Life Coach
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Resurrection…
On Friday of this week I have an "informal" interview for a senior management position in a local engineering company, and I am shitting myself.
I have been with my current employer for 17 years and never really considered leaving, but this new position is with a smaller firm, pays £10'000 a year more than I currently earn, and is literally 2 minutes walk from my front door.
So do I go for it? it has been described to me as an informal chat to see the working environment so how smartly should I dress? How do I not fuck it up?
First interview in 17 years, I'm a little rusty on such things :-\
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10k more per year buys a lot of comics. Cont beat that commute, either. Sounds like a great opportunity.
So my advice is as follows-
- Learn all you can about the company before the interview. I expect you know quite a bit already, but brush up on product lines, management structure, any current events for them. Google is your friend. Which assists on my next point-
- Prepare some questions ahead of time. Is there a particular product you're interested in? Do you have specific concerns about issues in the industry? What are the opportunities for growth, improvement and advancement, for both you and the company? Asking questions shows you've put some thought into things and that you care about the job.
- Wear a suit. No one will ever fault you for dressing better than necessary, but they will definitely fault you for under dressing.
- Relax. I know it's hard, but try. Interviews are about more than just if a person is qualified, it's also about whether they're going to be pleasant to work with. A friend once told me that his firm only cared about the latter when they brought people in for interviews. Resumes were enough to determine competence, but if they were going to be spending 60+ hours a week with a new hire, they wanted to be sure that person wasn't an asshole. You're an asshole, but you're a likeable one.
I have confidence in you, Gav.
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pays approx 50 pairs of jeans more a year more than I currently earn,
Oh shit, it's about you is it?
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Thanks guys (apart from Seul and Giles
)The company is an engineering firm who makes tool and attachments from oil, gas and water pipelines, they have seen significant growth in recent times and now want to recruit a Production Manager (me) to oversee their manufacturing team and lease with Sales and Purchasing.
It is exactly what I do already, requires some technical knowhow, pays more and allows me to pop home for a sandwich and a poo on my lunch break…..it sounds pretty good.
I'll go with the suit option, I wasn't going to wear a tie but I always think that people with a suit and no tie are missing out on the last 10% of effort.
Relaxing shouldn't be an issue, I like my current job and would be happy to stay so no desperation always helps.
Thanks for the tips guys,especially Chris, invaluable life coaching.
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Auto spell correct fubar.
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if they were going to be spending 60+ hours a week with a new hire
If a new employer wanted me to work 60+ hours a week, they certainly wouldn't be my new employer! Those days are in the past for me.
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words of wisdom from houston chris.
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If you can get someone to grill you in a mock interview scenario then, kinda like a pre driving test, it'll help focus the mind and get the shitty interview lurking inside you somewhere out of the way.
"They" say that a good interview should feel like an enjoyable conversation. You clearly know your subject, you're doing the job already so don't psyche yourself out. Be cool. Relax and don't wear underpants.
Good luck!
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@Maynard:
If a new employer wanted me to work 60+ hours a week, they certainly wouldn't be my new employer! Those days are in the past for me.
Well, he works in a litigation driven law firm, so 60/week is most likely an understatement. 80-100 in the last weeks before trial are common. Which reinforces the point- they see their co-workers more than their families; they should get along with one another.
And no, that would not be my employer either.
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Good advice @Fergz , thank you.
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That's my exact feelings on the matter Clint, go down and have a chat and see if it leads anywhere.
