Interview.....ARGH.....Help

System
System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
edited June 8 in Student general

I started on the AAT course in September, and have been applying to different local accountants and agencies.

I have now got two interveiws in three days.
BUT ive never had a proper interview before, for the job i have now i just had to go in and do silly little tasks, with like 9 other people, so it wasnt as intimidating as a one on one interview.

I really should be confident enough to go in and walk it because at christmas i was the one interviewing for the temp jobs at my place so i know the requirements but does anyone have any hints or tips that could maybe help me through?

Thanks guys

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    1. Sleep well.

    2. Arrive about 10 mins early. Wait round the corner out of sight and take deep breaths.

    3. Smile.

    You'll be fine.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    I've had a group interview like you, I have also held them too. I have had 2 interviews with agencies and I have had 2 interviews with employers.
    The interview with employers has never been a one to one but on both occasions a 3 on 1.

    Having held interviews, you should have that level of confidence about you that you don't stutter when you answer questions and you don't go question-shy when it's your turn to ask away.

    Main thing that helped me in my interviews was basically be myself, speak clearly and slowly and confidently, dont take anything you can fiddle with ie a Pen or Phone. MAKE EYE CONTACT when speaking to someone, don't look at the floor or the ceiling - apportion the eye contact between the interviewers.. and most importantly.. BE YOURSELF!

    Don't forget you have probation if you get the job and if you turn out to be someone completely different to who they interviewed they might take the funnies with you. Chill and enjoy it :-)

    Good Luck
    J

    EDIT: Dont smoke or drink coffee before you go in! Not Nice Impression to give.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Cheers

    But im still bricking it haha

    Just gonna have to relax a lil bit, im not the most confident person but one of my managers just shot everything onto me at christmas and i managed so im sure i can do it but we will see, i will let you know how i get on but any more advice would be brilliant
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    There comes a point where there can be too much info from too many people which will confuse you even more and take your mind away from the concentration of the interview - but if Helen (Baggybooks) sees this thread, she has a wealth of experience to offer!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help
    19051984 wrote:
    There comes a point where there can be too much info from too many people which will confuse you even more and take your mind away from the concentration of the interview

    Absolutely, I bombarded myself with TOO much info and my head was swimming with different advice/tips (stuff I found off the net not on here !) I put a thread up asking advice last year http://www.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/13875.page

    That will give you a lot of advice and I'm glad I'm not the only one bricking it before interviews ! I've got one tmw afternoon.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Good luck Rusk!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Thanks Rusk, good luck in yours too, ive had a quick flick through your threads and its given me some ideas which is useful, especially about what kinda things to ask and be asked lol

    Anyway
    Good Luck
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Quick question, I was told by the agency to tell my prospective employer I was earning a salary higher than what I'm currently on, can I legally do this ? If I was to do it can they check with my current employer if I was lucky enough to get the job ? :?:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Pay is a confidential matter - therefore even if they asked your previous employer, it wouldn't be legal if they divulged the information.
    I said I was on a higher salary than what I was on, I was on 16.5k and said I was on 17.5k with an average 2k rise coming up in 4 months time. They offered me 20.5k to take the job, so it worked for me...
    it's how confident you are as a person, you need to know what you would be earning if you are to spin the little white lie, you don't want to turn round and say I'm currently on £20k then say you bring home £1,000 a month.... doesn't work out right. So if you're going to tell them this fake increase, don't increase it too much.
    You can legally say anything, an interview isn't a contract, there's nothing written in stone to say you need to tell the gods honest truth, you can say what you want and how you want to.

    Good Luck fella, let us know - we're all routing for you!

    J
    EDIT:: NO SMOKING OR COFFEE DRINKING BEFORE THE INTERVIEW AND DON'T TAKE ANYTHING YOU CAN FIDDLE WITH - AND FOR CHRIST SAKE TURN YOUR MOBILE OFF

    GOOD LUCK!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Thank funch for that :-o I'm glad I'm not the only one to 'stretch the truth!'

    I lied about my salary and now I feel absolutely dreadful about doing it :( I did raise this query with the agency and was told 'I've never known a prospective employer to queary a current salary, however if they do just say you misunderstood the question' :shock:

    Anyway, feedback from the interview was 20 mins after interview they had already rung the agency saying they were keen, very impressed and wanted to know my notice period. So it's looking positive ! Just feel terrible for lying :(
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    DONT FELLA, they have a value for you at the interview - 20 mins is a great response time! WELL DONE!

    I was offered the job 2 hours after my interview started- quick response generally means a job well done!Fingers are crossed for you
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Thanks for the quick response, much appreciated... one point though ... I aint a fella (well not since the last time I looked) :lol::D:D:D:D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    I don't believe you - I might have to check myself :shock: :lol:
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Cheeky bugger :P Have you always been a smart arse ? :lol:

    DAW1986 : How'd you get on with your interview buddy ? :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help
    Ruskii wrote:
    Cheeky bugger :P Have you always been a smart arse ? :lol:

    Fraid so 8) :lol:

    So, shall we say my place or yours?

    Fingers still crossed DAW- although they are getting cramped a little!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Hey,

    Just had my second one this morning,
    My first one went really well but that was just for an agency so it wasnt as uptight as i thought, she was really pleased with me and is sending a memo to all her companies stating future finance and hopefully i will get some offers from that but if i do more than likely they will be tempin which i aint overly pleased with but its experience.

    The second interview this morn was brilliant, he was really impressed with my CV and with the fact im taking it upon myself to do AAT and funding it myself and he was talking to me as if i had already got the job sayin like oh and you will be going down to london for the induction

    But after all the bricking it i felt really confident when i went in and really relaxed too which i think helped.

    Ill let you know if i get the job though
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    That's great mate well done ! :D

    I got the job from my interview, I was offically offered today but it was hinted at all week, finally got the offer at 10am this morning and the salary I was bloody shocked at, it's MILES more than I wanted. After having a think about other stuff I think it's the right decision to do. The new boss is quite chilled out, just bricking it now about meeting the rest of the team and how I get along with them ! :lol:

    Nervous about handing in my resignation letter as well, but hey ho we all have to move on eventually ! I've enjoyed my job where I am, I love the place, but it's time for something new :)

    You'll be great DAW so even if you do go temping somewhere, it's all good for the CV and it's experience ! :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    YAY RUSKII!!!!

    Congrats on the Pay too :-) ALWAYS A BONUS!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Nice one Rusk

    And thanks
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Ive been offered the job at the second interview, he phoned me on Monday morning to offer me the position so ive handed my notice in at Argos
    i start the beginning of the month
    Yey!!
    Thanks for all the advice peeps!
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    So, how did it go- obviously well but what did they ask and what did you say? have you looked at your new offices, what they like? you excited now?

    and

    CONGRATULATIONS
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Congratulations !!!

    Well done, bet you were chuffed when offered the job, I certainly was. I've resigned from my position and my employer has been great, I'm leaving on really friendly terms with everyone, I'm sad to go but it's the best thing in the long run.

    Good luck with your new job ! :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    I havent seen the office yet but he did say the only problem was space, a room with six desks in so i think it could be abit cramped but it should be ok as long as the people are cool enough to get on with, dont really wanna be crammed in with people who i dont like :? but he did also say they will be moving at the end of the year to bigger offices so it wont be too bad at all
    We ended up talking about Dan Brown in the interview, dont know if ive told you that already but yea the interview was cool!
    Anywho ill let ya both know how things go when i start
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    So Daw how's the new job going ? I'm assuming you've worked your notice period and now a little settled in the new job ? :D

    I started last week and absolutely love it. Not as varied as my old role but much more potential in the long run. Currently everyone who works in my department has been there 5+ years and is quite happy.

    :D
  • System
    System Posts: 100,537 πŸ€– Admin πŸ€–
    Re:Interview.....ARGH.....Help

    Now Ruskii, sorry about the delay in reply
    Ive been a busy man
    My notice period at Argos was only one week so i had started in my new company by April 2nd

    Ive had my probationary period and I've been kept on so its all going really well

    A couple of people in this office have been here for like 3-4 years and one girl has been here two years, they all seem really friendly and us lads have already arranged a football prediction tournament for this office

    Its a small office and including 2 receptionists and 3 client partners there is only 10 people working here, so only 5 of us in the accounts office bit lol

    But the company is nationwide so lots of experience all across the board
    Hows your place going?

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