Help with management interview for Monday

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Ok, so I applied for a management position at a clothing retail store over in Canberra. My application basically went as follows;

"I am a young mum and looking to return to full time work. I don't have clothing retail experience, as you have stated as prefered; I find it quite difficult to gain experience in an industry that prefers experience for you to get employed in the first place! I have supervisory experience in the retail hospitality sector and found it to be exciting and that I thrived in the position. I feel that it is my positive attitude, enthusiasm and determination to succeed that makes me suitable for this position"

I applied as a "joke". As in, hey, I am seriously interested, but they are 'so' not going to take this seriously, but what do I have to lose?

Well, I have an interview. On Monday. And I am freaking out. I know I am capable of this job, if she offered me an interview without even a phone conversation they obviously like my attitude and think that I can be a suitable candidate, but how on earth do I pull that off at an interview?

What do I wear, how do I do my hair, make up / no make-up. This is the kind of job I have always been too scared of, I have no fashion sense and whilst I know how to looke hot in make up, businesslike; nah-ah.

Oh, it is for Katies. I don't even own clothes that fit well at the moment. The only suitable things I have already is some nice shoes... and we're broke so I have to ruffle an outfit out of, nothing.

So, ummm, yeah, help? Help me sound good, look good, feel confident?

[Oorki Galoorki]

definatly wear makeup..(its one thing i learnt going for a retail job)
you dont have to be super fashionable.. just classic would suit katies..
Good luck!

[angelaartsstudent]

Be yourself. There is NO point in faking anything then having to hold it up if you get the job. :-)

Just be you. Be honest. Be cool.

Katies...I'd say a pant suit or something close to it. Plain or pinstripe dark pants, shirt/blouse/top with a collar, plain jewellery, natural makeup.

You knock 'em dead.

[Pandora]

Katies...I'd say a pant suit or something close to it. Plain or pinstripe dark pants, shirt/blouse/top with a collar, plain jewellery, natural makeup.

Aparet from teh fact that its a management position, Katies is relatively conservative so yeah, I'd go with that, presentation wise. You could probaby wear a long/three quarter sleved top too if you wore a jacket, even if you took the jacket off.
Makeup, def natural colours, or pinks even depending what suits your skin tone.

You dont want to lie or exaggerate unecesarily about anything else - you havent so far, and look where it has got you.

Good luck! Being a mum too, generally indicates you have good management skills! You generally need to!

[LimeSlice]

Well done!

Perhaps try an op shop if you need a new pair of slacks? Nice things often for a few dollars

Make sure your nails and shoes are clean. Always the first thing I looked at befor ehiring anyone for any position - oh and iron your clothes


Be yourself and knock em dead huni!

[Footsteps]

good luck ash,
knock em dead...
love rach xx

[tiggerlinda]

Well done ash and good luck. Have your resume ready with a few spare copies just incase there is more than 1 person interviewing you. Natural make up clean hair and hair off the face if possible. Neat pants/skirt and shirt will be a good start if not a dress with a jacket. make sure you nails are clean and polished in a neatral or clear clour and you shoes are clean. plus be 5 mins early.

Sure you will be fine Pm me if you want more advice or a pep talk b4 hand and let me know how it goes

[DoubleK]

Well done on getting an interview Ash!!!! i wish you lots of luck!!

i agree with the other girls, id wear black pants, a plain coloured top, hair up, natural make up.

good luck! how exciting! how far away from Canberra do you live hun?

[The[cookie]Doctor]

About an hour Rach, if i get it, we'd both be working in Canberra, Anth would drive and literally go past the place. Perfect!

Are women and men's suits tailored "too" differently for me to get away with wearing a suit of DF's?? I couldn't find a suit to fit me, boobs-wise, unless i had at least a week to look. Which i don't.

I might take a photo of me in DF's suit and post it later and you guys can see how it looks?

Natural make up is simple, can do that, be just my luck to have a pimple breakout overnight tonight and look terrible though!

Alright I might have to drag DF Target wise and see what i can pull together minimally. I've been in Canberra twice this weekend and didnt even think to go into Katies. Wahhhh

[Indadhanu]

Repeat after me...

"I WILL BE FINE!"

And now breathe! lol

Katies is fairly conservative, and is aimed at the 20+ market, so you don't have to try and fir into the 'teen fashion' image (which is handy, especially if you have no fashion sense... like me!).

Womans suits are geneally tailored around the waist, mostly to accentuate it, whereas mens are more straight up and down. You *MAY* get away with a mens suit, as long as it doesn't look like you're wearing a sack lol. if you are crafy you could try doing something at the back seems to make it 'fit' but I am not crafty so I don't know how that would work lol!
I would try to go for a fitted but not tight jacket (I have found Target, and Kmart, to have these for fairly good prices), with a nice button down shirt, and some pants or a skirt.

Good luck! Don't stress! If they liked your 'joke' application, then they are obviously willing to give you a go becaue you are you. Be yourself, you'll be fine hun. You are wonderful!!!

[Phteven]

They're going to be interested in your ideas/personality as well as your presentation so try to have some answers ready for the common questions
What can you bring to the role?
What are your faults (try and think of something that can be a positive ie a perfectionist, too freindly, a bit of a workaholic and do not mention non-punctuality or disorganisation)?
Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years time?
Why do you want this job (don't make the answer about you - make it about your golas, career/the job)?
What do you know about the company (you can bone up on the website)?
Give us an example of a time you have demonstarted leadership/management skills?
Give us an example of a time you have coped with a difficult situation at work?
How would you cope with an angry customer?
etc.

If you think about all the questions you remember from other job interviews and have an answer ready you will be more confident and relaxed which wil help you in the interview.
Don't be afraid to say "can I have a moment to think about this" if you're stumped.

[tiggerlinda]

babe if you can't get a woman suit go with a nice tailored shirt. DF's suit may be too baggy and Katies will notice. Please post pics if you would like advice would be more than happy

My candidates should be as concered as you for interviews

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Thanks for the tips off to try and get something to wear.
I am completely nervous.
One part of me is asking why i am bothering as I feel like i wont have a chance, especially if there was a alarge number of other applicants, and the other part of me thinks that i will be fine, because my not so serious application got me an interview in the first place. *confused*
That and DF has had to take a day off work to take care of alex as the iLs are away.

[Danni]

good luk today princess!!

[Pandora]

Please dont wear a mens suit, and if you do need to just wear the pants not the jacket.
There are some really good suggestions in here, all the best for the interview. They are obviously interested, recruitment is a big expense for companies, they wouldnt be bothering if they werent interested in you.

[Arimeh]

Knock em dead Ash. You've done the hard job - getting past all the other applicants - they must be considering you for the job to give you an interview. So all you have to do is tell them that you are the best, will be the best, and nobody else will compare to you.

You can do it!!!

[tiggerlinda]

good luck

[blessedatlast]

Good luck for your interview today.. I agree, getting the interview is often the hardest part!! Again good luck