Preparation for an interview!!

In our publication March 20, we talked about the importance of planning your recruitment, today we continue with an additional article:

Interviewee Skills

So you have managed to successfully get through the application stage of the recruitment process and they now want you to attend an interview. 

This is the point at which you are able to highlight your knowledge and skills confidently and assertively, answering the interviewer’s questions with ease and grace. Unfortunately this is not naturally the case as often our nerves, self-confidence and personal reservations get in the waty of us doing this.

“There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars”

-       Mark Twain

Remember that they want you they really want you to succeed because they want to fill the position          

                          

What Now?

Have you heard the saying ‘ Fail To Prepare – Prepare To Fail’

This has never been more true when it comes to interview it really is a case of :

Preparation-Preparation-Preparation

What the Experts Say

‘The interviewee that has done their research has the edge at interview.’

1.   Research The Organisation

• Look on their website
• Down load facts and figures
• Know their Values
• Find their mission statement
• Who are their competitors?
• Call them for Brochures /what is their key message to customers?
• What else do they do?
• Google their Name see what reports/ Press releases come up.

2.   Swap Shoes!

Make a list of questions that you would ask if you were interviewing a person for this job:

• What would you want to know?
• What would you want to hear?
• What would you want not to know or hear?
• Organise your Referees

3.   Visualise the interview

This may sound a bit whacky but it is the key to success employed by many successful people. Look at Athletes they will tell you how important visualizing every step and imagining it going well.

4.   Practice Role Play with a friend or family member

• Practice your confident handshake and winning smile
• Know your CV very well
• Practice Rapport building Questions
• Use your list of Interview questions and practice your answers
• Ask some questions have them written down if you need to
• Get Feed Back
• Can you talk about your competencies without sounding too cocky or too humble?
• Learn To Close with style
• Know your behaviours ie: Drive for Quality Planning and organizing

5.   Image Check  - make a good first impression

• Check Your Route before the day
• Check out appropriate dress code for the organization
• If in doubt Dress conservatively in smart professional wear [suits are the best option] 
• No Cartoon ties or socks
• Shoes are a give away make sure they are clean and heeled
• Mirror check teeth, nose and hair before you go in
• Be polite to everyone you meet you don’t know who they are!!
• Be enthusiastic and interested and listen carefully
• Hold something on your lap so you don’t click a pen or fiddle with hair or jewellery

Fresh Learning offers a range of training and support with Interviewee skills. For more information, send us a message using the contact form on the right-hand side of this post or email hello@freshlearning.eu.

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How to write a successful CV

WHAT IS A C.V?

 Curriculum Vitae  means   ‘Course of Life’

‘A brief account of ones education, qualifications and previous occupations.’ 

The Oxford English Dictionary

Head hunters, recruitment specialists and Human Resources managers see it as a ‘Sales Document’ one that will get you the interview not the job!

You will be the person who gets yourself the job. The word Brief is important. It can be tempting to oversell and write reams so here are some pointers for an effective C.V.      

       

PURPOSE OF THE CV

Your CV is aimed at grabbing the attention of those reading it. It needs to help the reader tune in to ‘WIIFM’  ‘What’s In It For Me!’ or in the case of a company WIIFT What’s In It For Them.

For this reason Focus on each position you have held think or what you have done, you need to show:

§  The achievements that you have accomplished

§  The problems you have solved

§  How you have saved the company money?

§  How you have saved the company time?

§  Where you increased their sales?

You can quantify every statement that you make:

§  Which positions you have held

§  The responsibilities and achievements within them

§  Evidence of Leadership

§  Evidence Of Teamwork

The Experts Say

1. Remember - the aim of the CV is to get an overview 
2. Don’t lie on your CV – the truth will come out in the interview 
3. Pay attention to details – look at fonts, alignment, spelling, grammar and overall presentation

PROFESSIONAL

Research has shown that Recruiters very rarely appreciate Whacky C.V’S. In a competitive world it might be tempting to try to make your C.V stand out from the crowd. It is a big risk and recruiters are much more likely to consider a conventional C.V. They are busy people and can deal more effectively with what they accept as normal and indeed expect to see.

• Brief = max 2 pages
• No matter how specialist or experienced you are A recruiter will not appreciate a novel landing on their desk!
• Obey the 2 page Rule maximum.
• Leave a white space to make it easy to read.                 

Remember

The Interview is the place where you expand on all your experience if there is a gap in your career history… 

There are essentially two ways you can deal with gaps in your work history, whatever the reason for them may be. Firstly, you can draw the reader’s attention to them by highlighting them in the most positive way possible, e.g. Career Break – state this and show the relevant positive experiences you gained during your time off. Alternatively, you can change the format of your CV from the more ‘traditional’ chronological style to the functional style CV.

Relevance

Every CV should be drawn up with the aim of getting a specific job. This will help you focus on what the specific requirements of the job are, and then on showing how your experience demonstrates your ability to fulfill those requirements.

Top Tip = New CV for each new job application

Have a template that has all your dates, training and qualifications on it and always individualise the:

• Summary /Personal Profile
• Descriptions of your achievements,
• Skills
• Responsibilities to the job specification you are applying for. 

Fresh Learning offers a range of training and support with CV writing skills. For more information, send us a message using the contact form on the right-hand side of this post or email hello@freshlearning.eu.

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How to improve Presentation Skills?

Knowing & influencing your audience.

You’re standing there, ready to deliver that big presentation. How do you feel?

A great presentation is one that informs, persuades and entertains. These hints and tips will enable you to present with confidence and professionalism – whatever the purpose.

Effective communication

Words

Everything we say has an impact and therefore when we are advised to choose our words carefully it would be wise to do so.  Using positive, dynamic and clear words help us to express ourselves clearly and confidently.

Example: The top line words are positive alternatives to the  words underneath:

I will	Certainly	However	Challenge
(I can)	(Perhaps)	(But)	(Problem)

Tone

The words we use are very important. However, according to experts in communication, the tone we use when saying them carries more impact than the words themselves. Therefore our tone should reflect the positive image we wish to portray of our company and ourselves.

Speed	Volume	Pitch	Inflection
Emphasis	Projection	Rhythm	Breath

Body Language

Your facial expressions; your posture; the gestures and movements you make - can influence the listener’s understanding.  Being aware of our body language can help us to understand the reactions we may be receiving.  Is our body language in tune with the rest of communication?  Be aware of:

Eye Contact	Smile	Facial Expression	Hands
Posture	Arms	Legs	Space

Starting your Presentation

Before the presentation

• Arrive ahead of time
• Check location of power points and extension leads
• Check that all equipment works and there are no trailing leads or other hazards
• Get spare bulbs, pens, pads, chalk, etc.
• Arrange seating
• Check that presentation notes are to hand
• Check that samples, diagrams and hand-outs are available
• Check lunch/coffee/tea arrangements

First impressions last

• Take control from the outset
• Establish contact with the group immediately
• Go through your opening ritual

Managing your Nerves

Preparing yourself

• Know your role and your reasons for talking
• Become familiar with the place in which you will speak
• If possible, greet some of the audience as they arrive
• Visualise yourself speaking
• Realise people want you to succeed
• Don't apologise for being nervous

Starting to speak

• Regulate your breathing
• Relax your face and neck muscles
• Establish eye contact
• Occupy your hands, if necessary, in a non-distracting way
• Start your opening ritual

Looking good

• Take control and keep it
• Manage your mannerisms
• Use gestures as appropriate
• Use facial expressions, consciously
• Use appropriate body language
• Use your position in the room, consciously
• Concentrate on your message and you will forget about your nerves
• Turn nervous energy into enthusiasm

Using your Voice

Voice Control

• Control your breathing
• Project, don’t shout
• Vary the pitch, tone, volume and pace
• Don’t swallow the ends of words and sentences

Holding interest

• Use punctuation, for pauses
• Use questions

Receiving Feedback

• Listen carefully
• Think about whether or not you agree with what is being said
• Be clear - ask questions
• See if other people agree with what is being said
• Ask more questions if you want more feedback
• Decide if you want to take action as a result of the feedback
• Thank the other person for giving the feedback

Fresh Learning offers a range of training and support with presentation skills. For more information, send us a message using the contact form on the right-hand side of this post or email hello@freshlearning.eu.

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