interview... help!

hi everyone,

i've got an interview this week for a student position in a big garden with arboretum they haven't given me much information about the position.

it will be my first gardening interview - anyone got any advice about what to expect, good questions to ask... go dressed for the garden or more formally? :confused:

also, they apparently have an amazing collection... what would be a good thing to ask to see at this time of year?

sorry for all the questions, but i really want this job,

thanks in advance,

emily.

 

I`m afraid i can only wish you good luck with your interview , just be you self and leave your boots at home :D :D :D
GOODLUCK .Let us know how you get on

 

Hi chan - I really do wish you good luck with the interview as you sound as if you really want this job. I can only give you some advice which a friend gave me some years ago - she was an employment consultant and knew her stuff.

1. Do not be late and do not smell of drink (obvious that one).

2. Research the company you are being interviewed by and have some facts and figures and interesting bits of info in your head so that you can slot them into the conversation. i.e. "I know you won an award in 2001 for your Dahlias and I think that was quite an achievement considering the competition" - this is just an example but it does impress if you know something about the company.

3. If they ask you a question which requires an answer you cannot possible answer without putting your foot in it - for instance "How would you deal with a fire in one of the greenhouses?" always turn it around so that you are off the hook - i.e. "Well, I am sure that in the extensive training you give all your employees you will cover such topics as emergencies. I would therefore follow the correct procedure". Get the idea? It avoids you getting into a long hyperthetical conversation and all the question really wants to know is whether you can follow orders.

4. Don't ramble. If you do not know the answer to a question don't try to think of an answer. Instead, reply "Well, I feel a bit of an idiot as I just cannot recall at the moment but I know that when I get home it will all come back to me". Better than saying "Don't know". If it is a real don't know then best to say "That's an interesting one. I must be honest and say I've not read much on the subject, but you have given me something to consider and I will certainly follow it up."

5. Don't overdress and NEVER wear jeans. Although you may be wearing jeans every day at work they just don't cut the mustard at interviews. If you are comfortable in a suit and you would wear one normally then do so. If not, wear what you are comfortable in as that will relax you. You could be surprised by what your future employer wears anyway. Make sure your hands are clean though. On that subject, wait until whoever greets you at the interview extends their hand to shake at first meeting but you can then extend your hand when you are leaving and thank them for their time and say how much you enjoyed meeting them.

5. Watch out if they ask you about hobbies. Don't list loads of hobbies and interests. Keep it to about 2 - 3 at the most so long as they don't take up precious time. Someone who has lots of hobbies will be wanting lots of time off and not be concentrating on their job. For instance, don't say you like to go mountain climbing in Nepal - loads of time off and you could come back totally unfit for work. Employers like people to be flexible and sometimes don't consider that their employees have lives outside of the company.

6. A difficult area is long term ambition. No company expects an employee to say they want to be with them for the rest of their lives, but they don't want to hear that the prospective employee intends to take over the company in 5 years time. You have to be realistic but canny. Obviously you want to make a career of horticulture and in the distant future you want to have reached the top, but as far as now is concerned, working for this particular company is exactly where you want to be.

7. Watch for body language. If you can relax a bit and enjoy a bit of mirror body language to guage how the interview is going, cross your legs for instance or lean to one side. If your interviewer mirrors your body movements you know you are winning. I have used this many times and it really works.

Well, I think that is enough of the lecture. I'll keep everything crossed for you. Please let us know how you get on.

 

Hi Chan - very sound advice from Kryssy. I would be inclined to Google this gardens internet site, if it has one, and if not Google Arboretums in general, so that your can talk their language.

 

Hi Chan, dress smart casual and do as Peter says research the place they usually specialize in growing a particular cultivar try and find out, and most of all chill don't get wound up.GOOD LUCK

 

Hi Chan cant say any more but best of luck

 

Kryssy's advice is about as comprehensive as it gets so follow that and you'll not go wrong.

I'd add though -
Remember to use eye contact and include all members of the panel, not just the 'main man'.

The post will involve working as part of a team, so if you can drop in a reference to how much you enjoy team work it might gain you a point or two.

I wish you the very best of luck

 

Hi chan:
if your motivation to want the job are convincing and the employer can see an advantage in choosing you rather than somebody else, I should think that your chances are pretty good.
As for the dress: I would go for a relaxed formal.

 

thanks for the advice everyone, - particularly kryssy :D

have to admit i was going to go in jeans... but i've rummaged around a bit and have found a skirt and flat boots

will let you know how it goes

 

hi chan....
be early .smart and decent shoes no one can help to see what someone has on their feet and if you look like flipper foot you have blown it
but honestly smile be happy
it will be fine

 

Ata girl :D Give them your best smile and just try to be yourself.

I'm so glad I'm retired now and don't have to go through all of that anymore. Mind you, in my day it was up to the applicant whether or not they accepted the job - nowadays it seems you need a degree to sweep the streets (and that is not a slur on any roadsweepers out there!)

I think we are all rooting for you Emily.

 

Best of luck Chan, after 18 years in this particular Parks Dept I must have said the right things at the interveiw.
Chryssy has given(or passed on) sound advice, just be yourself.

 

good luck chan wish you the best,lets know how it goes.

 

Good luck Chan,as intermiplants said make sure your shoes/boots are clean/shiny.

 

well... i think it was ok i was there for 2 hours and got the full tour of the beautiful estate, and found that the details of the job where even more exciting than i had hoped had a good chat with the head gardener and i reckon i made a good impression - at least until the last 10 mins when i was getting very dehydrated and just managed to stop myself short of begging him for the job...

got an email yesterday saying that the big boss had gone away until the 18th and so they wouldn't be able to confirm anything until then... so at least its not a no

fingers crossed - i'll let you know