Prepairing for an interview..

willhub

willhub

willhub

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Hi.

Well I've got an interview at HP CDS for a placement year at a 2nd line support analyst, in total it is made up of 45 mins group activity and 1 hour 15 mins individual interview with technical questionnaire.

How should I be preparing for the interview? I've never had any interview of the sort so don't know what to expect, I'm assuming I should go dressed smart, shoes, black trousers, smart t-shirt etc...

Should I be looking at questions like competency based questions in preparation for this interview?

I'm proper ******* the group part, I'm pretty shy in front of new people but I am aware I won't get the position if all I do is sit back and watch everyone etc..

So any advice would be good, I'm proper worried about this and nervous about it!.


Thanks.
 
I won't try to advise you on the competency based questions as I don't know what HP are likely to ask - Rotty may be able to offer some advice as he works for them.

I'd suggest a shirt rather than a t-shirt at the least even if you aren't going to wear a suit, for these things I'd think being slightly overdressed is usually better than underdressed.

As for the group exercises I don't know specifically what HP does here but from a little bit of experience at a recruitment centre and speaking to quite a few people at work who administer such things - they're not usually looking to see you be a leader and forcing the discussion as such, they want to see how you work with others so while you don't need to always be trying to take charge you've got to have some input as otherwise they can't judge you at all. You'll normally need to show that you can listen to other people and absorb the information given as well as adjust accordingly - depending on the situation it's also possibly worth trying to bring in contributions from other members of the group if they haven't said much.

Remember that despite appearances many of the candidates will equally be nervous about the experience, this can manifest itself differently so don't feel that everyone else has got it pinned just because they're talking a lot for instance, that could just be another way to hide nerves.

//edit this is of course just my take on it, I'm sure people with a greater knowledge will be along to correct me if I've erred. Oh and good luck. :)
 
If you turn up in a suit and everyone else is far more casual you can slip off your jacket and tie in seconds and still look smart/casual
If you turn up in a t-shirt and everyone else is wearing a suit, you're stuffed.
 
I've got an interview with HP for a placement next week. For the research and development role though.


Lopéz said:
If you turn up in a suit and everyone else is far more casual you can slip off your jacket and tie in seconds and still look smart/casual
If you turn up in a t-shirt and everyone else is wearing a suit, you're stuffed.
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As Lopez said, always wear a suit. Besides if everyone else is wearing casual and you're wearing the suit - you're the one who stands out to look most professional.
 
Why do people always wonder whether or not you should wear a suit?

You should ALWAYS wear a suit, no employer would ever take it badly.
 
Like they say, first impressions are everything. Also wearing a suit makes you feel good.

It's good to be nervous and worried, it means you care. They will understand if you come across as nervous but don't be shy about getting stuck into the group part. If you **** up then apologize, at least you'll seem eager.

I don't think they will expect you to know everything straight away which is why asking questions is a good thing. Look them in the eye, smile, don't slouch on your chair, be polite.

If you're not good at remembering things, then perhaps take a nice looking notepad and pen. Even if you don't get the chance or need to write anything down it will look like you've come prepared.
 
I meant a shirt.

I was intending on wearing black shoes, black trousers and a shirt, and a jumper I don't have a blazer.

I am not the best at remembering things but I could not take a notepad with things wrote down into an interview surely??


Semple, is it in Manchester?
 
To get my placement I had an assessment centre where we had an interview and group activity. All the questions in the interview were on stuff I said I knew on my CV (so mostly Java and a bit of PHP) so you could brush up on some stuff you've been learning. Also got asked to give some examples of situations I've been in. Things like "When has there been a problem that you had to take leadership of?" and things that show you work well in a group environment.

One thing I think that helped me in my interview was the interviewer was quite easy to talk to. Any of the questions I didn't have an answer for he would explain and then I could add in little comments about how it could be used. So he knew I had an idea of what he was asking me.

As said before, the activity is how well you work in a group. You don't have to be the leader just make sure you speak up when you have an idea but don't talk over people. I was told I was quiet in mine so I don't really have anything to add. :p
 
Having just aquired a placement (albeit an unrelated area), my advice is firstly suit all the way. No questions asked- dark in colour (black/blue), and a conservative (though not boring) shirt/tie. As has been said, if everyone else is in smart casual, it looks like you've made the effort, and you can just whip the jacket off.

For the group exercise, they vary so much it is hard to prepare. Try your university careers office for tips. I had one with two other candidates- we were sat down around a table, and given 10 minutes to each prepare an answer to topical question (few bullet points). Each of our resolutions were specified (for example, I had to argue the use of sport was a good was to make a product appeal to potential users, the others had music and literature). Then we had 20 minutes to make our points, and come up with a solution we all agreed on. Very loosely related to the role I was applying for in terms of the topic.
Point is, there are a million things they can ask you to do, but you aren't being compared against the other candidates directly, its more about what you personally contribute to the task, and the skills/qualities you bring forward. So try to forget its an interview, just take an interest in what you are doing- enthusiasm and determination will make you stand out.

You have short interview which is potentially good or bad. I had two interviews (one unsuccessful for a different placement) each about 45 minutes. Both seemed quite similiar- they had 'name a time when.....' questions, questions checking my skills from my degree, and questions regarding educational background/IT skills etc.

If you don't do anything else, go over your application form. It is from this they take most of the questions, as it is the only information they have about you to base it on.

Good luck btw!
 
For the group activity just make sure that you're not "that guy". He's normally the one who shouts loudest but knows least, trying to lead on everything to make sure he's noticed. Don't let this phase you and don't feel you have to compete on everything or, even worse, become "that guy". Competent interview observers will pick up on this behaviour and note it for what it is.

Be involved as much as you can, of course, and certainly take the lead if you're on comfortable ground but a good way of increasing your personal chance of success it to let "that guy" knock himself out of the running through his own actions.

Dress : always a suit (this should be stickied), smart shirt and tie, polished shoes.

As for the technical part of the interview I can't help you other than to be attentive, don't be afraid to pause and consider your answer before replying (don't take forever though), and it is perfectly acceptable to ask the interviewer if you can come back to a particular question as you'd like to give it more thought. Asking for the question to be repeated is also fine but try to keep this to a minimum. Taking notes and having your CV/noted questions infront of you is also useful.

Remember - they want to give someone the job. Do everything you can to make sure it's you they pick :)
 
Thanks for the advice.

One other question.

On placement jobs they don't throw you in without any help right? Surely placement jobs are still learning in a way right?
 
I didn't do a placement year but I'd be highly surprised if they didn't give you quite a lot of help - it's in their interests as well as your own for you to become a useful member of the team and as such it's usually recognised that you'll need a bit of support to do so. However if they don't outline broadly what you'll be doing then it gives you a question to ask a little bit about, maybe you'll get a mentor or something similar.
 
willhub said:
I'm proper ******* the group part, I'm pretty shy in front of new people but I am aware I won't get the position if all I do is sit back and watch everyone etc..
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Whoever speaks first in a group is automatically perceived as the leader by observers, and group members. You can use this to your advantage by opening with some entirely neutral statement such as asking peoples names, or asking opinions on how people want to go about things.

By going in with a neutral opening you avoid the "tit-factor" while getting the apparent status benefits.
 
willhub said:
I meant a shirt.

I was intending on wearing black shoes, black trousers and a shirt, and a jumper I don't have a blazer.

I am not the best at remembering things but I could not take a notepad with things wrote down into an interview surely??


Semple, is it in Manchester?
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Nah mines in Bristol

And you can take what you like into the interview. Infact i'd recommend that you do. It shows that you have prepared some research into the role you're applying for. But make sure you're not reading out of it - know everything you've prepared and use it to jog your memory.
 
Robboftw said:
Why do people always wonder whether or not you should wear a suit?
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Because they are very inexperienced, naive, are trying to come across as cool, are cocky, are thick, are over confident, or believe they are exceptional and "should be judged on who they (think) they are", or often very deluded to being good without anything to support it. Of course sometimes for 'special' people all of the above. As you said always wear a suit unless instructed otherwise, it's not even a point for debate and though in a few situations it might add nothing the fact is in most situations it will.

If you are interviewing for office based roles invest in a business suit, really, the 'I don't own a suit' is a bit short sighted if you are planning interviews not least when you type this on 1-2K's worth of PC. ;)
 
Housey said:
Because they are very inexperienced, naive, are trying to come across as cool, are cocky, are thick, are over confident, or believe they are exceptional and "should be judged on who they (think) they are", or often very deluded to being good without anything to support it. Of course sometimes for 'special' people all of the above. As you said always wear a suit unless instructed otherwise, it's not even a point for debate and though in a few situations it might add nothing the fact is in most situations it will.

If you are interviewing for office based roles invest in a business suit, really, the 'I don't own a suit' is a bit short sighted if you are planning interviews not least when you type this on 1-2K's worth of PC. ;)
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^ Now this really should be stickied.

No, you are not a special *********.
No, your personality will not make up for dressing improperly.
No, you are not being edgy, you're being unprofessional and ill-prepared.
No, it won't "not make any difference really".
No, you don't know better.
No, it doesn't show confidence; it shows arrogance or naivety.

NO. JUST NO.

asdaskladhkljsdfldgjktlkhjelth :mad:
 
Housey said:
Because they are very inexperienced, naive, are trying to come across as cool, are cocky, are thick, are over confident, or believe they are exceptional and "should be judged on who they (think) they are", or often very deluded to being good without anything to support it. Of course sometimes for 'special' people all of the above. As you said always wear a suit unless instructed otherwise, it's not even a point for debate and though in a few situations it might add nothing the fact is in most situations it will.
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Even though it is a good idea, wearing one just because you feel you have to, then getting points for it, is contrived. Just like the way I (and I assume others) feel the need to write contrived patter in cover letters. Load of fluff.
 
Spyhop said:
Even though it is a good idea, wearing one just because you feel you have to, then getting points for it, is contrived. Just like the way I (and I assume others) feel the need to write contrived patter in cover letters. Load of fluff.
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If you want to 'make a statement' and come across as uncontrived by not wearing one feel free, it might well be contrived and mean nothing when it comes to ones ability......but that is missing the entire point. Your point on contrived patter is valid, what this has to do in wearing a suit to an interview is beyond me. You prove my point nicely I feel.
 
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