I have an interview with a children’s toy company that makes arts & craft kits for ages up to 8 yr. olds
I will be handling their social media accounts . And I noticed on their company blog that they wrote ” a place for fun , creativity and parental advice” and parents ask questions about how to play with their kids using the products and the ceo or VP – both who I assume are parents answered them with parental tips from personal experience
I am single and do not have kids. I feel uncomfortable interacting with other parents online and giving them advice on what to do with their kids because I have no kids.
If I ask the manager ” Am I required to give parental advice ?” – will that make me look like a bad fit for the company or incompetent ?
✅ Answers
? Best Answer
In all honesty, they read your application. If you marked Single, they will probably assume you have no children. If they ask you, are you comfortable sharing your parental experience, and you have none, to aid your interview, I would respond with, “Mr. Jones, while I have no children, I’ve a firm grasp of what I appreciated my parents doing to engage me with toys and new activities, at that age.” If you don’t remember, and are not happy to do that, they will appreciate knowing that, as well. Most likely, though, they will not turn over that responsibility unless you show them you wish to undertake that. Any good boss will see potential in how to best get the most out of their staff. Being flexible and wiling to assimilate new tasks and responsibilities may be more important to them than whether nor not you have children and are willing to lend advice.
You’ll be writing a fair bit about those products, so you’ll evolve new perspectives and your skills will have another valuable tool in the kit: adaptability.
Sincerely and you’ll do great!
Elizabeth
Ask if you only really have to. But yes, it is a bit of a silly question, and you don’t want to mess up an important job interview! Sorry if I offdend you a little, I didn’t mean anything in a bad way.
Just try not to ask, since the job is kind of about parental advise. (Try asking someone who works there)
I wouldn’t ask. If you do, then you can ask another worker or simply explain to your boss you don’t know what to say.
Yes, it will. If I were you, I’d find a way to reword the question without making it sound like you’re trying to get out of doing the job.
Maybe something like “Because I don’t have kids, I may need help getting up to speed giving parental advice. Are there resources to help me learn how to do that?”
That makes it sound as if you’re ready and willing to do the job to its fullest, but you’re confessing that you don’t feel confident in that one area and you’re asking for help so that you can excel at the job. Always make it all about how you can do the job better, not about what you can or can’t do.
Just try to ask indirectly, for example, ask for more information on what the job entails.
So something like “So I understand that I will be maintaining your socail media accounts. Can you give me a little bit more detail as to what you are looking for. What would you like done day-to-day?
Is there anything there now that you would like to improve on, something I should look into expanding for you?”
If you get them to expand on what they want if it’s part of the job it will come up naturally. Usually if they expect you to provide advice, they ask for your qualifications immediately. Think of it from their perspective, hire the one who has no parental experience to give parental advice or hire the mom?
Good luck on your interview, hope it’s what you are looking for!