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There is a book called something like the "first 100 days", was recommended by a friend to another friend that was in a new job and managing people for the first time.
Don't second guess yourself! You have the knowledge, and it takes just as much skill to manage in the retail setting than an office setting - you just need to apply those examples to the job you have applied for. That is all they are looking for. They already think you must have talent because you were offered an interview! Now you just need to show them you are the best for the job. Think of some possible questions you might be asked and prepare some answers to them so you are not caught completely offguard. Have examples ready about when you solved conflict, delegated work, leadership, and worked well as a team. That is half the battle!
Some general interview tips that helped me in the process last year were:
- Come prepared with concrete examples of how you handled difficult issues in prior jobs. "Tell me about a time you..." questions are common and hard to answer without prep
- Have a friend do a mock interview for you - this helped me so much.
- You need to convince them that you're the best person for the job, and you can't do that if you don't believe it yourself. It sounds like you have management experience, albeit in a different environment, that definitely qualifies you for this position. So don't wonder whether you can do well in this new job or not, but just assume that you can and focus on how to convince the interviewer of this.
Good luck!
You could also come up with some of your "weaknesses" (perhaps whatever you're nervous about?) and have some ideas on how you are going to work on those weaknesses. You'll be great!
My advice: suit up! No such thing as being overdressed for an interview.
Definitely dress up, and I used a couple of website to prepare answers for questions, or at least get comfortable with my responses to interview questions.
A lot of employers no a days are using behavioral interviewing type questions which ask for specific examples of your exemplified a certain trait in a previous work situation, so try to be prepared with lots of examples of previous experience managing people.
Good luck!
Definitely do some research on the company ahead of time, so that you can prepare questions to ask them when they ask you "Do you have any questions for us?"
Asking them questions makes you seem more interested in the job, and if you ask them something based on something you had to research, they will be more impressed because they know you have prepared.
Just for example, an interview I had at a newspaper once. I saw on their website through some link or something that they had recently been bought out by another company. This is a very successful paper (or was at the time) so I asked something along the lines of how the recent purchase would change things at the paper, if they thought it would make them even more successful, etc. etc.
My best advice: Wear a suit. First impressions are important and this will definitely give off the management material vibe.
I always make a list of common questions or questions that I anticipate they might ask and then I go over each question and formulate different answer strategies. So if the interviewer seems to have a focus on achievements I can use my achievement line of answers. Or if they seem to have a focus on teamwork I can pull out my answers that related to that. These are not memorized responses or anything, just more like outlines to help me remember what I want to say so I don't stumble. I always go over these answers outloud in the days before the interview and that morning, usually while in the shower. :)
Wow great advice! I do need to find something nice to wear, my last job I could show up in sweats and it wouldn't be a problem.
I have already started researching the company, although there isn't much on them out there.
I already know some of the questions they will most likely ask me, just because I had to go to soo many interviews last year. I guess I am most nervous because this is paying more than I have ever been paid before, and I feel like there is something I will not be expecting in the interview.
Thanks for al the support, I do feel a little less nervous now!
Even if there is something unexpected, it won't be anything you can't handle.
They called you, so clearly you've got the skills and the experience they're looking for. A curveball question is just an opportunity to showcase how your abilities are unique, but still an asset.
Good luck!
Sounds like you've gotten a lot of great advice. Just remember to breathe, and that they wouldn't have granted you the interview if they didn't already think you'd be a suitable fit for their requirements.
Get a good night's sleep. Bring a bottle of water if you can fit one in your purse, so you can have a sip while you're in the waiting room, if you get nervous dry mouth. Wear something that makes you feel powerful, but not fidgety. Don't wear too much jewelry that you'll feel the urge to pull on, adjust, etc.
Don't feel the need to fill every available scrap of silence-- keep your answers thoughtful, but simple. If you don't know the answer to one of the questions, don't feel the need to make something up-- just tell them that you'll look into it and let them know the next day. Come prepared with some questions to ask them, as well.
Follow up with a hand-written thank you note, sent on the same day as your interview, or the next morning. In the note, answer any small questions that were still outstanding, if you had to check on anything for the questions your interviewer asked.
Also: once they offer you the job, please NEGOTIATE your salary! I don't care if it's more than you've ever made before. Ask for more. They can always turn you down, but chances are, they will increase their offer by a bit. Studies show that women miss out on a lot of available money over their careers because they a. don't negotiate their starting salary, and b. don't ask for raises. If you don't ask, you don't get!
@jhphi that is great advice! My last boss told me the same thing about sending a thank you note. I have never negotiated my pay before, so what exactly do you ask? Do you say, "I was thinking more like this much..."?
My FH gave me a great piece of advice for interviews. Have three stories about yourself that you can always pull out of your pocket to exemplify pretty much anything they ask of you, (ie. teamwork, overcoming adversity/difficulty, leadership, etc). Once I came up with my 3 stories I found myself sticking to those in most interviews.
as some others have said, suit up! no matter how casual the dress code is there, let them know you take the job seriously. Also, make sure your nails look nice.
Be confident and look your interviewer in the eye when speaking. You'd be surprised how distracted some people seem in interviews. Don't be afraid to be friendly and casual. I mean don't put your feet up but put your interviewer at ease by being breezy instead of stuffy and uptight.
Re pay: Ask for at least 15 percent more than the salary quoted in the ad.
Google common interview questions, and be prepared with your answers. Try to stay away from cliche and over used things like saying that you're a people person or think outside the box. Be confident, and dress professionally - remember, dress for the job you want (my dad always told me that) and do some research on the company before you go. They will probably ask you if you know anything about the company and they'll be impressed when you do. Have an elevator speech (google it), so that you have a little something to say without rambling when they say ,"tell me about yourself". And good luck!!!
Have some questions prepared to ask (they always ask at the end if you have questions). DO NOT ask questions about the salary. Ask things that make you sound smart, what i mean is, if you've researched the company, incorporate something you now know about them into your questions.
In my last interview (for my current job) I asked about opportunities for advancement, and also if they would support me going back to school for more education at some point.
layalbelle, i have never heard of the Elevator Speech before but I will definitely get to work on that! Every interviewer asks me to tell them about myself and i am never sure about the balance between personal life/career life I should share.
OttawaBride2011 I do want to have questions prepared to ask them, I am just not sure what yet! But I also plan to go back to school at some point!
Wish I had some advice, but I'm a hairstylist, which isn't exactly a manager.
Congrats though and Good luck!
Adding on to what jduck said-when I got the "what is your weakness/strength" question, I found a way to turn it into a positive.
I.E: I can be really stubborn but that helps me get the job done right!
Oh yeah, definitely don't do the salary negotiation part or ask questions about how much vacation time you'll get off or anything at the first interview-- obviously that will have to wait until you're actually offered the position. :) After the interview, if you feel it went well, you can research comparable positions, and come up with an expected figure, for your experience and level. If they're offering you the job, let them throw out the first number. If they ask you first, and you give them a number that's lower than they were going to offer in the first place, there's really no way to get way back up there. There are tons of tips online about negotiating salary, so check that out, once you've nailed it! :)
Good luck!
on the salary, try to make them make the offer first....more like if THEY bring it up "I look forward to seeing your offer" try not to handle the salary negotiation in the interview if AT ALL possible...decide in advance if you are willing to bring a # to the table, but I advise against it! However, since you don't have a job (sorry!) you don't have as much room to negotiate.
Know that they may not recall your resume, so don't be afraid to highlight things in your resume during your interview. So, you should review it right before and bring extras w/ you (on resume paper).
According to my professor, don't wear your e-ring/w-ring. Dress conservatively in colors like black, blue or navy and closed toe shoes. It's better to overdress! Good luck!
I think there's some generic questions you can use in any interview if you haven't been able to find out much informtaion on the company.
What can you tell me about the company atmosphere? And what do you like/dislike about this company?
How do you see this position fitiing into the overall company mission statement or long and short-term goals?
What specific projects would I/my team/my department be working on in the next year if I received this job?
Good luck on your interview! It's so exciting to get your first "grown-up" job!
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So I am only 22 an have worked mainly part time my whole life. I got laid off last week because the store I worked at went out of business.
I just got off the phone and I have a job interview on Monday!!! I am really nervous because it's a full time position managing several people below me... I have had management positions before but that was always retail, which I am really comfortable with. Now this is (what I consider to be) a much more mature setting....so I am kinda freaking out!
Any of you worker Bees have any advice?