Job interview advice.

NoNameNoNumber

NoNameNoNumber

NoNameNoNumber

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Evening all,

Applied for a job internally that I am underqualified for in terms of academics but I've got lots of relevant experience having worked in the business for 14 years.
The guy currently in the role that I've applied for has told me that I'd be perfect for the job and suggested I apply for it. Fast forward a couple of weeks and the hiring manager phoned me around 5 o'clock tonight and asked if I'd be available for an interview 9 am tomorrow. Obviously I have said yes that's fine but it leaves me pretty scuppered in terms of interview prep.

I clearly need to emphasise my technical experience in the industry and what I can offer that I know a graduate couldn't. But equally I am well aware of my shortcomings in terms of requirements listed. (Chartered Mech Eng, NEBOSH etc)

Any tips or relevant success stories greatly appreciated

Ps. I appreciate this is GD... I thoughts we had a 'careers' section somewhere...
 
NoNameNoNumber said:
Evening all,

Applied for a job internally that I am underqualified for in terms of academics but I've got lots of relevant experience having worked in the business for 14 years.
The guy currently in the role that I've applied for has told me that I'd be perfect for the job and suggested I apply for it. Fast forward a couple of weeks and the hiring manager phoned me around 5 o'clock tonight and asked if I'd be available for an interview 9 am tomorrow. Obviously I have said yes that's fine but it leaves me pretty scuppered in terms of interview prep.

I clearly need to emphasise my technical experience in the industry and what I can offer that I know a graduate couldn't. But equally I am well aware of my shortcomings in terms of requirements listed. (Chartered Mech Eng, NEBOSH etc)

Any tips or relevant success stories greatly appreciated

Ps. I appreciate this is GD... I thoughts we had a 'careers' section somewhere...
Click to expand...
Did you apply for it. if not then the previous person must have put in a good word for you.
Do you have his number, maybe you should give him a call.
Experience is better than a piece of paper.

Good luck.
 
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The fact they've rushed it and given you no notice at all means two things.

They either want you and are just doing "the formality" as quickly as possible so they can get you in.

I feel this is likely.

Or they don't want you so are just doing it to get it out of the way.

But personally sounds like they want you in, a decent company would definitely give you more than tomorrow morning notice, otherwise that isn't really fair, unless they were just st going to give it to you.
 
Mrwong said:
Did you apply for it. if not then the previous person must have put in a good word for you.
Do you have his number, maybe you should give him a call.
Experience is better than a piece of paper.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
I did apply, under instruction from the guy currently in the role. I'll see if he's on site first thing and have a chat if I can.
BUDFORCE said:
The fact they've rushed it and given you no notice at all means two things.

They either want you and are just doing "the formality" as quickly as possible so they can get you in.

I feel this is likely.

Or they don't want you so are just doing it to get it out of the way.

But personally sounds like they want you in, a decent company would definitely give you more than tomorrow morning notice, otherwise that isn't really fair, unless they were just st going to give it to you.
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I think they know I am capable on many levels, but likely understand my shortcomings at least as well as I do.
I work continental shifts, so if it's not tomorrow, it'd have to wait until next week.
 
One thing you could commit to is doing NEBOSH training or something to show that you're keen to learn and add value?

I'd go in assuming they don't know how good you are and whilst it is a little odd sometimes to boast about yourself you should go in proud and confident that you do know what you're doing and why you're perfect for the job.
 
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What @BUDFORCE said was my thinking as well. Just be careful they don't use the lack of paper qualifications to stiff you on the salary and benefits package - the "promotion" with no extra money is a dick move but all too common in an internal role change.

14 years experience should more than make up for lack of a formal qualification and other trainings can be done as part of moving you into the role. Job specs are a list of what's wanted for the perfect match - a candidate with everything is likely already too qualified for the role and would move on or up faster than they need.

Good luck and keep us updated !
 
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Freefaller said:
One thing you could commit to is doing NEBOSH training or something to show that you're keen to learn and add value?

I'd go in assuming they don't know how good you are and whilst it is a little odd sometimes to boast about yourself you should go in proud and confident that you do know what you're doing and why you're perfect for the job.
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I don't see the relevance for NEBOSH for that role IMO, but I understand its a blanket prerequisite for jobs of this calibre.
I've annotated my cv for my own reference with examples I can give backing up my experience. I'll do the same with the advert in the morning to hopefully help me out of any sticky spots. Good point on buying proud and confident.
I know tge hiring manager knows me, but I'm assuming it won't just be him.

peterwalkley said:
What @BUDFORCE said was my thinking as well. Just be careful they don't use the lack of paper qualifications to stiff you on the salary and benefits package - the "promotion" with no extra money is a dick move but all too common in an internal role change.

14 years experience should more than make up for lack of a formal qualification and other trainings can be done as part of moving you into the role. Job specs are a list of what's wanted for the perfect match - a candidate with everything is likely already too qualified for the role and would move on or up faster than they need.

Good luck and keep us updated !
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Cheers, it's a big company with defined pay brackets. Grade x is grade x, but they're banded based on performance.
If we get that far, I'll be making a point that to come off continental shifts to the bottom of that pay scale doesn't make it worth my time considering the extra costs in childcare and more frequent commutes to work. That said, I'll take the job if offered regardless of pay. I can't work these shifts forever.
 
I said NEBOSH as I'm not sure if you have the prerequisite for a CEng? Even if it's not required it shows willing, but you're right if it's not relevant then maybe it's a moot point.

Good luck and hope it goes well!
 
NoNameNoNumber said:
I clearly need to emphasise my technical experience in the industry and what I can offer that I know a graduate couldn't. But equally I am well aware of my shortcomings in terms of requirements listed. (Chartered Mech Eng, NEBOSH etc)
Click to expand...

Well, I'm sure you've got plenty of work experience that a (new) graduate won't have but surely a grad hire won't be "Chartered" either?

I'm not sure it is a reasonable assumption to make that you can offer things an (experienced) graduate couldn't? Do you know all the other candidates and what their experience is? It could be very easy to come off as negative if you start making generalisations about possible other candidates, especially if those generalisations also end up applying to the hiring manager.

It's probably better to just focus you, what you can offer and not dwell too much on the degree or lack of it or indeed what other possible candidates might be bringing to the table.
 
If you think they'll be particularly hung up on stuff like the CEng requirement, it might be worth 15 minutes quickly looking up how Career Learning Assessments work with the IMechE etc. so they can at least see you've investigated potential routes to professional registration without a degree.
 
dowie said:
Well, I'm sure you've got plenty of work experience that a (new) graduate won't have but surely a grad hire won't be "Chartered" either?

I'm not sure it is a reasonable assumption to make that you can offer things an (experienced) graduate couldn't? Do you know all the other candidates and what their experience is? It could be very easy to come off as negative if you start making generalisations about possible other candidates, especially if those generalisations also end up applying to the hiring manager.

It's probably better to just focus you, what you can offer and not dwell too much on the degree or lack of it or indeed what other possible candidates might be bringing to the table.
Click to expand...

It's not an assumption I've made, the guy currently in the role was a graduate (30+ years ago) has told me he would specifically value my back ground to that of another grad. -we've had plenty.

Anyway...

Interview went well, lasted around 1hr 20. They said lots of positive things as I was answering their questions. Lots of scenarios they wanted me to talk through my approach etc which was quite tough at times but I answered everything quite clearly and confidently I believe.

Happy I did my best but I'm not convinced I'll get the job, it's out on linked in and will attract a lot of interest I believe. They're interviewing all week...

Should know by the end of the week.
 
NoNameNoNumber said:
It's not an assumption I've made, the guy currently in the role was a graduate (30+ years ago) has told me he would specifically value my back ground to that of another grad. -we've had plenty.
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That is an assumption. You can't just generalise like that, if you were to complete a degree mid-career, part-time say, do you magically lose or forget your prior experience?
 
I assume he's referring to fresh out of uni, no work experience type graduates, which is what I find generally people mean when they talk about 'graduates' in the workplace. Similarly when people talk about 'an apprentice', they usually mean the 17 year old who can barely tie his own shoes, not the 35yo middle manager doing a 'management apprenticeship' because the company can fund it from a levy pot :p
 
In our industry, the grad scheme has seen hoardes of grads come and go. Invariably they aren't very good in the real world.
I didn't come into the business through the grad scheme, I did a 4 year apprenticeship, learned a craft and subsequently a few more whilst pushing for further education and graduating myself. But I'm not a grad.

So ok, perhaps I am generalising, but it's not unfounded.
 
Freefaller said:
I'd go in assuming they don't know how good you are and whilst it is a little odd sometimes to boast about yourself you should go in proud and confident that you do know what you're doing and why you're perfect for the job.
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Agreed. With internal interviews, I have an innate confidence in the sense of I know I can fully commit to everything I say and they know it isn't BS because they can check it (with external interviews, I sometimes have imposter syndrome where I fear they will feel I am exaggerating my experience even in cases when I'm not).

I once had an internal interview where I got the role and subsequently received feedback that they were genuinely taken aback by my prowess and hadn't actually realised the depth of experience / external training / level of strategic thinking I had (apparently I even got added to a succession plan as a result) - point being, don't assume they know how good you are just because you have been there for 14 years, this is the opportunity to tell them what they don't already know, all the stuff that just doesn't come up in the day-to-day work because it isn't relevant, this is your chance to sell yourself.
 
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