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12
Jul/10
It’s the responsibility of a recruiter or interviewer to thoroughly assess whether you’re the right candidate for the job, so whether we like it or not, they’re going to ask those difficult questions when interviewing. There’s no need to be nervous or anxious when going into an interview situation, so long as you are confident in your abilities and have prepared properly for how you want to put yourself forward.
They’re not looking for perfect, textbook answers; they’re looking for a genuine person who can show intelligence and the ability to think on their feet. If you follow our guidelines on dealing with difficult interview questions, you should no longer have to worry about the dreaded… “So what’s your biggest weakness?”
- Do your research. Before you even step into that interview room, make sure you have researched the company, the job description and what the work will entail, key members of management (if appropriate) and what will be expected of you. It sounds obvious, but going into an interview ‘blind’ is an easy way to go home with nothing.
- Stay positive. Answer awkward, seemingly negative questions like “What didn’t you like about your last job?” or “What are your weaknesses?” in a positive way, showing that you can see the benefits of personal growth and development. Don’t badmouth your previous employers, or be self-deprecating – answer by identifying minor faults, but backing them up with an aim to improve and extend your abilities in this new job.
- Be genuine. No one likes a suck up… Don’t practice your answers so they sound like you’ve learned them by rote, show a little personality and individuality. Putting on a ‘perfect’ front will only give the impression that you are possibly deceitful and manipulative. An important aspect of any workplace is the staff dynamic – they want to see if you will fit in as well as your ability to do your job.
- Tell the truth. You should never lie during an interview, even when you find yourself having to talk about something potentially damaging to your chances. Instead, find a way to be diplomatic and objective when asked questions about long periods of unemployment or leaving a previous job under bad circumstances. Explanations which take into account difficulties, but also display your future intentions can help you out of an awkward spot.
- It’s not about the money! Better earnings/hours are not the answers they’re looking for when they ask what drew you to this job… You should also not describe the position as a “stepping stone” to help you on your way, even if it’s true. Explaining your aims in terms of “new challenges”, “better opportunities”, “an interest in the company and an eagerness to learn and develop” etc are more tactful ways to put it.
- Plan for the future. When asked where you see yourself in 5-10 years, or what your career goals are, show your intention to better yourself and your career (ideally within the company). Even if your plans are not solid or clear, you want to put across that you are ambitious and diligent and you will work towards improving your position.
- Ask questions. If you’re really stuck for an answer, asking the interviewer their opinion can help, for example – “How do you deal with criticism?” could be answered by saying you think it’s important to be challenged and given the opportunity to improve your skills, and follow it up by asking about the company’s audit system. Showing an interest in the workings of the business is a good attribute to show in an interview.
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but if you have confidence in yourself and your skills, a great CV to show, and do your research and preparation beforehand, there’s no reason why you can’t succeed. If you struggle with the stress of face-to-face interviews, it might be a good idea to create a Video Enhanced CV to be your first impression for you. A short introductory video CV can broadcast your personality, your assets and your goals to a prospective employer, before they’ve even met you, taking the heat off the initial moments of the real interview. Similarly, a Career Website can showcase much more than a traditional CV, detailing your work history, ethics, ambitions and individuality – available online for recruiters to peruse along with your CV and potentially giving you an extra leg up towards getting that job.
Browse AccendoCV’s services to help you make the most out of every interview, and secure the job you are after.
Tags: career website, CV Writing, difficult interview questions, interview preparation, interview questions, interview skills, interviews, Job hunting, Video CV, website cv
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6
Jul/10
Unemployment among recent graduates has risen significantly, with men worse affected than women. The Higher Education Policy Institute has estimated that unemployment among graduates aged under 24 rose by 25% from 11.1% in December 2008 to 14% in December 2009. It went on to say that at the end of 2009 17.2% of male graduates were out of work compared with 11.2% of women. Intense competition for graduate jobs means that more than three quarters of employers require at least a 2:1 degree grade - a survey conducted by the Association of Graduate Recruiters also says there are more graduates chasing fewer jobs – with vacancies down by 7%.
Applications have soared, with an average of 69 people chasing each graduate job. In response, 78% of employers are now filtering out applicants who have achieved lower than a 2:1 degree. About two thirds of students achieve either a first class degree or a 2:1 – so this means the remaining third, who will still have passed their exams and paid their tuition fees, will not even be considered by these employers. These two reports, published in July 2010 (sources BBC 7th July and BBC 4th July), show how much more competitive the graduate recruitment market is. How does a graduate respond?
He/she must rise to the challenge of marketing themselves better than other graduates. It’s what has to happen when competition increases. This happens in all markets and is a natural response. In detail, you must ensure that your CV is perfect – get professional help with it. Every small improvement is worth having.
Use a video enhanced CV – by adding a short (very short 0 30 – 60 seconds) video you can make your CV stand out. But it does much more than just that – a thoroughly practiced video transmits a lasting impression to the viewer, it allows you to control and manage first impressions, and finally, it extends by more than threefold the time a recruiter spends on your CV when doing a first screen.
Use a Career Website to be found easily. A survey run by Microsoft found that 7 out of 10 employers took online references up before meeting candidates. They googled applicants and all they found was rushed profiles placed on LinkedIn and Facebook etc. By creating your own career website via a structured service like AccendoCV you can manage this uncontrolled branding by projecting a positive career image. A career website is ‘always on’, which is essential in a competitive market.
Feel free to look at the product family offered by AccendoCV
• CV writing service
• The Video Enhanced CV (securely hosted on a career management site)
• The Career Website – personal to you, professionally designed to be visually attractive and secure.
Tags: CV Writing, graduate jobs, graduate recruitment, jobhunting, unemployment, university graduates, Video CV, website cv
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25
Jun/10
If tuition fees double, as has been suggested – from the current cap of £3,225 to a possible £7,000 – approximately 55% of young people in England and Wales claim they would forego attending university, according to a survey by the Sutton Trust educational charity.
Universities Minister, David Willetts, commented that students should see fees as “an obligation to pay higher income tax”, and that the cost of degree courses was a “burden on the taxpayer that had to be tackled”.
The number of places at universities has already been cut, and 70% of colleges plan on reducing the amount of courses on offer – leaving a possible 200,000 applicants without a place at further education in September 2010. Willetts suggested instead that students pursue occupational and practical courses.
The latest forecast, by Chris Morecroft, chairman of the Association of Colleges’ higher education group, is that the number of undergraduates will fall by 20% over the next five years, with more students opting for part time or online degree courses.
With more and more jobs becoming reliant on a degree, where does this leave graduates, or the multitude of students in limbo, when looking for a job? More emphasis on experience, life skills, organisation and initiative will be required to make a difference, with a well-crafted CV and excellent interview technique. The innovation of a Video Enhanced CV could be a winning solution to a difficult and saturated job market, showing forward-thinking, technological expertise and conscientiousness.
AccendoCV offers all aspects of career management, CV writing, Video CV and CV website creation and interview coaching.
Tags: CV website, CV Writing, graduate jobs, interview technique, Job hunting, job search, university fees, university places, Video CV, Video Enhanced CV
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22
Jun/10
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.
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19
Jun/10
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.
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