It’s Wimbledon again, the 124th occurrence with the usual suspects from around the world seeking to win this glittering prize at the All England club and it promises to provide the usual nail biting excitement as well as the media driven hysteria surrounding British hopes.
These will be firmly pinned on Andy Murray, who will try to secure a grand slam title and become the first UK competitor to claim victory in the final since Fred Perry in 1936. Federer with six Wimbledon titles is clearly the odds on favourite but what makes him so successful?
Similarly there are other sporting events e.g. the World Cup, the F1 championship with two British contenders in Jenson Button & Lewis Hamilton and with a number of other multiple world champions contesting this year’s championship it prompts the question – what identifies the best from the rest when it comes to major sporting championships?
Clearly these individuals are all at the top of their game and make the rest of us mere mortals wonder at their focus, talent, tenacity, self belief and seemingly superhuman capabilities. There is always an element of luck but that is all – an element of luck. Their achievements are as a direct consequence of their ambition, application and practice.
It is this that gives all of them the ability to handle the pressure situations where tournaments or yearlong contests can be decided via their performance under pressure, consistency, ruthlessness and talent. I am reminded of Arnold Palmer’s famous quote – “It’s a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get”. It sums up the focus that we all need in our search for our next role – job search.
Are you as committed to your job search?
• Do you regularly search for new roles or new recruiters in a disciplined way?
• Do you follow-up every job application with a call to the recruiter handling the placement?
• Do you rehearse those interview questions and answers to ensure you are selling yourself accurately and well at the interview?
We at Accendo provide advice and guidance to our customers on managing this job search process and their careers with the same focus as the elite contenders and world champions mentioned above.

Accendo Career Management Services Ltd

June 2010.

It is important that candidates do as much research as possible prior to attending an interview.  Preparation, practice and performance are the key to a successful interview.  

Here are top 10 tips to get the best out of your interview and achieve that all important job offer:

1. It may sound basic but it is amazing how many people fall at this first hurdle. Always check the date, time and place of the interview. Ensure that you arrive on time and know the name of the interviewer to ask for them personally when you arrive.

2. Collect as much information as possible about the organisation – turnover, products, markets, locations, plans for growth, problem areas. Not only will this impress the interviewer but will generate questions for you to ask at the interview.

3. Pre-empt the questions you will be asked and rehearse your answers beforehand. Commonly asked questions include ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’, ‘Why did you leave your last company?’ ‘What are your career aims?’  Remember that the interview is an opportunity to expand on your CV.

4. In the interview, shake hands firmly, make frequent eye contact and try to establish an early rapport with the interviewer.

5. Body language is vital – do not fidget, wring your hands or smoke. Sit upright, keep alert and look interested.

6. Remember that an interview is a two way process, not only is the interviewer assessing whether you are suitable for the job but you need to decide whether the job on offer is the job you want. Identify your own information needs – what is nature of role to be filled and how do you fit the bill? What are opportunities for personal development and growth? How will your progress be measured?  Find out about organisation’s structure, style and culture.

7. Speak clearly and confidently and do not allow yourself to be discouraged.

8. Constantly remind yourself that you have something to sell and focus on how you can make a positive contribution to the role.

9. Make sure that you get an opportunity to ask questions. These should be open ended to bring out more information than closed yes and no questions. Avoid questions on salaries, hours of work, holidays etc and concentrate on the nature of the role and its value to the organisation.

10. Finally, do not try to be too clever, lie, pretend or give evasive answers. Do not lose your temper, get flustered, panic or criticise your former employers.