Job Hunting
disgruntledgoat
Posts: 8,957
About 2 months ago I put in a CV and application letter for what amounts to my dream job... Great money, great location doing what i'm good at. Anyway, after much badgering of the recruitment consultants manageing the process, I heard today that I'm on the long list.
The next step, i'm told, is that they'll ring me back to have a "detailed discussion" and should they be happy with that, a formal interview. I got my current job thorugh starting 4 years ago as a £6 an hour filing monkey and two promotions, I'm aware that my current employers recruitment practices are, shall we say, individual so I'm wondering for a job I think there were about 150-200 applications for, how long is a long list likely to be? Also, what will this "detailed discussion" consist of and what should I expect to be asked (will they ask me about salary and package expectations etc, about my current role? How will this differ from the formal interview?).
In short, this is all new to me and I haven't a clue whether I should be pleased with making the long list or what!
The next step, i'm told, is that they'll ring me back to have a "detailed discussion" and should they be happy with that, a formal interview. I got my current job thorugh starting 4 years ago as a £6 an hour filing monkey and two promotions, I'm aware that my current employers recruitment practices are, shall we say, individual so I'm wondering for a job I think there were about 150-200 applications for, how long is a long list likely to be? Also, what will this "detailed discussion" consist of and what should I expect to be asked (will they ask me about salary and package expectations etc, about my current role? How will this differ from the formal interview?).
In short, this is all new to me and I haven't a clue whether I should be pleased with making the long list or what!
"In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent
@gietvangent
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"In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
I don't really know what to advise - you 'll know it better than me - and this procurement stuff is nowt I know owt about.
But best of luck anyway.0 -
It means that you haven't been rejected out of hand and should prepare your answers to as many competency-based interview questions as possible and lots of reasons why you want this job, as that's what's asked at interviews these days.Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.0
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Agencies seem to have a tight grip on so many jobs nowadays. even at the jobcentre......Their fee can be 15-20% of your salary)to an employer. so you really do need to be "perfect" and "ideal" if employers have to pay this type of money for you..lThat means although a employer may like and even want to give you a chance they are frightened of paying it..Its a question of getting past the guards and getting a chance...Depends on the job but maybe offer yourself on a weeks trial.and with No agency fee to pay reckon you will have a better chancejc0
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OffTheBackAdam wrote:It means that you haven't been rejected out of hand and should prepare your answers to as many competency-based interview questions as possible and lots of reasons why you want this job, as that's what's asked at interviews these days.
+1, prep for as many competency questions as possible to be on the safe side. Develop certain situations / experiences that you can work to multiple questions - reducing the chance of getting flustered. They can be answered in a set manner explained here: http://www.blueskyinterviews.co.uk/int_art10a.htm . I was taught to have about 3 key results - try and stay positive, concise and to the point. Seeing as it will initially be a phone interview, can have these situations and the types of questions they relate to on paper as a memory aide. Get friends / family to throw these at you and if possible tape the responses then analyse them.
Other than that the standard interview stuff:
Read up on the company and their background. Having had a look at the link, I'd also have a read of topical AIDS/TB/Malaria bumpf and the regions / areas that are most in the spotlight for these diseases.
Prepare some questions to ask about the company, I like asking some slightly different questions: say about showering/locker facilities and bike racking.
Assuming you are UK based, how you would adjust etc to moving to Switzerland.
I really dont like phone interviews as there is much less non verbal communication, basically left with voice modulation and tone. Having a glass of water / cup of tea by the phone is a godsend in case your throat starts to become dry. This goes both ways so you have less of an idea if they dont like an answer too - have confidence in yourself and what you are saying.0
