Coping with remote work overload
Q: I’m a member of a remote working team collaborating on a major project – and I’m struggling. It feels like everything has to be scheduled and I never know if people are even concentrating in Zoom meetings. I feel overloaded and I miss being around people. Any tips? (DF, email). A: You raise a […]
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 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 […]