Interview Tips?

Question

I have an interview tomorrow, for Quality Control Trainer, which involves general qc work and training others. It is a factory.
I sent my cv off on monday and received a phone call yesterday saying i have to come in on friday, closing date wasnt till 18th so i was quite surprised..
Anyway, what should i need? I remember going for my interview for my current position, and didnt take anything, but this is a more important job, and i would like to make a good impression..
I have a suit, but i dont think it will be very much needed, because it is more of an informal job, in a factory, lol but i dont know. Can anyone give me any tips ???

It is a new company i will be working with. I have however done the very same job at my current place of work. Everything is the same, except different company. When i applied closing date was 18/8/06 , seeing as they are asking for interviews, they must need someone quick. Yes?

Here is the description of the job...

You will be responsible for all aspects of quality and product safety. Will conduct various checks within the production process. You will monitor production against quality standards and provide on the job quality training as required. Providing assistance to the relevant team leader, you will highlight non conformances and assist in providing solutions

Answer 1

1 - I agree w/ the other posters. Wear a suit. I am in charge of the HR department for a manufacturing company (where those in the factory dress casual) and I strongly suggest dressing as professional as possible.
2 - Do research. Visit the company's website (and manage to drop that into a conversation - "I saw on your website that you have a FL location, would I be responsible for training those employees as well?") Knowing a lot about the company shows interest, it shows that you are thorough and don't mind doing some research and most importantly - it strokes the interviewers ego. If you can print something out from their website - go for it.
3 - Study the job posting - come up with examples of how you can fulfill each requirement and relevant examples. They may not ask you everything exactly, but by having these 'canned' answers in your head, you'll be better prepared to answer many of their questions
4 - Don't panic at stupid questions - some HR people and managers think that they are able to psychoanalyze interviewees by asking weird questions, i.e. "If you were an animal, what animal would you be?" They have no clue or ability to analyze an answer to this type of question. Smile and make something up. Not panicking and saying "ummmm" is the most important thing here.
5 - Come up w/ some key words/phrases - positive and negative. This helps for questions like, "What is your biggest fault?", "Give me 3 words to describe yourself?" Write these words/phrases down in a notebook you are carrying w/ you so you can cheat during the interview (note - if you're not smooth, don't try to cheat). Examples: perfectionist, responsible, attention to detail, team player, respected by colleagues, ethical, dedicated, etc.
6 - As mentioned in #5, bring a nice notebook (leather cover looks good if possible, if not, just avoid cartoon characters and that sort of thing). This is to take notes.
7 - Be prepared to ask questions. Hopefully, you will have some after the interview, if not - here are some standards.
BENEFITS: Who is your health insurance carrier? What are your standard benefits? When would I be eligible for benefits? What do the benefits cost?
JOB: Why is this position open (did the person get fired, promoted, new position, etc.)? What would be the next logical career step within your organization after this position? How often are performance reviews administered? Who would I be reporting to?
COMPANY (only if you can't get this information online or through another source): Is this company public? How many locations do you have?
8 - Don't say anything bad about previous employers or co-workers. Even if it is deserved.
9 - Oops - almost forgot - as some others said - bring a couple copies of an up-to-date resume.

Answer 2

Hello, I've hired many individuals over the years and one of them was in a food manuf. facility (factory).

First, I suggest you wear your suit. No matter if the dress code is casual. You want to make a good impression. It shows respect for the interviewer and it will help you feel good and be more confident. Most of your fellow interviewers may appear casual, and just think, you'll have one up on them.

Second, what to take? Your resume and references along with a notebook and pen. Take notes. Ask questions, (be genuinely curious), as if you already had the job. Know that this might be the first time that this much information is given to you all at one sitting. Write down the names of key people they give you. This way, when it's time to go around and introduce you to them (on your first day of hire), it will be easiest to remember WHO they are. (First and last names are important). How has it made you feel when someone remembered your name? Do some research on the company ahead of time, so you can ask some intelligent questions. Let them know you researched the company and had some questions. Keep them short and concise. Do answer your interviewer with a smile and only the question asked. Check in on yourself, to make sure you're not rambling. Be a good listener as well. You will learn a lot in this first meeting. This is your opportunity to sell yourself. Your resume gets you in the door, you need to do the rest to get the job. Be polite and courteous please.

Lastly, send a "thank you" note immediately after your interview. Mail it that same day is best, but the following will work. You might even drop it back off to the Receptionist. As for format, you can type it on a formal letter, or get a very simple (no frills) thank you card. Be short and sweet. Address them by name as in:

Dear Ms. Jones:

Thank you so much for your time today in interviewing me for the Quality Control Trainer position.

In learning more about the position, feel I would be a good fit for you because of..._______(your response here might be focusing 1-3 things that the interviewer is looking for specifically that was listed in the job posting and reiterated in the interview).

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Your Name Here
(415-555-5555)

Hope that's helpful.
Best,
Ms. Viva

Answer 3

It's hard to be over-dressed for an interview. Put your best foot forward.

Formulate some questions to find out what skills they feel are required for the position. If you can anticipate what they'll be looking for, make sure you have stories about past experiences for each required skill. Write them out and practice them in front of the mirror to be more smooth and polished. Preparation will help you be more confident as well, since you'll already know what to say!

It sounds like this is a position with the company you are currently working for. If so, you can share what you enjoy about the company and why you feel that this is a better position for you. If it's a different company, learn as much about them as you can and ask intelligent questions to clarify things you found out in your research that make a difference to that position to show that you've researched their operations.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I wouldn't know about that particular position, but I have been to loads of interviews and have a suggestion because I have been to so many I have become a master. Always ask some relevant questions, my favourite being asking the interviewer what they most like about working for the company. You can find out about interview techniques on the internet too, but always adapt it for yourself. Also it's hard to relax but remember a test is only a test because that's how you make it.

Answer 5

The key is to sound confident, but not like you are bragging about yourself. DON'T LIE. This will make you feel uncomfortable and even make the interviewer uncomfortable as well. Also, before the interview, stand in front of a mirror and speak around 200 words. This is so that your muscles in your mouth are pretty warmed up for the interview. Other than that, just be yourself.

Answer 6

Your best impression is when you walk in and meet them for the first time. Sit down and stay calm. Be strong minded. Know what you want and get. Be a good listener as well as a talker.
remember to laugh and smile. Harmony is a good sign of free spirit of the mind.
For the females do not show any cleavage, that is bad. Cover your self up all the way. Be the lady and be strong minded., Good Luck.

Answer 7

Wear the suit as suits make good impressions, thats my mistakes so far. Just take yourself as they would specify if you needed to take anything like qualifications, first aid certificates etc. Make yourself classy and look nice. I don't know if your a man or a woman, i'll tell you what i do, if i know it is a man that is interviewing me, wear tight low cut tops and show ur ****, me love it and your guaranteed the job, if your a man look trendy and tidy and make the woman feel special, if its a woman to woman or a man to man just be polite and curtious. You cannot score any goals there.

Answer 8

First, take a deep breath. They want you so don't worry too much. Play hard to get and act like you aren't sure if you should switch jobs. Put them in the position of pursuing you. It's called framing and it works if you have self confidence.

Answer 9

I would take a current resume, references, and letters of recommendation if you have them