Careers and Jobs

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES – navigate that final hurdle!!

With fewer jobs in the market and increased competition for those jobs it is essential that jobseekers enhance their skills when targeting job hunting. There are a number of important areas to address

Job Search Strategies – Jobseekers must change to focus away from traditional methods using more proactive approaches to access the hidden job market. This revolves around networking in the real world and online.

CV Writing – It is a fact that most CV’s fall below acceptable standard. Review your CV and ensuring that you have focused CONTENT, have put some thought into INFORMATION POSITIONING and ensure that VISUAL APPEARANCE is appealing.

Interview Techniques – Last but certainly not least are interviews. Most jobseekers fear interviews BUT proper preparation will enhance performance and increase confidence. If you are struggling with your preparation seek out the advice of a professional. Alternatively there are some useful tips at interview techniques.

Measurability is a leading Career Consultancy offer expert interview support for jobseekers. Paul Mullan is a leading Interview expert with well over a decade experience working with jobseekers. He offers a comprehensive interview coaching service fine tuning your interview techniques and interview skills enhancing performance and results at interview.

In tough times people quite often turn to self help books for inspiration and support. This multimillion dollar industry is preying on the vulnerable and quite often churning out the same stuff under a new revolutionary formula. Most of the readers are looking for quick fix and easy solution BUT in reality there are no easy solutions. Ask any successful person and they will tell you this – “the harder I work the luckier I get”. I recall a book I read some years back which did make sense but on further analysis it was nothing different than that which my mother had drilled into me throughout my youth. Below I have outlined some her classic advice …. and it is not write a CV or prepare for Interviews …..

Nobody likes a misery guts – Sulking and complaining never won any friends. Are you complaining? Are you blaming? Has it assisted your job hunting? I understand that job hunting in a tough market is difficult particularly for those out of work. However negativity will not bring anything to the table. People don’t like to hear it will actually switch off or worse avoid you all together. More importantly negativity will drain your own energy. If you are out of work and struggling to find employment or if you are seeking a career change without success – complaining or blaming won’t assist in any way.

Smarten yourself up – When this was said to me it was about physical appearance but for the purpose of this piece I mean how you market yourself. Ensure that your CV and cover letter are sharp. Ensure that they make the right impact. CV Writing Service in Ireland.

You need to work harder – We have all heard the saying – “work smarter and not harder” In reality you should be doing both. You need to work smart and hard. You need plenty of activity but channeled in the right direction. If you are unsuccessful in your job search – have you explored all the available channels? A friend said to me recently that he had tried everything to get a job but he never asked me for help!! Proactive job search channels will help you access the hidden job market. My friend’s girlfriend got an administration job last month that was never advertised.

I don’t want you hanging around with him – Parents can always spot a bad egg and are skilled at identifying unsuitable associates. You need to use this strategy when job hunting in a tough market. You don’t need negativity when job hunting in a tough market. Spend less time talking to your negative friends and more time talking with the positive and bubbly element of you close network. Surround yourself with support BUT not those who fester negativity and doom and gloom.

Turn off that TV and do your homework – I was never a big TV person as a kid but I guess anything came above homework. The reason I say turn off the TV is because the current content will not inspire you. Most of the news in the papers and on the radio is negative. Reading and listening to this everyday will not inspire you. Remember bad news sells at the minute and the media is ensuring we get our fill of it.

Lack of interview preparation and interview nerves are a thing of the past due to the launch of new Interview Coaching website www.interviewsolutions.ie. The new site was established by Paul Mullan founder of Measurability. Measurability is a Career, Outplacement and HR consultancy so the new site is an extension of the existing business.

Interview Solutions will tailor interview preparation programmes to suit individual requirements. It will help jobseekers with “what to say” and “how to say it” at interviews.

Paul and his team have vast experience in HR, Recruitment & Selection and Interviewing. Measurability is established as one of the leading Career & Outplacement consultancies in Ireland working with a wide range of private and corporate clients delivering exceptional results.

To find out more information visit Interview Coaching.

Interviewsolutions will also be developed to offer free advice for jobseekers who want to prepare on a budget. There are many interview preparation tips, interview questions and interview answers. This information will help your interview skills and interview techniques.

Must attend workshop for anyone out of work or changing career. This workshop will focus on essential advice to stand out in a tough job market. There will be 3 key areas of focus –

Job Search Strategies
CV & Cover Letter
Interview Skills

Workshop & Booking Details

Date: Sat 25th April 2009
Venue: Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport
Address Baskin Lane Cloghran, Dublin
Workshops: 2 separate workshops – morning and afternoon
Time: 10.00 – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Cost: €120

If you would like more information or to book a place please email paul@measurability.ie.

This workshop will be run by two of Irelands leading Career Experts – Paul Mullan & Jane Downes – both of which have successful career businesses and regularly comment across national radio and papers on a number of career related topics.

• Are you struggling to find suitable jobs?
• Are you struggling to get called for interview?
• Are you struggling to convert interviews into job offers?

This workshop will give you the tools to change your results – it is insightful and invaluable to all jobseekers whether out of work or changing careers.

CV & Interview Advice Videos Online

Sick of reading online Career, CV and Interview articles?

I can find it tedious researching and reading online articles about a particular research subject. I have started reviewing the area of online videos as a tool to support jobseekers. This is something I hope to introduce myself shortly as it has been on my to-do-list for too long.

I have come across many recruiters, interview coaches and career coaches who have created online videos. One professional who caught my eye was Peggy McKee of PHC Consulting. Peggy is an Executive Consultant & Recruiter and she has posted a number of online videos offering CV & Interview Advice. I like these videos because they are clear, to the point and offer some excellent advice. Have a look for yourself.

It looks like there is more bad news for the Insurance Sector with the announcement that Axa will shed 120 jobs at its Dublin offices. This news follows a previous announcement by Hibernian that they will shed 580 jobs moving them to Bangalore in India. We brought you rumours of this Hibernian announcement a few months back.

Axa plans to shed the 120 jobs through voluntary redundancy and there may be plenty of takers as they also plan to restructure pay scales. Basically those left in the company may have to take a pay reduction. This scenario is not uncommon in this climate as a leading Estate Agent in Ireland reported the same move recently to fight of the possibility of redundancies.

Axa has seen its turnover drop drastically over the last number of years so this latest news does not surprise many commentators. Having said this for those affected the news is always hard to take.

It also looks like Northern Ireland is not safe from the current economic conditions. Toughglass in Co Down has announced 60 compulsory redundancies.

If you have been affected by redundancy – a career coach, interview coach or CV service could help you navigate these difficult times.

Looks like we have more to talk about than the bad weather today. A friend of mine has been predicting a recession for the last 10 years. And guess what the newspapers announce it is finally here. Tell us what we didn’t know!! Official reports of a recession have been agreed by most experts but what they cannot agree on is when it will pass. Anything from 2-10 years by the sounds of things.

This news was amplified with the announcement that Hibernian Insurance will let 580 jobs go in Ireland. Irelands loss is India’s gain. The bulk of these jobs will be support and back office. It now looks like the slow down is affecting other sectors outside of manufacturing and construction.

So does the slow down in the economy offer opportunities or threats to you? I guess it is what you choose. I think I will go for the opportunities. If you feel this news offers a threat then take some action – make yourself recession proof. This could mean retraining, getting a new job, moving sector. If you need help from a career coach, an interview coach or a CV professional then get that help. If you have alternative option then start taking action.

It never rains but it pours.

I have offered interview coaching for all types of interviews. Traditional interviews, competency interviews or behavioural interviews, panel interviews and situational interviews BUT over the last few weeks I have been inundated with requests for phone interview coaching. This could be coincidence but I do have a funny feeling that the number of job applicants for positions is increasing and recruiters are re-introducing the phone interview as an initial screening tools.

If you have a phone interview coming up here are some tips to help.

BEFORE INTERVIEW

Phone a friend – Practice a live interview with family of friends and get feedback. Try to identify bad traits. Also ensure that you speak slowly, clearly and in a polite manner.

DURING INTERVIEW

Relax during interview – most jobseekers find phone interviews easier as they can hide nerves. As with face to face interviews it is essential to relax.

Be yourself – Sell yourself BUT don’t try to be someone you are not.

Professional – Turn off any background noises like the TV and remember that it is an interview. I have known some jobseekers to dress up as they would for a normal interview to get them in the mood. Answer the phone “Good morning, Brian speaking”.

Enthusiasm – The difficulty with phone interviews is that they take away body language so you must portray enthusiasm with you voice and tone. Remember to smile before you pick up the phone.

For more interview and cv advice.

Interviews can be tough enough to get so when you do get an important interview prepare yourself to ensure maximum performance. Fail to prepare and prepare to fail. This post outlines a few things to avoid at interview

Arriving late

I arrived late for an interview once BUT I was the interviewer. If you arrive late for an interview kiss the job goodbye. I know in Ireland we have very unpredictable traffic and transport systems. Leave yourself plenty of time. I recommend that you leave early and when you arrive get a coffee and read the paper. You never know you might read some important information for your interview.

Wrong names

I am very bad with names BUT there are techniques to improve this area. There is one sure way to make the wrong impression and that is calling an interviewer by the wrong name. Memorise names before the interview. If you come across new people at the interview you can repeat the names to yourself or when you talk to the individual state the name.

Having nothing to say

This is really down to preparation. If you prepare properly you will have plenty to say at interview.

Being too modest

This is quite common through the job search process. Most jobseekers undersell themselves on their CV and at interview. You get one shot at an interview so ensure that you make an impact. At interview don’t wait to be asked for your achievements. Offer them to support your interview answers.

Lack of enthusiasm

Some jobseekers use this as a strategy to place themselves more favorably when it comes to salary negotiations. The “I don’t need you – you need me strategy”. Be careful with this as you could lose an important job. Enthusiasm is essential at interview. If you want the job ensure that you have energy at interview.

Do you need interview preparation support? Interview coaching in Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare

“Is Career Coaching or Interview Coaching worth the money?”

Many jobseekers ask this question when they set out on their job hunting journey. It is the million dollar question and this question can be asked about any service though.

Is a mechanic worth the money?
Is a barber worth the money?

Services are worth the money when you get a good service for the money paid. Career Coaching and Interview Coaching is no different.

A good coach can help you achieve your career goal. You have to ask yourself if this is worth paying for. If you do the research and choose a coach as you would any other service. Need a coach in the Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare or North Wicklow?