Job interview tips and common questions
Discussion about careers in different sectors, for work experience to graduate schemes. Please note: not the place for advertising job opportunities.
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Re: Job interview tipsAny update on your progress?(Original post by Nevets)
Mainly for summer job, or any job that I want just to make money. -
Re: Job interview tipsYep good idea. How about all of this good advice in a nutshell?(Original post by Ella Pacey)
Nice post!
However, it's a bit long and common. I think you should divide into some topics or a topic with many links to some posts.
1. Questions asked about company & suggestions
2. Questions about you and suggestions
3. Behaviour questions and suggestions.
.....
It's easier to follow and you can give more details.
Best rgs -
Re: Job interview tips
The Prospects website has a lot of really useful job interview tips too - covering everything from types of question through to telephone assessments and how to handle a job offer... http://www.prospects.ac.uk/interview_tips.htm
Last edited by mjw-1989; 21-11-2011 at 08:47. -
Re: Job interview tips
In an attempt to answer this question maybe we should look at what we shouldn't do..
http://www.campusmoviefest.com/movie...ane-interviews -
Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lol
Finally got a interview for
pretty much 99% sure i will get the job, as a friend of mine works for the very same company/branch.
Being persistent is the key tbh. After 3 months of chasing this interview from this company
10-20 calls, 10 emails to over 3 branches.
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Re: Job interview tips
When asked about strengths and weaknesses people try and make weaknesses into a strength "i'm too hard working" etc
Is this a good tip? i imagine i'd cringe at it if i was an interviewer. Would it not be best to say look these are my weaknesses, i'll work on them etc. Surely they would appreciate the honesty? -
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Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lolAmazed that this thread is kicking around 5 and a half years since I started it - I've been through Uni and work in recruitment now so I've switched sides - I'm the one interviewing people!
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Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lol
I’m so glad I’ve found this thread!

I have an interview for Debenhams next week and I’m so nervous! I’ve got plenty of experience and my telephone interview went good but I’m just nervous I’ll mess up as I really need this job.
I’ve been told to go to the cosmetics counter and ask for so-and-so (I’m assuming a manager) so could I be placed on cosmetics? As the woman who interviewed me did not mention where in the store it was, just that it is an 8hr sales assistant role.
Also, there is only one job going at the store at the moment, so can I expect similar group activities then an interview or just a one-to-one interview. Also, they told me to bring my passport and P45 down with me, does this look promising?
x -
Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lol
To follow up my last post I got the job!

The questions were pretty straight forward, 'tell me about yourself', 'describe a time when you experienced great/bad customer service', 'how would you approach a customer in store' 'describe a time when teamwork was essential' 'describe a time when you dealt with a complaint'. Pretty similar things asked on the application form.
I was offered the job 4 hours after my interview and have my induction tomorrow and start on saturday on ladieswear
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The only advice I can give is to prepare answers, and try to avoid short ones as it makes you look nervous and lacking in experience. The woman who intereviewed me was formal but friendly and conversational and the interview itself was nothing to worry about. So to anyone going to one just be confident (even if you don't feel it pretend you are), take along your application and try to memorise answers as the customert service ones ALWAYS come up and just be yourself.
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Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lol
wonder if anyone will answer this in time...
I have an interview tomorrow (2.30) at bon marche and while i feel pretty prepared, looked at example questions, researched the store etc there just one thing bothering me.
If they were to ask what im planning to do after college, what would i say? surely if i tell them that im planning to go 200 miles away to university then they wont hire me? i know i wouldnt put time and effort into someone who is going to leave in 6 months but then if i lie to them then i might get a terrible, "bare-faced liar" reference... -
Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lol
Thanks for this thread. I have my first ever job interview in about an hour, to be a tour guide at a local attraction. Nervous doesn't even cut it! It's annoying that my first shot at an interview is a job I'm really keen on! But this thread has helped loads!
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Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lolThink of it as a good thing - you can be really enthusiastic and they will be able to tell that it's genuine(Original post by Kerrias)
It's annoying that my first shot at an interview is a job I'm really keen on! But this thread has helped loads!
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Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lol
Ok my interview is Monday afternoon for a Trainee Sales Executive job with a marketing company. Yeah It all sounds very officical.
I believe its one of those companies that get offered commission for how many people the get into jobs. So there'll probably be a load of people going for the same job But Im still surprised I got offered it as I hardly have any experience. I really want to go and just give it my best shot and be prepared. Im the kind if person who gets really nervous and stressed about these kind of thing Is it necessary to really research the company in detail?
Advice? Questions they will ask? -
Re: ENOUGH! The questions you could be asked at an interview, here lolWith those commission-based jobs you earned based on the amount that you sell, so they'd generally be unlikely to set the bar that high.(Original post by Leoroary)
Ok my interview is Monday afternoon for a Trainee Sales Executive job with a marketing company. Yeah It all sounds very officical.
I believe its one of those companies that get offered commission for how many people the get into jobs. So there'll probably be a load of people going for the same job But Im still surprised I got offered it as I hardly have any experience. I really want to go and just give it my best shot and be prepared. Im the kind if person who gets really nervous and stressed about these kind of thing Is it necessary to really research the company in detail?
Advice? Questions they will ask?
I have actually seen (in a documentary) part of an interview for a sales job - they ask you how you'd deal with customers (ie. what would you do if they asked you a question that you couldn't answer) and even how you'd deal with your peers (co-workers).
For these entry-level jobs, use a lot of common sense and you'll be just fine. Stress is not your friend - keep in mind that most people in the interview room are going through exactly the same thing.
pretty much 99% sure i will get the job, as a friend of mine works for the very same company/branch.
10-20 calls, 10 emails to over 3 branches.