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.

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 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 information about a potential employer important?

It certainly is and it is a key component to proper interview preparation. There are a few of reasons. It shows the interviewer that you have prepared for the interview and provides evidence that you have a focused to job hunting. Secondly it benefits you by confirming that this is the company that you want to join.

Sources of information.

The Internet – Most companies will have a website that can provide valuable information. It is important that you search beyond this. Do online searches to find up to date information that could help you stand out from the competition. Most of the competition will just use the company website.

People working for the company – A great resource providing valuable insider information. If you don’t know any employees then ask your network of friends, work colleagues or family.

Competition – Request information from competitors about the potential employer and information about the competitor.

Papers – Many interviewers will ask what news caught your eye in the morning papers so have a quick read before any interview. It is important that you do not miss any information about the company. I have seen this happen.

Article provided by Paul Mullan a Career Coach in Ireland

“Fail to prepare, Prepare to fail”. This statement is so true for interviews. There are five key points that must be part of any interview preparation.

Does the job meet your requirements?
Attending interviews can take much time, effort and cost so ensure that the job and the company meet your requirements. I guess you should have established this before you even sent your CV BUT unfortunately much job hunting is the scattergun approach.

Information is power
Leading on from point one. If there is key information that you need to help make your decision to attend the interview then – ask ask ask!! More importantly you must try to find out about what is involved in the interview and selection process. What type of interview? How many interviewers? What type of psychometric tests are involved? The more information you get the more focused your interview preparation can be.

Know the employer and what they want
This is the critical part of any interview preparation. You can clarify key points if you get the opportunity to speak with the employer. If this is not possible then job specifications, websites, recruitment agents, company employees and friends can prove valuable resources.

How do you meet the job requirements?
This is about matching your skills and experience to the requirements of the employer. It is important to list achievements and successes that will add meat to your statements. This can make you stand out at interview.

Know your CV
I am amazed how many interviewees trip up when asked basic interview questions like “why are you leaving your current role?” You need to know dates of employment and explanations to why you joined and departed previous employment. You must also be able to provide details on your duties and responsibilities focusing your message to the needs of the employer.

Career experts can help your interview preparation.

Once upon a time job hunting was a pleasant experience. You saw a job, posted your CV, got invited to the company for a friendly chat and then you started work shortly after.

Traditional interview were nothing more than an unstructured chat on any subject from your interests, to your hobbies, to your last job or what you did the previous weekend. Unfortunately this is changing and employers are becoming more scientific. Traditional interviews are rare and online assessments, competency interviews, assessment centers and psychometric testing are all tools and techniques that companies are turning to in a bid the hire the right candidate.

Rather than tell you about these terms I have 2 points to make. If you are looking for a new job you MUST prepare for interviews. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. As importantly you must ask the client what is involved in the interview process. Many jobseekers ignore this point. When this information is highlighted and you know what to expect you can focus your preparation much better.

While on my work placement at college I participated in the job interviews to replace me when I returned to college. This was my first experience of being on the other side of the table. Interviews are a stressful time for the jobseeker but they can equally be a stressful time for the interviewers – as I found out.

We had seven interviews scheduled for one particular day so we decided to add a bit of fun to the day. First question we asked each candidate was to tell a joke. We did this to lighten the atmosphere, put the interviewees at ease but also to make it more fun for us. I will point out that this was not a critical hire for the organisation!!

I met with an interview coaching client the other day who had recently been asked to tell a joke at interview which brought up the whole subject again. He asked my advice on this. 99% of you will never be asked this question at interview BUT if you are I would fall on the side of decency and caution. If I was the interviewer I would be hard to offend me BUT you won’t always get me. If you are asked this question then the likelihood is that the interviewer has a sense of humor but this is not set in stone. So when you are preparing for your next interview make sure you practice a few jokes. Here is a safe one: Why are they putting the accountants at the bottom of the ocean?
They found out that deep down they’re really not so bad.