interview HELP!!! :-|

[nit]

hey guys its been a while since i posted on here but I need some major advice, i recently did 3 days of contract work helping a school to remove a worm, I really impressed the ICT manager so much that he called the agency I was working for and put me forward for the role of 'Data Manager /e-learning Co-ordinator'. I have an interview on Thursday and i'm am really nervous as i don't believe that have the right amount of experience at the moment to do this job (if i had a few years under my belt as in ICT techy i would not be as nervous i am now). I haven't yet even got a job description for the type of person they would like to hire, all i know that there going to be a test based

'use the internet to research a particular subject that a teacher might need to use as a teaching resource and present this information in a logical format' then 2 interview, can anyone be kind to offer advice on both the interview and the test? please i'm am soo worried i might look to be really stupid at the interview

[mossj]

Trust me going by all my interviews the test will count for very little, what I think that means is that you need to pick a subject -Science in particular chemistry would probley produce the best visual results. Look for resources that the teacher could use to engage with the kids and make the subject interesting!

No i'm not going to help you with it in any detail and yes I do know there are lots out there (lovely Java based ones )

As for the interview I'm sure some people will stroll by this thread in a second.

[witch]

RING UP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING TO GET MORE INFO!!!!!!!!!!

Doesn't sound a very techie job - do you really want to do it?

[nit]

Doesn't sound a very techie job - do you really want to do it?

hello witch and thank you and mossj for replying, yes i would love the job if I had more experience behind me but the fact is i don't and i am really worried that i'm going to look like a right fool. Its not that he called the agency asking if they can find anyone who would be suitable for this role, its that he asked for me :-| which i'm really humble by but i'm just soo worried that i'm going to look like a right fool.

[visioN]

If you don't know about VLE's I would read up on them. Plenty of information available on the net.

[powdarrmonkey]

If you've been specially requested, the HOD clearly thinks you're capable of growing into the role, so I shouldn't worry about being inexperienced - that's what their training budget (ahem) is there for. I also wouldn't worry about looking a fool in front of the panel - they're there to assess you, not laugh at you, and I'm sure they'll have seen all sorts in their time. Just read up as much as you can; form your own opinions between now and the day, because if you trot out someone else's you'll be shaky on subsequent questions.

witch used to be a recruitment consultant if I remember right, and I agree with her - ring up and find out exactly what the day will entail, what your presentation should be about and what kind of length they expect, and about what the job will involve (because if it goes well, you'll be doing it!).

[nit]

well currently, they are trying to see if they can get more information from the school, I might give it until 2 maybe and if i don't have the information I might call up to cancel the interview, does anyone think that this is a wise move? i feel i'm at a huge disadvantage being at such short notice and not having needed information.

[jamesb]

Never, ever cancel an interview. Even if you don't want the job in the end you'll have got through it, and realise that they're not actually that scary.

Deep breaths, and relax. It sounds like the test is just going to be data mining, which it sounds like you'll be more than capable of. Just looking for some resources that'll be helpful for a teacher and handing them over in a way the teacher can use.

The interview itself will be simple. They'll ask questions, you answer them as best you can. If you can't answer a question then just say so. The worst that can possibly happen out of this is that you don't get the job, simple as that. No one's going to laugh at you or criticise you for anything that happens.

So, go to the interview and if you get the job then great - means that they were right and you were wrong to be nervous. If you don't then you were right, but you've got another interview and another little packet of experience to use next time.

[powdarrmonkey]

well currently, they are trying to see if they can get more information from the school, I might give it until 2 maybe and if i don't have the information I might call up to cancel the interview, does anyone think that this is a wise move? i feel i'm at a huge disadvantage being at such short notice and not having needed information.

Don't cancel it - get the experience anyway, even if you or they decide not to go any further. Short notice isn't such a bad thing; at least you can demonstrate your ability to deal with pressure

[nit]

at least you can demonstrate your ability to deal with pressure

i'm not lol , but thanks guys i'm starting to feel more relaxed

[jamesb]

If you start to get nervous again just grab your music player, or a good book, or a film you like, and distract yourself for a bit. I always go for a short walk a little before any interview just to let my mind settle down. Find something that helps you calm down and relax.

And good luck with the interview, it sounds like an interesting job.

[nit]

thank you guys soo much!!! i'm starting to relax, I think I could manage to eat lunch now

[witch]

Can you ring the person at the school who recommended you? Surely HE should be able to give you a bit of help.
Other than that - as others have said - they must know a bit about you and want you and KNOW that you don't have much experience - so smile, look keen and just go for it!

[nit]

I just got the JD and PS and i could do this lol wooow but yes i have nothing to lose now!! happy almost! , Witch if i don't get the job would it be okay for me to PM asking help on my CV, if you don;t have too much to do?

[witch]

Of course you can!