1st interview for 9 years ......Gulp, I think.

[Chris James]

Oops, forgot to say good luck to you Crackle.

 

[Headgardener]

Good luck young Crackle, be thinking of you.

 

[Speicher]

Good luck Crackle.

 

[Crackle]

Thank you one and all.

I must stop staring at this Prince2 book and read a bit of it now.

 

[Baggy]

Oh God no, not Prince 2.

Good luck! Let's hope you are cool, calm and collected in the morning and don't put your pants on over your trousers by mistake

Do you have your killer question lined up for the end of the interview?

 

[Crackle]

Oh God no, not Prince 2.

Good luck! Let's hope you are cool, calm and collected in the morning and don't put your pants on over your trousers by mistake

Do you have your killer question lined up for the end of the interview?

No, only killer demands. Lend me a killer question.

 

[Baggy]

"Er, um, er, what's your bike parking like"

Well, your killer question depends on what the interview is for really...

If I'm on the ball enough I try to pick and aspect out of the questions they've asked me, and turn it back on to them.

 

[Crackle]

I generally steer the interview to the questions I have. If I can't do that then usually it's been a bad interview and I won't have fared well. Bike parking might be a semi-serious question. This one's commutable.

 

[tdr1nka]

Best of luck Matey!

 

[Baggy]

I generally steer the interview to the questions I have.

See - that's the kind of response that shows you know exactly what you're doing. The panel's notes will say "Ooh, that Mr.Crackle was so masterful".

Most of my experience is within the public sector where interviews tend to be more structured and processy so you have less opportunity to question as you go along.

 

[Crackle]

Most of my experience is within the public sector where interviews tend to be more structured and processy so you have less opportunity to question as you go along.

This is my first public sector interview, which is why I have some doubts. If they can't bend the rules to match my wants, it won't really matter how well the interview goes.

 

[Baggy]

You should be able to bend it in your general direction, but as a rule they have to ask all candidates exactly the same questions, which can make things a bit stilted. A lot will depend on the panel, and I think the more senior the position or broader the person spec, the more flexible they can be.

It can also be a no no for them to ask follow on questions, so if there's no follow on it doesn't mean you've give a pants answer or they aren't interested. This is why the any questions bit can be useful to tease bits out of them and demonstrate any bits you feel you've not covered.

The worst questions for me are the standard ones, and also ones intended to put you at your ease "Why do you think you are suited for this position?" and "Can you tell us a bit about yourself?" The latter apparently is an "icebreaker" but has the reverse effect on me. I aso feel like telling them I'm really called Bernard and my favourite slacks are beige.

 

[Crackle]

You should be able to bend it in your general direction, but as a rule they have to ask all candidates exactly the same questions, which can make things a bit stilted. A lot will depend on the panel, and I think the more senior the position or broader the person spec, the more flexible they can be.

It can also be a no no for them to ask follow on questions, so if there's no follow on it doesn't mean you've give a pants answer or they aren't interested. This is why the any questions bit can be useful to tease bits out of them and demonstrate any bits you feel you've not covered.

The worst questions for me are the standard ones, and also ones intended to put you at your ease "Why do you think you are suited for this position?" and "Can you tell us a bit about yourself?" The latter apparently is an "icebreaker" but has the reverse effect on me. I aso feel like telling them I'm really called Bernard and my favourite slacks are beige.

Thanks for that Baggy, that's useful. I hope there's not to many of those kind of general questions, I never waffle well, the red nose revolving dickie bow clown starts to come out in me.

So far my practise in my head questions are going well. I sound quite lucid . It'll all go to pot tomorrow. Still I've time to practise on the dog when I take him for his walk tomorrow. He's not too knowledgable on Prince2 though

 

[Noodley]

Best of luck Crackle.

The interviews I conducted recently have involved the general "what did you do to prepare for this interview?" "why did you apply for this job?" "what qualities will you bring to this job?" as well as more person spec questions such as "Describe a time when...", etc.

All the successful applicants have waffled and stumbled a bit, but they have shown their human side, they have admitted to being uncomfortable about speaking about themselves in a positive manner (how British is that! ), and made an impression. Concentrate on what has been asked in the person spec re qualities which are essential or desirable and do not get bogged down in the minute technical stuff - I find people tend to concentrate on having to give the impression of 'knowing everything' rather than knowing themselves. I much prefer people who know the latter....

 

[Baggy]

You'll be fine...

Your dog has probably already absorbed as much about Prince2 as anyone who has done one of their courses, as this thread demonstrates:

http://cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=23349

Good luck!