Options
Job interview tips/advice
[Deleted User]
Posts: 10,561
Forum Member
✭✭
I've got an interview with The Works shop in Glasgow. It's a paint/book/stationary type store and it's only a 12 hour contract but I really NEED a job. I've only had one job in the past and it was for three weeks at a call centre which was a shambles, and for about 20 months I've been on Jobseekers Allowance. I've had a few interviews but I'm always so nervous and never get any further than that.
I'm absolutely desperate for this job because I'm about to go insane with my life right now. Money is really tight at home and there's so much pressure on me to get a job, not only that but my 12 year old brother is working with my Uncle which is humiliating because he likes to brag in my face about how he has a job and I haven't, even though I'm 19. Also, my friends all work (they got jobs through family members) and I have no money to take driving lessons or do anything with my life. I'm so depressed and feel like exploding sometimes and I want this job so much.
Can anyone just give me any sort of tips/advice? Are there any sort of unspoken rules when it comes to interviews? I'm depressed because my acne has gotten really bad this week again and I'm already thinking there's no point going to the interview because they don't want someone with acne serving customers. I have a few Highers and alot of Standard Grades plus volunteer work on my C.V yet I seem to have absolutely no luck.
What are the most common job interview questions? I've had a Google but there's so much comes up and most of it is from American websites from years ago. Any help would really be appreciated because I NEED THIS JOB!
I'm absolutely desperate for this job because I'm about to go insane with my life right now. Money is really tight at home and there's so much pressure on me to get a job, not only that but my 12 year old brother is working with my Uncle which is humiliating because he likes to brag in my face about how he has a job and I haven't, even though I'm 19. Also, my friends all work (they got jobs through family members) and I have no money to take driving lessons or do anything with my life. I'm so depressed and feel like exploding sometimes and I want this job so much.
Can anyone just give me any sort of tips/advice? Are there any sort of unspoken rules when it comes to interviews? I'm depressed because my acne has gotten really bad this week again and I'm already thinking there's no point going to the interview because they don't want someone with acne serving customers. I have a few Highers and alot of Standard Grades plus volunteer work on my C.V yet I seem to have absolutely no luck.
What are the most common job interview questions? I've had a Google but there's so much comes up and most of it is from American websites from years ago. Any help would really be appreciated because I NEED THIS JOB!
0
Comments
First off, they will ask you about past experience in such an environment, if you have none, be honest but maybe give an example from your life or volunteer work of how you have treated customers, helped people etc.
Most likely they will ask about strengths/weaknesses, so think of a couple and apply them to the job, what could you work on? How would your strength apply to the job?
They may also present you with scenario's that may happen in the work environment, an angry customer? Someone with a complaint? Think about some of these situations and how you would resolve them.
A couple of pointers, think of it like this, this is a job interview, but it's as much of a chance for you to see what the job would be like as well as for them to see what you're like.
Take your time with your answers, don't splutter messy phrases out, think about what you want to say. It'll show them you really want to do well.
Anyways, that's all I can think of lol, and don't worry about the acne, tons of people have it, it's all about being human, don't sweat it!
Remember to sit up straight and not to slouch, smile and act confident!
Good luck and please let me know how you get on!
EDIT - They may also just ask you straight out why you want the job, be honest, don't lie and say it's your dream, say you need the money and once you're in a company opportunities may present themselves in the future for you to advance, but if you genuinely like arts/books etc then tell them.
If they ask abot previous experience be sure to mention that! Say how much you enjoyed working in an environment where you got to provide people with a service.
What do you think your weaknesses are just out of interest? I may be able to help.
Absolutely mention it!
Re. the weakness question, pick something that's totally irrelevant to the job. For example, at a recent job interview, I said I wasn't good at delegating as I was used to doing everything myself - I knew there'd be no-one to delegate to!
I have also said that I am not good at PowerPoint, knowing they mainly wanted spreadsheets experience.
A recent question I have been asked, was to describe myself in 3 words.
As for weaknesses - maybe suggest that you're lacking a bit of self-belief right now, due to being out of work for a while, so you'd really really love to be given the opportunity?!
Good luck!
I'm a retail manager and I have a few tips for you.
1. Research. Research the company, research what they sell, research what they're good at. Go in to the store for a browse, if you haven't already. It's important to know about what they sell, but you, by no means, need to be an expert
2. Show passion. OK, you don't need to scream from the rooftops about how much you love the new Hollyoaks calendar, but show that you care about what they sell, to a certain degree. They'll more than likely ask you "What do you know about The Works?" Speak briefly about the company history (from Google or Wikipedia) and say something like "You've got so much stock and a great reputation - the Back To School range is great, and nearly all my friends at school and college have been in to get stuff for September. This shop is actually where I always came in to get pens and files for back to school" Don't be afraid to compliment the store - it builds up the interviewer's ego!
3. Examples, examples, examples. Back up every question you're asked with an example, no matter how silly it sounds. Give an example of how you dealt with a previous experience well, and what you learned. It doesn't need to be from working in a shop. The interviewer wants to know how you deal with a certain situation - are you sensible? are you a people person? do you get flustered easily? etc. It's no good saying you're customer foused, unless you tell the interviewer what you've done before to help someone - eg, "My gran's friend broke her hip recently. I help my gran wth her shopping on a Saturday, so I've been getting her friend's shopping at the same time, and bringing it to her house" (Or something like that - skills are transferable - they don't need to be from a shop environment)
4. Be confident. This sounds easier than it seems, but it is possible. Just fake it. I do it all the time. Imagine all the reasons why you'd be a good employee. Now imagine telling your best friend this. Just pretend the interviewer is your best friend. (But be professional!) Sell yourself - if you truly believe you're a good worker, then let them know this. Again, back this up with examples.
5. No-one cares what you look like (to a certain degree). Teenagers have acne, and I bet it's not as bad as you think it is. If you have a bad flare-up at the minute, don't worry about it, It really won't affect your chances. Just don't be scruffy for the interview! ;p
6. Be positive! About yourself, about work, about The Works. OK, you're on the dole, The Works isn't really where you want to spend the rest of your life, but spin everything into a positive. Like a previous poster said, be honest about the fact that you need money, but say things like "I want to learn to drive. The staff here are so friendly, so I'd love to have a bit of fun while I earn some money"
Finally... some common interview questions for retail:
- What, in your opinion, is good customer service?
- Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult person. What happened? How did you over come this?
- What are the advantages of being part of a team?
- You have a problem at work, but don't know how to deal with it. What would you do?
- A customer wants to make a complaint. What would you do?
- How do you organise yourself on a daily basis? (eg school work, etc?)
- You're trying to work, but a colleague is chatting to you constantly. How do you deal with this?
The "What would you do?" questions: usually the answer is that you would ask a manager for guidance.
Usually, the other ones mean "give me an example". So give an example!
I hope it goes well for you, and if you need anything else just post on this thread, or PM me.
Good luck, you'll do great
ETA - They might ask "Do you have any questions for me?"
Don't ask about the rate of pay - you probably know it already, or they will tell you if/when they offer you the job.
A good question to ask is "What is the best thing about working here?" It shows that you have a positive mindset, and that you really are interested in the job.
Don't forget, they've seen what you have to offer on your CV and have decided that's good enough for them. Now they just have to make sure you're normal and polite.
You should also see your DR about your acne. Ask for hibiscrub or see if the chemist will give you some. But it won't affect your interview.
Lastly, stop letting your brother get to you. At least you're not being used for child labour!
This question really makes me nervous because I'm always paranoid then when I ask a question, it sounds really robotic and rehearsed as if I've just Googled it (or asked on a forum ). I want it to come out naturally as if I've just thought about it and came up with it. I also don't like it when I ask them a question and they answer it, and then there's a bit of an awkward silence where I'm like "cool " and they just smile at me. Is it absolutely necessary to ask a question at the end? I've heard that if you don't ask a question you automatically fail an interview?