Reply to: Not getting the jobs...interview advice anyone?

[namnadasht]

Its hard time!

Pay extra attention to the job description.
Write down things that you like to talk about during the interview (take them to the interview or review them prior to the interview).
Read more about the interview questions.
Since you already able to secure a few interviews this shows that you are capable of doing the job (as per your CV!) So try and identify why they are keen in interviewing you and be good at selling yourself!
Learn from your mistakes!
Do research on job hunting in recession.

[northernrampage]

Why not take the £13k job for now? Start looking again in March when employers have their new budgets approved.

Yeah, I didn't think about that. I just had a look at the job specs for the type of work I did many years ago... I don't even have the skills for 'em anymore, but sure the job-centre will think I'm lying.

But am finding other things when I hunt around, so cheers for the tip, can get something (I hope) to fill the gap.

[northernrampage]

..but only if you are fat.

Else wear a very short, tight skirt. Black. And stockings. And high heels.

Sorry, off for a cold shower now...

Nomadd

One of my male friends has told me several times to dress like a s**t and assures me that's what his wife does and she always gets the job (I think he means push-up bras, slightly open top, and very high black heels).

I've explained to him this may not look professional and I also get interviewed by women, but he doesn't quite get it

On the job front, I've managed to find something else online in my local area to apply for, doesn't pay much but actually my skillset so will help me eventually if I apply for other work in London. Now I just need to get it.

[nomadd]

Even if you are female, wear a suit.

..but only if you are fat.

Else wear a very short, tight skirt. Black. And stockings. And high heels.

Sorry, off for a cold shower now...

Nomadd

[norrahe]

Even if you are female, wear a suit.

[Fat Dave]

Why not take the £13k job for now? Start looking again in March when employers have their new budgets approved.

[northernrampage]

Okay, I'm back again on the interviewing (I was hoping to actually post and say... yup, got a job.. and thanks for advice).

Still not got a job, I'm improving, as I'm not getting negative feedback (apart from one that said "we don't think you'd like to deliver bad news").

Went for one job that I really wanted, it was permanent, but great company and role, and I could have done it.

However, I came number 3 out of 12. Guy who interviewed me said no negative feedback whatsoever, just a gut feeling and went for someone else.

Agent just said it's a hard job market at moment, up against others who are raising the level, and it was a great company.

Anyone else finding this or is it just flannel?

I've got DVDs out, asked the job centre (3 times) for interview practice, referred me onto someone, who basically told me to go away, as don't really need it. Had my 6mth review, and the advisor ignored my request, then said she'd see if they could get me something at next review (6 weeks away). In the meantime, I have to go for any job I'm told to go for as I've been signing-on for a while. She pulled-off one at 13k in a different market and said my benefits could stop if I didn't go for it. It's not just about the money, but it would mean doing something that I couldn't get career progression/take time out for interviews. Plus, I don't get my interview travel paid once off benefits.

I've rung advice lines, been talked through interview advice... but it's mainly what I'd get online. I suggested doing workshops at job-centre, but was told "it had to be done by people who know what they're doing".

I can't think of anything else, don't know anyone to practise with in my home town, but thinking of going and taking a couple of weeks out in London with other friends/family to run through mock interviews (don't usually get time as just going back/forth for jobs). And hopefully keep positive.

I can't think of anything else... just wanted to see if anyone had any other advice or if the job market was similar for others. Or if anyone has ever just had a bad run of interviews.

[TheFaQQer]

My apologies. I didn't realise you were female. That puts a slightly different spin.

Indeed it does. Short skirt, tight blouse, few buttons undone, high heels, stockings....

Back in 5.

[wurzel]

"I'd think twice about wearing a suit, go smart-casual".

I always wear a suit or at least a jacket and tie. I know what you mean about digital agencies though, once I was interviewed by somebody in shorts and at another interview I was told by the interviewer that I looked a bit overdressed; made me feel really uncomfortable & as a result the interview didn't go well.

[northernladuk]

I'm not phrasing fashionable/creative correctly... am meaning getting something fairly smart but with a twist e.g. smart trousers worn with shiny shoes and a shirt that's probably still white but cut differently. But it often costs more money to get something that looks smart and up-to-the-minute, hence getting it expensed at the dole office if I can.

My apologies. I didn't realise you were female. That puts a slightly different spin. For a guy its a suit for interview in my book. End of. Smart is a suit, always has been and always will be whatever the culture in the company. Just becuase one company doesn't do business in a suit they surely can't be so far out of touch with the business world they can't appreciate a suit is standard formal attire. Shirts hanging out, interviewing in jeans.. utter bollocks.
Granted there is a range of suits from scurffy to investment banker. A good choice of suit is an essential part of an interview.

For the ladies I guess it is much more of a minefield and now I see what you meant by fashionable. You have a much wider range of business attire so yes can be much harder choice.

tailored grey dress, if anyone's interested..!

I am!!!

[TheFaQQer]

It's often said they make up their minds if you're suitable in the first 30 seconds, I guess I made the wrong impression hence the disinterested interview.

Again - at my Oracle assessment day, one of the managers told me later that he had decided after the first five minutes that unless we screwed up completely during the day, he would take me and someone else that he liked the sound of.

[TheFaQQer]

Someone I joined Oracle with accidentally forgot to pack a tie for the assessment day. The HR people said it was no big deal, but I'm sure that it got him extra brownie points that he went out at lunch time, found a shop and bought one ready for his one to one interview in the afternoon.

If I have to do a face to face interview (and I've only done four in 11 years), then it's suit and tie. You never get a second chance to make a first impression and all that.

[gingerjedi]

I had an interview a couple of months back for role I really wanted, it was brought forward to a Friday instead of the scheduled Monday and I was only told on the day.

I explained to the agent I was already on the present clients site and didn't have a suit with me though I was wearing a trousers, shoes and a short sleeved shirt, fine the agent said I'll let the client know in advance, I'm sure they'll understand.

The interview went crap, they just didn't seem very enthusiastic, on the way out I mentioned to the guy who escorted me off site that I would usually wear a suit but didn't have one with me and the agent must have explained this? He looked blank and said no the agent hadn't said a word.

It's often said they make up their minds if you're suitable in the first 30 seconds, I guess I made the wrong impression hence the disinterested interview.

Thanks LA International.

[RichardCranium]

Bit of a crazy discussion on what to wear for an interview. For me, it's a smart suit every single time. If it's some kind of creative place, I would only dress casually if the agent mentioned it.

Indeed. This is the first time I have ever heard someone say they'd go to an interview in anything other than a suit.

Even the generic advice is "... unless going to work on a building site in which case turning up clean and smart is normally sufficient."

I think the "untucked shirt", "no tie" advice must be a wind-up.


But what would I know? I only spent 8 years in TV and 2 in publishing.

[MaryPoppins]

Bit of a crazy discussion on what to wear for an interview.

For me, it's a smart suit every single time.

If it's some kind of creative place, I would only dress casually if the agent mentioned it.

Same, but in this case I think this is probably quite relevant. I had an interview yesterday and wore a tailored grey dress, if anyone's interested..!