The Importance of Structure in Interview Responses
Picture this: you’re in an interview, the interviewer leans forward, asks you a question…and your mind races. You know you’ve got a good example, often more than one, but as you start talking it comes out in a jumble. Halfway through, you realise you’re rambling. By the end, you’re not even sure if you answered […]
Addressing concerns in a job interview
When an interviewer says, “We’re concerned you may be a little overqualified for the position, how do you feel about it?” it’s essential to respond thoughtfully. This question can be a turning point in your interview, and with the right approach, you can turn a potential concern into a compelling reason to hire you. Understanding […]
Turning interview questions into opportunities to shine
When you’re in a job interview and the hiring manager asks, “Have you attended other interviews?” it can be a golden opportunity to position yourself as a highly sought-after candidate. This question allows you to subtly showcase your value without diminishing your interest in the role you’re currently being considered for. Why do employers ask […]
Campaigning for your career
This year multiple elections are taking place worldwide. I believe it is appropriate to think about your job chasing, promotion-seeking efforts as if it were an election campaign. I have always found it helpful to take some of the formality and, let’s call it bureaucracy, away from career development and to paint what you’re at […]
Eight interview tips on how to show you’re more than just a smooth talker
Q: I am talkative, and I think quickly on my feet. People would say I am rarely stuck for a word. I sometimes feel that people think this means I am flighty or lacking in depth – in fact, as I’ve shown throughout my college years, I have great focus and attention to detail. Just […]
How to strike the right tone in community work interview
Q: My friend is going for an interview in a fortnight as a community development worker with a youth organisation. The role will involve helping young people growing up in difficult circumstances to get involved in activities such as sport, drama, art, volunteering and the like. She is newly qualified in this area but hasn’t […]
Figuring out the lie of the land in SME interviews
Following on from our recent advice column written by an executive with vast experience of interviewing candidates in the public sector, we thought it might be useful to complement that with a view from the private sector. We sourced the following from a successful businessperson in the midlands. It is based on years of hard-won […]
Seven common job interview errors – and how to avoid them
Avoid common job interview errors to dramatically increase your chances of success. Because job interviews are not something we do all that often, it can be difficult to prepare properly for them. Candidates often live in fear of them. But you owe it to yourself to promote yourself in the best possible way on the […]
Seven common job interview errors – and how to avoid them
Not letting them know you really want the job. It’s crucial to show a genuine desire for the position during the interview. While it’s important to remain professional, don’t be afraid to express your excitement about the opportunity. You can do this by asking informed questions about the company and the role, and by sharing […]
Confessions of a job interview candidate
This isn’t a question. It is my own personal experience from a job interview I did last week. I hadn’t done one in about six years, and I was nervous beforehand, not least because I really want to escape my current incarceration, sorry, job, writes “Regular Reader, CP”. I tried to avoid putting a lot […]