Posted By Paul Clarke-Scholes CMIOSH
Craig,
Two weeks and no advice! Perhaps no-one who reads this site gets chucked that far in the deep end very often.
My advice would be ............. to wing it.
Served me well for 20 years and still going strong.
Seriously then, trust your instincts, answer honestly, see if you can take them into implications that they hadn't considered. If you seriously get stuck, you weren't right for the role anyway, so there really isn't any pressure.
Many moons ago, post university, I applied to the MOD for a role as ... I forget what, now. Degree in Civ Eng, A grade latin O-Level among other things on my CV so the interviewer said; "You have just built a new bridge, what latin inscription would you place over the entrance?"
"Nam cras nobis moriendum est" said my brain and then helpfully supplied the translation; "For tomorrow we must die". "No. no, no" said another part of the brain, "you cannot put that on a bridge, think of something else!" Instantly rendering me incapable of thinking of anything else. I stammered out a pathetic "nothing springs to mind" when the correct answer was to say "Nam cras nobis moriendum est", smile in a satisfied manner, possibly nod with knowing conviction, and then defy them to translate it!
I didn't get the job.
The other, possible apocryphal, story I liked was of the Ox-bridge interviewee whose interview opened with the line "Go on then impress me!" To which he said nothing, got up and walked out. Story goes he got the place.
I suggest therefore that you combine the two - if the scenario plays to your strengths, go for your life and tell them all you know. If not, shout "Banzai" and leap out of the window.
Good luck!
Paul
PS Some clever bugger will tell me that my latin recollection is incorrect. I recall that it was a gladiatorial valediction (quite literally) before combat. That also makes it a suitable mantra before the interview. Along with "Nil illegitimi carborundum", which isn't latin but sounds good - Don't let the [expletive deleted]s grind you down".