Remember, it takes two to tango
The bloodied boxer stumbled back to his corner at the end of the round and muttered that “I was doing grand until he hit me”. Job interviews might feel that way too: like the mice and the men, you can lay your plans quite brilliantly, only for an interviewer to throw you off with the […]
Online or face-to-face – it’s the same challenge ultimately
Q: I have an unusual situation unfolding at the moment. I am going for a job in a semi-state organisation, and the first interview took place online via Zoom. I have now been called to the second interview. However, they have decided to hold this one face to face in their offices in late June. […]
Job interview questions from the coal-face
An Irish company recently circulated these job interview questions to recruiters within their organisation. When it comes to job interview questions, we can’t really anticipate what a panel may throw at you, but this list should get you thinking. Have poise, charm and committed work group participation ever been an important part of your job? […]
Confirmation of online Interview Training session – Sean Browne
Key details re our online Interview Training session Fee: €260 (incl. VAT). This fee is payable before the session HERE. Please complete the following steps (required) Complete our Interview Workbook HERE and email it back to us at least 24 hours before the session. Email us your CV or Application Form, and if you have the advertisement […]
Break the ice, not their will to live
The question “can you talk us through your career to date?” is often used as an icebreaker. However, many candidates seem to hear it as “can you please tell us every little twist and turn you ever took in your career and, in the process, bore us all to death?” writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, […]
Time your run in recorded interviews
Recorded video interviews are becoming more popular, and, in fact, publicjobs.ie has recently started using this method for some screening interviews, writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers. In a recent engineering recruitment campaign they ran, candidates who survived the post-application form cull had to answer three recorded video questions. They gave you the […]
One story to tell all the stories
A competency-based interview revolves around telling one story that tells all the stories. To know that Lionel Messi can produce magic, you don’t need to see his every goal – just one of his best, writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers. Neither is it necessary to listen to Bocelli’s entire back catalogue to […]
‘How did you prepare for this interview’
Q: In a recent job interview, I was asked a very unusual question: ‘how did you prepare for this interview?’ I didn’t know what to say and muttered something about reading their website. In fact, I had put in a huge amount of preparation, including speaking to somebody who works there and doing two sessions […]
Hand talkers, plough on
The greatest moment in an interview training session is when the client starts to talk with their hands, writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers. Until then, you generally haven’t noticed how much they’ve been suppressing their hand movements. But once those hands start going, you know the client is beginning to talk naturally […]
Dealing with competency-based probe
In competency-based interviews, you tell stories about things you have done. The purpose is to demonstrate a particular competency – e.g. leading a major change within an organisation. After you tell your stories, the panel may probe you for further information. By simply asking questions that revolve around the story you’ve just told, they aim […]