[Mindinpieces]

I have a group interview coming up. About 2 years ago I attend an interview of the same type with this company and now I have another chance with a different store. Ok so some things I have remembered however this is not the best way of type of interview for me however though if I try and follow from what I remember and that maybe this will be better than being asked loads of personal questions in other words not being grilled by the interviewer. Although at the end you get asked at few for about 5 mins. However my biggest pitfall is why did you leave your other job without another lined up. In other words they make me feel guilty and make it sound like you have something to hide or cause too many problems. When really the other workers made it unbearable to work there for you on an emotionally personal level that brought you to tears on most days although they were not bullying they still trigger me and then made it into I was at fault for not getting over myself and being better able to put up with what they subjected me to in indirect and unintentional ways. Then it looks like I can’t cope and why would they employ a person who is not as good with dealing with stress ect. When really I needed a new job to move on from what cause me to react so badly.

I can’t understand other people are allow to change job even if it means just work for another employer doing the same job but for me it seems unheard of and strange to those interviewing me when I say I just needed a change and chance to move on when applying to job practically the same as the one I had.

Also another thing is I think I come across strange not intentionally but I think it’s because I am constantly worrying and in my mind I forget how I may be looking or holding my position etc. Which doesn’t come across good but when I try to focus on being in the room and what I am doing I am as equally as bad and stiff and sort of freeze.

Anyone have any tips or things I may have never thought of before to help with this after being unemployed for almost a year I can’t take it. However I really need help with when they ask why did you leave your job questions. I come unstuck at them trying to answer them.

[Perna]

Do you have any hobbies away from work? Do you take any college courses or volunteer? I would use any of those (or make some up) for why you left without another job lined up. I have used "personal projects" as an excuse. At one point I worked for a year or so trying to line up enough business to be self-employed, other times I worked part-time or seasonally because I was planning a trip and would be away too long to take a job; I quit one job and used my upcoming marriage/long honeymoon as an excuse why I was leaving the job, saying I did not think it was fair to be away that long, and wanting to free them up to hire someone else :-)

Work should be about what you are doing with your life too, not just what the employer wants. You should work for each employer for a personal reason, pick that job. Even if you have to say you have been interested in working for different employers to see how different employers handle the same work. . . differently that makes it look like you have your own agenda and are not just looking for a job, any job but have "picked" them deliberately. Find something out about the company you are interviewing with that interests you and bring it up, "I was reading the other day that John Bull is the company's new President and I admire his style; I read the stockholder's letter he wrote and decided I wanted to work in a company he was running. . ." something like that.

What did you do in the year you were unemployed? Turn it into a personal project. See if you can find this book in your library? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nickel-Dimed.../dp/1862075212 It might give you some ideas of ways you can make it look like you did not work, deliberately, because you decided not to.