Tough civil service interview situations are typically about your work experience and/or work history. 

The following are just a few of the answers to tough civil service interview situations included in the Complete Civil Service Interview Guide.  

How do you let the interviewers know you want this job really bad without making it seem like you are begging for the job.

 The best ways to show you want a job:

• Research it. Show you have enough interest and energy to learn about the organization and the position.  Go the extra distance…most candidates don’t.
• Match yourself. Adopt a “You need_____” and “I can provide_____” attitude.  For example, the company needs someone that is a fast learner…it will be on the job training.  Give specific examples of new skills that you have learned, and responsibilities taken on.  Target the position and the organization.
• Show your enthusiasm…you can start making a contribution immediately. You are ready to go.
• Ask for the job and then, in closing, restate why YOU are well suited for the position.

College Degree

You have a degree.  Don’t you think this position is a bit below your capabilities?

Your logic is sound so just remember that you are really prepared to answer the question as you have stated above.  The person you are facing doesn’t know your thinking though so why assume she/he does?  Make the person a fan.   Let them know your thoughts and ask them as a professional if your thinking is correct.  If nothing else you will turn this meeting into an informational interview with the possibility that the skeptic you are meeting with will suggest alternative directions and sources to turn to. 

Get him/her to talk about how she/he got into the field and what advice she/he could now give you.  Worst case scenario — the interviewer continues to be of no help, benefit from the experience by learning to deal with someone who needs to be convinced of your worth.  From this experience you will be all the more grateful the next time you meet an interviewer who really thinks you have a lot of potential.

Just for the record some organizations in the entertainment industry really value the receptionist function and hire recent college graduates as a preferred practice and use the position as an entry level position so that she/he can really get to know the organization while considering the next career step.

What if a person has years of experience, but no college degree to back it up?

There are many reasons why an employer might make a degree a requirement for hiring.  One is a belief that essential training is received in college…writing, communication, technical skills.  Second, the employer may want to upgrade its staff and believes hiring college grads.  Third, to maintain salary levels and promotional grades, a college diploma is often used to demarcate different levels.  A diploma is often used to ‘graduate’ from clerical to administrative.

That said, what to do?  Have you purposely not gotten a degree or was it simply not available to you?  Not everyone can attend college…but college is becoming what a high school degree used to be a requirement, even if it does not give the holder the practical experience someone like yourself may possess.

You need to make a strong presentation of your practical skills and first-hand expertise.  You might consider taking classes…many schools offer life credits for your practical experience so you would not have to start at the beginning.  You may enjoy this educational process.  Lastly, you will probably have more success with a line manager…someone who actually does the work…rather than HR/Personnel.  HR typically looks for the check-off points in a resume or in an interview, seeking to exclude or include individuals who pass the stated requirements.   Line managers, however, typically look for potential and practical experience.   You might try directing your resumes to these people.  If you can pass the gatekeeper, you will have a better shot.  The question you might ask is “Why is a degree essential to the position?” and have strong responses to counter their stance.

Work History

It’s my first job.  What can I do/say to convince the interviewers I will be able to handle the job despite my lack of experience?

Look over your courses and part-time & summer jobs (if any); do not neglect any other activities such as clubs, sports, etc. Now—think about all the skills that are needed to perform the job you are interviewing for.  Lots of skills are transferable and highly valued such as communication, delegating, organizing.   First think in terms of verbs…things that must be done.  Next, think of adjectives that should describe the person doing the job such as calm, patient, incisive, creative . . .you get the idea.

Now that you have this list of what is needed for the job (verbs and adjectives), come up with as many examples of these attributes in your experience and/or coursework.  For example, if you had completed several extensive reports, they involved research, time management and organizational skills.  Tell short stories as examples of ‘proof’ of your expertise.

Being able to translate college experiences to job-needed skills is an art in itself.  If you are not certain of the qualities needed for the job, do some research on it yourself.  Talk to professional organizations or individuals in the field.  Make sure you do some research on the organization you want to work for…show them that you are interested and motivated by the fact that you did your ‘homework’ before applying.

This ‘skill-matching’ exercise can also give you your key selling points and areas to highlight in your resume and marketing letter.

I have been employed as a temp with different companies.  How do I answer the question, “Why have you had so many employers in the last two years?”

First—redo your resume and stress the continuity of employment (presumably doing similar/related work). Use a functional resume to stress your skills, experience and qualifications. Include any and all skills that you have picked up at these various companies.

Secondly, with the current interview pending, stress the # of years experience and it was a wonderful way to get on the job training in various companies. You will have to face the obvious question…why temp? Was it a choice or did you fall into it (took one job to tide you over while looking and more temp jobs came your way! success bred more success)

One thing that is seemingly more true is that organizations are blending their employee staff with a mix of full-time and temp/contract workers. You were just ahead of the curve.

Do not apologize for being a temp. Be proud that you were so able to fit into different companies and make a contribution from day 1. You were reliable, a quick learner and you had to have obvious people skills to be able to be effective in different environments.

Stress the positive aspects of temping…You got an education while earning a living and now, having seen what other organizations offer, you are able to target the job/organization where you wish to work as well as have a clear understanding of your personal skills and career goals.

Why do I want to leave my present job?  Is it OK to answer, “The pay is too low.”?

It may be the truth but it does sound crass.  How about, “I am looking for an organization that can best use my abilities and skills.”  You do not want to come across as someone who will move to the higher bidder.  Also, research the companies where you are applying and find some positive reasons (not to do with salary or challenging you) for making the move.

I left my previous job because I didn’t enjoy the job. How do I answer when asked why I left my previous job? 

First, find out what your former employer will say when contacted.  If you did a good job and you will get good references, then your answer may be as simple as, “the job turned out to be different than I had expected”.  You might be asked to elaborate, and you can say positive things: 

“When I was first hired, I had a terrific manager that felt all staff members should be trained in all areas of the department. She was transferred a few weeks after I had started (she was the one I interviewed with) and her replacement had a managerial style that was completely opposite. Only wanted staff members to have narrow knowledge of job and this created problems with coverage.” 

Don’t say anything negative about your former job or employer.

I have just been released from jail.  Any suggestions about interviewing with a felony record? 

Since this question is part of almost every application form, this subject will come up regardless whether you bring it up or not.  The question on the application is usually asked this way. “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?  If yes, please provide the details.”  This gets the matter out in the open as soon as the application is completed.  Be ready to provide the details.  We suggest you jot down the details — dates and final charge(s) of conviction as well as venue.  The key here in terms of do’s is to be open and honest, but do not say more than is asked.  This is where the application really helps.  This way you can mention it in writing for all to see and you cannot be accused of hiding information later.  If there was any jail time and it was for an extended period (more than three months), there is terminology that may be provided by social workers and career counselors so that you are honest but not sharing more than you need to.  Less than three months need not be mentioned unless all time needs to be accounted for elsewhere on the application. 

In terms of don’ts — do not lie on the application or during any interviews in the hope of the employer not finding out.  Last, before starting your job search, take advantage of any public job counselor assistance.   Additionally, there is always help at the unemployment office and good career counselors will know employers who have identified themselves as being interested in hiring persons with a felony record.  Remember if the question is not asked on the application or during an interview, you are not responsible for mentioning it.