Need help with Clerical Job Interviews?

Question

I have several years experience in the clerical/secretarial field. I am confident with my office & computer skills. I am a very good employee when I finally get the job, and have been told by many co-workers and supervisors how good I am. However, I am lousy during the job interviews, can't think of the simpliest answers, panic, go blank, look like an idiot. When I leave and get in the car, I think of answers I should have said that would have been brilliant, but, of course, it's too late. I am a calm, intellegent person when I am working, but panic during the interview.

A few samples:

We are interviewing several people who have skills we are looking for. Why should we hire you?

What did you find difficult in your last job, and how did you overcome it?

What would you do if your boss gave you an assignment that you had no experience in doing?

How do you prioritize your workload?

Your co-worker is not doing their job and is frequently late. What would you do?

Answer 1

Ok. First, you need to prepare for the interview the night before the interview. Second, the morning of the interview, you need to make sure you are dressed appropriately and have extra copies of your resume. Third, on the way to the interview you need to think about anything other than the interview!!

Part of your preparation for the interview process should be going to some of the job hunting sites and looking over the interview questions and answers. It's also helpful to write down some of the questions you have had trouble with the past and work on writing out a solid answer to those questions. You can always bring a notebook with you to interviews and have notes on answering questions. For example a list of your strengths and weaknesses or a list of your accomplishments.

Answer 2

If you look on websites such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com, etc. they can provide many questions that most interviewers will ask and great tips on how to conduct yourself during the interview. You should answer some of those questions for yourself BEFORE going on an interview - write the questions and answers down and study them (don't try to memorize everything word for word or anything like that...just be prepared). This way, you will already have an idea of what to expect and what you wish to say.

Also, if you happen to blank out for a moment then pose the question asked of you as a statement and give yourself time to think. For example, if the question is "What would you do if your boss gave you an assignment that you had no experience in doing?" then you can begin your answer with "That's an excellent question. If my boss gave me an assignment that I had no experience in doing, I would...." Although it may seem cheesy and redundant, in those few seconds you can be thinking and getting your answer together. Trust me...it works.

Good luck on future interviews and remember...preparation is key. People tend to be a lot more calm and rational when they are sufficiently prepared and confident in themselves and their abilities.

Answer 3

Practice, practice, practice. Have a friend or family member "interview" you until you are comfortable and the answers flow from you.

I have to interview people for clerical positions all the time. I do understand that people are nervous and may not be at their best during an interview and try everything to get them to relax. Try not to be intimidated by the interview process, they are just people like you afterall.

By practicing answers to the most common interview questions you will improve your interview skills. Your problem is simply stage fright once you overcome that you'll be fine. Relax!

Answer 4

you extremely might desire to make sure if the corporate is informal gown, or time-honored company dresses. in case you may no longer discover out (do no longer call the guy interviewing you) then err on the fringe of overdressed. A jacket and shirt and skirt to the knee might desire to be suited. a gasp or skirt healthful could be large. look at a number of the JcPenney or Marshall Fields, or Kohls branch keep provides. Stuff interior the "profession separates" section is what you're finding for. attempt to reproduction the look with something you own. in case you do no longer own something formal sufficient - purchase a minimum of one pair of black trousers and a button down shirt for interviewing in. those products gets you alot of wardrome mileage. do no longer gown for the activity you have, gown for the activity you go with for. meaning gown extra advantageous than you'll be able to desire to for this activity. shop your hair, makeup, and rings conservative. do no longer positioned on overpowering fragrance. And maximum of all stable success! :)