My first job interview went... horribly wrong!

[jackvdbuk]

Well I had my first ever job interview today for a part time job at Primark (exactly... how hard can it be!) i know the sort of questions they ask such as why you’ll be good for the company etc but it really was my day in that room. Ok so i didn’t do a little bit of research for model answers but what kind of specific person can they be looking for that’s perfect for folding clothes that have been thrown on the shop floor and restocking the shelves? :S a mate also said it was really easy to get a job there as well!

Well it was my turn for the interview, she asked me to come through and sit down, going fine...then firm handshake followed  she then said what she was going to do like ask questions and what times are suitable, had eye contact as I know that’s a good thing right? Then the questions I thought I was going to be able to answer.... but didn’t have a clue!

When she asked me a question I had to think for like 30 seconds (lol) some questions she asked?

When was a time you hand to work to a deadline? Coursework in college..?

What makes a good communicator? I couldn’t think of anything by then... I said eye contact and stopped

Why do you want to work for Primark? First thought pay.. Damn! Then come experience..

What would your friends describe you as? Erm.. I said loud and fast... yes I know not such a great answer for a massive box she was writing my answers into.

I was very shaky when doing the interview; she even said you seem really worried!

So how were all of your first interviews (I’m 17!) obviously not as bad as mine, but a few pointers would be really grateful for future interviews, and the kind of replies there wanting!

[tiggerai]

Well you've learnt one thing

Be prepared!

I've had some terrible ones in my time, but then some really good ones too

[Whiternoise]

At least you had the balls to give it a shot, and now you know what you're up against!

(i doubt you want to work in Primark anyway!)

[staffsMike]

Errrm..be natural and confident.. and don't cack yourself.. and don't pause for 30 seconds lol

Pretty much take what you did for this interview.. and don't do it again

What I like to do is take charge and start asking my own questions..got me the last two jobs I went for.. I wouldn't recommend it though lol

[roorooroo]

All my interviews have been appalling!

[Steven W]

Looks like she took her questions out of the 'What questions to ask an interviewee' Handbook.

They're pretty standard questions to be asked at an interview. I had the same grilling for working in the warehouse at Morrissons many years ago.

For future, check out the dozens of websites out there that will give you pointers. They are invaluable. There's always the chance you'll get caught out with something, but the more you are prepared the more confident you'll be.

Always have questions prepared to ask them about their business, they'll love that.

[XA04]

You never know.. you might still get the job..

I was kind of like that at a sainsburys interview, heck I put on the application form for a position they don't and probably never will have.. still asked me to come for the interview though.

[mrk]

The bes thing to do is apply to anything and everything and take every interview regardless of whether you want the job or not, just go in there and do an EPIC FAIL for the ones you defo do not want.

It will give you interview experience and when you finally get the interview you actually want to win at you will have nerves of steal !

[staffsMike]

I once got rejected from tesco's working the night shift.. i.e 10pm to 6am.

My interview was at 11pm and it was essentially taken by the gremlins that work that at that time.

Damn! I still wonder..

[OV3RCLOCK3R]

I've worked in Primark aswell and I was 16 when I went for my interview. They only asked me 4 questions and gave me the job straight away.

Whats day are you available to work?
Are you flexible with hours incase of overtime?
When can you start?
Done workexperiance?

Then they told me I had the job and told me to come for my induction 2 days later. lol

[Behemoth]

I think the worst interview I ever had was jor JJB sports when I was desperate for any sort of job, glad I didn't get it but the guy doing the interviews was a total a$$. He'd ask me a question and when I was only half way through answering it, he'd interupt me and ask me another.

Then when I told him I'd prefer not to work Sundays he went right into my saying that I had no choice etc etc I said hey old it right there I've come for a job interview not for a telling off, I then said what I thought of him and JJB and said that if the rest of the managers of that company were total a hole's like he was I didn't want their job and they could shove it up their sunless passage. Should have seen the look on his face, he was gob smacked !!

I think the best interview I ever had though was when I got the job for Socttish and Southern Electric being a door to door electric and gas sales person, I flirted with the hot chick doing the interview, even though I'm not the best looking guy in the world she seemed to enjoy the attention and gave me the job there and then.

2 Weeks later I got the job for Curry's and quit Scottish and Southern Electric, it was a really carp job lol.

[icanhazburger]

My girlfriend just got a job at primarks, hates it, her boss is an a*** and I may have to go in and hang around waiting for him to give her abuse, then slap him with a cheap pair of flip flops.

[Behemoth]

My girlfriend just got a job at primarks, hates it, her boss is an a*** and I may have to go in and hang around waiting for him to give her abuse, then slap him with a cheap pair of flip flops.

You need to get pics of that to show the total ownage lol

[OV3RCLOCK3R]

.....then slap him with a cheap pair of flip flops.

Don't worry, primark has loads of them!

[idimmu]

do you get a staff discount?


if im honest all interviews scare the crap out of me. i am a quite experienced bar man and bar manager so when i go in for jobs like that i dont fret at all, my experience says it all, and for bar work all they want to know is if you are reliable or not seeing as its not really challenging work!

[arbitor]

Points for giving it a go, not great answers but its nerve wracking... just have to think of what you want to say, and try and relate it to something mature and relevant which often isnt school..

When i had my foxtons interview ( over 60 people ) there i was nervous as hell, but just tried to mantain what i thought i was going to say..

You just have to get a few under your belt and you will have it down, since my first reject i havent not got a job i have gone for.