So I completely screwed up an interview today by getting on the wrong bus and having to reschedule. It's going to be my First Job Ever (unless you count an unpaid internship last year), my third interview ever (counting the one for my college), and I really want to get this job! I'll be canvassing to pass the Equality bill, which (being Not Straight Or Cis myself) is something I feel very passionate about.
It sounds like they really need people working for them, but since I already missed one interview and had to reschedule, I need tips on how to make them want to hire me. Does anyone have any good tips on questions they might ask, what to say and what not to say, etc.?
So I completely screwed up an interview today by getting on the wrong bus and having to reschedule. It's going to be my First Job Ever (unless you count an unpaid internship last year), my third interview ever (counting the one for my college), and I really want to get this job! I'll be canvassing to pass the Equality bill, which (being Not Straight Or Cis myself) is something I feel very passionate about.
It sounds like they really need people working for them, but since I already missed one interview and had to reschedule, I need tips on how to make them want to hire me. Does anyone have any good tips on questions they might ask, what to say and what not to say, etc.?
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rainbw
Two days late, so I'm not sure if you had the interview yet, but it sounds like you already have a great advantage: your passion. Let it show! Some jobs don't care about passion, but if it's to advocating the Equality bill, I think it's safe to say some enthusiasm is appreciated and even necessary.
Unfortunately, depending on your personality, you might have to lie or stretch truths. Sometimes they will ask things that sound irrelevant like "what're your hobbies?" but they're actually trying to see if you're a person that's fit for the job. If one of your hobbies is looked down upon (like sleeping a lot, for example) don't mention it. If you do, make it sound better, e.g. "I like to take naps because it rejuvenates me and increases my productivity"). But that's kind of a bad example.
Generally: be more positive than you're probably used to being. Always make yourself look like a person who is adaptable and capable of learning / eager to learn quickly, e.g. when they ask you to tell them about yourself, capitalize on those traits.
Good luck, and if you already had the interview, I hope you get the job!
@
rainbw
Two days late, so I'm not sure if you had the interview yet, but it sounds like you already have a great advantage: your passion. Let it show! Some jobs don't care about passion, but if it's to advocating the Equality bill, I think it's safe to say some enthusiasm is appreciated and even necessary.
Unfortunately, depending on your personality, you might have to lie or stretch truths. Sometimes they will ask things that sound irrelevant like "what're your hobbies?" but they're actually trying to see if you're a person that's fit for the job. If one of your hobbies is looked down upon (like sleeping a lot, for example) don't mention it. If you do, make it sound better, e.g. "I like to take naps because it rejuvenates me and increases my productivity"). But that's kind of a bad example.
Generally: be more positive than you're probably used to being. Always make yourself look like a person who is adaptable and capable of learning / eager to learn quickly, e.g. when they ask you to tell them about yourself, capitalize on those traits.
Good luck, and if you already had the interview, I hope you get the job!
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rainbw If it makes you feel better, I once missed an interview for a job substitute teaching. It was a phone interview, and I stupidly missed their call because my phone was on vibrate and I set it on the table and didn't notice it ringing. Also I was trying to make spaghetti, which, looking back, was a bad idea because I knew they were going to call soon. Anyways, I rescheduled the interview immediately, and when I did do the interview, I got the job! So it's completely possible you could still get the job.
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rainbw If it makes you feel better, I once missed an interview for a job substitute teaching. It was a phone interview, and I stupidly missed their call because my phone was on vibrate and I set it on the table and didn't notice it ringing. Also I was trying to make spaghetti, which, looking back, was a bad idea because I knew they were going to call soon. Anyways, I rescheduled the interview immediately, and when I did do the interview, I got the job! So it's completely possible you could still get the job.
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rainbw I actually wrote an essay for collage last year about what candidates should consider during an interview. I'll spare you from reading the entire thing (unless you're interested, PM me if so) but here's some extracts you might want to read
- Questions to ask during an interview:
1. Can you tell me more about my day-to-day responsibilities?
2. How can I help my team grow professionally? (If you're working with a team)
3. When staff have conflicts, how are they responded to?
4. Where do you see the company in 3 years and how would this role contribute to your vision?
5. How do you evaluate success?
- While undergoing an interview, one must evaluate their body language and appearance in order to give off a better impression to their interviewer.
- Firstly, it is important to maintain eye contact with your interviewer (not direct staring, but holding eye contact for a few seconds at a time). Making eye contact, paired with sitting straight, is a great way to show that you are focused and paying attention
- An occasional smile, nod, or laugh when appropriate would serve as a great way to show that you have personality and that you are not so timid or shy as to try and hide your true self.
- Slouching or sitting hunched forward may make one appear to be too relaxed or too casual. An interviewer may not believe you to be serious about your dedication to your role.
- One should also refrain from touching their face or neck, as these behaviours are often associated with anxiety
- Hands should also be relaxed and unclenched. Repetitive behaviours [should be avoided]
- Typically, one should strive to dress more formally than what is expected for the job. (I can personally vouch for this, having shown up to a head chef job in a full suit once)
- Dark coloured suits or blazers are favoured by interviewers as these articles of clothing are often associated with professional roles and give off the impression of professionalism and respect for the job role.
I care a lot about interviews, especially as someone who's extremely anxious and kinda needs to put on an act to get through them
@
rainbw I actually wrote an essay for collage last year about what candidates should consider during an interview. I'll spare you from reading the entire thing (unless you're interested, PM me if so) but here's some extracts you might want to read
- Questions to ask during an interview:
1. Can you tell me more about my day-to-day responsibilities?
2. How can I help my team grow professionally? (If you're working with a team)
3. When staff have conflicts, how are they responded to?
4. Where do you see the company in 3 years and how would this role contribute to your vision?
5. How do you evaluate success?
- While undergoing an interview, one must evaluate their body language and appearance in order to give off a better impression to their interviewer.
- Firstly, it is important to maintain eye contact with your interviewer (not direct staring, but holding eye contact for a few seconds at a time). Making eye contact, paired with sitting straight, is a great way to show that you are focused and paying attention
- An occasional smile, nod, or laugh when appropriate would serve as a great way to show that you have personality and that you are not so timid or shy as to try and hide your true self.
- Slouching or sitting hunched forward may make one appear to be too relaxed or too casual. An interviewer may not believe you to be serious about your dedication to your role.
- One should also refrain from touching their face or neck, as these behaviours are often associated with anxiety
- Hands should also be relaxed and unclenched. Repetitive behaviours [should be avoided]
- Typically, one should strive to dress more formally than what is expected for the job. (I can personally vouch for this, having shown up to a head chef job in a full suit once)
- Dark coloured suits or blazers are favoured by interviewers as these articles of clothing are often associated with professional roles and give off the impression of professionalism and respect for the job role.
I care a lot about interviews, especially as someone who's extremely anxious and kinda needs to put on an act to get through them
@
Vipera Thank you for the tips! Ironically, you posted right after I finished the interview. I did end up using your advice on a few more applications, though. (I applied as a cashier at a local shop and included the fact that I ran an Etsy for a few months. I didn't sell anything, but they don't need to know that.)
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epicpython I'm glad that mistake isn't too deal-breaking! I asked my mom about it and she said she had to reschedule for her current job, too. I'm
hopefully not going to make that mistake again, but it is good to know. c:
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IrritatorRaji Thank you for all the advice!! I never know what questions to ask during interviews (I messed up one partially because of that), so this is really helpful! I think I need to buy more professional clothes though lmao, I have only two collared shirts on me currently. One of them only barely fits, and the other is from Target.
I did really well in the interview and they offered me the job on the spot!! Unfortunately, they did some fact-checking, and they're not allowed to hire anyone under 18. I recently turned 17, so that's a problem. :')
I had an interview working as a caretaker/assistant to someone and also got offered the position, but I'm a college student and was just looking for a summer job. They wanted someone who could work consistently there for over a year. I DID get a cool bracelet out of it, though, so there's that.
I've been applying to other places, but given that I only have about two months left over the summer it doesn't seem super likely I'll get hired anywhere else. Thank you all for the tips, though! Next semester I'm working as a tutor and hoping to at least apply to work in the library, so I'll keep all of this in mind. And if I end up being called back in for an interview over the summer, this'll be really helpful!
@
Vipera Thank you for the tips! Ironically, you posted right after I finished the interview. I did end up using your advice on a few more applications, though. (I applied as a cashier at a local shop and included the fact that I ran an Etsy for a few months. I didn't sell anything, but they don't need to know that.)
@
epicpython I'm glad that mistake isn't too deal-breaking! I asked my mom about it and she said she had to reschedule for her current job, too. I'm
hopefully not going to make that mistake again, but it is good to know. c:
@
IrritatorRaji Thank you for all the advice!! I never know what questions to ask during interviews (I messed up one partially because of that), so this is really helpful! I think I need to buy more professional clothes though lmao, I have only two collared shirts on me currently. One of them only barely fits, and the other is from Target.
I did really well in the interview and they offered me the job on the spot!! Unfortunately, they did some fact-checking, and they're not allowed to hire anyone under 18. I recently turned 17, so that's a problem. :')
I had an interview working as a caretaker/assistant to someone and also got offered the position, but I'm a college student and was just looking for a summer job. They wanted someone who could work consistently there for over a year. I DID get a cool bracelet out of it, though, so there's that.
I've been applying to other places, but given that I only have about two months left over the summer it doesn't seem super likely I'll get hired anywhere else. Thank you all for the tips, though! Next semester I'm working as a tutor and hoping to at least apply to work in the library, so I'll keep all of this in mind. And if I end up being called back in for an interview over the summer, this'll be really helpful!