Interview with state funded body

I have an interview coming up with a state funded body. Its an admin paper pushing position but i'm really interested in it. I know the interview in front of a panel. What type of stuff am i likely to be asked.

I'd expect to be asked about your experience to date, especially in the areas that are relevant to the job in question.

Most employers are looking for someone with intelligence, experience and flexibility. Show some enthusiasm for the job (don't use the term "paper pushing", for example).

May sound obvious, but don't forget to do some research on the organisation that you are going to work for. A common interview question is 'tell me what you know about this organisation' ... nothing worse than a blank response on that one!

Also be prepared about questions like:

- where do you see yourself in 5 years time? (especially if you are over-qaulified for the particular position)
- teamwork, including a scenario
- IT skills, including possible scenario

Also, make sure that you bring along a copy of your cv and be very familiar with it. Often interviewers ask candidates to 'take them through your cv' as an opening question to settle nerves.

best of luck

anyone out there prepared to give example answers to the above questions or other scenarios.

Indebtedgal,

If you want to PM me your email address, I can provide some sample q&a's for admin type position, further to the ones posted above.

Why not just post them here for the benefit of everybody?

Here you go: Some questions used as standard in admin positions as described above:
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1.Take me through your cv. This gives you an opportunity to tell interviewer a bit more about yourself and to explain any gaps etc in cv.

2. Why do you want this particular job? Why do you think you are right for this job?

3. What transferrable skills can you bring to the job? (you can speak here about skills gained in employment or personal qualities that you may be able to bring).

4. where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

5. Teamwork (if relevant): what does teamwork mean to you? Give an example of how you engage in teamwork in current job. Scenario: what if one team member tries to push their workload onto you as a 'new person'... how do you deal with that (correct answer: talk to colleague first and try to resolve, otherwise talk to manager).

6. IT skills - describe your IT skills and how you implement them on a daily basis? Answer: I use office, especially excel, word and outlook. Familiar with x,y,z

7. Flexibiliity: Question: what if a deadline must be met and you haven't the work finished - how do you cope with that? Correct answer - stay late, ask colleagues to help you out.

8. Have you ever made a mistake? If so, how did you rectify it? (the answer is always... yes, i have made a mistake - then try to describe a minor mistake, if you can't think of one, say... if i were to make a mistake etc)

9. What do you know about this organisation? Why do you want to work here? Do your research!

10. You may be asked if you have any questions.... don't ask about salary / annual leave! Ask about career prospects within the organisation, whether training will be provided etc. You can query salary / leave / flexible working arrangements etc with the HR people off-line - the interview is not the place for this!

11. Why do you want to leave your current position?


12. Strengths and weaknesses.

13. Time management - how you had a deadline and met it. What you would do if you missed a deadline (correct answer = own up to it! seek help before missing deadline).


11. Thank the interviewers for their time, shake hands.

General:

Bring along copy of your CV. Don't be late. Be familiar with dates you went to school / college etc - otherwise you can get yourself in a flap trying to get things organised chronologically.

It's my experience that most state interviews are competency based i.e. give me an example of your commercial awareness skills. Generally a HR chair, your would-be direct boss, and a senior manager from another department. Alway worth while throwing in some humour as well - shows a good people person (I don't mean starting with a joke!)