HELP Interview STRESS!?

Question

I have an interview working for a Health Club as an Assistant Manager tomorrow. I need guidance because, my interviewing skills really suck and I get nervous. I know part of the interviewing process is to ask a lot of questions and to be asked a lot of questions.

Can anyone help me with what types of questions that I should ask and what types of questions will be asked of me.

I’ve never worked in a health club before.

Answer 1

Most managers like to brag about their business so they like softball questions that let them sell the company. Since a health club is basically a service, I think they would like to brag about their clients and what a good job they do serving them, and probably the facilities.

If you ask about future plans for expansion it's a twofer because they get to brag about how dynamic the company is and it suggests you have some ambition as a manager, since presumably they would need more managers to run more locations. If they are expanding, then a good follow-up question would be to ask if they promote from within. If the company is complacently sitting on its laurels, with no plans for growth, then ask a question that suggests you value stability (for example: "You've been at this location for 10 years--you must have loyal members?").

Another standard softball is to ask the interviewer what it's like to work at the place, or what their career path has been if you want to highlight your ambition. This question is for potential supervisors and peers, not HR people.

I think a few objective questions are fine too, just not a pile of them so it feels like an interrogation. Work hours and location(s) are certainly fair game. Unless you know they have good benefits, I'd avoid questions about insurance, vacations, 401(k)s and such. If you ask about a benefit they don't have they might assume you'll be disgruntled.

As for what they will ask you, they will probably zero in on your management experience and any experience with customer/client contact. Health club experience is obviously not an absolute requirement, but you will want to hammer on any of these themes that you can:

good at managing/leading people (managing people in unpaid situations is worth bringing up if your work experience is thin here)
good at keeping customers happy and solving their problems
good at sales
want to advance but always as a "team member", never backstabbing or ruthless
committed to customer satisfaction
share the customers' commitment to and/or enjoyment of staying in shape--you definitely want to claim exercise is a major focus of your non-work life, with a good deal of mundane exercise like running, not just exotic stuff like mountain climbing.

You definitely need to plan your answer to the question about your weakness(es). You have to admit to a non-trivial failing, but not a killer like alcoholism, and always end with how you've alleviated the issue. This song and dance is so old that it's really about seeing you perform--almost like an actor doing a prepared reading at an audition.

Also, try to keep the negative messages at bay before the interview. Instead of dwelling on poor interviewing skills, focus on what qualities you want to sell. Something like, "I may not be good at interviews, but I'm not applying to be a guest on a talk show. I've proven I'm a good manager, and I can convince anyone of that."

Good luck. Why don't you tell us how it goes tomorrow in the additional details section?

Houyhnhnm

Answer 2

Things to ask:
-What are the hours for this position?
-Is there a dress code, and if so, what is it?
-What are the top three things you're looking for in a successful candidate for this job?
-How does my background match with your requirements?

It's ok to write down your questions and bring them with you in a notebook to the interview.

What they'll ask you is anyone's guess - some interviewers are very professional and others, not so much. My guess would be that the person interviewing you in a health club probably hasn't worked there too long themself - those jobs tend to have high turnover since they are often staffed by young student types.

Be prepared to answer questions about your education and experience, why you left your last job(s), why you want this job, what you are best at and where you could improve.

And remember, with interviewing, practice makes perfect. This is the time to round up pals and family members and ask them to "practice interview" you.

You'll be fine - good luck! :)

Answer 3

My #1 piece of advice would be definitely research the place where you are interviewing, and also the industry. The more you know about it, the more comfortable you will feel. This will also allow you to come up with some good questions at the end (which is key).

I expect there will be a lot of behavorial type questions. These types of questions usually go something like :

"Tell me about a time when.."

Then you must identify three things:

-The circumstance
-The action you took
-The result

Try to reference other work or school experiences when talking about these scenarios, not personal stories.

A good sight for practice questions is:
http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_behavioral.html
http://www.jobweb.com/Resources/Library/Interviews/How_to_Behave_in_a_59_01.htm
www.vault.com

Answer 4

Follow these instructions and you will do well in ANY interview.

PREPARATION

1. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared with a solid presentation of your strong points so that your weaknesses seem slight in comparison. The interviewer will be constantly probing for weaknesses and testing for strengths.

2. Know the requirements of the job so that you can relate how your qualifications compare with these requirements. You must be able to show the fit between " what you can do" and "what must be done." You must be prepared to show why you should be hired.

3. Know the company: its products and/or services, its competitors, its history, size, location of plants and the like. A brief description of the company usually accompanies an advertisement for vacant positions.

It is also useful to find out who will interview you. Research of this nature can pay dividends in helping you prepare yourself and determine the direction the interview will take.

4. Know the difficult questions that are typically asked and prepare your answers to these questions.

5. Write down your own questions. Near the end of the interview, you will be usually asked if you have your own questions. This is the time to inquire about the nature of the work, the working conditions, working hours, training programs given to employees, chances for career growth and advancement, and any other points that may have not been covered yet. Questions pertaining to salary or benefits are never discussed at an interview unless the interviewer introduces them. You may ask these questions after the job is offered to you, and before you accept.

6. Attend to your personal appearance. Your preparation will produce negative results if you neglect your appearance. The people who will be deciding whether to hire you or not will be looking at you very closely.

7. Check details of the interview. Find out the exact time and place for your appointment and program yourself to allow for emergencies, such as a traffic jam or flat tire. If you are unfamiliar with the location where the interview will take place, you should check it out beforehand.

You should plan to arrive at the designated place15 minutes ahead of schedule. While waiting, you can use the time to review the points to be covered in the interview or to observe the office environment and the employees going about their work.

Bring also with you a pad and pen for jotting down things you need to remember such as the date and time of a second interview, names, correct titles, and addresses of those who interview you. You will need this information for your post interview thank you notes.

DRESS CODE

The following are accepted standards in the job market. Follow them if you want to make a positive first impression.

Women:
Ø Don't wear your skirts too short or too tight, heels to high, or blouses too low and too sheer.
Ø Skip the loud nail colors and long nails. Keep your makeup subtle.
Ø Carry an extra pair of stockings just in case and wear them, even in the summer.
Ø Don't wear too much jewelry; keep it simple. Don't wear lots of earrings.
Ø Conservative blouse and suit, with skirt not too short, sensible heels, subtle make up and jewelry.
Ø Fill only one hole with earrings if you have many. Never wear large hoop earrings
Men
Ø Don't wear an earring.
Ø Keep your nails clean and trimmed and remember to shave.
Ø Wear knee length socks that match your pants to avoid "the sock gap."
Ø A dark suit, white shirt, tie and dark oxford shoes. (This will vary from country to country and the type of job being applied for).

Everyone
Ø If you think you need a haircut, get one.
Ø Don't splash on too much perfume or aftershave. Many people are allergic to scents.
Ø Don't wear a nose ring.
Ø Take a shower that morning and wear a deodorant.
Ø Polish your shoes and press your clothes the night before.
Ø Absolutely don't chew gum or smoke.
Ø If you suffer from sweaty palms, keep a handkerchief with a little baby powder or cornstarch in it. Before your interview, go into the restroom and dry your hands with it.

CONDUCT DURING INTERVIEW

Ø Don't accept coffee, tea or even water even if it is offered; having a drink is a distraction you don't really need right now.

Ø Show enthusiasm for your present job (even if you are not that excited about it).

Ø Listen carefully to the question asked. Pause for a moment before answering. Paraphrase the question if you are not sure you understood it.

Ø If you don't understand the question, ask for it to be repeated.

Ø Make sure that by the end of the interview you've gotten across your strongest skills or characteristics. Be specific about them. It is always a good idea to prove your expertise and personal skills by giving examples.

Ø Leave the interview with a good closing impression -- a firm handshake, a smile, good eye contact, a "Thank You", and a closing statement like, "I am very interested in this position," or "When can I expect to hear from you?"

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Here are some questions that employers often ask candidates. Prepare answers for these and you won't fear them, or any variation of them. Be brief. Answers to questions should not take more than 90 seconds. Do not ramble during the interview.

All answers should relate to the heart of the issue: Are you qualified to do the job for which they are hiring? Never lose perspective of this. Look at each question as an opportunity to present your case. Exude confidence but do not be boastful or arrogant.

About yourself:
Ø What can you tell me about yourself?
Ø What are your strengths?
Ø What are your weaknesses/failures?
Ø Describe your long and short-range goals.

Business questions:
Ø Why do you want to work here?
Ø What special qualities do you bring to this job?
Ø What was your worst job?
Ø Discuss a problem you have had at work with your boss (or coworker) and how you resolved it. Watch out, this is a trick question. Never let them trick you into saying a negative comment about your former boss, co-worker, position or company. Always stress the positive behaviors you learned from difficult situations.
Ø How do you define success?
Ø Where do you see yourself, career wise, in the future? Watch out, this is a trick question. Remember that the main concern of the employer throughout the interview is to fill the open position with someone who will be successful and stay in it.

School questions:
Ø Do you think your school grades represent you?
Ø What was the main thing you got out of going to college (high school)?
Ø Why didn't you get a degree?
Ø How did your education prepare you for a career?
Ø What did you learn in school that can help you on this job?

And finally:
Ø Is there anything else I need to know about you?
Ø Do you have any questions?

An interviewer might also ask you to:
Ø Explain or defend any statement you made in your resume.
Ø Discuss any skill you may have listed.
Ø Discuss any lapses in employment times.

For an in-depth study on interview questions and the interview itself please go to this link. http://www.job-interview.net/

Peace and blessings!

Source:
My Counseling Files