Monday, 30 March 2015
The clocks have just gone forward an hour to officially ring in British Summer Time - which means longer days and lighter nights!
Have you been putting off your current job search, simply because there aren’t enough hours in your current day? To mark the arrival of British Summer Time, I am going to share some handy tips for those of you currently in search of a new role…
1. Perfect your marketing tool
Before you can start looking for jobs, you need to write a CV. Your CV needs to be up to date! It needs to be professional and polished. It needs to be in chronological order. It needs to be written well with no spelling or grammar mistakes. These are basic essentials. If you need help writing your CV, don’t be afraid to contact us. We are here to help you!
2. Do your homework about the company before you arrive for interview
This step is a no-brainer, but I am always genuinely surprised by how often it gets disregarded! Throughout my 10 years in recruitment, I have witnessed many candidates show up to an interview without the slightest idea of who they are meeting or what the company do – browse the website, check out their social media channels, Google them!
3. Remember basic manners
-Be on time for the interview. This means be 5-10 minutes early.
-When introducing yourself, give a firm handshake, but be careful not to overdo it, you don't want the interviewer to associate you with physical pain! In short, you need to be pleasant, positive and confident, with a good dose of ambition and energy.
-And here’s a bonus, say ‘thank you!’ Thank the interviewer for their time. You will never go wrong with expressing gratitude.
4. Give short and concise answers whenever possible
An interviewer often has many questions to ask. As a candidate, you need to be sensitive to the style of questioning at hand: is he trying to tick questions off, or is he trying to get to know you and understand how you think? Particularly with the latter, it's fine to give relatively lengthy answers, but refrain from rambling on too much on your disagreements with a former boss. As a general rule: short and precise answers are always appreciated in an interview.
5. Be alert, go with the flow of the conversation, and most importantly, be yourself
At job interviews, candidates are often so nervous, eager or strategic, that it becomes hard to connect with them on a human level. You must prepare for the interview, but avoid sticking to rehearsed answers — let go, immerse yourself and be fully present in the moment.
6. Try to enjoy the process
I know it is a lot easier said than done, but honestly, try to relax, and enjoy the process. You’ll find that if you relax your body, be grateful for the opportunity to interview and plant happy thoughts in your mind, the chances are you will deliver a higher performance!
I hope these tips help. Till next time!
Frances
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