How to handle interviews
Be clear about what the recruiters are looking for and find some fresh words to describe yourself and what you have to offer.
The summer’s over, autumn is here and you're one of thousands of new graduates who still hasn't found a job. While you could justify taking a break to get over the stress of finals and celebrate your new-found independence, the need to start earning some real money is kicking in with a vengeance. So how do you put yourself ahead of the competition and get your foot on the career ladder? Here are some top tips:
If you haven't got your career off to a flying start yet, chances are it’s because you're not exactly sure what it is you want to do. You've probably done the milk-rounds, been scouring the newspapers and online job sites, but maybe nothing’s really grabbed you, or perhaps you just don't know where to start. The first thing to do is to try to focus your job search.
Tempting as it is to apply for anything and everything in the hope that something will come up trumps, the ‘scatter gun’ approach is actually the least effective. Targeted, focused job searching is likely to work much better. Think about the skills you enjoy using and the fields/areas that really interest you. In your ideal role, what kind of tasks would you spend your day doing? What sort of environment do you want to work in, and with what kind of people? What organisations or companies would you be really proud to represent?
Having narrowed your search field, it’s time to do some research. What companies really interest you and what is their recruitment process? Are you applying as part of their graduate recruitment scheme, or for a specific role that’s been advertised? If neither of these options is available at this stage, consider whether you're sufficiently interested in the company to make a speculative application. Think about your network: do you know someone who can help getting your CV in front of the right person?
Take care with your application: whether it’s a specially designed form or you've been asked to submit a CV and covering letter, this is your chance to make yourself stand out. Remember that the purpose of a CV is to get you an interview and an opportunity to sell yourself in person, so make sure it’s up to the task.
Be clear about what the recruiters are looking for, and find some fresh words to describe yourself and what you have to offer. (I’ve lost count of the number of CV s I’ve seen describing an ‘enthusiastic, flexible team player’). This is where it pays to take some time and effort to tailor your CV for each job that you apply for: much better to send off 3 well-researched and carefully crafted applications than put yourself forward for a dozen jobs that you re not really interested in.
If you've been thorough in your application process, chances are you'll get an interview. This is where you really need to get prepared! Read everything you can get your hands on about the company or organisation – annual reports, web sites, trade press and other media. Make sure you have an understanding of the company’s structure, its business and how it distinguishes itself from the competition. Read up about the industry in which it operates and the main challenges it is likely to be facing. There’s no excuse for being uninformed.
Make sure you know – and can explain – why you really want the job. This is the question that you are always going to be asked, and believe it or not, it’s a question that most candidates answer poorly. Think about what you can contribute to the company’s bottom line – employers don't recruit staff just for the sake of it, so you need to be able to demonstrate the value you can add.
Make sure that you know what to expect on the day of the interview. Will you be asked to complete psychometric or other tests? Will you be interviewed by one person or by a panel? Will you be expected to prepare a presentation or take part in a group assessment? It’s completely legitimate to ask about all of these things in advance if the information hasn't been provided.
Get the details right. Find out exactly where you have to be and, if possible, do a ‘dry run’ of the journey. Build in plenty of extra time for delays – much better to arrive an hour early and have to kill time in a coffee bar than to get there flustered with seconds to spare. Dress in a manner appropriate to the role you've applied for but, if in doubt, err on the side of smartness.
Finally, remember that first impressions really count. A big smile and a firm handshake are good for starters! Beyond that, do try to be yourself: you don't want to be offered a job on the basis of a persona you've adopted for the day, which isn't like the real you at all. Remember that the interview is your opportunity to check out the organisation as much as theirs to check you out – you're both trying to make sure there’s a good fit’. That doesn't mean asking lots of detailed questions, but you should be alert to hidden undercurrents: do staff you meet seem happy in their job? What does the environment look and feel like and are you comfortable in it?
If you aren't successful at interview, do ask for feedback. Anything that you can find out about the impression that you made and the areas where you performed well and not so well will help you to prepare for other interviews.
By Jenny Ungless, Monster's Career Development Expert
Reproduced with permission from Monster.co.uk.
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