Unofficial Tex Murphy

The Clash? Joe Strummer's my daddy....

But I don't remember a song called Beat Around the Bush. Is that like Rock Around the Clock? Anyhow I only have 2 pairs of shoes and one of them is my old school pair! They're practically steel-capped...

Song's called Rock The Casbah.

-Fred

Aaargh just had a telephone interview. A finance company. Only thing is I was given about half an hour notice from the agency so knew nothing about the company. On top of that it was my first office interview and I couldn't answer the question: why do I want to work in an office.

I know for next time.

What's the answer? I still haven't figured it out.

The answer is I HAVEN'T A FLIPPING CLUE! However I mustn't say that. Got an interview face to face tomorrow at 9:30 so have bought a sexy suit.

PS David why aren't you on MSN?!

The answer to that question is always that you've always found it interesting and challenging, and that you think that is the work environment for you. It's one of those answers you insert no matter what locale they ask you about.

-Fred

I think you should tell them you want to work in an office cause it beats the hell out of being outside in cold ass weather and hot sticky heat...

Haha thanks guys! It's at Close Premium Finance. My goodness, how exciting...

When is the Interview???

In an hour and a half!!

Whew... I'll be going to bed in about an hour and a half... lol

Good Luck to you...

Just remember to keep Eye Contact and speak loud and firm... Don't talk in a hushed voice and try not to stutter...

Ah, thanks. It's my hair I worry about - not used to tying it up!!

Whew - that wasn't too traumatic. In fact it was so good that after 5 minutes I forgot to be nervous. Not many interviews I can say that about!

The tips were really useful. I got a guided tour around the office, during which got to ask suitably intelligent questions. I was also offered a glass of water (this was fab because my throat went dry!) and also was given the opportunity to mention my passion for archaeology. I'd put the latter in my CV but the agency "forgot" to add it on theirs.

A pointer for anyone going for an admin type job who has no previous experience - learn to use Excel. And also put it to some practical use well before the interview. I was able to mention that I use it for a personal budget system (which is true - I do!). This was an excellent point in so many ways as they can read into it quite a bit about what I'm like. So I suppose the golden rule is don't just rely on key words like "team player" and "efficient", casually integrate examples of these qualities into the conversation preferably before the interviewer asks.

It's easy for me to say now I've done it but it does make for a good interview!!

(Essay over)

...

It was a no. They really liked me and they reckoned I could get the job done but they weren't 100% sure I wanted to work in an office. WHO WANTS TO WORK IN AN OFFICE? If I had the choice I couldn't work at all - does that mean I should be rejected for every job I apply for just because I am only doing it because I need to work?

The thing is I've had no office experience. I don't know how I can be 100% motivated for something like that if I haven't tried it. Exciting jobs are different. But admin is hardly exciting, it's just something you do and enjoy when you're there!!!

*exasperated sigh*

Show some enthusiasm. Fake it if need be.

-Fred