Interview soon, - got cancelled by agency
 

Ok I have an interview for a temp office administrator role with Surrey police on Friday.

Edit: Sorry moment of weakness, personal stuff cut out.

Any tips on how improve my confidence in interviews as my last ones 3 years ago didn't go well.

I'm sure you will be ok,If you have the confidence to ride a motorbike,then this should be easy!

I got beaten-up a few years ago.....quite badly (3 against 1,the 1 being me!)I stopped going out,I changed my route home from work everything.

But the best thing I did was when my mates dragged me out one night,now,I don't associate with the 'friends' that did this to me anymore,infact alot changed that night for alot of people.
But I DO go out now and enjoy myself.

Just go for it Law! Positivity is the answer to it,and be confidant.

GOOD LUCK MATE!!!!! :thumbsup:

I was 'attacked' by a guy at a party, many years ago, and for a long time afterwards I was scared and nervous and never went anywhere. I jumped at shadows and had no self confidence or self esteem at all. Then one day I just started to get angry................with him, for making me like that, but more with myself for being such a useless wimp.

I faced my demons, and beat them. It isn't easy, but you just need to tell yourself that you ARE a worthwhile person, you ARE capable and strong and you CAN do something if you set your mind to it.

Good luck.....................go get 'em!!!!!

You know you can do the job its just selling yourself which is the hard bit.

Its old advice but it always works for me to ease the nerves. (which is the main cause of people not doing well at interviews)

imagine the panel on the toilet or in a clown costume - see speedys avatar for inspiration!
Confidence builds slowly but the main aim is that you prove to them that you can do the job - if you don't know admit it but always state that you are willing to ask for help and spend extra time training if necessary to strengthen your weaknesses.


Honest I haven't just recruitment and selection training!!!

Besides group hugs help :grouphug:

Obviously missed something there, but confidence in interviews... I'm crap at them myself :roll: , so...


... main thing, take your time and be yourself.

If you try to do aything else they'll be hiring the wrong person!

That's all there is to it really. everything else, like speaking with confidence, giving short, to the point, considered replies, asking pointed questions etc - it all stems from self confidence and that is being yourself.

Easy to say, hard to do - but relax.

Make some notes of questions, and don't be afriad to refer to it - even tick off points that they cover so you don't need to ask about. If that means you have no questions at the end of the interview - don't be afaid to tell them that they have covered everything.

You are likely to have most of t he relevant skills they want otherwise you wouldn't have been asked to an interview - so, it's the person they're after as much as what they can do. So...

... be yourself.

You'll do fine. :kiss:

Theme tune to Rocky on the iPod?
Get yourself a "little engine that could" chant.
"Yes, I can. I know I can" kinda thing.

'Fraid we've all gotta be our own cheerleaders. I have an outfit you could borrow, but please don't wreck my pom-poms...

You can do it!

Thanks for the advice and good luck wishes.

I wish it was as easy as riding a motorbike, that's the only time I feel in control (even when I'm not and fall off).

K, You did miss something. I decided to edit my post as normally I keep my thoughts and feelings private, I don't even burden my family anymore with them.

The agency put me forward for this interview but I'll try my best.

Oh, I won't be imagining the interviewer as Speedy's avatar. I'm scared of clowns and dolls ever since watching It, Tommyknockers and that X-Files episode with the wierd doll.

Law... don't do this. Been there, done that, screwed up. I'm not telling you to spill your guts on an open forum, but talk to someone. You're not a burden, closing yourself will only make you think so. Find someone to talk to.

And best of luck with the interview. :grouphug:

Imagine them naked.Read PHs naturist thread and have a laugh at that,then let the imagination do the rest.
Read their blurb,as they like to think you are interested in what they do,and be prepared for the political correctness questions.Most public service jobs have them now as part of the national brainwashing policy,but most of all treat it as a day out and try to enjoy it.

Just be yourself hun take your time answer the questions and show a bit of your personality and you be OK i've temped quite a bit and acquired a bit of confidence that way i used to be a shy thing that wouldn't say boo to a goose so just take it easy

ive worked for the police they will ask u abotu the data protection act probably so learn that and the rest is goan prob b easy

and equal oppurtunities in the work place.

so make sure you know how to treat a

(delete as applicable)

white/black/asian/oriental
straight/gay/bi/unsure
christian/jew/muslim/catholic/agnostic
hobbling/wheelchair bound/blind/deaf/fit
fashion victim/badly dressed
sweet smelling/stinky
cute/ugly
chav/posh
man/woman/other

EQUALLY/

(apologies if I've missed anyone out :oops: )


oh, and when they ask you the poxy questions about strengths and weaknesses.

put all 'qualities' in both catagories.

e.g.
quality = honesty

good 'cos you're honest
bad 'cos sometimes you can be too honest and **** people off.
But at least people always know where they stand - see, the bad thing is good too :wink:

This shows you're a rounded person cos you don't just see things from your own point of view, you also see how different qualities affect other people and how different people might feel about them. :wink:

On the other hand, don't think about it too much. Just be yourself and be honest

Afterall, they're coppers, they'll sniff out the bullsh1t.....maybe :roll:

Hope everything went well with the interview, The Agencies in Guildford put me through to a few weird and wonderful interviews, but once you've got one under your belt, you'll be fine!!

Are you after general admin job?

I don't like Clowns either I just think of Stephen King's "It" But I like the horribleness of my avatar! :wink:

good luck with the interview.... most have given some really good advice so mine is..


You can do this!!!

It's corney but positive self talk really does work. Do not dwell on negative thoughts, visualise yourself being told you have the job. Imagine good things about what will happen in your new job. build a picture of how good you will feel, how confident you will be..

Good luck :grouphug:

As far as I am concerned its like this:

they wont call you for an interview unless they entertain the possiblity of giving you the job. Unless they think you are up to it. You can go in, and make them think otherwise on the day, but as of right now, they consider you an option.

They are not going to waste their time otherwise.

So, on Friday, go in, and gently re-assure them that they were right all along. :) Be calm, not opinionated, relaxed, smile, lower your shoulders, listen very carefully, and wait a second before you answer.
And when you do answer anything, speak slowly. Even if you are talking rubbish, it sounds ok if you talk slowly, clearly and carefully. If they interupt you stop instantly. Ask them would you like them to finish your answer, or go to the next question if there is any confusion.

The key to confidence in job interviews is to realise that you are the solution to their problem not the other way around. A vacancy needs filling, until it is the other workers and managers are having to carry the burden and every one involved wants you to be the right person to solve their problem for them.

The balance of power starts in your favour, they want you else they wouldn't interview you. All you need to do is get in there and show them they are right :D

once they are convinced you then need them to start selling to you, so you need to have the mentality that you are now interviewing them to check if they are suitable for you to choose them.

Always remember it is a two way process.

Did my first interveiw the other day under the new structured interview, they ask you what goals and succeses you had in the last three years all about a certain topic, like someone was rude to you and threatened you. give an example of a time when this happened to you and how you dealt with it.
Pi*ssed me off having to ask these questions to people who I want to be more practicable on how to run a railway than what they achieved in a bean counting competition.

H

My advice would be to pick up a few tips online, for example:

http://www.alec.co.uk/interview/intq1.htm
http://www.alec.co.uk/interview/intq2.htm
etc

- be prepared for the answers that you are going to give for questions (the generic ones) like why do you want the job, what are your career aspirations (see links)
- know the role you are applying for and the company
- always be positive even with a negative question, e.g., name three weaknesses (only give two) and put a positive spin on it, for example "in the past I found that I would be to thorough and spend to much time on one task to ensure that it was correct, however now I plan my time better which makes me more effect on the tasks at hand" etc etc.
- Always ask questions at the end, make them appropriate but try and keep it to a max of five questions.
- Be positive, what is the worst that could happen - you don't get the job so treat it as a learning experience. If that's the worst then there is no real reason to worry. As there are plenty of jobs out there.
- Be honest (but positive), you can spot a liar easily in an interview (most of the time)
- Biggest one for me is for a candidate to listen and understand the questions being asked.
- Don't pick your nose continuously (like some one did a few days ago).

Be confident in your own abilities and I'm sure you will do well.

Law

Try 'breathing space' to talk to. Have worked and used them for things unimaginable to this forum. They are worth ago.
It corny but they do work you have to trust me.

Interview wise I still believe you can do it. If they didn't think you could they wouldn't have put you forward. Got out there and show then that you are the best!

I must admit, I do interviews each year with no real intention of taking another job, but just for the practise.

I work on the know 50% of the job you're going for, learn 20% and get a breif knowledge of the remaining 30%. that way you're stretching yourself and won't get bored with the job should you get it.

I'd agreed it's a two way street, people do tend to get a bit to focused on pleasing the employer, and often forget to enquire what is beyond the breif job discription (it wouldn't be the first interview i've attended with a sheet of written topics I wanted covered).

I do try to read the people doing the interview, as they all have their own agender.

the interveiws always show how the industry is moving forward an if nothing else you'll learn what they are after.

Good luck.

Cheers Mark.

I'm fine, was having an off day yesterday. I realise burden was probably not the best word to use and maybe I cut out too much from the first post.

My first post did say (slightly edited) -
My last interviews were for a placement year for my Computer Science degree. I didn't get a placement and instead took a year out. I had to change my course to Computer Studies. I lost interest and eventually didn't bother trying in the last few months. I never completed my dissertation and only turned up to the exams to fill the seat. In the end instead of a 2.2, I got a Higher Education Diploma - not a HND (Basically a certificate that means you dropped out).

I realise now that period in my life has affected my career prospects due to fact I have no Computer Science degree and I have some unwanted medical history.

Thank you for your concern but I really am fine.

Hey Law, just saw this, just take your time and be yourself, alot of people just want someone who is themselves. Not sure what to suggest that hasnt been covered by everyone here but if you get nervous infront of people just practice on your own or infront of a friend/family