Interview Preparation

Company - Casting Memories

1. Tell me about yourself.

I am a 19 year old student, currently studying Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design at Grimsby Institute. I have been in the customer service industry for the last five years. My most recent experience has been serving customers in a busy high street bar and restaurant. One reason I particularly enjoy this business and the challenges along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people. In my last job I formed some significant customer relationships which resulted in those customers choosing that venue to visit regularly over the others in the area.

My real strength is my commitment to work. I pride myself on my reputation for completing every task to the best of my abilities within the expected time frame. I also gain a lot of respect from customers and staff members which I think is down to the high standard of communication skills I like to maintain.

What I am looking for now is a company that has a passion within my favourite area of the creative industry, where I can join a strong team and input my skills to gain a positive impact towards customers and sales. 2. Why do you want to work for us?

I have a big passion for the arts industry and I think that helping customers keep their memories alive is something special. When I saw a position opening within your company I sent through my application right away and I wanted to be a part of that. I believe strongly in a high standard of communication skills and I know that the skills I bring, not only within this aspect but within all other areas particularly my artistic skills, will not only bring me work satisfaction but will make me a valuable member of your team.

3. What can you bring to our company? Why should we hire you?

I have experience and passion with creativity and arts. I have the ability to work in a team as well as working individually and using my own initiative; whilst doing my best to meet targets and constantly finding room to improve. I am sociable, organised and can interact with all types of customers; introducing new customers to the company and keeping existing customers returning and recommending.

4. What do you know about our company?

I know that your business was founded in May 2017 and that it is presently the only casting business in North East Lincolnshire. I know that your business page currently has nearly 1500 followers and that you are about to launch a new competition which a lot of customers are excited about!

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your career goals?

Well I am really excited about this position at Casting Memories because in five years, I'd like to be seen as someone with deep expertise in the casting business, and I know that's something I'll have an opportunity to do here. I'm also really motivated to take on more managerial responsibilities in the next few years and potentially take lead in some of the projects. I've been lucky enough to work in some great businesses myself and eventually, maybe in a little longer than 5 years, I would like to progress onto opening up my own business in this sector.

6. Why did you choose this field/career path?

I have always had an interest in arts from a young age, as well as collecting memories myself. At a young age of 13 I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety from the lifestyle I had as a child, which only deteriorated from then on. I went through a very bad spell during an important year of my school life and unfortunately missed out on a lot of my education. This particular year I was taking Art and Design as an Extended Certificate GCSE and this was the only lesson I would willingly take part in and enjoy attending. I then started to channel my mental health through my artwork which helped me a great deal. I found my coping mechanism through art and with the additional help of my support worker and friends, I beat my illness and achieved 11 A*-C qualifications along with 100% attendance in my final year. Since then Art has been and continues to be a true passion and a definite field/career path for me.

7. Can you tell me about your role in your current place of work?

I am currently a student at Grimsby Institute studying Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design which involves being extremely adaptable. With deadlines and a heavy workload my organisation skills definitely take a big part in producing the highest standards of work possible. I have been able to hand in my work on time for every deadline and have been early for re-submission every time.

8. What are your strengths/weaknesses?

My strength is my communication skills, throughout my experience in customer service I inherited a wide range of communication skills that today help me in any situation I come across. As far as my weaknesses, I feel like I'm too critical of myself and my artwork, I am working to be happy with the work I produce.

9. Tell me about a time when you worked in a team? Were you a leader/coordinator/etc.?

At The Admiral Hornblower, we were preparing for a large Halloween event we was about to host. We had service as normal until 12 noon and only had 3 hours to put together the whole restaurant and bar. My job was to decorate the entrance and paint all 10 staff members faces. I was able to complete those tasks within 2 hours and then used the remaining hour to help set the tables and light all of the candles. Its safe to say the customers and owners were very happy with our team effort and we got praised and rewarded at the staff meeting the following day.

10. Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge. What was your reaction? How did you solve it?

During my time at ALDI a mother with two young children came up to me whilst I was working on the shop floor, showed me her child's hand and explained that her daughter had been skipping down the aisle running her hand along the specials cages as she went, whilst doing so she had obtained a cut on her finger and ran back to her mother upset and hurt. Understandably annoyed the women wasn't in the mood to be polite. In a calm manner I apologised about the matter, reassured her that I would find the cause and called over the headset to see if a manager was available (at her request) and the manager came within seconds. Whilst the women was speaking to the manager I excused myself and went into the staff room to collect the first aid box as it was only a small scratch. I returned to the child, asked the parent if her child had any allergies, wiped the cut with antiseptic, let the child choose a colourful plaster and wrapped it around her finger. I then took the child to the area she obtained the cut, found a zip tie that had been cut on an angle rather than bluntly across the tie and replaced it ensuing the mother I would check every tie, I walked round the specials and inspected every tie to make sure the mistake wouldn't happen again. The mother was happy with the result, did not want to log it in an incident report as she felt it wasn't a hazard, just a mistake.

11. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.

An accomplishment I am most proud of has to be when I moved away. In September 2016 me and my partner decided to take a big step and move out of town, we moved into his uncles house in Oakham where be both went into jobs in a matter of days. In December we then moved on down to Dover where we ran into some financial problems with my transfer between ALDI stores being messed around and decided to come home to Grimsby in January 2017. I am very proud of this experience as I believe if it wasn't for the transfer difficulties we would still be in another location today. It was very difficult for me being away from my family at such a young age, but a visit home and a half way meeting, along with the technology of video calls, made it all the better for me.

12. What motivates you?

I am driven by achievement; doing a great job and achieving a personal or set goal is my primary motivation. While I enjoy working in a team, I'm particularly motivated by working on a project on my own. I feel that it is very rewarding to put all of my effort into something, complete it, and achieve a goal. I like to take on a challenge; I like to rise to that challenge and complete it to the best of my abilities. I naturally appreciate it when someone recognises my hard work and compliments it.

13. What was your biggest failure? What did you learn from it?

My biggest failure so far is not going with my heart in choosing which college to attend and which course to chose when leaving school. Art is my passion and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in this subject but I listened to the opinion of others rather than doing the research. Individuals said that equivalents to A-levels wasn't goof enough so I should have gone to franklin instead of Grimsby. They also said Art wasn't a career option; it was just a hobby. So I went to franklin and did double award health and social care, photography, and sociology. I ended up dropping sociology because I wasn't enjoying my courses but was only allowed to drop a single award. I then ended up hating college so much I dropped out. The next year I applied for Bishop Burton College and chose childcare, I knew the course wasn't for me from the beginning but I was going to deal with it and come out the other side anyway, until I fell ill with travelling every day so had to drop out of there too. I then applied for a late enrolment at Grimsby Institute for child care, I got onto that course but again knew it wasn't for me, couldn't catch up with the six weeks of work I had missed out on and dropped out. I thought that college was not for me and decided to go into employment, I stayed in employment then for two years before making the decision to ignore every one else's opinions, and go back to college to pursue the career I always wanted. Now I've almost finished my first year and I could not be happier, I love my course and I've learnt that you should never listen to the people around you when your heart is in the opposite direction of their opinion.

14. What was your biggest mistake?

My biggest mistake in the work industry was taking another job opportunity simply for the rise in pay. When working at The Admiral Hornblower I had a varied job title, I was a waitress, a bartender, a receptionist, and a housekeeper. I really enjoyed my job working 50-60 hours a week at my own request, but I was only on minimum wage which at the time was £5.50. I applied for a new job at ALDI UK as there was a new store opening in the area. At my interview I was very scepticle to go into a new career path, from hospitality to retail but there was a big pay rise up to £8.40 which would benefit me greatly at the time saving for my own house. After a lot of consideration I took the job, I did not enjoy working in the supermarket industry and regretted my decision. I definitely think that it is more important to enjoy the job your in rather than having a higher pay in a job your unhappy in.

15. Are you willing to relocate/travel?

For the right opportunity I am definitely willing to relocate, I am also willing to travel; I think it is important to get to know the clients face to face. However, would I be able to ask for a little more information on the travel arrangements to get a grips of what he sceduling would be like? How often would I be required to travel?

16. Do you have any hobbies? What are they?

As a family orientated person, one of my most rewarding hobbies is spending time with my family, meals and days out are my favourite. When I'm not doing that, I am spending time with friends, catching up on the latest films, or watching a new series. I also as an art student have a lot of work that I have the resources to do from home. Having a passion for art means that completing this work at home has become a hobby for me, along with producing art pieces outside of the course.

17. What are your computer skills/technical skills?

I am very confident when it comes to computers and technology, with a Merit in ICT and an A in Graphics my standard of knowledge is very exceptional. I am familiar with both Windows and Apple operating software along with the Microsoft suite and photoshop.

18. How did you hear about this position?

I wasn't actively looking for a job, but a friend mentioned that she saw you were hiring on social media as she knows its the industry I aspire to work in. I went onto your page and looked at some of the work your company has produced and liked what I saw, so I decided to apply and learn more about the opportunity.

19. What are your salary requirements?

It would depend on the job requirements of the role, could we speak about that first so I can get a sense of what I would need?

20. Do you have any questions for me?

• Yes, how will I be trained? Also, what are the performance expectations within the first year and how will that be reviewed?

• Are there any concerns you have about my background and not being able to fit into this role?

• Can you tell me about the team I'll be working with?

• Are there opportunities for advancement or proffessional development?

• How long have you been with the company?

• Is there anything else I can provide you with that would be helpful?