Applying For A Job? Insider Tips How To Take Them On – AND WIN
Introduction
Any job interview can be pretty nerve racking at the best of times, here’s some advice to help make sure you get that job you want!
I must stress that the main pointers here are to KEEP ON TRYING and to get as much interview practice as possible. It may be worth going up against those questions even if you may not want the job.
Stage 1. Uploading an Online CV
For the online CV, read the questions and try to work out what they are looking for. It is always a good idea to get a friend to look through your answers and spell check everything.
I found it useful to type out my answers in a word processing program beforehand for easy editing. Try to really impress here but don’t lie, these answers will follow you though your application.
Check out our guide to CV writing.
Stage 2. Online Tests
Online tests are the next stage, these can be very time pressured so make sure that you have no distractions, plenty of paper, some extra pens a calculator.
Don’t feel too bad if you don’t finish all the questions in the time given, it is still very possible to pass!
Stage 3a. The Interview Stage – Introduction
This is where things get interesting! You can have multiple interviews during the application process. It is worth noting that the interviewers will have read your online CV and previous interview notes. It is important that everything you say corresponds with these documents! This is why it is always best to stay honest.
Stage 3b. The Interview Stage – Preparation
Of course it’s the key! Lots of reading to do:
A) Knowledge is power, check out our know and understand a business article for some tips.
B) Read ‘Giving a Presentation’, the preparation tips are really useful here. Bear in mind you may be asked to prepare a short presentation for your interview day.
C)Also ‘Creating Rapport’ for making that impact.
D) Go to their website! A great resource of information, tips and people to contact. They should also have a list of attributes they are looking for in an employee. Study these and note down the occasions in your life where you have displayed these attributes.
E) Read the news! This may not seem very exciting but it is a good idea to keep up with current affairs. It is worth finding a few recent articles that relate to the service line that you are applying to.
F) Time to do some work on the questions. There are some to get you thinking here.
G) Also write down a list of practice questions and answers beforehand that you think may come up.
H) It is worth noting that these are a guide and not what you should blurt out in a parrot fashion! Always keep your personality, you don’t want to bore the interviewer to death.
I) Talk to people that currently work for the firm, this can be a goldmine of knowledge!
J) If you don’t know anyone, it is worth going along to interview preparation day or recruitment evening and doing some networking (a guide coming soon). Most current employees with be very happy to help you for 2 reasons; they have been there before, and it is possible they will get paid if you get hired.
K) Find out as much about the role as you can, both to kick ass in the interview and to know what you are getting yourself into!
L) Think about what distinguishes you from others and what your weaknesses may be. This may sound cheesy but knowing and being honest with yourself can be invaluable.
Stage 3c. The Interview Stage- The Tips
A) Go alone- Don’t take your buddies with you!
B) Try to appear calm, it is not the end of the world.
C) Give a firm handshake but don’t break his/her hands.
D) Don’t complain about your old employer, not matter how bad they are!
E) Don’t mention money, rocking up demanding a million in cash won’t go down well.
F) Turn off your phone.
G) Be honest.
H) Focus on your achievements.
I) Be consistent!
J) Don’t talk for too long.
K) Speak clearly.
L) Be professional.
M) Ask questions.
N) Be polite- don’t rush for that coffee.
O) Be mature.
P) Don’t be arrogant.
Q) Let others speak.
R) Be positive.
S) Be rational and perceptive.
T) Think about how you would fit in the team.
U) Don’t be controversial.
V) Don’t read from notes.
W) End well.
X) Get a business card.
Stage 4. E-mail Handling Computer Exercises (AKA E-Tray)
Some firms have a test using a fake version of Outlook where e-mails start flying in for you to reply to through multiple choice.
This normally ends with you writing a short e-mail yourself- keep this short and concise.
Make notes as you get information in and work on finishing within the (fairy short) time period.
Of course there is normally no spell check here so watch your spelling.
Stage 5. Group Exercises
Another evaluation test is where a group of potential employees are put together to discuss a topic with interviewers watching from the sidelines.
Try to strike that balance by not being domineering or quiet. Listen to people’s ideas and feedback.
Don’t burst out laughing as a girl in my group did, shame as she was nice.
Stage 6. Making a Presentation
You might have to present a pre-prepared topic, of course the presentation guide applies!
If things have worked out you should be contacted within a few days.
If it is a no then don’t worry too much, I know plenty of people who have not be successful at one firm but excelled with others.
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