In 2 days I'm off for an interview...

AK002
AK002 Registered Posts: 2,492 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
Soo...

Having never had an interview, what sort of stuff should I know ;-) (Blobby i'm counting on you here....)

The position is Management Accountant at a large oil company based in London.

Flying down at 7am Thursday eeekk.
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Comments

  • BeccaLouJ9
    BeccaLouJ9 Registered Posts: 896 Epic contributor ๐Ÿ˜
    Good Luck..

    Be Confident and sell yourself! I guess just all the usual stuff!

    Have a good flight!
  • Budgie
    Budgie Registered Posts: 56 Regular contributor โญ
    Prepare well, know your subject. Make sure you know every detail of the job description/spec. Remember to breathe! Sounds daft but interview nerves cause your breathing to become too quick and shallow. You don't want to pant like a dog at them (or do you?!).

    Most of all, know every detail of your CV and be prepared to answer awkward questions about it. Be confident without being cocky, which will put them off.

    Knock em out AK :) Not literally of course. Hope it goes well.
  • Budgie
    Budgie Registered Posts: 56 Regular contributor โญ
    Excellent work getting an interview BTW!
  • Claire321
    Claire321 Registered Posts: 209 Dedicated contributor ๐Ÿฆ‰
    I would suggest you think about what you could say if you are asked what you strengths and weaknesses are, and also which tasks you enjoy most and least.

    It sounds obvious but do some research on the company, especially if they are a large company, it should be fairly easy to find out some information.

    Good Luck

    Claire
  • Gem7321
    Gem7321 Registered Posts: 1,438 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Good luck AK

    It might be worth downloading a copy of their accounts from Companies House - they may well ask you how you can improve certain finance aspects of the company so it's good if you already know their financial position.

    Then all the boring stuff - good handshake, don't fidget, don't waffle etc. etc.

    Be prepared for awkward questions, my least favourite are: what are your strengths/weaknesses and what tangible contribution can you bring to the company/role.
  • Jan
    Jan Registered Posts: 654 Epic contributor ๐Ÿ˜
    AK002 wrote: ยป
    Soo...

    Having never had an interview, what sort of stuff should I know ;-) (Blobby i'm counting on you here....)

    The position is Management Accountant at a large oil company based in London.

    Flying down at 7am Thursday eeekk.

    Think Robert might suggest speaking slowly, so the southerners can understand you!

    ;-) Good luck
  • blobbyh
    blobbyh Registered Posts: 2,415 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    I'm not a recruitment consultant AK, I just have to suffer them everyday!

    But there's plenty of advice both on this and other threads such as being confident in your own abilities, doing your research on the employer, putting your personality into the company as well as your skills into the role, trying to think of a couple of alternative questions rather than the same run of the mill ones most other candidates might ask etc.

    Mentioning the movie 'Local Hero' and how oil companies are ruining Scotland, I'd probably steer clear from.
  • Monsoon
    Monsoon Registered Posts: 4,071 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Not having had many job interviews, I have no advice. Just, good luck!
  • Marga
    Marga Registered Posts: 981 Epic contributor ๐Ÿ˜
    Best of Luck!

    Advice:

    Thank them for taking the time to request you for the interview
    Allow them to speak to you - do not interrupt and if you do apologise for doing so
    Look them into their eyes when speaking- no looking down or rolling your eyes
    Sit properly , straight back and a bit leaning forwards with your hands slightly crossed over one another on top of the table (if there is one) - this shows pre disposition for the role and drive , ready to take on anything

    i have a meeting so i will carry on later if i can :)
  • Rinske
    Rinske Registered Posts: 2,453 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Good luck!

    Make sure you explain what you offer them, rather than asking about what they offer you!
  • AK002
    AK002 Registered Posts: 2,492 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Completely forgot about this thread... oops!

    Great advice though...

    Wasn't really luck getting an interview... old family friend etc...
  • jewels.p
    jewels.p Registered Posts: 1,774 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    So you are abandoning the Scots eh! :mad:

    Traitor!
  • A-Vic
    A-Vic Registered Posts: 6,970 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Good Luck AK - having attened 12 interviews in the last two months i would say brush up on compendency questions :)
  • AK002
    AK002 Registered Posts: 2,492 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    So you are abandoning the Scots eh! ad:

    Traitor!

    Hehe... I can fight them from the inside ;)
  • keane155
    keane155 Registered Posts: 404 Dedicated contributor ๐Ÿฆ‰
    Good luck with the interview. :)
  • jewels.p
    jewels.p Registered Posts: 1,774 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    AK002 wrote: ยป
    Hehe... I can fight them from the inside ;)

    Ah I see I get you now! Ssssh dont tell them all what you are planning.

    Today's the big day hope it goes well.
  • AK002
    AK002 Registered Posts: 2,492 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Well....

    It seemed more of an informal chat than an interview...

    Anyway, director (family friend) emailed me and said a formal offer will be coming in the next few days.. woohoo :)
  • BeccaLouJ9
    BeccaLouJ9 Registered Posts: 896 Epic contributor ๐Ÿ˜
    Well done- Worth the airmiles then!
    x
  • Budgie
    Budgie Registered Posts: 56 Regular contributor โญ
    Even if it's a family friend, they must see you're capable before they would take you on, so well done AK! :)
  • Rinske
    Rinske Registered Posts: 2,453 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Well done indeed! Lets hope you both like the offer!
  • A-Vic
    A-Vic Registered Posts: 6,970 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    very well done :)
  • keane155
    keane155 Registered Posts: 404 Dedicated contributor ๐Ÿฆ‰
    Well done!! :)
  • slackda
    slackda Registered Posts: 460 Dedicated contributor ๐Ÿฆ‰
    Well Done!
  • Monsoon
    Monsoon Registered Posts: 4,071 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Congrats!
  • PGM
    PGM Registered Posts: 1,954 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Good news :)
  • AK002
    AK002 Registered Posts: 2,492 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Rinske wrote: ยป
    Well done indeed! Lets hope you both like the offer!

    He also e-mailed me the terms of the offer haha! He's a wee devil :P
  • jilt
    jilt Registered Posts: 2,903 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Congratulations AK. Does this mean you'll be relocating or is the position in Glasgow?
  • AK002
    AK002 Registered Posts: 2,492 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Moving.....
  • Rinske
    Rinske Registered Posts: 2,453 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    Sounds very good! Are they paying for your relocation as well or is that something that wasn't arranged yet?
  • jilt
    jilt Registered Posts: 2,903 Beyond epic contributor ๐Ÿง™โ€โ™‚๏ธ
    AK002 wrote: ยป
    Moving.....

    Ooh exciting stuff! So any idea when you'll be starting?
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