So, this is the job I'm going for...

[mitchy]

Job Title
Information Analyst

In this role you will use information systems that deliver intelligence and information to service providers and strategic
decision makers, provide analysis, research and context in an easily accessible and understandable format. You will deal
with ad hoc requests for information to meet the end users requirements and maintain an understanding of service provision
in the Social Care and Education services.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Use information systems that collect and analyse information
Undertake analysis and research tasks
Support the production of statutory returns
Respond to ad hoc requests for information, ensuring this meets the end users requirements
Maintain an understanding of service provision in the social care and education services
Maintain and support data quality within the departmental information systems


Now they're not expecting people to come in with all the exact skills and knowledge they need. This is a Good Thing, because truthfully, my skills here are rather thin on the ground. However, it's work I'd enjoy, I think, and I know I could do it if given the chance.

My strategy for the interview so far is to memorise (hopefully) what examples I gave on the application form and talk about them in more detail if asked. But if any of you can give me some interview advice, I'd be grateful. I mean, I never know what questions to ask back, for example. Past advice from agencies seems to have been a bust as I never got any positive feedback from them at all, which sucked. Even when I did what they suggested! Hmf! So I'm open to suggestions here, folkses. Anything I SHOULDN'T say no matter what? Given that I'm already working for HCC, I know a lot about how things work already so normal questions about the company and what it's like to work for them don't apply. Which is a nuisance :) On the plus side, the boss person who's interviewing me knows me from when I was working with Battleship and we've been on friendly nodding terms for years. Gotta help, right? :)

*attempts to stop babbling*

Anyway, I now have spiffy grey trousers to wear, that aren't so long the trouser legs cover my toeses :P THANK YOU, thalinoviel! *hugs* Got black boots, jacket and a white blouse. Hair was cut the other week. So appearance is as good as I get :)

All I have to do tomorrow night ("all", she says) is go over the application and job specs and try and think of what to say.

I am going to be a nervous wreck. *goes off to twitch in a corner*

Oh yeh, in other news Hellboy II is very good and amusing and the CGI kicks arse. If you liked the first one, this one is just as good, if not better :)

Comments

[trampledamage.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

No-one expects you to be perfect in an interview, so there's no harm in taking a notebook where you've written down the things you want to remember. You can also then take notes while they're talking to you to help you refer back to things they've said.

Also, take a copy of your app form with you. I wouldn't advise referring to it too much, but you can give it a quick glance to refresh your memory before you go in. And you'll have it if they do refer to something you've written that you just go blank on. Shows you're prepared for all eventualities.

If you already know the basics of the company then when it comes to asking questions, say that and ask about differences. "Well, I already know a lot about HCC because I work in X dept, but can you tell me more about such and such?" If you're going to be working on dept information systems (be they computer or just a process) there's no harm asking for detail in how they work.


(gosh I hope that makes sense, I've had about four different conversations with my kids while writing it!)

[adelpha.livejournal.com]

Ooh, process stuff is good - how do they get requests in, where/who do they get data from and where/who do they send it to. Do they have service levels that they try to maintain?

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

That made perfect sense, yes :) I shall consider the notebook or some such thing. Thank you! :)

[adelpha.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. And it sounds like you don't have the whole 'breaking the ice' thing, like when you're interviewing for a job cold. :)

I don't know how applicable these questions are, but things along the lines of 'how do you see the department evolving in the future' or 'in what directions could I look to develop into'. I had a couple more ideas, but they've gone into hiding.

ION, after getting the Wicked soundtrack I now see why you rave about Idina so much!

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Ooh good ideas, thanks!

ANd yes, yes, she's a bit good, isn't she? Remind me to make you watch/listen to Chess when it's available. Her new solo album is pretty decent. And she'll be doing gigs in September, I hope, if you're interested in joining me :)

Hmm. Maybe I should inflict Rent on you. Yeh. Definitely :D Go check out the movie version of Rent. Now! *shoos you in general direction of Amazon*

[thefleshfailure.livejournal.com]

Best of luck!! I'm sure you'll knock 'em dead.

...that's figuratively, not literally. Literally may impact on your chances of getting the job.

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks :)

[itsjustaname.livejournal.com]

Is there a test as part of the interview process> If there is, the key thing to remember is that while getting the answer right is important, the most importan thing is showing overall competence, so if you get there and it all goes horribly wrong, explain in the interview what went wrong, what you would have done to fix it, how you would have answered the questions had things not gone horribly wrong etc. In the interview I had to start here I went into the interview knowing I'd gor the results from the Excel test wrong so I started my presentation on it by saying, I know these numbers are wrong, but assuming they were right, these are the conclusions I draw...

As you're interviewing within the company you already work for be careful you don't exaggerate your achievements too much (as they may already know who you are) and don't dish the dirt on any other section.

The questions I normally ask when I'm recuiting to what sound like similar roles to this relate to why do you want the job, what do you think you'll bring to it, ensuring accuracy, communicating results of analysis to general audiences and something on team working.

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

There may be a test, I'm told the interview will last about an hour, so there's certainly time for such a thing. *meeps* So thanks for that advice, I hadn't even considered that!

[annuala.livejournal.com]

Good luck, dear! All bits crossed. :-)

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Thaaaaaaaaank you! :)