I have an important interview!!!
- Thread starter SubZeroCat
- Start date
squelch said:
What is that supposed to mean?
jodal said:
I dunno! I only know of the recruiters.
SubZeroCat said:
be sure it's what you want to be doing, where you want to be doing and with the people you want to be doing it with.
no point in having a job you don't want or don't want to do.
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
Try and come across as friendly, but not dumb, try to 'fit in' with them as much as possible.
Streathamite
ideological dogmatist
final nugget of wisdom; get a good nights sleep the night before
kyser_soze
Hawking's Angry Eyebrow
I think things are about to spill over into a 'too much advice' thread...
Re: the handshake. Now, this may be sexist BUT as a woman you have the advantage of being able to get away with a weak handshake (can't say if you have or not so not implying anything) - if you have a good shake then use it, because it will carry weight with people.
It's not the be all and end all of communication, but I'm sure everyone on here will agree there is little worse than going to shake somone's hand and being presented with something akin to a limp fish!! It doesn't have to be a boine crusher, just a firm response to the person shaking your hand so they know your there.
Re: the handshake. Now, this may be sexist BUT as a woman you have the advantage of being able to get away with a weak handshake (can't say if you have or not so not implying anything) - if you have a good shake then use it, because it will carry weight with people.
It's not the be all and end all of communication, but I'm sure everyone on here will agree there is little worse than going to shake somone's hand and being presented with something akin to a limp fish!! It doesn't have to be a boine crusher, just a firm response to the person shaking your hand so they know your there.
jodal said:
Indeed.
Anyway, I'm 19 yrs old. I don't know what I want to do, or where I want to do it or with who. And yes, so far this job does sound appealing.
jodal said:
okay
SubZeroCat said:
Indeed.
Streathamite
ideological dogmatist
oh christ yes. excruciatingkyser_soze said:
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
Lots of good advice here
It sounds like you're already half way there as you made a good impression on the phone
as the first point of call for a media company the important thing is to look and sound great as people's experience of you will colour their experience of the company
I think the advice to wear a suit that isn't overly formal is a good one, unless you can find an immaculately tailored suit that just looks supa cool without looking dated
good luck!!
It sounds like you're already half way there as you made a good impression on the phone
as the first point of call for a media company the important thing is to look and sound great as people's experience of you will colour their experience of the company
I think the advice to wear a suit that isn't overly formal is a good one, unless you can find an immaculately tailored suit that just looks supa cool without looking dated
good luck!!
trashpony
Hag
Smile!
They need to picture you working there. So just appear friendly, helpful and calm. Don't lie about your experience - it never works. But if you're enthusiastic, intelligent (both of which you are) and follow all the excellent advice from wise people who've already posted, you'll be fine!
Good luck!
They need to picture you working there. So just appear friendly, helpful and calm. Don't lie about your experience - it never works. But if you're enthusiastic, intelligent (both of which you are) and follow all the excellent advice from wise people who've already posted, you'll be fine!
Good luck!
Loloubelle - I've been asked to dress "corporate", I know there's been good advice on this thread about what to wear but I'm gonna stick with what the lady on the phone said...I will make sure I don't look like a 45 yr old accountant in it though and that I will make the most of my slim, petite frame and still look young 
trashpony - I smile and act very "lovely" in interviews so it should be ok. I can never bring myself to lie or even bend the truth!
cos I'm square innit.. 
trashpony - I smile and act very "lovely" in interviews so it should be ok. I can never bring myself to lie or even bend the truth!
cos I'm square innit.. oh summat else - i've never interviewed for a position like this so i dunno exactly how it works, but you might want to ask questions about what exactly the role involves. for example, in some places the receptionist deals with phone calls as well as front-of-house visitors but other places they don't. also in some places receptionists provide visitors with refreshments, some places not. some places they show visitors to wherever their meeting is in the building, other places not. see what i mean? so if they don't elaborate fully on all that, you might want to demonstate your grasp of a receptionist's potential role by asking some questions about that kind of thing.
edit: oh and if the role is for a 'junior receptionist' make sure you ask about who your direct superior is, for example is it the senior receptionist? will they be there with you to guide you or is it usually just you on front desk? that kinda thing. stress that you are keen to learn and are looking for a set-up where you will be mentored by whoever is senior to you.
edit: oh and if the role is for a 'junior receptionist' make sure you ask about who your direct superior is, for example is it the senior receptionist? will they be there with you to guide you or is it usually just you on front desk? that kinda thing. stress that you are keen to learn and are looking for a set-up where you will be mentored by whoever is senior to you.
trashpony
Hag
SubZeroCat said:Loloubelle - I've been asked to dress "corporate", I know there's been good advice on this thread about what to wear but I'm gonna stick with what the lady on the phone said...I will make sure I don't look like a 45 yr old accountant in it though and that I will make the most of my slim, petite frame and still look young
trashpony - I smile and act very "lovely" in interviews so it should be ok. I can never bring myself to lie or even bend the truth!
I always give jobs to people who act lovely in interviews - it's not very equal opps but 'tis the way of the world. I reckon you'll walk it
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
SubZeroCat said:Loloubelle - I've been asked to dress "corporate", I know there's been good advice on this thread about what to wear but I'm gonna stick with what the lady on the phone said...I will make sure I don't look like a 45 yr old accountant in it though and that I will make the most of my slim, petite frame and still look young
all the big media companies I've visited are staffed at reception by extremely attractive women, they know you're good on the phone, you just need to look cool and attractive which shouldn't be to hard eh
Streathamite
ideological dogmatist
edit; referring to kea's post, not the one above this one!
/\/\/\
excellent advice. ask them to outline the role in detail; ask them open-ended questions about it. (''open-ended' = what, why, where, which etc)
/\/\/\
excellent advice. ask them to outline the role in detail; ask them open-ended questions about it. (''open-ended' = what, why, where, which etc)
Louloubelle said:all the big media companies I've visited are staffed at reception by extremely attractive women, they know you're good on the phone, you just need to look cool and attractive which shouldn't be to hard eh
Well I do own a fair bit of make up
I've been feeling rather confident lately and my new haircut does smarten me up a bit and makes me look older so I reckon I'll look ok.
kea - I sort of know what the job involves but I shall ask more in depth questions. I did think that I should stress that I am keen to learn etc so that I look willing and interested etc....cheers for the tips
trashpony said:Can you tell how keen we all are for you to get this job?
Don't say that! If I don't get it I'll have let me and all of you lot down!
PRESSURE!!!
trashpony said:Non, non, non!
Not pressure - just wanting you to be happy and not scarred for life (after vile nursery experience)
Je sais
et merci!I'm fine about the nursery experience. It actually helped me in a way.
I'm gonna go in on Monday with a positive and enthusiastic attitude and if they want me then that's cool and if they don't then I'll err...go for another job!
spanglechick
High Empress of Dressing Up
I think you're right to wear a suit, regardless of the dress code of the company. You're young and vibrant - they will know you can dress down, but it will look like you've made an effort and taken it seriously. Grey might be good for your colouring, and go for a natural/ synthetic blend so it looks expensive but doesn't crease.
You might have covered this already, but are you going to wear your piercing?
I don't know what i'd say about that, but it might be worth thinking about. File your nails neatly (long or short) and think "grooming" (tidy eyebrows, smart shoes, classy makeup.) Avoid perfume. People's reactions are too personal. If you wear a skirt, wear tights (it's more professional) and put two spare pairs in your bag. Aim to arrive 15 mins before the interview time... before is weirdly early - 15 mins gives you time to chill and read any company literature available. Take an umbrella (plain if possible).
You might have covered this already, but are you going to wear your piercing?
I don't know what i'd say about that, but it might be worth thinking about. File your nails neatly (long or short) and think "grooming" (tidy eyebrows, smart shoes, classy makeup.) Avoid perfume. People's reactions are too personal. If you wear a skirt, wear tights (it's more professional) and put two spare pairs in your bag. Aim to arrive 15 mins before the interview time... before is weirdly early - 15 mins gives you time to chill and read any company literature available. Take an umbrella (plain if possible).
There's loads of great advice here - but I can't resist adding my two pennorth!
Take a smallish notebook and pen and take short (not long and laborious) notes of the answers to your q's or anything they say that strikes you as important.
They won't mind (well, I never do when I'm interviewing, I see it as a good indication that someone's taking notice and is organised/efficient especially in context of a receptionist role).
It will also give you a memory jogger - amazing what you forget/don't take in when there's lots of info flying about and you're trying to concentrate on coming across well.
Good luck
Take a smallish notebook and pen and take short (not long and laborious) notes of the answers to your q's or anything they say that strikes you as important.
They won't mind (well, I never do when I'm interviewing, I see it as a good indication that someone's taking notice and is organised/efficient especially in context of a receptionist role).
It will also give you a memory jogger - amazing what you forget/don't take in when there's lots of info flying about and you're trying to concentrate on coming across well.
Good luck
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