Having 1st interview in 5 years any tips?

Question

Being interviewed by 2 people
Admin/Reception Position

Answer 1

If the 5-year gap is because you have been hard at work with one company, then this is a good sign of loyalty. Focus on the achievements you have contributed to the company. If it is because you have not worked but engaged in meaningful activity (like being a mother), be honest to say so.

Prepare for the interview by knowing more about the company, exact names of those who will interview you, the requirements of the job, skills which you may have to polish up, and prepare a portfolio containing your resume and documents.

Go early for the interview, greet everyone, dress appropriately (be as formal as possible without overdressing), hair bunned up and well-groomed, light make-up, lightly perfumed with no body odor, color match your clothes, bag, shoes and accessories. As you are going for a reception position, first image impression is important.

During the interview, speak loudly and pronounce clearly, show confidence, sit up straight and lean forward slightly, look the interviewers in their eyes, be friendly and conversational, focus on your strengths, don't fidget or scratch, keep your hands on your lap, ask sensible questions. As a frontliner, your friendliness and approach are important.

Finally, thank the interviewers, shake hands firmly (since you are a lady, you offer first), remember your stuff (bag, portfolio etc) and exit. Also thank the secretary or receptionist as you leave. Send a thank you card when you reach home.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Firstly, congratulations on getting to interview! You obviously have what they need. Remember that. It will give you confidence and give them the impression that you can do the job well - which I'm sure you can!

I would suggest preparing a few answers - there are books and internet stuff on possible interview questions. The best one I've found involves PSP system - you pick your own personal 5 selling points, e.g. proven interpersonal skills, and build all you answers around them. I found it gave me something to focus on in the interview itself so I could forget my nerves a bit!

Also a nice extra is researching the company a bit - what do they do? Is there anything particularly relevant at the moment for them? Then if the moment is right you can always slip it into conversation - not making a big point of it but just to let them know you're interested in them and being "part of the team".

Lastly, practice, practice, practice! Enough can't be said for it. Practice in the mirror so you can see what you look like. With a friend so you can get feed-back. Rehearse points you might bring up in answer to various questions.

Then when you're sure you can't do anymore, just stop and relax. Get a good rest the night before. It's only an interview and all good experience at the end of the day.

Oh and the best interview advice I've heard so far is "remember the interview starts the moment you can see the building, involves all of the people you may meet in and around it, and doesn't end til you lose sight of the building again".

Good luck!

Answer 3

Unfortunately it's true that they'll have made their minds up within ten seconds of meeting you - especially for a reception position. So it's all down to how you look. Obviously if you speak well and can string a sentence together, that will go in your favour too! But spend time on your appearance - wear a smart dark suit and a white blouse/shirt, high heels and if you've got long hair wear it up. Wear a bit of make up, not too much and remember to smile! There you go - job's yours!

Answer 4

In 5 years, not much has changed except for the level of electronic mail put out.

Ironically, make it a point how you will delay an e-mail message in order to ensure all of the information is correct. Incorrect information is 1000x worse than having an e-mail 45 minutes late by far.

Make sure that you'll represent the position well (company / organization) but you will support your supervisors as well as possible.

Answer 5

I know how you feel, I felt like I was under interrogation by some kind of secret police. I was asked questions off the forms they were holding on the lines of "Why do you want this job" Err MONEY, "What do you think that you can bring to this job" Err MYSELF!! . It was only a bloody cleaning job as well.
I would say, " Keep cool , don't act like your desperate and ask them some questions 2 if you don't get the job , ma be it wasn't meant to be, might be something better round the corner. It will be good practise if you don't succeed. Good luck

Answer 6

Remember you are interviewing them too, to find out if you want them to be your employer. Always make sure you have researched the company so you can state basic information like what they do, how successful/large the company is, who their competitors are etc. Being a receptionist it is your appearance and personality that are important so make sure they remember you for the right reason.

Answer 7

Where, when , how. Sounds like a kind of job i would like.:))) Dress nicely, look neat and clean, specially the nails. Do not fiddle with your hair or your hands , keep feet still, look confident, be honest and look them in the eye when they talk to you. Don't tell them you don't know how to do this or that just say you do and then learn it as fast as you can. Appear confidant and happy, smile at them and greet them politely. Good luck :)))

Answer 8

just be yourself,don't come across as if its the be all and end all? i went for one 2years ago,and went with the attitude if i get it i get it,if i don't i don't? and i bumming got it? remember one thing, whoever it is interviewing you, they are only people like you and i,and if you don't get the job , look on the bright side, there could be something bigger and better round the corner? GOOD LUCK..

Answer 9

DRESS SMART IS THE FIRST THING AS YOU ARE GOING FOR A RECEPTION JOB AND YOU WILL BE ON SHOW. NEXT BE OUT GOING AND CONFIDENT,LOOK THEM IN THE EYE, AND BE HONEST NO POINT LYING YOU ARE ALWAYS FOUND OUT IN THE END. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 10

look confident, don't fiddle, be yourself, turn all your experiences to your advantage, dress smartly, polish shoes, sit up straight, only sit down when asked to, be punctual, have a firm handshake... there some of the things interviewers look for