What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

Mrs T 123 said:

Don't mind at all - the more help the better - I need it - I haven't had a proper interview in over 5 years - do you mind sharing some examples of strengths and weaknesses that you have heard that would impress an interviewer for a office based role?

Click to expand...

To be honest the actual example given is less important to me than the way in which it’s delivered.

So, if a candidate gives an example and then talks about either its impact or how they work to mitigate it (in the case of a weakness) or build upon it (in the case of a strength), it lends credibility.

For example, someone saying that they have a tendency to be over critical of themselves, and therefore sometimes of others, is showing self-awareness and awareness of how it impacts others. If they then explain how they guard against it, even better.

Or someone who has problems with spelling, but mitigates against it by asking someone else to proof important documents.

Behind the question the interviewer is looking for self-awareness and evidence of learning from experience as well as honesty and integrity.

Hope that helps.

Goonergal said:

To be honest the actual example given is less important to me than the way in which it’s delivered.

So, if a candidate gives an example and then talks about either its impact or how they work to mitigate it (in the case of a weakness) or build upon it (in the case of a strength), it lends credibility.

For example, someone saying that they have a tendency to be over critical of themselves, and therefore sometimes of others, is showing self-awareness and awareness of how it impacts others. If they then explain how they guard against it, even better.

Or someone who has problems with spelling, but mitigates against it by asking someone else to proof important documents.

Behind the question the interviewer is looking for self-awareness and evidence of learning from experience as well as honesty and integrity.

Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

Fab - over critical is me - so how can I guard against it?

Mrs T 123 said:

Fab - over critical is me - so how can I guard against it?

Click to expand...

Think before delivering negative feedback? Check it is feedback rather than judgement? Think about where the other person was coming from?

Do I get a reward if you get the job?

Goonergal said:

To be honest the actual example given is less important to me than the way in which it’s delivered.

So, if a candidate gives an example and then talks about either its impact or how they work to mitigate it (in the case of a weakness) or build upon it (in the case of a strength), it lends credibility.

For example, someone saying that they have a tendency to be over critical of themselves, and therefore sometimes of others, is showing self-awareness and awareness of how it impacts others. If they then explain how they guard against it, even better.

Or someone who has problems with spelling, but mitigates against it by asking someone else to proof important documents.

Behind the question the interviewer is looking for self-awareness and evidence of learning from experience as well as honesty and integrity.

Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

Goonergal said:

To be honest the actual example given is less important to me than the way in which it’s delivered.

So, if a candidate gives an example and then talks about either its impact or how they work to mitigate it (in the case of a weakness) or build upon it (in the case of a strength), it lends credibility.

For example, someone saying that they have a tendency to be over critical of themselves, and therefore sometimes of others, is showing self-awareness and awareness of how it impacts others. If they then explain how they guard against it, even better.

Or someone who has problems with spelling, but mitigates against it by asking someone else to proof important documents.

Behind the question the interviewer is looking for self-awareness and evidence of learning from experience as well as honesty and integrity.

Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

@mrsT123 Everything @Goonergal has said above I entirely agree with.

In fact, the interview to which I referred was for an executive admin role supporting my group. The key attributes beyond hitting 90%+ of the baseline person spec were rounded self-awareness, ongoing applied learning from self, peers and line management and deep seated integrity.

As far as self critical is concerned - that you can easily turn into a massive strength - always reaching to do better. The candidate to which I referred here, used that precise line in her final interview with me and 3 others on the panel - it sealed the deal and she starts right after Easter.

Todays quote

Goonergal said:

Think before delivering negative feedback? Check it is feedback rather than judgement? Think about where the other person was coming from?

Do I get a reward if you get the job?

Click to expand...

Yes I will treat you to a big juicy steak!

BRSBRI said:

@mrsT123 Everything @Goonergal has said above I entirely agree with.

In fact, the interview to which I referred was for an executive admin role supporting my group. The key attributes beyond hitting 90%+ of the baseline person spec were rounded self-awareness, ongoing applied learning from self, peers and line management and deep seated integrity.

As far as self critical is concerned - that you can easily turn into a massive strength - always reaching to do better. The candidate to which I referred here, used that precise line in her final interview with me and 3 others on the panel - it sealed the deal and she starts right after Easter.

Click to expand...

Last question, I promise - do I look at the webcam on my laptop all the time in the interview or should I look directly at the person on my screen?

ianpspurs said:

Enjoy the break, second dog walk and the Montezuma's when they eventually come @Krystyna23040 . Fortunately, we all have different tastes. Try as I may I can't like very dark chocolate apart from Waitrose 1 (is that my Waitrose bias?). I wasn't aware that I needed sweet (ish?) tastes so much. A pack of each of the cookies is arriving today since we can't bake anything close and I can't stand erythritol. I found the bars excellent for no change in bg but a waste of the effort involved in eating.

Click to expand...

Have book marked the link. They look absolutely delicious but wasn't sure if you thought they were OK because you said they were a waste of the effort involved in eating.

Mrs T 123 said:

Last question, I promise - do I look at the webcam on my laptop all the time in the interview or should I look directly at the person on my screen?

Click to expand...

Keep asking no probs - we're all root toot tooting for you ....

Here's some guidelines I found:

Look at the camera, not the screen

Eye contact is important in any kind of interview, but video calls make it a lot harder to follow, because, where do you look?

If you look directly at the interviewer on the screen, it might feel like you’re giving good eye contact, but all they’ll see is you looking down. Focus on looking directly at the camera instead, at least for the most-part of the interview.

Also, remember to smile.

Make use of notes, but don’t rely on them too much

Great news: looking at your notes is acceptable in a video interview. As long as you do it subtly, there’s no reason you can’t have handy tips nearby. Use them to help you answer any difficult questions or remember specific facts about the role or company.

But don’t use them as a script, or you’ll probably sound like a monotonous robot with no natural feelings. And you won’t be able to look at the camera at the same time.

Remember: body language is still a thing

Although you’re not in the same room as your interviewer physically, body language remains important. Sit up straight, look attentive and enthusiastic.

Be aware of the limitations in sound quality and volume in this situation – you want your interviewer to hear you clearly. Don’t cover your mouth, remain conscious of your hand-to-face gestures, and try and keep your hands at bay in a safe place, AKA your knees.

Sure, use hand movements to emphasise a point if it feels natural, but don’t overdo it. You also shouldn’t force it just because you don’t know what to do with your hands.

Top tip: Hold a pen to occupy your hands if that stops the random arm flailing.

A cold but lovely day, good Mountain Bike Ride this morning and a walk by our sons cottage this afternoon as he called to ask us to pick up the fish. So no art done or music recorded so far today....

On arriving home our musical techi had sent an email of latest folk tune recording a jolly little tune from the Recorder Quartet and three guests on Melodeon, Concertina and Bass. I play Bass Recorder, Tabor, guitar and Banjo which I can't hear and Mrs MC Soprano and Treble Recorder...

Serpentin and Konfetti

When you have had enough of these Lockdown Musical ventures please let me know.

alf_Josiah said:

Good Morening Ladies and Gentlemen.

A peanut fueled 7.0 this morning and I don't care.

Today is Mrs J's birfday therefore the day will be filled with excesses of all sorts. Mrs J celebrates in style and so ( whether they want to or not ) does everyone around her.
Me is far too much of a gentleman to mention her age, but me's are not........here's a little rhythm stolen from a band.
Will I still need you?
Will I still keep you?
When you're 64.
Of course, because I can't use the washing machine.

Click to expand...

Happy Birthday to your good Lady.

dunelm said:

Good morning everyone from a currently dull start to what may be a promising day here in the dark and dangerous north
The wonder wheel of lies and deception came in at 6.8 this am - hm!

Had to quickly skim everything to catch up but - good landscape @Muddy Cyclist even though I can’t see the cricket pitch, fabulously cold scenery @geefull and more joy on the beach from @gennepher.

Trip to York was a bit of a let down - everything was closed apart from a new interactive art installation where you wander round a series of portacabins, arms exposed, avoiding all the actors dressed as soldiers until someone jumps out, jabs your arm with a needle and orders you to sit on a chair for 15 minutes. Utterly pointless. Nearly as bad as that tent thing by Tracey Emin. To cap it all, I missed last nights episode of Grayson Perry’s Art Club.

A fish this morning - that’s not doing so well either. Have a wonderful day if you can. Koffy is calling.

View attachment 47860

Click to expand...

Ouch for the jab.

Fish certainly got me hooked and looks fine to me.

gennepher said:

Fbg 6.7

In the night I woke up stone cold with a tummy ache. First thought was go and check cat. Cat was snug as a bug in his self made igloo in the front room on the couch. He was okay.

So turned heating up a notch or two. Made a hot drink. Checked outdoors temperature. It was minus 2 C. Not that bad but considering I was out in the garden yesterday playing with a Robin who thought my game of moving earth was the best game ever and was hopping round my feet, and the temperature was plus 10C yesterday, this was a big drop of temperature in 12 hours, a big deal to me who is sensitive to sudden temperature drops.

And so I put an outdoors fleece on. Still cold. I put a fleecy long dressing gown on. Still cold. So electric blanket got put on.

In between all this, and a cat who is trying to put me back to sleep by refusing to move from under my chin, I manage a digital painting of Grandson on Crosby shore, write and illustrate four Postcrossing postcards.

Now I have to love you and leave you. Things to do and get (my clumsy bandaged finger managed to send two dozen eggs crashing to the floor from my fridge yesterday...messy), and postcards to post.

So I leave you with digital painting of grandson on Crosby shore, younger brother to yesterday's granddaughter...

View attachment 47859

Click to expand...

More joy, lovely hint of reflection from Wellington boot.

Krystyna23040 said:

It is so different

Have book marked the link. They look absolutely delicious but wasn't sure if you thought they were OK because you said they were a waste of the effort involved in eating.

Click to expand...

The bars are for me but several others like them. Both cookies are great IMHO.

Mrs T 123 said:

Don't mind at all - the more help the better - I need it - I haven't had a proper interview in over 5 years - do you mind sharing some examples of strengths and weaknesses that you have heard that would impress an interviewer for a office based role?

Click to expand...

Well, i did interviewing, too, so I'd agree fully with all that's been said.

I would ( might be one of my weakness,) be aware when to stop answering a question

Had a chap, had the right looks/experience etc,
colleague and i liked him, just a matter of passing the in person assessment/interview.

it was a bit formatted in bits.

One question was:
Can you think of a time it's ever ok to lie.
and if so, could you give an example?

Usual replies are of the white lie type, a friends ask if their b*m looks big etc.
then we move on ..

This one chap when asked that
Replies: "It's Never ok to lie.....

Ok..he's being cagey, we'll just ask that aga,,,,

....Unless of course, it was the Police......

And i knew a * had been killed and i knew who did it..



Next..

* pick any baddie type that offends you,
he chose one.


Good luck, @MrsA2
you sound like you got this, work / experience wise..

And anyone who is interviewing, where someone's not skyped/etc before,
will want to give you the best chance
AND make best use of their time in that interview..

If you've spoken and been put through, the skype nerves won't hurt too much
the person they want is on the other end of the webcam...

Just let that you, shine through....you'll do ok.

ianpspurs said:

The bars are for me but several others like them. Both cookies are great IMHO.

Click to expand...

That's great because they are amazingly low carb and it is good to know that they are also delicious. A really good combination.

Muddy Cyclist said:

More joy, lovely hint of reflection from Wellington boot.

Click to expand...

Thank you @Muddy Cyclist

Mrs T 123 said:

Yes I will treat you to a big juicy steak!

Click to expand...

And I get to starve @Goonergal - just toss me a piece of discarded asparagus after your steak

BRSBRI said:

And I get to starve @Goonergal - just toss me a piece of discarded asparagus after your steak

Click to expand...

Ewww, green stuff doesn’t get near my plate

Krystyna23040 said:

That's great because they are amazingly low carb and it is good to know that they are also delicious. A really good combination.

Click to expand...

I sense pressure on me if you don't like them