Post: #1

Hey guys, I'm 19 years old and about to drop out of university. I've got my first job interview on Wednesday for an accounts administration role. It pays decently and I realise it's a crap job but I could use the experience to branch off to another company to become an accountant and study for my CIMA.

I've never had an interview and don't really know what to expect. I searched the forum but couldn't really find anything on this topic. Any help would be appreciated.

Post: #2

Here are some points that came to my mind instantly:

- Check out the interviewer's profile on LinkedIn, try to understand any common interests or some hints you can drop to engage on a personal level (such as favourite sports team).

- Be prepared to explain why you are dropping out of university with valid reasoning, as you are 19 I'm assuming that's a Bachelor degree. Bachelor degrees in England aren't so hard (I got a 2.1 in computer science from a decent uni without reading a single book), so expect them to question your capability to deal with pressure/heavy workload as dropping out is a red flag from an employers perspective.

- Revise accounting terms etc. they are likely to ask you meanings of.

- Don't be afraid to ask questions, do not get into the pattern of simply sitting there answering their questions one after the other. This can lead to you simply getting grilled.

- Plus all other basic things such as dress smart, shave, arrive early, bring a notebook etc.

Post: #3

Thanks for the advice. My reason for dropping out is that my course was not what I believed it to be. It was an international business degree and I found my self learning about feminism and it's impacts on business (all positive obviously). It felt like I wasn't actually learning about business.

Post: #4

(02-16-2015 05:07 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  Thanks for the advice. My reason for dropping out is that my course was not what I believed it to be. It was an international business degree and I found my self learning about feminism and it's impacts on business (all positive obviously). It felt like I wasn't actually learning about business.

Don't talk about feminism (or politics generally) in your interview.

"Why did you drop out of Uni?" is a great question to receive, because you can spin it to talk about your personal values.

If somebody asked me why I dropped out, for instance, I'd say something like:

• I felt as though I'd prefer to learn professionally instead of academically
• I prefer to learn from superiors with experience as opposed to peers
• I am really passionate about the mechanics of business, as opposed to the theories surrounding it, which is what my course was like.
  

That's just a list off the top of my head. What's important in any interview is that you talk about everything in terms of your own personal goals. Keep everything positive. For instance, you might think university is a waste of time - don't say that. Say that you're eager to get on in the professional environment.

In short, keep everything positive and everything should be about how your personal development is going to embody all the attributes they need in an employee.

Post: #5

When I get asked 'do you have any question for us?' I always throw out 'why do you think I should work for this company?'

Good for flipping the script and a bit of nlp. Good luck

Post: #6

^that is a good one, I'm gonna remember that. "Why did you choose me to interview? What stands out?"

My brother did Dale Carnegie courses and he gave me a good tip- everyone's favorite topic to chat about is themselves, so when they ask if I have any questions, I always ask about their backgrounds. "How did you find your way into this line of work? What's your background?"

Post: #7

I used to be a professional recruiter.

As already mentioned, dress smart, shoes polished, shaved, bit of aftershave and tie with top button done up.

Good strong handshake at the beginning with a "It's a pleasure to meet you and/or Thanks for taking the time out to meet me" do this with eye contact and keep the eye contact throughout the interview when the interviewer is talking, you can look away when you are thinking of your answers but when you speak look him in the eye.

Don't be too serious they want to get to know you. If you have a sense of humour don't be afraid to show it but don't go over the top.

Be prepared for the standard 'tell me when you've dealt with a problem, worked in a team, how do you deal with tough situations?' by thinking of relevant examples. When you give your answer take the time out to pretend you are thinking carefully so they know you haven't just memorised an ideal answer.

Finally they will ask "any questions for us?":
1. What does the company have planned for the next 5 years? (you drop in that you have looked at the financials/share price etc)

2. How do you compare yourself to your direct competitors? (Research these and drop a couple of their names when asking the question)

3. What's the team culture like? Does the team go for drinks or do people keep to themselves.

4. Career progression and what are the next stages in the interview process ( shows you are keen)

5. This is the killer question....' Do you have any concerns regarding my suitability for the position?' Anything the interviewer says you acknowledge it and then tell them why they are wrong by using/making up an example of when you were great at that highlighted doubt he has about you.

Use a combo of these questions, I always like to use 1,2 and 5 every time.

Never keep your hands under the desk/table keep them above and not fidgeting and don't be afraid to use them to express yourself.

Summary:

Relax, eye contact, strong handshake , use question No.5 every time!! (all demonstrate confidence)


Best of luck mate!

Post: #8

I found this link posted here a long time ago: http://fosslien.com/job/

I use it before I go to an interview. Hope it helps you like it has helped me.

Post: #9

Moreless post looks good
Also:
Research the 50 standard questions for job interviews on the internet, think about good answers for them, remember the most important adjectives/points and right them down to remember. Research the company and relevant products. You should be able to retell your CV by heart and explain every step and decision.
After you have done this, give the 50 questions sheet to a friend or family and train the interview 3 times.

Post: #10

Hey guys, just an update, I went today and it wasn't really an interview. The job is is in a warehouse office and is a supervisor job which is strange because this would be my first office job. I passed this stage and the guy seemed to like me. I have another interview next week with the area manager which should seal the deal.

I have another opportunity which is strange as well. I have a video question interview for an investment firm as a project management apprentice. I have to answer questions in the allotted time while recording my self and have one go. Wtf kind of shit is this.

Post: #11

(02-18-2015 10:43 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  I have another opportunity which is strange as well. I have a video question interview for an investment firm as a project management apprentice. I have to answer questions in the allotted time while recording my self and have one go. Wtf kind of shit is this.

It's standard practice nowadays. This is what happens when HR people run the hiring process, they don't give a fuck about candidates (or employees/colleagues for that matter) anymore, they just care abour their KPI's.

Post: #12

I just got a call from HR and I've got the job! Going to be working in credit control from next week in central London. I'm very great full and thankful for all the advice given to me in this thread. It really did help.

Now that is sorted I can focus on other areas of my life as my finances will be in order.

Post: #13

Congrats on the job, I thought I'd add this anyway.

These are my questions I throw out during interviews:

why is this position open
what changes are you wanting to see in the company / department
how has this job been performed in the past (by previous candidates)
key goals for this specific job, how do you see this position
evolving.
what do you think my biggest challenge will be when i start
working here.

how would you describe your management style
Are you similar to others in the organisation or are you a maverick
what type of people do you work best with
what particular traits do you value the most in your subordinates
what kind of people succeed in this company
what have you liked most / least about working here.


How did you get you come to work here?
what do you love about working here?

tell me about the most successful perosn you've hired in the last year,
and why.
tell me about someone who has been unsuccessful and why.

if there was anything about my experience or background
that you wish you could change or enhance to make me a better
fit for this job, what would they be.


The last one takes some guts to ask, but I find it useful, if they the interviewer themselves are honest (most aren't) but it can turn an otherwise negative into a positive if handled with confidence.

Post: #14

(02-16-2015 03:17 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  Hey guys, I'm 19 years old and about to drop out of university. I've got my first job interview on Wednesday for an accounts administration role. It pays decently and I realise it's a crap job but I could use the experience to branch off to another company to become an accountant and study for my CIMA.

I've never had an interview and don't really know what to expect. I searched the forum but couldn't really find anything on this topic. Any help would be appreciated.

It's not a crap job for a 19 year old. Two women do that job in my company, aged 29 and 40 roughly.

You've got to start somewhere, and that's not really 'the bottom'. You will learn a lot about the mechanics of running a business.

Post: #15

Good effort James.

Be sure to use your lunchbreak for daygame

Post: #16

Haha well there are a lot of hotties in central London