Got My First Job Interview Ever!!! Any Advice?

[convict360]

find out about the company, including philosophy, mission statement, clients and what services they offer. When you have that understanding, look and learn the job spec; and think of examples for each of the requirements to the best of your ability. Thirdly, look at the industry, including competitors and factors to success; bonus points if you can identify where they are trailing, and what you would do to bring them back up. Final point would be to prepare 5 or 6 questions for them, including next steps of interviewing process, and questions on the work they are doing etc. Make no allusions to the wage, unless they bring it up first!

After that, it's about being confident; and believing you are the best for the job. Doesn't mean being arrogant, but you would benefit to demonstrate that you have belief in your abilities; as mentioned by previous poster above. Over dressing is always better than under dressing, suit and tie; or dress if female.

Best of luck!

 

[predatorkeeper87]

So, even though I'm medically excused from looking for work I've been applying for a few jobs here and there to make me feel less useless. I never thought in a million years that someone would consider hiring me!!! But someone has, and I have an interview this afternoon with an advertising company.

Does anyone have any tips or advice that may help me gain employment? I'm not nervous (although I probably should be) and I'm not expecting to get the job, but that doesn't mean I can't put some effort in, right?


I swear, May is my month this year. I got tickets to see my favorite band AND a job interview... If the month keeps up like this I'm guna have to buy a lottery ticket.

I truly admire your excitement over things most people would look at as trivial these days, your posts make me smile haha.

stay calm, don't stick on the negative things in your past or present or actually even mention them if they aren't brought up by the interviewer and overall just show enthusiasm for the job in general. It never hurts to learn what you can ab out the company specifically beforehand either. I tend to skim their websites or brochures to see exactly what they tend to focus on in their products, helps you connect easier.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

double post.

 

[jaws7777]

Good luck all good advice given.

 

[Tig Phish]

+1 to this, 15 minutes early, but NO MORE than 15. Lots of eye-contact, list your work experience BEFORE schooling on your resume, don't over-sell yourself, learn to multi-task and make sure they know you are capable of doing so, Use a lot of "Sir" or "Ma'm", always answer "Yes" or "No", try to avoid "lazy words" like "yea, uh-huh, mmm-hmm, etc" as well as "Crutch words" like "Uhm,, like, knowhatimean?, knowhatimsaying?, you follow?, right? - extra words that don't need to be there


Is that too confusing the way I worded things?

Highly agree, articulate your words. Although I highly recommend instead of using sir or ma'm, just use Mr/Ms______. Also lol best to avoid ma'm in general (better to use miss). Now Im in pharmacy and I use a curricula vitae so I actually have me education listed before my work experience. Never made a resume before.

find out about the company, including philosophy, mission statement, clients and what services they offer. When you have that understanding, look and learn the job spec; and think of examples for each of the requirements to the best of your ability. Thirdly, look at the industry, including competitors and factors to success; bonus points if you can identify where they are trailing, and what you would do to bring them back up. Final point would be to prepare 5 or 6 questions for them, including next steps of interviewing process, and questions on the work they are doing etc. Make no allusions to the wage, unless they bring it up first!

After that, it's about being confident; and believing you are the best for the job. Doesn't mean being arrogant, but you would benefit to demonstrate that you have belief in your abilities; as mentioned by previous poster above. Over dressing is always better than under dressing, suit and tie; or dress if female.

Best of luck!

Very good advice. When I interviewed at Target Pharmacy (RIP Target Pharmacy), they would ask me situational questions. "Name one time you made a mistake and how you fixed it". "Name one time you had a deadline for a project". "Name one time you worked in a team and a member was not working out". In which case name the situation/give an example and how you solved the problem. End of the day, you can pause and think before giving your answer. There's been times where there was a question out of nowhere and I couldnt answer off the top of my head. And guess what thats fine, just pause, think, and give your best answer.

I truly admire your excitement over things most people would look at as trivial these days, your posts make me smile haha.

stay calm, don't stick on the negative things in your past or present or actually even mention them if they aren't brought up by the interviewer and overall just show enthusiasm for the job in general. It never hurts to learn what you can ab out the company specifically beforehand either. I tend to skim their websites or brochures to see exactly what they tend to focus on in their products, helps you connect easier.

 

[Kittiee Katt]

Thanks all for the kind words, I'm more nervous waiting for a phone call than I was being interviewed.. Haha

I truly admire your excitement over things most people would look at as trivial these days, your posts make me smile haha.

I've lived a pretty boring life, so I get excited easy.

 

[Woefulrelic]

As someone also racked with illness I wish the best

 

[Kittiee Katt]

I didn't get the job, not that I expected to, I'm just happy to have had the experience of actually being interviewed. I now know what to expect if I get another interview, and hopefully I'll do better next time.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and kind words.

 

[jaws7777]

Sorry you didnt get it but going to the interview shows how brave you are

 

[Fat Homer]

Shame you didnt get the job, but ontop of all the above advise, Ad Agencies etc are looking for people who can show their creativity for the job... Showing your passion for the job helps, but dont be too overly enthusiastic or it can also sometimes backfire...