Update - Interview Went Well

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I've been searching for a job passively since February and actively since October 3rd, after I got my license to practice as a psychologist in my state. After watching each one of my classmates get interviews and jobs with no luck for me, I FINALLY LANDED AN INTERVIEW TODAY!! ! It's for a case management job with kids in foster care. This is my first ever real interview so I am excited.

Anyone have any interview pointers for me? I am way better about selling myself and talking since graduating with my M.A. in Clinical Psychology, but any extra help is always a plus.

Practising with someone can help, as can looking up sample interview questions. Researching who you are looking at working for and how you align with their values and could add value to their organization is also important.

Apart from general advice apart from preparing thoroughly and looking smart, clean and presentable.

Some aspie pointers are that I have got an interview adjustment of seeing the questions 10 minutes before the interview written down (disability aware employer). I can answer "normally" in the interview, not be tripped up by questions and the uncertainty is reduced.

I am getting support from an aspergers employment service who practices with me for every interview.

I also used to wonder what the point of the interview was as they have your written application and as far as I am concerned that says everything they need to know. Once you get there you still have to say it aloud as if they have not seen that and sell yourself. The application only gets you to the interview. I found that the more I say the better as I am very quiet and have a tendency not to talk but if I say more, then more good bits come out. If you say something good that you do that is outside the job it could be a clincher if they are undecided and you have an extra skill that could be useful for them.

Answer the specific question they answer (although you can throw in extra good points if relevant). The clues are in the job description and person spec. If you know the area well you should have a good idea about what skills that are looking for in interview.

They also told me usual things of good eye contact, turn up on time, turn your phone off, shake hands, wait to be told to sit down, thank them before you leave the interview. Not necessarily obvious in AS.

hey you're almost there! just make sure you:
1. know where you're going and whom to ask once you get there
2. look the part
3. be honest - seriously, you don't want to lie
4. ask questions at the end of the interview
5. before you leave, thank them for their time
6. send a thank you note *the same day* to the person who did the interview

there's some good advice from abc above- make sure you're answering the questions asked. it's very easy to go into the boasting mode once you're given a chance to speak. you don't want to do that!

also, learn everything you can about the place before you go there!

hey and let us know how it went, I've got it coming soon too so might want to learn from your experience

Ok, so im probably just repeating whats already said but heres my tips (I also do interviews for staff so can see it from both sides)

1. Turn up on time - sounds obvious but you wouldnt believe how many people turn up late and no matter how good the interview goes its always in the back of the interviewers mind if they cant make an interview on time how likely are they to turn up to work on time.
2. First impressions last - make sure you look the part (and ask someone who is not afraid to criticise you before hand) and behave the part.
3. Over dress rather than under dress (within reason). Football tops and trainers never make a good impression (particularly if the interviewer supports your teams biggest rival)
4. Eye contact and body language are extremely important even though they probably shouldn't be - remember the interviewers impression of you may taint their answers, so practice. Do not underestimate the importance of this.
5. When answering wait a second or two as if you are considering your answer and certainly do not interrupt the interviewer! - it looks like you are actually thinking about the question rather than instantly rhyming off a learned answer (i.e. you are being more genuine) even though that may not be the case.
6. Do your research but avoid rambling on too much - give them the answer you think they are looking for plus a little bit more. Dont be afraid to ask for clarification if you genuinely dont understand (see point 9). Remember you are being interviewed and not taking a university lecture (I am prone to doing this myself).
7. Be courteous, wait to ask to be seated, shake the hands of the interviewers, and thank them for their time. If you are told their names then use them when thanking them etc. This will show you were interested enough in THEM to remember their name! Keep a good upright posture and do not slouch as again this will form a negative impression.
8. When they ask you if you have any questions always have something relevant to show genuine interest in the position but avoid asking about salary at all costs! (even if asked directly try to stay away from specific figures unless you have already been offered the role).
9. Be honest. If you dont know something then dont try to fake it as it will probably show through. If they are asking the question then they know what a person who really knows about it will answer. Any failed attempts at covering up your shortcomings will make them ask what else you have made up!
10. If you need time to think or go blank simply say "Thats a very good question, can I take a few moments to think about it". Not only has this bought you time, you have complemented the interviewer (on their excellent question design) and potentially stopped yourself coming out with a ludicrous answer. Only do this once or twice though!
11. Stay humble/modest (unless it is an interview for some sales professions which this is not). Nobody likes a show-off and you aim is to get the interviewer(s) to genuinely like and want to work with you. If this is the case then they will more likely give you the benefit of the doubt

Thank you to everyone who replied with advice- these are some very thoughtful answers and I saw a lot of things I hadn't considered! It never would have occurred to me to wait to sit down until told, for example. Pausing before answering (timing) is also something I didn't really think about.

Congrats

I would say, remember you are being interviewed by people who are higher educated then you so they are probably going to be able to sift through and analyze you better then you can analyze yourself, this is there job as an interviewer.

Yesterday was my interview and I think it went well! At the end they told me about company benefits and had me fill out some paperwork for a background check, so I guess those are two good signs. I felt really prepared for the questions they asked me and was able to adopt the role and specific behaviors of "interviewee."

I have another interview today I don't care about as a "mental health tech" that would be a PRN position and I am overqualified. It is my "security job," although as a PRN there would be no health benefits and I would be working holidays and weekends.

Tomorrow I have yet ANOTHER interview as an intake specialist at an outpatient mental health center. I'm looking forward to this job interview because it is related the most to my current part-time job and I already know I really enjoy doing the work.

yay! I say things are looking optimistic for you Gaya :]

for anyone else going for an interview I can personally recommend this book. Some of it you can just miss out as its not relevant to all (some of the more career orientated stuff wouldnt be of interest to many who would just like "A" job) but the tips are excellent and it even made me look at how I do interviews.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Job-Book-Recruitment-Insiders/dp/1841127817/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319064486&sr=1-1

for anyone else going for an interview I can personally recommend this book. Some of it you can just miss out as its not relevant to all (some of the more career orientated stuff wouldnt be of interest to many who would just like "A" job) but the tips are excellent and it even made me look at how I do interviews.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Job-Book-Recruitment-Insiders/dp/1841127817/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319064486&sr=1-1

Good luck Gaya and let us know how it works out!