Over the past four years since the company started trading, we’ve interviewed a lot of people to assemble the #teamlovely that you see before you today.
A lot of people we see get interviews so wrong that I thought a quick guide might be helpful for any of you prospective Poolies out there.
Here’s some of what you need to know before you come for an interview:
- We expect you to know a lot about us before you talk to us on the phone or step through the door – so do your homework thoroughly & be sure that you’ll be able to articulate what it is about Learning Pool that’s attracted you.
- You should also check out our values – so that you can decide if this is the sort of place you want to work and if you’re the sort of person we’re looking for.
- We look for people that will complement our existing team – so you need to think about how that’s going to happen…and why our team will be better because you are here.
- We look for people that are able to make a difference – so think carefully about where you’ve made an impact at work before & the good things that have happened as a result of your input & actions.
- On qualities – these are the sorts of things we look for in people joining Learning Pool – passion about what we do & the public sector and an ability to cultivate that in others, a sense of urgency (if you’re lucky enough to make it to 75, that’s only 27,000 days on earth), professionalism & personal pride, commitment, a positive attitude, an interest in innovation, energy, creativity, an awareness of how to manage time as a limited resource, problem solving skills, a willingness to finish things & see projects through – long after you might have lost interest. There’s probably more…a lot more.
At your interview we expect you to be engaged, be engaging & ask us a lot of questions that you’ve thought about.
Here are some Dos & Don’ts for your interview:
• Don’t be late – and don’t be too early either
• Don’t lie – we have a very transparent culture & lies always get found out sooner or later
• Don’t be negative or complain about your last employer
• Do have had a look at the technology we use & be able to talk about it to at least a certain level – even if you aren’t here for a technical job
• Do know about our sector – even if you’ve never worked in it
• Do remember there are no trick questions – if we ask you a question – just be honest
• Do be calm – if an interview with us makes you cry or be stressed, you won’t last 5 minutes here
• Do be familiar with social media – we use it & we’ll check that you do too
All the stuff about experience & talent is a given – we think you can do the job based on the information you’ve provided us with or we wouldn’t be interviewing you in the first place.
Finally, if you’re going to dress weird for your interview – make sure you look stylish.
Further Resources:
12 Comments
Mary, that is a very useful blog for potential employees! It’s like a small guide to getting employed with us
I am sure it will be useful for many people.
That final line, the one about dress, that made me chuckle.
After years of chopping and changing careers (I trained to be a barber at one point!!), Learning Pool really is the best career choice I think I’ve ever made (or was it Paul and Mary that chose it for me??) No 2 days are the same.
It’s so exciting working in an ever changing sector and the challengers that are faced on a daily basis really make it worth while. Working with our fantastic customers to overcome some of the challenges they face really makes each day worth while
Spot on Mary. I interview a lot particularly university placements. Passion must shine through. People with passion will intrinsically innovate and push a team which will bring fresh ideas and help an organisation flourish. Off topic a little, I feel people underestimate the value in voluntary work, as a measure of trust, comittement, self worth and what that can bring to the interview table.
Very interesting to read your thoughts, Mary!
I have had a lot of interviews, and been in that candidate seat quite a few times! Interviews can be radically different depending who is interviewing you.
I had a company once that specifically requested that I came in casual clothes, which I was initially quite apprehensive about (felt like I was dressed for the cinema)! Their reasoning behind it was so they could get a better understanding of the candidates persona by seeing how they “brand themselves” as a person walking around every day. That whole interview was completely off the wall!
Thank you Anna & to you, Dan & Sam for being the first guinea pigs to have your “what’s Learning Pool like to work at” videos done.
Hi Chris – I had you in my mind when I wrote that line – that & your washing line photo of multi-coloured Converse…
Hi Ben – thank you for being with us on this particular journey for almost 4 years. You are an outstandingly customer focused person & for that I salute you
Hi Peter – thanks for taking time to read & comment. We too are great supporters of voluntary commitments. Paul & I both do our bit when we can for a couple of local organisations & many, many of our team do sterling work with the community as well. It’s all about people in the end – nothing else matters – ever.
Another top tip for would-be Poolies – if there’s post on the doormat when you arrive at Pool Heights for your interview don’t step on it, pick it up. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest impressions.
Thanks for the tips Mary I hope that they prove invaluable in securing my place within #teamlovely
“Do be calm – if an interview with us makes you cry or be stressed, you won’t last 5 minutes here”
If you can’t be a bit stressed at an interview, where can you be?”