I have an interview Friday Morning...

[halfback20]

I am interviewing with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday morning. Any suggestions?

 

Wish me luck. It's the first interview I've ever had.

[mcpapa]

Try to make a good impression on the secretary/administrative assistant before the actual interview starts.

[HHSDad]

Where a flannel shirt.

[halfback20]

Where a flannel shirt.

 

Not so sure that is a good idea. :lol:

[HHSDad]

Speak with confidence, but don't make yourself "comfortable". Firm handshake to start, don't sit before the interviewer does. Stay forward and alert in your seat. Don't BS the interviewer. Don't pad your stats. Ask questions about the job, even if you know all there is to know. Always, always, always stay excited about the job. If the interviewer says you'll have to clean latrines, come back with "Of course. We (not you) have to have clean and well maintained facilities for our guests. Otherwise, we won't have any guests!" Listen closely to the interviewer. That way you'll be able to pick up what's important to him.

 

In preparation, think of every question that you would hate to be asked during an interview, then figure out an answer to it. If asked what your weaknesses are, have something ready that may seem like a weakness but actually makes you a stronger candidate. Like, "I don't like to be stuck in the same routine. I'd rather be out working on different things and working outside." Know what your job will entail.

 

If you get one of those interviewers who are more interested in talking than listening, you'll be in trouble unless your redirect his speech. Find a way to insert how you would see yourself involved in what he's talking about. This is not easy and somewhat dangerous, but otherwise, you have no way of distinguishing yourself from every other candidate who sat there and listened to the interviewer ramble.

 

Good Luck!

[halfback20]

Thanks HHSDad.

I've been trying to think of a "weakness" that doesn't make me look bad for a long time.

 

I've also been trying to study up on the Fish and Wildlife department a little bit so that I know a little about them in case they ask me, "How much do you know about this department?".

 

I'm just not sure what else they will ask me besides that, and my strengths and weaknesses. I'm not even sure how many people will be there in the interview with me. I've heard anywhere from 2-5. I hope it's less, but I'll deal with it if it is more.

 

I need to be more confident. I'm just afraid that I'll get in there since it is my first interview and I'll choke. I'm afraid I'll start stuttering, or saying "uh...uh". I'm really trying to make sure I do not do those things.

 

I plan on wearing a suit and showing up pretty early to the interview. I'm also trying to remember to sit up straight and make a lot of eye contact.

 

I have a question...

 

If I'm seated away from the interviewer(s) and they can see me, what should I do with my hands? I know they shouldn't be in my pockets, or fidgeting around a lot. Should I just put them in my lap and stay as still as possible, or just be relaxed and let them move around a little?

[HHSDad]

I have a question...

 

If I'm seated away from the interviewer(s) and they can see me, what should I do with my hands? I know they shouldn't be in my pockets, or fidgeting around a lot. Should I just put them in my lap and stay as still as possible, or just be relaxed and let them move around a little?

For the most part, keep them in your lap. But there's nothing wrong with talking with your hands. Keeping them in your lap too much makes you look robotic. Too much animation makes you look like you're on speed. Use your normal gestures, well maybe not that one, but the others should be okay. Stay relaxed and you should be fine. And don't put your hands in your pockets!

[sportsfan41]

For the most part, keep them in your lap. But there's nothing wrong with talking with your hands. Keeping them in your lap too much makes you look robotic. Too much animation makes you look like you're on speed. Use your normal gestures, well maybe not that one, but the others should be okay. Stay relaxed and you should be fine. And don't put your hands in your pockets!

 

So what you're really saying HHS is that he shouldn't do any drugs before the interview? HB I think he's right on the money, just relax, eat something light before you go in but not too much. It's never good having to stop an interview to go #2, and if your nervous it can happen.

[polarbear1994]

On the weakness question, turn it into a positive. For instance, say something like "I have a hard time saying no, so my schedule is so full"

[mcpapa]

Maybe you'll get lucky and the entire interview will consist of softball questions about the NY Giants. Hey, a person can hope...

[halfback20]

Maybe you'll get lucky and the entire interview will consist of softball questions about the NY Giants. Hey, a person can hope...

 

:lol:

[stick1]

Thanks HHSDad.

I've been trying to think of a "weakness" that doesn't make me look bad for a long time.

 

I've also been trying to study up on the Fish and Wildlife department a little bit so that I know a little about them in case they ask me, "How much do you know about this department?".

 

I'm just not sure what else they will ask me besides that, and my strengths and weaknesses. I'm not even sure how many people will be there in the interview with me. I've heard anywhere from 2-5. I hope it's less, but I'll deal with it if it is more.

 

I need to be more confident. I'm just afraid that I'll get in there since it is my first interview and I'll choke. I'm afraid I'll start stuttering, or saying "uh...uh". I'm really trying to make sure I do not do those things.

 

I plan on wearing a suit and showing up pretty early to the interview. I'm also trying to remember to sit up straight and make a lot of eye contact.

 

I have a question...

 

If I'm seated away from the interviewer(s) and they can see me, what should I do with my hands? I know they shouldn't be in my pockets, or fidgeting around a lot. Should I just put them in my lap and stay as still as possible, or just be relaxed and let them move around a little?

 

I've had around 10 interviews for jobs, scholarships etc and have gotten every one of them so far. You are already getting yourself phsyched about not messing up. Think of it just like it was when you were preparing for a football game on Fri night. You studied your opponent and prepared to go out and play with confidence because you had prepared harder. You exceled because you were prepared, played confident and played loose. It's not much different. Spend your time right now researching the job.. what are the duties...what kinds of things have you done in the past that have prepared you to excel in those duties etc. The best thing you can do right now is think if you were in their shoes what would you want to see in a person you are interviewing. You would want somebody dependable, somebody with good common sense, somebody that has shown they are ready to handle the job responsibilities based on past experiences etc. Be confident in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself nobody will!!! That doesn't mean arrogant because there is a fine line. As important as anything is be passionate about why you want that specific job! Let them know this is the job that you really want and you will do what it takes to be successful in it! Passion sales! One thing you might do is sit down and list the top 5 most important things that the job might require. Then look at jobs or things you have done in the past that shows where you have shined in the past with that trait. Example: I taught/coached football for almost 10 years. I took a pharmaceutical sales job. I made a list of top things a sales rep had to do:

Organized...People Skills..etc. I didn't have "sales experience" but I was able to show the cooralation in the past that I did tons of organized work teaching/coaching (I had examples in a brag book for them but that's a little different than this interview probably).

In the end prepare now for what the job entails. Find specific reasons in your past why you are prepared for this job. Have confidence in yourself. You wouldn't have an interview if they didn't have some intrest in you! Say a prayer, do your best, be passionate why you want this specific job then go on with your life. I always felt like I had a leg up because I would see people a nervous wreck. Down deep I felt that way but was able to relate it to ball. I knew going in I was more prepared than everyone and already had a leg up because I was going in confident. It's just like ball man! You prepare all week and go play loose having fun because you know you are prepared!

Hope this helps. I have to make myself be confident as I can be shy and as outgoing as they are if that makes any sense lol. Give it your best and have the attitude that your life is really no different once you leave that interview. You go in not having the job but great friends and family. If it goes bad you still don't have the job but have friends and family. If you get it then you get it and still have friends and family!:lol: That always helped me take a little pressure off myself. You're going to have a lot of opportunites in life. Go give it your best and deal with the consiquences when they come.

I'll also say that you should look at it that if you don't get the job then you got a GREAT opportunity to have an interview experience that you can learn from. If you get it then even better. Don't let the fear of failure handcuff you. Just be yourself and be passionate about why you are the best fit for the job with them!

[halfback20]

Thanks :thumb:

[75center]

When they ask you to tell them about yourself, go ahead at some point and tell them it's your first interview ever and you're nervous as all get out. Everyone's been there at some point and it can serve as an icebreaker. Good luck.

[stick1]

On the weakness question go along the lines of something like you sometimes get to wrapped up in your work or if you are a perfectionist that sometimes you work to hard on being perfect (I'm not but my dad is). Be honest but find something that could be perceived as a weakness but really is a good trait. You only need one.

You said you were showing up early. That is good but not too early. What I've found works best is to stay somewhere close to where I am interviewing. I don't know if it's far from you or not. If it's your hometown then stay at your parents. You don't want to stay to far away because you never know about traffic etc. If you have a short drive then that takes a lot of anxiety away. You definatly want to take a practice run and get there around 10-15 minutes early at least. If you get there 30 minutes or more then you are going to be sitting there a long time. Practice projecting your voice in the car on the way there. You don't want your first words of the day to be in the interview. That also gives you some confidence.

You have nothing to lose man. It's a great learning experience and if you are prepared then you are already a leg up! Think about what you are going to do after the interview. That puts a little perspective on it that life goes on.