job interviews...

shieldsy94
shieldsy94 Posts: 342
edited October 2010 in The Crudcatcher
Ok, i got an interview at halfords tomorrow and was unsure on what to wear for it :S i was thinking some smart jeans and a polo shirt or is that too casual?
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Comments

  • toby_winkler
    toby_winkler Posts: 1,298
    If I was you I would wear a shirt and tie, I know its not the most formal of jobs but first impressions are everything!
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  • psymon
    psymon Posts: 1,562
    you could go smart trousers, shoes with smart jumper over shirt.
    smart but not a suit.
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  • toby_winkler
    toby_winkler Posts: 1,298
    Also if you think its to casual, smarten things up a bit. Always better to be over dressed at an interview than under dressed.
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  • welshkev
    welshkev Posts: 9,690
    never casual for an interview unless you know the people. even in my industry that's very relaxed with the dress code i'd always wear a shirt and tie to an interview
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    Toby_Winkler wrote:
    If I was you I would wear a shirt and tie!
    You will need some kecks and kicks as well. Best not to appear too relaxed
  • toby_winkler
    toby_winkler Posts: 1,298
    .blitz wrote:
    Toby_Winkler wrote:
    If I was you I would wear a shirt and tie!
    You will need some kecks and kicks as well. Best not to appear too relaxed

    I was wondering what you where going on about for a minute then, but yes do please wear trousers and shoes as well (underwear is optional).
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  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    :)
  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    Ok thanks, just realised that :S
    what questions do you think i should ask at the end? Hours, wage, what im gonna be doing in shop
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    edited October 2010
    Be prepared for 'what can you contribute to the company' and 'what are your weaknesses' questions.

    By the same token ask them what they can do for you and what areas of the company need improving :wink:

    Good luck BTW
  • El Capitano
    El Capitano Posts: 6,400
    Toby_Winkler wrote:
    Also if you think its to casual, smarten things up a bit. Always better to be over dressed at an interview than under dressed.

    This. Rule of thumb used to be go dressed up "one level" from what you'd be wearing to perform the job. So, in this case, a shirt & tie wouldn't be too out of place.
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  • El Capitano
    El Capitano Posts: 6,400
    shieldsy94 wrote:
    Ok thanks, just realised that :S
    what questions do you think i should ask at the end? Hours, wage, what im gonna be doing in shop

    Don't ask about wages & hours, you should already know what they are before entering the room.

    Ask about development opportunities, training courses, potential career path etc.
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  • toby_winkler
    toby_winkler Posts: 1,298
    Do a bit of research on the company, just so you know a bit about their background etc. Be prepared to answer questions like 'tell me about a time when you worked under pressure and what you did to overcome it'. But yeah, also make sure you ask questions too, don't just jump straight into how much money you get etc..

    Also don't forget to report back and let us know how it went! ;)
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  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    It shall be done :) cheers for the help and hopefully by tomorrow night i'll have a job :)
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    edited October 2010
    this might help; chap also went job at Halfords.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... sc&start=0
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    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • psymon
    psymon Posts: 1,562
    you might get...

    "tell me about an example of good/bad customer service"
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  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Honesty is the best policy.
    Tell them they are really rubbish, direct them to the forum and point out all your posts bad mouthing them.
    Then ask about holidays, sick leave, staff discounts and mention you don't do mornings.
    And wear an Evans T shirt.

    Good luck.
    I don't do smileys.

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  • Koiler
    Koiler Posts: 513
    when they ask if you know anything about bikes, say no. they should offer you the job there and then.

    at least, thats how i imagine the interviews went in my local brach...
  • toby_winkler
    toby_winkler Posts: 1,298
    Koiler wrote:
    when they ask if you know anything about bikes, say no. they should offer you the job there and then.

    Unfortunately this is probably quite true.
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  • butcher of bakersfield
    butcher of bakersfield Posts: 1,233
    There's a lot of places you can get away with dressing casual, or even walking in with your bike gear, mud all up your back, etc. Usually places where very specific skills are required - meaning that if you have those skills and display them better than anyone else, what you're wearing is pretty insignificant.

    Halfords isn't one of those places. First and foremost they want you to fit in and take orders - they'll get all kinds of rabble through the doors. Dressing smart will show your willingness to make that effort and set a good impression from the off.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    right, lets have some proper advice from someone who knows how the world works.

    shieldsy, walk into the interview with your knob and balls hanging out and say" this lot isnt going to suck itself" then tip the chair you are supposed to be sitting in straight over whilst proclaiming " you need a mechanic? i'll mechanic you in a minute"

    should square you away.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    shieldsy94 wrote:
    Ok, i got an interview at halfords tomorrow and was unsure on what to wear for it :S i was thinking some smart jeans and a polo shirt or is that too casual?
    [/list]
    A low cut top, short skirt and stockings, with high heels should get some attention.

    butcher of bakersfield wrote:
    There's a lot of places you can get away with dressing casual, or even walking in with your bike gear, mud all up your back, etc. Usually places where very specific skills are required - meaning that if you have those skills and display them better than anyone else, what you're wearing is pretty insignificant.
    Very true. For some of the more specialist roles, they really are looking more for the right person, irrespective of appearance.
    But, dressing smartly won't do you any harm in any position.

    A friend of mine was a bit of a rocker, always wearing massive leather boots, torn jeans, died black long hair, tattoos, black fingernails, etc etc. Tattoos and piercings always proudly on display.
    When he first started work as an architect, he said he'd get one of two replies.
    Either they'd immediately call for security to escort him out of the building, OR, they'd think he was some "thinking outside of the box" creative character, and immediately got him into meetings.
    And he didn't want to work for a company that judges purely on looks.
    However, it turns out he was exceptionally good at his job, and would often get the companies that initially turned him down headhunting him later on!
    He also found it very easy to make a reputation and a name for himself, since he really did stand out from the crowd, both in his impeccable work, and his appearance.
  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    Had the interview, i was told i looked nervous :S anyway i got a trial on saturday and have to work till and build bikes which should be good. In interview it was basically him talking about the job and what im expected so didnt need any answers to questions i prepared :(
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    what did he think of your cockandballs?
  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    He thought "TASTY!! I need more of that in my life"
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    he sound slike a man who knows a thing or two. good work fella.
  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    :)
  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    :)
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,716
    Hmmm, if I'd seen this earlier, I could have told you exactly what would be asked and how to ace it...

    Ah well.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    shieldsy94 wrote:
    Had the interview, i was told i looked nervous :S anyway i got a trial on saturday and have to work till and build bikes which should be good. In interview it was basically him talking about the job and what im expected so didnt need any answers to questions i prepared :(

    Build bikes? You won't be doing much of that when you get the job. Most mornings will be spent sorting out the endless price changes, sorting the 'team' out, planning for the 'team', looking at the 'bigger picture', facing up shelves, trying to balance the sodding computer and database. If you are lucky they will let you serve a customer, but that is bottom priority.
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  • shieldsy94
    shieldsy94 Posts: 342
    Haha i gotta work the tills for a bit and ive got a bike next to me which i gotta build about 70% of when no ones in. So i guess it aint that bad for me :)

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