Can someone give me advice about a job interview, please?

Question

I have a job interview soon. It's been a few years since I've done this so I'm wondering about a few things:

1. What are some questions that a person should ask? What questions make the interviewee look good?

2. Can I ask them to describe the job in more detail? The description wasn't very specific, so I really want to know more about it.

3. Can I ask about when raises will be and how much? I was thinking of asking what the top pay for the position is. Is that okay?

4. Here's the one I'm really nervous about. My available hours are quite limited (6pm-midnight). I don't want to appear that it's all about me or what I want but the fact is I cannot work other hours of the day. I can't take the job, if they offer it, unless I can get these hours. Should I not mention this in the interview? Should I be upfront about it? Should I wait until they offer me the job?

5. I would also love any other tips you can give about interviewing. Thanks!

Answer 1

Try to avoid asking pay raises. But you could ask what are the working hours you need to fulfill and then let them know you can't commit for various reasons(studies etc).

You can ask them to describe about the job but see if you are really gonna do that job! So that both parties won't be disappointed!

Answer 2

questions that you could ask

If the interviewer is the hiring manager ask about their career with the compnay and what contributed to their success (people like to talk about themselves)

Ask about the culture of the company

Do not bring up money as that will come when an offer is made.

Definitely bring up your availability because as an interviewer myself it was difficult to go through the full interview process and call the person back for a second interview followup with some questions and an offer and then find out that they could not work the hours for whatever reason.

Other tips  most interviews are styled after a behavioral interview technique where the questions are designed for you to tell a story in a way with a stated situation, how you dealt with the situation, and the positive outcome and what you learned.  Example  "Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer and how you handled it"  Also have an answer to the question "what is one of your weaknesses"  You must have one but turn it into a positive like if typing is a weakness state it but then also discuss what you have done to make it better take classes practice and then give a result like your speed and accuracy increased.  

Answer 3

It is absolutely ok to take a list of questions with you, in fact the better prepared for the interview that you are the more committed to the process you will look to the employer. I agree with not asking too much about pay rises etc but it is ok to discuss the financial package that goes with the job which includes things like holiday pay, over time and benefits etc. I think you should definitely be clear about what hours you are available from the get go, that way everyone knows where they stand and if you get the job you wont then have any awkward moments where you have to explain that you are actually only available certain hours. Oh and you can definitely ask them to describe the job in more detail.

The one question I always make sure I ask is whether it's a new position or if someone is leaving and if the job is available because someone is leaving, whether they will be doing a handover/training programme with the successful applicant prior to departing. It's always a good indication you see, if the person is hanging around until their replacement is found then the company have taken the resignation well and the soon to be ex-employee is loyal enough to train someone new. This can say a lot about a company.

Bottom line, be confident and don't think about the fact that you haven't been on an interview in a long time. Look smart, smile and if you don't understand something or are unsure of something then ask them to explain it a little more.

GOOD LUCK :-)