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Advice for a job interview?

Hi basil.
I know most of you probably don't have jobs, and those who do probably didn't even need to do an interview for it. But for those who have had some experience with job interviews, can you help me out?
I applied for a job at a yoghurt shop (guessing it'll be similar to working at a Mövenpick or similar ice cream store) and they have quite a few applications and not so many spots. And so I have an interview tomorrow.

What I'm asking for is just some general advice. What should I be talking about? What should I wear? What are some common questions that I might be asked? How do I answer them? (e.g. 'tell us about yourself')

Here is some of the criteria on the application sheet (ofc I ticked all of them)
[quote=kiwiyo]Are a Team Player
Are a fun-loving individual
Speak fluent English
Have an outgoing personality
Love working with the public with a positive attitude
Love social media and actively involved
Want to work in an exciting environment in Auckland's most exciting beach location.[/quote]

From what was on the application form, the people in charge seem like really positive people. So currently my plan is to act really happy and smile and laugh and stuff, although not excessively, so it sounds like I'm still taking the interview seriously. Any thoughts would be nice, thank you.

November 2, 2011

21 Comments • Newest first

one23abc

Thanks everyone for posting, it's helping a lot. Keep em coming!

Reply November 2, 2011
fun2killu

Remember carriage creates the first impression, sit up straight and just be yourself. Also don't stress and try not to sweat a lot >_>

Reply November 2, 2011
FallenMartyr

[quote=Hypnotic]Lie lie lie. You gotta fake it to make it. I'm not an outgoing and positive person, but I made myself seem approachable and enthusiastic for my current job's interview and the lady doing the screening interview loved me.[/quote]

This. Only apply it to everything, not just an interview.

Dress the part, not necessarily formal, but dress nice and clean.
Be confidant and enthusiastic, people with a passion for something go far in life.

Present yourself as somebody who would be essential to the role you're seeking.

Reply November 2, 2011
one23abc

Ok, confidence guess I'll work on that.

Reply November 2, 2011
JumpingLlama

I had a job this summer at a fitness center that does smoothies/snacks/drinks/etc. and I was pretty worried for my interview ( I guess since it's your first one, it's normal to be nervous!) I was just polite, answered my boss's questions honestly, spoke about any experience I had working with people at school. I think you can kind of gauge what they want to hear depending on how formal the place is, boss's attitude, etc. Be aware and good luck

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
madeintaiwan

Employers all seem to want someone who is confident in themselves.

But I find there's a very fine line between showing confidence, and being up yourselves.

So main point, show lots of confidence without being up yourself.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
oimie

Dress more professionally but don't over do it. Speak like maturely like you mean business.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
suama

@one23abc: Girls can get away with showing off their cleavage in job interviews and other various exams, so why not.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
one23abc

[quote=suama]@one23abc: Yeah, but lose the jeans. [/quote]

hmmm... how about: http://www.ghettoredhot.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/pants-too-low.jpg

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
suama

@one23abc: Yeah, but lose the jeans.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
one23abc

[quote=suama]I've always been told to dress up 1 step up than what you would wear normally at that kind of job. So if it's something that's really casual, then smart casual. So possibly black trousers, black shoes and a shirt, but no tie? Not entirely sure.[/quote]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2tiYly0Q9g/TjCJ-KV-omI/AAAAAAAAAQg/qq6EEG6BEmI/s1600/smart%2Bcasual.jpg
something like this?

[quote=Raspberiiiii]You can BS most questions on the spot but the tough one for me is something along the lines of "why should we hire you/why do you want to work here?" Never say it's for the money. I usually say it's for the experience lol... and I guess list your past experiences (if it's not already on your resume).
How you present yourself depends on where you work. If your job is casual, dress casual. If it's formal, go for formal.[/quote]

Wow yeah thanks! Never realised until now how arrogant it sounds to say you're doing it for the money
Like why would I even be applying for the job if not for the money? Just makes me seem like an idiot saying OH YEH IM DOING IT FOR THE MONEY DURRRR

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
suama

[quote=one23abc]Yeah! haha I plan on doing that. And to the person above me who posted that long-as post; give me a few mins to read that LOL

@above: what do you suggest I wear? It's not like im working at a major company or anything... I don't think a suit/shirt+tie would be appropriate.[/quote]

I've always been told to dress up 1 step up than what you would wear normally at that kind of job. So if it's something that's really casual, then smart casual. So possibly black trousers, black shoes and a shirt, but no tie? Not entirely sure.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
tinkerlush

You can BS most questions on the spot but the tough one for me is something along the lines of "why should we hire you/why do you want to work here?" Never say it's for the money. I usually say it's for the experience lol... and I guess list your past experiences (if it's not already on your resume).
How you present yourself depends on where you work. If your job is casual, dress casual. If it's formal, go for formal.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
one23abc

[quote=zerosabor]well i havent applied for this kind of job before, but usually they'll ask you like why do u want to work here and where do you see yourself in X years, like where you want to go in the future.
Personally i've always found it the best to answer their questions as genuinely as possible, without offending them or saying that would make you sound like a snob. Even if the answer isnt something thats positive, such as what you think they would like to hear, its much better than an answer that seems fake and rehearsed and usually the interview can feel why your answering the question. take a little time to think about the answer if its an answer that requires some thought, don't just go for what you think they would like to hear and try to please them, after all they want to get to know a person rather than getting answers that sound really good.

in respect to what you should wear, i've always found it appropriate to wear something in the same class as what they would wear at work. so for example, if the staff all wear formal suits while working, then you'll want something to match that whereas if they just wear jeans and t-shirts while working, then its probably better to just go formal. you want to show them what you would be like if you worked there and that includes how you would blend in and add to the group.
also i suggest doing a little homework into the store you want to get the job in. you never want to go into an interview with a disadvantage in what you have to offer to the interview. always remember that a interview is still a conversation and conversations need to be a two-way exercise, otherwise it will lose momentum really quick and become just really boring. If they ask you to tell them something about yourself, try to find to something in common between the shop and you, such as you love to swim or be at the beach since the shop is located at/ near a beach as you've stated. Once again, these answers should be genuine and not made up just to make your answers sound good. If they accept you as an employee based on your answers rather than you as a person, then they'll find out soon enough just who you are through your time at the shop and that wont end well. This is not to say that your answers shouldn't sound good, just make sure your not trying to fool yourself.

another thing would be to ask yourself why you want to employ yourself. you should find you general flaws and attributes and how they affect how you do things. Nobody is perfect and its ok if they ask something about you in which you may not be that good at or have some flaws in, just make sure that you dont say you have flaws in things they are really really looking for. Always try to project yourself to be as capable as you can in the things they really want you to be able to do while still staying genuine, and then concede on things that they may like to have, as long as you dont make it sound like your totally incompetent in that area.

ultimately, if you're going to be hired as sales, they'll want something who is genuine and competent. noone likes jackasses and teacher's pets nor do they like people who just can't do the dam job. thats how i took mine anyways[/quote]

Thanks for the information. Its pretty hard not to answer their questions with 'rehersed' answers. But I will keep in mind that I should answer genuinely and not sound like a snob. Currently compiling a list of my likes/dislikes, attributes, both positive and negative. It'll probably help with a more 'honest' interview.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
one23abc

[quote=Hypnotic]Lie lie lie. You gotta fake it to make it. I'm not an outgoing and positive person, but I made myself seem approachable and enthusiastic for my current job's interview and the lady doing the screening interview loved me.[/quote]

Yeah! haha I plan on doing that. And to the person above me who posted that long-as post; give me a few mins to read that LOL

@above: what do you suggest I wear? It's not like im working at a major company or anything... I don't think a suit/shirt+tie would be appropriate.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
suama

[quote=one23abc]I don't have a CV. Don't really think they would need one from me anyway, for hiring for a yoghurt shop. And I'm planning to go in a shirt and jeans[/quote]
Don't wear jeans. You need to make some sort of effort on trying to be smart in an interview, wearing jeans isn't one of them.

Do you have a copy of your application form and what you wrote down? They'll have their copy infront of them, so you need to refer to what you wrote and elaborate it in the interview.

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
Tekari

Don't look on the loor, don't look up at the ceiling, and most importantly, DON'T LOOK CHUCK NORRIS IN THE EYE! lol jk jk but the first two yeah give the interviewer eye contact and shake their hand upon entering the area. SPeak with confidence and try to limit the "uh" and "um" when answering a question. You're good to go!

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
one23abc

[quote=IHasSteelyz]Dress appropriately, have a good personality and have a CV full of stuff[/quote]

I don't have a CV. Don't really think they would need one from me anyway, for hiring for a yoghurt shop. And I'm planning to go in a shirt and jeans

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
IHasSteelyz

Dress appropriately, have a good personality and have a CV full of stuff

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited
one23abc

Oh mean that should help heaps. But thanks anyway for posting and bumping

Reply November 2, 2011 - edited