Archive: 6 posts

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Hey all, I received an email today in regards to a university application I made - and I got an interview! I'm pleased as punch about that - the interviews in two weeks, but I'm also pretty nervous. I was wondering whether anyone had any good interview tips, or advice on how to manage it and to make a good impression. I'm applying to study Paramedic Science, but it doesn't have to be advice concerning working in healthcare - just any good advice that perhaps you've found useful in the past is good! Any advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance! PS: If you didn't know, Paramedics are the senior healthcare proffessionals who primarily work in settings such as in emergency ambulances etc. Just good to know/might be relevant

2011-01-19 01:09:00 Author: standby250 Posts: 1113

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I had similar info today too! But I got an unconditional offer, didn't even have to go to interview! I've had a little experience with interviews for jobs and things before though. So my advice would be this: 1. Be passionate about what your talking about. Obviously you have an interest in the subject since you've applied for a university course, but make sure your enthusiasm shows! Know what you're talking about and show that you are really keen to learn more! 2. Speak clearly. Some people get nervous and it may be hard, but try your best to speak as clearly as you can. Practice if you need to. Ask a friend or a member of your family to ask you some questions you'd expect to get. 3. Be polite & Don't Big Yourself Up Too Much. Obviously, you are there to sell yourself, but it's a fine line between cockiness and confidence. Be careful that your not overly self imposed. 4.Relax. Dont work yourself up over it! It's all just another experience on the long road we like to call life. Keep a positive attitude and i'm sure you'll land the place no problem! Now all you've gotta do is find the money to afford it! XD Good luck! Edit: Oh, and maybe most importantly. Smile!

2011-01-19 01:21:00 Author: Mr_T-Shirt Posts: 1477

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Do you have any examples of work to show that would be related to what the job would entail? It can be useful even if you weren't asked to bring any to give the impression you're serious about doing it and that you can foresee and prepare. Naturally, it would be better if it was work you hadn't shown your prospective employer previously but if you could also display that work in a way that benefits from you're in-person presentation as opposed to something like static documentation that you'd included as part of an applications as well. It might also be too late for this, but if you can it into your interview some discussion on something you've been doing recently that pertains to the sort of skills your job requires it can show (or at least give the impression) you are interested and passionate about the field. And for stacking the odds in a more psychological way, try to keep your eyes on the interviewer's face rather then wandering around, if you're conducting the interview at a desk keep you're hands off or otherwise keep them on you're laps or arms of the chair and sit up straight. The color of you're clothes can also influence things subtlety. Basic red and blue are generally safe bets but brighter, louder variations of them can be off-putting. Orange, green, and brown tend to not be the best choices either. White, grey, and black tend to give a more neutral impression but you may choose those if they contrast well with whatever sort of complexion you might have.

2011-01-19 03:18:00 Author: Dapiek Absaroka Posts: 512

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Wow - thanks for all the advice so far! I've done plenty of work experience in the past year - I've worked in 2 nursing homes and a school nursery. I've been asked by the university to bring along some references, and, as this is something I'm really passionate about doing, I have done an awful lot of research into what the job is, and what roles and responsibilities a paramedic has. This is something I'm really determined to do - and I really hope that this comes across in the interview. Politeness is obviously advantageous, but does it hurt to be overly formal? I was wondering whether overly formal would make me seem like I was trying too hard to cover up by anxieties. I've also heard that you shouldn't basically make wild guesses and assumptions about what you're doing - but to ask again if you don't hear or understand the questions at first? Thanks for the tips on posture and clothing! These are things that I feel are important - because I reckon, because the ambulance service is a uniformed public service (and this IS where I'll end up) that dressing smartly wouldn't hurt. I'm worried about what to do with my eyes though - staring too much can be unsettling, but I don't want my eyes to wonder around or imply I'm bored or distracted. Sorry - one more thing. Any advice on nerves and managing them/hiding them? I mean, I've had one or two interviews before - but never one for something that felt so important, and that meant so much to me. I don't want to blow it! XD @T-shirt - awesome! Congrats on the Uni place - what are you going to study? Last year of applying to uni before the fees go up eh?

2011-01-19 03:30:00 Author: standby250 Posts: 1113

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@T-shirt - awesome! Congrats on the Uni place - what are you going to study? Last year of applying to uni before the fees go up eh? Thanks! Im doing a Film And Moving Image Production course hopefully at Leeds. The response I got today was from Derby. Not my 1st choice, but still good news! And about clothing. In a perfect world, people would judge you on knowledge, not appearance. Sadly though, it does sometimes make a difference. For my interview i'm going to be going along dressed fairly casual. Tidy, but casual. Thats my course though, we're all a bunch of hippie film students. For what your doing, maybe something a little more smart would suit the bill. Im no Gok Wan, but just a smart jacket and neat jeans would be cool. I wouldn't want to go all "The Apprentice" on them.

2011-01-19 03:43:00 Author: Mr_T-Shirt Posts: 1477

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Generally, in situations like this it's probably more important to be calm, relaxed and professional looking rather then formal. You should look like you're at ease wearing sensible dress shirt and pants; remember, you're not going to a funeral or a wedding. It's also reasonable to draw logical conclusions and ask if they are correct, but you are right in not making wild guesses and it is usually a safe bet to ask again rather then answer without adequate understanding of the question (just don't do it continuously or you may look inept). When answering questions, in the long term it is probably benefical to answer truthfully (although just a bit of exaggeration can help), as a lie can come back to haunt you in the future, and if they ask a question anticipating a lie and you do so you may be in real trouble. The interview I had for the job I currently hold involved one of the interviewers asking me if I knew how to use a specific computer program; I didn't and told him and he mentioned that the last few people he interviewed actually said they did when they showed they didn't when they got the job. Remember, to them you are effectively just starting out on a career so they may not expect you to know everything they ask and may just want to effectively gauge your ability rather then looking for a 100%perfect fit for a position. Keeping your eyes on the interviewer's face is generally appropriate because that person is the one you are specifically listening and responding to (unless they have unforseen self-image issues or something). Naturally, it isn't at all suspicious if you take them off to look over documentation or the like and it's certainly a better option then focusing on most anything else in the room (i.e. a plant in the corner [strange], pictures of the interviewer's children [creepy], the interviewer's physical attributes [a really bad idea]) Finally, in regards to nerves. I'd recommend not drinking coffee or whatever caffinated drink beforehand. Scientific studies show that caffine increases stress and makes people more irritable. If you've developed a caffine dependancy over the years this may be troublesome. Also, I'll probably be shooting myself in the foot by typing this but given you're old enough to pursue a medically-related profession and you are also in London I assume you aren't as repressed as the general populace here I suppose I can impart this small bit of advice to calm yourself: a few hours before you have the interview...(reveal if you have more emotional maturity then a mentally healthly 16 year old)pleasure yourself. I am not joking; it releases calming endorphins into your system and reduces stress. And I say a few hours before so you can take a shower beforehand... Can't wait for the fallout of this one...

2011-01-19 04:16:00 Author: Dapiek Absaroka Posts: 512

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