How to recover from a bad interview
Q: I did a bad interview – there’s no other way of saying it. I didn’t need to wait for the inevitable PFO letter to know that I had gone down in a ball of flames. I was so hopeful beforehand, but it just ran away for me, and it felt like I couldn’t stop […]
How to handle the conflict question in job interviews
A question that regularly comes up in job interviews for teachers, assistant principals, deputy principals and principals is ‘how do you deal with conflict?’ It can really throw candidates so it is important to be prepared beforehand, writes Patricia Maloney, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers. Based on my experience interviewing and managing numerous teachers as […]
How do I start to discover – and write – my strengths for a CV?
Q: Everything I read and watch about career progression tells me I need to know my strengths. I understand that this is true – but I’ve no idea how to go about it. Where does one start when it comes to articulating your own strengths for a CV. I started and ran a business for […]
Eight things not to do in a job interview
Q: Can you give me some ‘must not do in a job interview’ pointers? I fear that I have built up some bad habits over the years and I would like to start eradicating them. It almost feels like I need a total reset. Your pointers might kickstart me? (OK, email). A: My pleasure. Here […]
Overcoming ageism in the job market as an experienced professional
Q: How can I successfully navigate the job market as an older professional facing ageism? A: Navigating the job market as an older professional facing ageism can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can successfully position yourself as a valuable candidate. Here are some effective ways to overcome age-related obstacles and stand […]
Five common application form errors
Q: I’m about to apply for a job in the public service and the process includes a lengthy application form. I’ve looked at it a few times and I’m almost afraid to start – are there common pitfalls to avoid as I set about this task? I’ve never completed one of these forms before, but […]
Five tips to make a job interview more ‘real’
Q: I often find interviews stilted or impersonal. I struggle to bring the real me into the room. It’s like listening to a recording of myself. Any tips on how to make a job interview more real? (CG, email). A: A good interview panel should relax you to the point that the ‘real’ you emerges […]
A smart move – or back into the fire?
Q: I’m going for a job in a company that I regard very highly. However, the position I am chasing is not at the level I would want – or, perhaps more to the point, not in the area of the business I would like. I think this is a philosophical question, as opposed to […]
Should I go for face-to-face or online interview?
Q: I have been offered the choice of face-to-face or online for the interview. I dislike interviews at the best of times and I’m finding it hard to say which one I prefer. I have a good chance of getting the job as I have the experience they require, but I struggle to get the […]
Turn a quick job spell to your advantage in interview
Q: I have an interview next week and I’m afraid they will pick up on the fact that I have only been in my current job 13 months. In reality, I took a step downwards for this job after the previous company I was in closed, (not my fault, I hasten to add, the market […]