Job Interviews

strummers

After months of nothing I have 3 interviews in a row next week and have to do a presentation for one of them:

"What you would do in your first 100 days of management"

Any good tips for keeping calm during interviews and interview presentations - don't know why but they're the one thing I get so nervous about! :oops: Picturing people naked or sans clothes just doesn't work for me

Also - with or without lip piercing? I can never decide, on the one hand that's who I am and with Equality and Diversity being such a big thing these days it shouldn't matter. On the other hand some older, more senior managers can have a thing about facial piercings. Also if I take it out the stud, the 'hole' is quite obvious.

arq

no piercing!

strummers

arq wrote:

no piercing!

That's what I was thinking - was just hoping the world had become more liberal!

aNiMaL

arq wrote:

no piercing!

Yeah, no piercings. No need to be defiant or even give the impression of defiance, while trying to get a job.

Be yourself. And, remember, you are interviewing them too to see if you want to work there. Have some questions for them!!!

JTH

strummers wrote:

arq wrote:

no piercing!

That's what I was thinking - was just hoping the world had become more liberal!

It's not really an issue of liberal vs. conservative. And the age doesn't really matter. There are plenty of people out there of all ages who absolutely despise facial piercings. So no matter how you're dressed, a lip piercing knocks everything down to the "casual" level. You could be wearing a 3-piece suit and the interviewer might look at you and be thinking "What? You couldn't be bothered to take that thing out on your way in today? Why didn't you just wear a tuxedo t-shirt while you were at it?"

strummers

JTH wrote:

strummers wrote:

arq wrote:

no piercing!

That's what I was thinking - was just hoping the world had become more liberal!

It's not really an issue of liberal vs. conservative. And the age doesn't really matter. There are plenty of people out there of all ages who absolutely despise facial piercings. So no matter how you're dressed, a lip piercing knocks everything down to the "casual" level. You could be wearing a 3-piece suit and the interviewer might look at you and be thinking "What? You couldn't be bothered to take that thing out on your way in today? Why didn't you just wear a tuxedo t-shirt while you were at it?"

I take your point (and I was generalising in a slightly tongue-in-cheek way), but playing Devil's advocate here, should where and if you choose to have a piercing really dictate how 'casual' or 'uncasual', you are about a job? Is it right to say it's ok to have an ear stud in but not say a lip or eyebrow stud? I'm sure at some point ear piercings were viewed in the same way.

And, to be honest, the whole being judged on how you dress thing really annoys me. Let me start by putting in the disclaimer of: I understand when working in view of/with the public things are different as one of the things your organisation will be judged on (again rightly or wrongly) is by the presentation of it's staff. Also, I know it's not going to change any time soon and interviews are a bit of a different matter - but does how you dress actually impact on how well you can do your job?

I was a manager for one of the biggest organisations in the UK for 8+ years before taking voluntary redundancy and every day I went into work in jeans, a t-shirt (or some other casual top) and basketball boots - while a large proportion of other managers in my position came in with the full 'smart' get up. (If we had visitors or certain meetings I did 'make the effort' not to wear jeans or t-shirts.)

To me, being comfortable meant I was more able to focus on the job at hand and be more relaxed in my dealings with staff and other managers alike. Not being big-headed at all, but I'd like to think I was well thought of and was often sought out by the more senior management for my views. When I left my team was the best performing team within the Division and the trainees I brought in were the highest performing across all offices in the country. So I think its about time people were recognised as individuals and while some people may well perform well in the whole 'suit' combo - others will work just as well, if not better, in more 'casual' garb.

With all that said, I know I'm going to have to 'dress up' for whatever role I'm next in (sans piercing) and I'm not going to like it! :?

strummers

Just to add - my old (older! ) boss despised my piercing, but he respected the fact that I had it and didn't once let it affect his judgment of me in any way - I think he eventually got used to it.

Fifthelement

Definitely go to the interview without piercings, ask them about their policy regarding piercings though. Not sure if they have these there, but there are little plasters that cover up piercings and are not really noticeable.

I hate interviews too. The best thing to do is be prepared. Have questions for them and definitely be informed about the organisation and the position that you are applying for. Get a good nights sleep, eat a good meal and try to remain relaxed and positive. Listen to some PJ to pump you before you go in :ugeek:


And most important . . . GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! I really hope that one of these interviews (if not all of them) pan out for you and you get a job offer

strummers

Fifthelement wrote:

Definitely go to the interview without piercings, ask them about their policy regarding piercings though. Not sure if they have these there, but there are little plasters that cover up piercings and are not really noticeable.

I hate interviews too. The best thing to do is be prepared. Have questions for them and definitely be informed about the organisation and the position that you are applying for. Get a good nights sleep, eat a good meal and try to remain relaxed and positive. Listen to some PJ to pump you before you go in :ugeek:


And most important . . . GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! I really hope that one of these interviews (if not all of them) pan out for you and you get a job offer

Thank you for the well wishes! I hope so too - as much as I have LOVED every second of being off - the bank balance is saying it's time to get back to work! :(

JTH

strummers wrote:

I take your point (and I was generalising in a slightly tongue-in-cheek way), but playing Devil's advocate here, should where and if you choose to have a piercing really dictate how 'casual' or 'uncasual', you are about a job? Is it right to say it's ok to have an ear stud in but not say a lip or eyebrow stud? I'm sure at some point ear piercings were viewed in the same way.

Not at all is my answer to both of those questions.

And it sucks because it's hard to relax and be yourself when you're not really being yourself. This is probably no consolation but if I were the one interviewing you, it wouldn't make a difference at all.

Anyway, good luck. Hopefully at least one of the three interviews turns into something for you.

Who Princess

I'm also in the midst of a job search so I can relate.

No piercing for the interview. I can appreciate what you're saying about how you like to dress on the job and how appearances shouldn't be a consideration when it comes to performance, but trying to get a job is not the same as actually performing on the job. You're selling them a package and it needs to be appealing. After you get the job, you'll know how to dress and possibly affect some attitudes and policies about dress codes the way you seem to have in the past.

Fifthelement has given you the best advice, I think. Be as prepared as you possibly can. Be ready to answer questions and ask some as well. Picture yourself doing well. Arrive a few minutes early. It's normal to be a little nervous.

Good luck!

Brain of C 2180

strummers wrote:

After months of nothing I have 3 interviews in a row next week and have to do a presentation for one of them:

"What you would do in your first 100 days of management"

Any good tips for keeping calm during interviews and interview presentations - don't know why but they're the one thing I get so nervous about! :oops: Picturing people naked or sans clothes just doesn't work for me

Also - with or without lip piercing? I can never decide, on the one hand that's who I am and with Equality and Diversity being such a big thing these days it shouldn't matter. On the other hand some older, more senior managers can have a thing about facial piercings. Also if I take it out the stud, the 'hole' is quite obvious.

Hey strummers, I feel ya cause I too was unemployed starting March 2009 and just last Friday landed a new job. As others have said, make sure to have some questions ready and research as much as you can about their company and the position. I think asking about your interviewers backgrounds and how they feel about the company really help. Also, make sure to show alot of interest in the position and communicate that you really want the job (unless you go through the interview, and think the job isn't for you). I agree though that as BS as it is, don't wear the piercing. Good luck to you, and hope you land the job.

polaris_x

i would say no piercing because people are ignorant ...

as for the interview - don't feel bad if you can't answer a question - just be confident in the shit you do know ... whatever you do tho - research the basic info of the company ... not knowing basic info about a company can kill you right there ...

arq

polaris_x wrote:

i would say no piercing because people are ignorant ...

as for the interview - don't feel bad if you can't answer a question - just be confident in the shit you do know ... whatever you do tho - research the basic info of the company ... not knowing basic info about a company can kill you right there ...

nice advise I used that and it really make the difference!

Heineken Helen

polaris_x wrote:

i would say no piercing because people are ignorant ...

as for the interview - don't feel bad if you can't answer a question - just be confident in the shit you do know ... whatever you do tho - research the basic info of the company ... not knowing basic info about a company can kill you right there ...

nah, it's not always about ignorance. A job is a job and you need to show that you're respecting the interview, as an interview is anything BUT casual. It's supposed to show you in your best possible light. They may not care that you have a piercing but the fact that you couldn't be bothered to remove the piercing for the interview unfortunately would speak volumes about you and would probably show that you're somewhat anti-authority and don't like to conform.

It's all bullshit of course but it is what it is so if you want it you have to play the part.

Best of luck in the interview though... it definitely makes ya feel more confident when you know plenty about the company cos ya never know what questions will come up. I've quite often been asked 'so what do you know about the company' and it's good to have a couple of lines prepared. Focus on your good points and if you're not good at something avoid bringing it up.

JTH

Heineken Helen wrote:

nah, it's not always about ignorance. A job is a job and you need to show that you're respecting the interview, as an interview is anything BUT casual. It's supposed to show you in your best possible light. They may not care that you have a piercing but the fact that you couldn't be bothered to remove the piercing for the interview unfortunately would speak volumes about you and would probably show that you're somewhat anti-authority and don't like to conform.

It's all bullshit of course but it is what it is so if you want it you have to play the part.

"Play the part" is a good choice of words because an interview is a bit like a theatrical performance. If you had a role in a play, would you want to go onstage out of costume?

Me, I'm "clean-shaven" (by that I mean that I have no beard/mustache/soul patch/muttonchops, etc.) but I rarely shave more than twice a week. Basically, I just wait until the stubble gets annoying and then I shave it off. But I would never go to a job interview unshaven.

Heineken Helen

JTH wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

nah, it's not always about ignorance. A job is a job and you need to show that you're respecting the interview, as an interview is anything BUT casual. It's supposed to show you in your best possible light. They may not care that you have a piercing but the fact that you couldn't be bothered to remove the piercing for the interview unfortunately would speak volumes about you and would probably show that you're somewhat anti-authority and don't like to conform.

It's all bullshit of course but it is what it is so if you want it you have to play the part.

"Play the part" is a good choice of words because an interview is a bit like a theatrical performance. If you had a role in a play, would you want to go onstage out of costume?

Me, I'm "clean-shaven" (by that I mean that I have no beard/mustache/soul patch/muttonchops, etc.) but I rarely shave more than twice a week. Basically, I just wait until the stubble gets annoying and then I shave it off. But I would never go to a job interview unshaven.

well said... I go and tell them I'm organised for God sake I wear my best clothes and then I downgrade day by day til I'm in my comfies or til somebody says otherwise

dcfaithful

strummers wrote:

arq wrote:

no piercing!

That's what I was thinking - was just hoping the world had become more liberal!

Nice try!

I usually have a shot before an interview....however, don't do too many or else your potential boss could suspect you of being an alcoholic.... :?

If you choose my route, just chew some gum, and spit it out right before the interview, because I'm sure you know...chewing gum in an interview isn't really a good idea either.

strummers

dcfaithful wrote:

strummers wrote:

arq wrote:

no piercing!

That's what I was thinking - was just hoping the world had become more liberal!

Nice try!

I usually have a shot before an interview....however, don't do too many or else your potential boss could suspect you of being an alcoholic.... :?

If you choose my route, just chew some gum, and spit it out right before the interview, because I'm sure you know...chewing gum in an interview isn't really a good idea either.

Haha, cheers!

Thanks for all the advice guys - 1 down (didn't go too badly), 2 to go!

Thoughts_Arrive

The ultimate job interview...

Boss: So you like Pearl Jam
Applicant: yes, yes I do
Boss: (calls the receptionist on speakerphone) Lucy, cancel my 3 o'clock with Mr Walters, we've found the right person for the job

Ms. Haiku

In Seattle I didn't think it was a big deal that I had a nose piercing, but over here on the East Coast I see a nose piercing about 1-2 times/year. My older sister convinced me to take it out when I was interviewing in Seattle, and the hole closed right up. It really hurt to get it re-pierced, and then for another interview I took it out, and it closed up again. Oi! No more.

I would suggest you do moderate exercise or sing before you get ready for the interview. It gets your lungs ready, and your voice will be stronger.

Heineken Helen

Ms. Haiku wrote:

I would suggest you do moderate exercise or sing before you get ready for the interview. It gets your lungs ready, and your voice will be stronger.

ooohh... that sounds like good advice... I've a tendency to mumble in interviews :oops: and always wish I sound stronger. I've an interview tomorrow and one the next day (both internally) and I've done zero preparation yet :shock:

I've had one telephone interview and I did plenty of singing and dancing around the house that morning... got offered the job too

arq

So did they hired you after all "our" advise?

Claireack

Good luck with the rest and just an alternative for any nerves - Bach Flower remedies - Rescue Remedy. It's quite nice and calming.

strummers

arq wrote:

So did they hired you after all "our" advise?

Still got 2 to go, but will find out about today's next week. :?

JOEJOEJOE

Don't give the interviewer too much power over you....they are just normal people....remember that they are just doing their job, and they too once had to go thru the same interview process as well.

arq

strummers wrote:

arq wrote:

So did they hired you after all "our" advise?

Still got 2 to go, but will find out about today's next week. :?

Good luck then! i'll be waiting news!

purple_chick79

I cannot stress this enough when going on an interview....

CONFIDENCE!!!!!!!!

You gotta make them want you. I practically interviewed myself at my last interview. I talked to the guy over the phone, interview next day, he said he already knew he was hiring me based on our phone conversation. Killer job too, I may add.

No lip piercing, it just looks unprofessional, even in todays day in age.

strummers

Ah, all 3 are done now! :P

Should find out about them all inthe next 1-2 weeks.

Thanks for all of the advice - really liked the singing advice. Seemed to work well and got my voice nice and warmed up!

Here's to either success or the next round of interviews!

arq

strummers wrote:

Ah, all 3 are done now! :P

Should find out about them all inthe next 1-2 weeks.

Thanks for all of the advice - really liked the singing advice. Seemed to work well and got my voice nice and warmed up!

Here's to either success or the next round of interviews!

Gook luck, now relax and wait patiently! chreers!

Lizardjam

My department would have the manager interview the candidate and then everyone in the department sit around them and bombard them with questions. If i had to pass that interview process I'd fail miserably. That is horrible!!!