Interviews

I don't know about you but I find interviews intimidating.  You get all dressed up practice before hand do your research, but still manage to be caught off guard.   Last month I went for 2 interviews, I won't name who with.   The first interview was rather lengthy, it was in the middle of nowhere an hour away, which is expected in the environmental field.  It was a wildlife reserve on crown land and managed by a non profit who I was interviewing with.  The interview was in the "office" which was an open room but it was fine.  The job was wildlife technician, I studied marine biology, and zoology, but my main focus was on the marine/aquatic environment, so my expertise are fish and invertebrates.  This was a hunting reserve, based on birds, however the job description was very vague, but they had my resume and knew my background.  I was asked questions for about an hour, the first ones being about my ability to drive ATVs, use tools, operate large equipment, among other physical tasks.  I was also asked how to do a tree planting project, expected to id a variety of trees and wildlife with no field guides or anything.  I am not complaining it just amazed me of all the qualifications that they wanted for someone to be working at minimum wage, plus did I mention you would be risking your life as it is a hunting range.   At the end of my intensive interview, I was asked to make a map in ARC (which I know how to do but on the spot, is difficult).  After that I had to complete an ID test based on slides, other than knowing snake, owl, duck, I was pretty much lost, after about 40 slides.......like if you want someone to be interested in the job don't make them feel like they are back at school again, there was a sound id section, I couldn't do it at all it was awful.   So after an hour and a half, I pretty much knew I didn't get the job, but after all that I don't think I could have done it all anyways.  This was an entry position yet they wanted a lot of experience and qualifications, which brings me back to my pet peeve the breaking the employment experience cycle.

On the other hand my second interview, was for a Program Education Staff at a local zoo where families and school groups visit.   This job sounded perfect for me, I was so excited for it.  I was asked to prepare a lesson plan for preschooler's based on a book or story for literacy skills.  I was ok with this and selected a book and found worksheets to go with it.  I was prepared for my interview.  I was early, I had to wait for a while for my interviewers.  When they came to get me we went to sit at a picnic table I was asked about myself and experience with children, again they knew my resume I have experience as a camp counselor and have a background in Biology.  They then explained they were starting a story time group for preschoolers and their parents and that would be my role.  I showed them my story and lesson plan.  And that was the whole interview.  I was asked nothing, other than is there anything else we should know.  I wanted to say yes, this is a zoo am I not supposed to educate people on the animals, program activities, give tours, etc.  That's what I had planned for when I applied. A zoo educational role, when what they wanted seemed to be an ECE, again they did not state this in their job ad, I didn't imply that I had any experience with preschoolers.  Instead I felt confused and couldnt figure out what I did wrong to blow the interview in less than 10 minutes, I felt like I wasn't even given a chance.

My question is what is the appropriate length/time of an interview?  How many questions should be asked?  How many should I ask.  If you are asked is there anything more we should know? What should you answer, do you go into details about yourself that showcase your skills whether they are relevant to the job or not.