arrange (if need be, paid for by the Discretionary Fund) or through their Programme Centre.

4. If the Job Centre won't do that, ask if they know anyone who might be able to facilitate a few mock interview sessions and get together yourself and some other professionals to spend half a day in one of their interview rooms (they do have them) practising on each other while the others take notes and then criticise after each one. I did that on a training course years ago: it hurts and is fun and is very effective.

Actually, you could do all of that yourself. Ask the Job Centre if you can have one of their rooms for half a day and put notices up in their advertising the session. (Even if the Job Centre won't let you have a room the Library probably will.) Then get them to ask their professionals when they sign on if they would like to participate. If you pull that off, you will have something to put on your CV ... and the makings of a small Plan B!

5. Do you know anyone (family or friends) that interviews people? Could you ask them if they could interview you for a pretend job and give you feedback? (In a home setting, I don't mean in their workplace!)

For those who do interviews is this just code-words for: you are like an Andrex puppy and we'd much rather have someone with a bit of oomph?

Do not trust feedback too much. Some is made up. And it may genuinely be that the job is not right for your personality and they quite rightly saw you would not fit in. It happens.

For one contract I was asked "what would your colleagues think of you?". I'm shooting myself in the foot every time I open my mouth.

Check Jobsite and agency web sites for lists of questions. Many of these lists have suggested answers. Go through them and work out what you would say if they come up.

Eventually you get a feel for how to answer these silly questions. But, be aware that interviewers that ask silly questions are incompetent interviewers. They think they are trying to be clever by asking clever trick questions so they can catch people out. That is a great way to recruit bulltulipters and reject sincere, honest people. You don't want to be working for a tosspot like that anyway.

I've had a year and a half out which doesn't help, would you even bother to interview people if you thought this would matter? Or is it more likely they haven't noticed the dates?

When they did the shortlisting, the CVs of those selected for interview get re-read. By the time they come to interview you they will have forgotten, but someone will have noticed the gap.

Trying to stay optimistic, but if anyone has any interview tips would be great.

Google is your friend. Jobsite (of all places) has loads of good stuff.

Or any stories of getting a job after countless interviews.

It does happen. With every interview you get better at doing them.

By the way: never turn down an interview. They are all good practice. Especially when the Job Centre will pay your travel!

[Gonzo]

Hello,

I'm getting a few interviews, for contract, and permanent roles (apart from this week, things died-down, guessing it's the christmas slow-down??), but not getting jobs.

One contract job, had 2 interviews, and awaiting a third as they want me to meet another team... so I'm not holding my breathe as they sound dis-organised.

I'm not great at interviews, however now had 6, and slowly improving. But feedback I've had from some is that I'm "nice" and "sociable", and "honest".

For those who do interviews is this just code-words for: you are like an Andrex puppy and we'd much rather have someone with a bit of oomph?

For one contract I was asked "what would your colleagues think of you?". I said "laid-back but I can be to the point". They fedback to the agent that they didn't think I could cope as I described myself as laid-back and it was a pressurised environment. Worrying I'm shooting myself in the foot every time I open my mouth.

I've had a year and a half out which doesn't help, would you even bother to interview people if you thought this would matter? Or is it more likely they haven't noticed the dates?

Trying to stay optimistic, but if anyone has any interview tips would be great. Or any stories of getting a job after countless interviews.

Thanks.

I am probably the last person that should be giving interview tips because I don't seem to do too well in them either but here goes.

There are some good tips in this thread already. I would add:

You are getting interviews which you should feel very good about in the current market.

Have you reminded yourself recently about everything involved in your previous gigs?

They were some time ago now. I think that you need to be able to talk about what went on as though it was last week which is not easy to do if your memory is a little hazy.

The feedback that you have had is about you personally. While I would take all such feedback with a pinch of salt, because it is about you personally it would suggest to me that the Project Manager side of you is not coming across.

[stingman123]

backhander?

[MrMark]

backhander?

One does wonder.

[northernrampage]

thanks everybody... all the advice has been great.

I think I was used to looking in a market when things are slightly better, and was not preparing enough. And then panicking/becoming negative as I'm really skint.

I have now rung the jobcentre, booked in a "future pathways" interview to see about interview and assertiveness building tips (in December though, they are booked up, anyone would think there's high unemployment or something).

Have spoken to a careers advisor on tips, going to arrange mock interviews with my friend in London etc. And will remind myself not to completely bugger my chances up by saying "non-career related" attributes about myself in interviews.

And will spend some time printing off more info on job interviews. I now realise I have to actually have a plan of action etc.

I have also just found out that the job centre will buy me interview clothes, and buy clothes when I actually get a job... so will bin the smart suits and get some more media-related clothing so I look the part. Agents kept mentioning smart-casual and I'm either scruffy or smart.

Btw, my brother told me to come on here for any advice, he said I'd get it told to me straight, but it would be funny and worth it. I have no idea of his user-name though.

[RichardCranium]

will bin the smart suits and get some more media-related clothing so I look the part. Agents kept mentioning smart-casual

Wot? For interviews? Surely not.