What’s on your mind?

[Apple fanboy]

I have an interview coming on Wednesday at work, it’s going to be for a new department (pretty much an internal transfer) and I’m nervous as ever. Any tips? Is there a difference interviewing when you already work for the company than it is if you were an outsider?

Advantages they know who you are.
Disadvantages are they know who you are!

In all seriousness use your insider knowledge to your benefit. You are aware of how the company works (both good and bad). Explain why you want to advance your career with them rather than elsewhere.
Tell them what you could bring that an external candidate can't.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Advantages they know who you are.
Disadvantages are they know who you are!

In all seriousness use your insider knowledge to your benefit. You are aware of how the company works (both good and bad). Explain why you want to advance your career with them rather than elsewhere.
Tell them what you could bring that an external candidate can't.

Very good advice, especially the last two sentences.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Rather, nobody does it better.

But a most rewarding hobby.

In my case just nobody does it!

And yes a rewarding hobby when I remember to get out with the camera! How's your transfer to the digital age progressing?
[doublepost=1551008365][/doublepost]

Very good advice, especially the last two sentences.

I've never worked anywhere where I didn't get a promotion (temporary jobs aside). Even one or two of them they have tried to keep me on!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In my case just nobody does it!

And yes a rewarding hobby when I remember to get out with the camera! How's your transfer to the digital age progressing?

Not progressing, although I might try to bestir myself.

I don't feel quite as completely paralysed and bowled over by grief - it is a background constant, but (most of the time, apart from occasional - an powerful - and unexpected - ambushes which now seem to happen roughly weekly, rather than daily) not something that consumes me every minute of eery day.

That said, I had to turn down a coffee in the market yesterday - as I found myself swamped by memories. Well, they are happy memories, for the most part. Smile through tears memories.

However, when I read your post about photography being a hobby, I thought, yes, I did think - ever so fleetingly - of a M10.
[doublepost=1551008984][/doublepost]

I've never worked anywhere where I didn't get a promotion (temporary jobs aside). Even one or two of them they have tried to keep me on!

That is a seriously good recommendation.

A friend of mine - who rarely performed well at interviews - made that very point in an interview, commenting that while he rarely made a powerful initial impression, every employer he had ever worked for had been reluctant to lose him.

On that occasion, if memory serves, he either got that job, or was offered the job that was being vacated by the person who had been offered the job he had been interviewed for.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Not progressing, although I might try to bestir myself.

I don't feel quite as completely paralysed and bowled over by grief - it is a background constant, but (most of the time, apart from occasional - an powerful - and unexpected - ambushes which now seem to happen roughly weekly, rather than daily) not something that consumes me every minute of eery day.

That said, I had to turn down a coffee in the market yesterday - as I found myself swamped by memories. Well, they are happy memories, for the most part. Smile through tears memories.

However, when I read your post about photography being a hobby, I thought, yes, I did think - ever so fleetingly - of a M10.
[doublepost=1551008984][/doublepost]

That is a seriously good recommendation.

A friend of mine - who rarely performed well at interviews - made that very point in an interview, commenting that while he rarely made a powerful initial impression, every employer he had ever worked for had been reluctant to lose him.

On that occasion, if memory serves, he either got that job, or was offered the job that was being vacated by the person who had been offered the job he had been interviewed for.

What I lack in qualifications I make up for in experience and work ethic. I think I could do the job of 2 or 3 of some of our staff. Not that report to me I might add! They would have had that drummed out of them from the start.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

What I lack in qualifications I make up for in experience and work ethic. I think I could do the job of 2 or 3 of some of our staff. Not that report to me I might add! They would have had that drummed out of them from the start.

That is an excellent attitude to have. Well done you.

 

[Gutwrench]

I have an interview coming on Wednesday at work, it’s going to be for a new department (pretty much an internal transfer) and I’m nervous as ever. Any tips? Is there a difference interviewing when you already work for the company than it is if you were an outsider?

Is this a management position?

A recommendation is to avoid criticizing current methodologies or procedures. Be tactful if asked for an example of change. Avoid the appearance of plans to make sweeping change or making the suggestion the current system is all screwed up and you can save it. Some of the architects of the current system might be in the hiring process and draw offense.

Generally speaking, reflect a positive thoughtful approach of learning the role as a facilitator/leader to foster a smooth operating productive environment and would make tweaks where improvement is necessary.

​

Is it a support role in a new group?

Explain your interest and excitement in that area and why you feel your past experiences would make them feel you a valuable asset. If you know and have worked with people in that area (or in the management structure) mention you respect and work well with them and give an example.

​

[doublepost=1551023465][/doublepost]

What I lack in qualifications I make up for in experience and work ethic. I think I could do the job of 2 or 3 of some of our staff. Not that report to me I might add! They would have had that drummed out of them from the start.

I’ve always felt I’ve had to work harder to be equal. It’s part of my personality. It’s both an advantage and disadvantage.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Is this a management position?

A recommendation is to avoid criticizing current methodologies or procedures. Be tactful if asked for an example of change. Avoid the appearance of plans to make sweeping change or making the suggestion the current system is all screwed up and you can save it. Some of the architects of the current system might be in the hiring process and draw offense.

Generally speaking, reflect a positive thoughtful approach of learning the role as a facilitator/leader to foster a smooth operating productive environment and would make tweaks where improvement is necessary.

​

Is it a support role in a new group?

Explain your interest and excitement in that area and why you feel your past experiences would make them feel you a valuable asset. If you know and have worked with people in that area (or in the management structure) mention you respect and work well with them and give an example.

​

[doublepost=1551023465][/doublepost]

I’ve always felt I’ve had to work harder to be equal. It’s part of my personality. It’s both an advantage and disadvantage.

Agreed. Not having a degree in my position has definitely held me back. But leaving school at 15 kind of means you have to work hard.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Is this a management position?

A recommendation is to avoid criticizing current methodologies or procedures. Be tactful if asked for an example of change. Avoid the appearance of plans to make sweeping change or making the suggestion the current system is all screwed up and you can save it. Some of the architects of the current system might be in the hiring process and draw offense.

Generally speaking, reflect a positive thoughtful approach of learning the role as a facilitator/leader to foster a smooth operating productive environment and would make tweaks where improvement is necessary.

​

Is it a support role in a new group?

Explain your interest and excitement in that area and why you feel your past experiences would make them feel you a valuable asset. If you know and have worked with people in that area (or in the management structure) mention you respect and work well with them and give an example.

​

[doublepost=1551023465][/doublepost]

I’ve always felt I’ve had to work harder to be equal. It’s part of my personality. It’s both an advantage and disadvantage.

Again, an excellent post and some excellent advice.

Agreed, be careful and thoughtful how you suggest improvements.

Agreed. Not having a degree in my position has definitely held me back. But leaving school at 15 kind of means you have to work hard.

If people use the lack of a degree as an excuse not to hire you, it is obvious that they are seeking a (credible) reason to exclude you.

Many people don't work in the areas their degrees qualified them to work in - my mother didn't, but, having returned to college as an adult to take a night degree, she always said that it gave her the confidence to accept a very good job half a decade later when her boss died and she was asked to step into his shoes.

She knew the job exceptionally well and was very experienced - having done it in a support capacity for years - but said subsequently to me - that, as no woman had held that position until then, having that qualification granted her the confidence to accept it when several of the senior members of the organisation recommended her to take over from her boss.

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Much appreciated. This is pretty much just moving up, and trying something new. I have been in my current position for a year, and have the opportunity to move to this one where the pay is a bit higher and the knowledge I have now I get to have a slight advantage in it, so I am going to see if I can get it. Just wanted to nail the interview and with all your tips, I think I can.

 

[Gutwrench]

Thanks for the tips everyone! Much appreciated. This is pretty much just moving up, and trying something new. I have been in my current position for a year, and have the opportunity to move to this one where the pay is a bit higher and the knowledge I have now I get to have a slight advantage in it, so I am going to see if I can get it. Just wanted to nail the interview and with all your tips, I think I can.

Good luck!

 

[Conutz]

Not having a degree in my position has definitely held me back. But leaving school at 15 kind of means you have to work hard.

Why not work towards a degree? You have the work ethic...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Why not work towards a degree? You have the work ethic...

I work 50 plus hours a week. At my time of life that ship has sailed decades ago.
If I want to spend some time with my wife and have some leisure time, there’s no time left.
If I had my time again, I’d probably stay on at school. But you can’t go back. And if I could go back and change one thing, that wouldn’t be it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Why not work towards a degree? You have the work ethic...

You also need the interest, the motivation and a strong desire - you must have a reason - to do a degree as an adult, especially if you have a family and job.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You also need the interest, the motivation and a strong desire - you must have a reason - to do a degree as an adult, especially if you have a family and job.

Agreed. At this stage in my life the debt alone would probably not make it worth my while.
My job pays well enough. Money is not the be all and end all of my life.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Agreed. At this stage in my life the debt alone would probably not make it worth my while.
My job pays well enough. Money is not the be all and end all of my life.

When I taught, I also taught quite a few "second chance" students - i.e. people coming to university in their 20s, 30s, 40, 50s, 60s, and sometimes, 70s to study for a degree.

In almost every case, there was a strong reason for undertaking this study - especially on top of other commitments.

Some hadn't had the chance to go to university at 17 or 18, and always felt that they had missed out; others wanted to apply for a promotion at work (a police officer hoping to make inspector for example), often in the public service.

Still, circumstances may have ensured that yet others may have had to study something 'practical': I taught a man in his 50s whose father had died shortly before he left school, and who had felt obliged as a consequence to study for an engineering degree (for reasons of employability), which he never much cared for, but who had never had the chance to study what he loved (the humanities). And others wish to learn something new, stretch their minds.

For my mum, it was a mix of a number of these reasons - but, if you are going to return to study as an adult (with other commitments) you do need to be motivated and to actually want to do this.

A supportive family (emotionally rather than financially) - or family environment - can also be of considerable help.

 

[Apple fanboy]

When I taught, I also taught quite a few "second chance" students - i.e. people coming to university in their 20s, 30s, 40, 50s, 60s, and sometimes, 70s to study for a degree.

In almost every case, there was a strong reason for undertaking this study - especially on top of other commitments.

Some hadn't had the chance to go to university at 17 or 18, and always felt that they had missed out; others wanted to apply for a promotion at work (a police officer hoping to make inspector for example), often in the public service.

Still, circumstances may have ensured that yet others may have had to study something 'practical': I taught a man in his 50s whose father had died shortly before he left school, and who had felt obliged as a consequence to study for an engineering degree (for reasons of employability), which he never much cared for, but who had never had the chance to study what he loved (the humanities). And others wish to learn something new, stretch their minds.

For my mum, it was a mix of a number of these reasons - but, if you are going to return to study as an adult (with other commitments) you do need to be motivated and to actually want to do this.

A supportive family (emotionally rather than financially) - or family environment - can also be of considerable help.

Although I wished I hadn’t been in a rush to leave school, I’m not really in any of those categories.
Plus my home life has enough ‘complications’.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Although I wished I hadn’t been in a rush to leave school, I’m not really in any of those categories.
Plus my home life has enough ‘complications’.

Yes, I can understand that, but quite a few guys (dudes) think that they cannot abide school, and cannot wait to escape and start earning, only to realise, years (or sometimes decades) later, that they were a little hasty or precipitate in their actions.

Understand as well about the domestic complications, but, for some, education is an escape form their life and offers opportunities that they would never be able to obtain elsewhere.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yes, I can understand that, but quite a few guys (dudes) think that they cannot abide school, and cannot wait to escape and start earning, only to realise, years (or sometimes decades) later, that they were a little hasty or precipitate in their actions.

Understand as well about the domestic complications, but, for some, education is an escape form their life and offers opportunities that they would never be able to obtain elsewhere.

For me it was like that. Work was the escape from education. I hated it. Couldn’t get out quick enough.
These days everyone does a degree. I’m not sure they should. Some of the people with degrees I know are think as a plank.
They’d have been better off doing something better.
Then they think they are entitled because of outdated ideas of what a degree means.
Truth be told many of them are virtually unemployable.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

For me it was like that. Work was the escape from education. I hated it. Couldn’t get out quick enough.
These days everyone does a degree. I’m not sure they should. Some of the people with degrees I know are think as a plank.
They’d have been better off doing something better.
Then they think they are entitled because of outdated ideas of what a degree means.
Truth be told many of them are virtually unemployable.

Degrees are brilliant for a good number of reasons, but - agreed - they are not for everyone, although it is natural for parents to want their kids to be able to obtain a degree.

Historically, degrees afforded access to the middle class professions, the church, teaching, and the mid to higher ranks of the public service, thereby ensuring some element of both status and security, and often, through scholarships, afforded a means of social mobility, as well.

Personally, I'm sorry that the old system of apprenticeships has become so undervalued, - along with the decent and well paid kinds of work that those without degrees could aim towards - and would like to see something along those lines encouraged and promoted.

Having said that, it is important to ensure that kids have proper training and that a genuine career path is possible, something an economy predicated on part time work, zero hours contracts and unpaid internships cannot guarantee or offer. But, those are different arguments.

However, educationally, (and in terms of career planning) it can be very difficult to get through to boys (dudes, guys) in their mid teens. Some of them don't really wake up until they are around 25.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Degrees are brilliant for a good number of reasons, but - agreed - they are not for everyone, although it is natural fr parents to want their kids to be able to get a degree.

Personally, I'm sorry that the old system of apprenticeships has become so undervalued, - along with the decent and well paid kinds of work that those without degrees could aim towards - and would like to see something along those lines encouraged and promoted.

Having said that, it is important to ensure that kids have proper training and that a genuine career path is possible, something an economy predicated on part time work, zero hours contracts and unpaid internships cannot guarantee or offer. But, those are different arguments.

However, educationally, (and in terms of career planning) it can be very difficult to get through to boys (dudes, guys) in their mid teens. Some of them don't really wake up until they are around 25.

By 25 I’d already got married and bought my first house.
Agree apprenticeships and such were (are) undervalued.

Most degrees or higher education these days don’t have any prospect of a job at the end. I recall reading somewhere that there were three times more students studying to be beauticians than were currently employed in that role! Great career advice!

 

[0388631]

Pondering the sanity of a twit. Also wondering when I'll see a headline such as "Tourist from New York eaten alive by alligators in Florida swampland."
[doublepost=1551081545][/doublepost]

Most degrees or higher education these days don’t have any prospect of a job at the end. I recall reading somewhere that there were three times more students studying to be beauticians than were currently employed in that role! Great career advice!

The Essex Daily or the B&H Independent?

 

[ApplePersonFreak]

Good luck!

Thank you - forgot to ask, should I print out resumes for each person in the room? I think there are going to be 4 other people plus me during the interview (and I mean 4 people interviewing me, not a group interview) *nerves starting to settle in*

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thank you - forgot to ask, should I print out resumes for each person in the room? I think there are going to be 4 other people plus me during the interview (and I mean 4 people interviewing me, not a group interview) *nerves starting to settle in*

No.

I assume that they already have them as a part of your application and will be able to consult them, if needed.

However, for your own peace of mind, it may not hurt to do so.

If the organisation has an annual report, I'd recommend that you take a look at it.

Good luck.

 

[Gutwrench]

Thank you - forgot to ask, should I print out resumes for each person in the room? I think there are going to be 4 other people plus me during the interview (and I mean 4 people interviewing me, not a group interview) *nerves starting to settle in*

I agree with @Scepticalscribe. You’ve already presented it.

Did I read this correctly; this is a position within your current organization?

In either case, try to relax and let your true self show through. As long as you’re not actually Jeff Dahmer. They want a human being with a charming personality who they feel they can work with and who doesn’t have a chip on their shoulder.

Your resume did it’s job...it got you an interview. Now your communication skills and pleasant personality can help to close the deal. They’ll likely ask for explanations about your experience so be ready with some examples to expand on possible question.

They may ask a common (silly question in my book) of ‘where do you see yourself in five years’; list three strengths; list three weaknesses; describe a professional problem (or personality conflict) and how did you resolve it.

Toward the end they’ll likely ask if you have any questions. I suggest asking one and a follow up question to their answer if you have one. You surely probably have a question and it reinforces your interest. Don’t try to impress...just let them see who you are. Smile and politely laugh where appropriate.

Finally, you are interviewing them too. This organization needs to meet your expectations and standards too. I’ve interviewed and walked away feeling the organization wasn’t a good fit for me. It’s a two way interview.

And super lastly, if they offer their business cards, take them. At least remember their first names if you can. Not all positions require follow up letters but if I liked the organization I’d send one. One paragraph mentioning everyone by name thanking them for the opportunity to meet them and conclude with making yourself available for follow up information if they need it and that you are confident you’d be an asset to their organization. (If this is an internal position then I’d probably skip it.)

Breath.