For months the chocolate eggs have been on the shelves, a huge array far earlier than I had any inclination to think about Easter, let alone make my selection. They were no more than a frustrating distraction and unnecessary use of space when my mind wanted to be on other things.
Then, just on the day I decided I needed to find some it was really difficult. I wasn't even looking for anything special or unique - the recipient likes a traditional chocolate egg, must be Cadburys, but that's it! Easy to buy for. Any variety of that well-known brand would do. But all I could find was the right brand but with a surplus fluffy bunny, or fairly standard but the wrong brand and often then a bit battered looking. The very last dejected tiny selection.
It can be like that with graduate employers and schemes. You spend time all through the autumn graduate recruitment phase dodging graduate recruiters with stands and leaflets, scrolling past ads on social media, deleting emails from the Careers Service and other parts of the University. You get so used to them being there every year, every term especially in the autumn when you are busy with other things, that you've got great and filtering them out of your consciousness. Something to think about later, later, later. Comfortable in the knowledge that they'll always be there when you need them. Until suddenly they're not!
You go to check out the schemes you'd been meaning to, only to find they've closed - places filled. Or there are some but only in the locations you don't want to live, or in the functions you can't get excited about. Now you're really having to seek them out too, you are no longer tripping over them. The employers have their eyes on the next graduate recruitment drive, or priority in their calendar. They're not on campus all of a sudden, or you aren't, and you suddenly feel a bit at sea.
If this is where you are now, final year or graduated and wondering if you've missed the boat, all is not lost at all. There are still graduate opportunities. The three stores I knew had the biggest quantity and range of eggs looked like they had been ransacked. But, a small store I know I can often count on, despite its size, continued to be well stocked with its smaller but still reasonable range. Ok, I paid a tiny bit more and if I'd had a specific egg in mind I might have missed out, but it was fine, and I wasn't too overwhelmed by choice.
So, just keep calm, don't panic into choosing something you know you'll hate and revisit your job search strategy to make sure you are tapping into quality resources. Don't use directories and lists of employers published in the autumn of your final year, don't focus on what you've missed only what is still out there. Don't get depressed about the presentations and events you've missed just move to interacting with employers via social media, or through alumni contacts, or relevant online forums or events which happen in your target sector, rather than looking for them on a deserted campus.
Alternatively, perhaps this is serendipity, and you realise that there are other gifts perhaps preferable to a chocolate egg, or a chocolate anything! There are other ways into organisations (other than the graduate schemes), many organisations don't have graduate schemes, for instance smaller companies which just happen to be where most of the population work anyway.
Maybe the timing just wasn't right. You don't expire as a graduate, worst case scenario - the graduate opportunity you now realise you hunger for will come up again. Once you've left university you still qualify to take part in the mass graduate recruitment drives. Only this time you might be more certain it's for you and so more likely to get it too. Just as a chocolate gift at another time might be more appreciated.
Perhaps you could make your own personalised chocolate egg, I mean job opportunity. Within an organisation, perhaps starting as a volunteer, or working for yourself.
If you are not yet in the position of having avoided on campus opportunities and filtering out employer information, perhaps the coming autumn is your final year, then do give some thought to what you might select.
Don't be panicked by constantly thinking that you might miss the boat and don't go too far in the opposite direction applying for everything all over the place. Still ignore what you know isn't for you.
But perhaps don't ignore it all, just because you decide you aren't ready to think about graduation and the world of work yet. Take some time to reflect on flavours and ingredients you love. Maybe stop for the occasional conversation with a recruiter, look at some of the ingredients for some of the graduate schemes and maybe taste a few samples, or ask others if they're enjoying their first tastes of employment after graduation.
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No..? Well don't feel bad or strange, you aren't alone. Perhaps you've spent your whole life trying to make decisions based on logic about what you or others think you are good at, what seems sensible, or best guesses about the job market. You may have been scared to risk dropping a grade going for a subject you wanted to explore but might not be as good at. You may feel you can't try a different job because people would call you mad for leaving behind what you have, but feel quietly disappointed and unexcited by the prospect of work tomorrow.
I believe that researching careers is best done after, or at least alongside, drawing up your own list of the perfect mix of sweet 'stuff' making up your ideal career or even day at work. I say 'stuff' not because my vocabulary is that limited but because I don't want to influence what that might be. Also, if you don't like the pick and mix of sweets analogy, then think about ingredients making up a perfect dish instead.
Grab a stack of scrap paper or sticky notes.
Pick an experience you've had: a part time job, a position on a committee, an event you were involved in organising, experience travelling. If you've been in work longer term, then perhaps pick one particular project, period of time or team you worked in.
Now on one small piece of paper write something positive about that experience. For example, I really enjoyed my time there because the people were great. Take another piece of paper and repeat. Perhaps, I loved that event because the smiles on people's faces felt so good. I got really engrossed in those meetings where we talked about strategy, time just flew. Keep going until you can't think of any more positives. This short post might help you to identify more specifically what was going on when you were at your best.
Next jot down something you didn't like. For example, the work required a lot of attention to detail and that's not really for me. Repeat. The culture and pace were just a bit too slow moving for me. Giving presentations was stressful. The commute meant late nights and no socialising in the evening which got me down. I just didn't really feel great about what the organisation does. Again, keep going until done.
You don't have to keep two separate piles of positive and negative just throw them all together, pick another experience and repeat. You can do this as many times as you like but 2 or 3 experiences will probably be enough to try the next step. The experiences you use don't have to be kept separate either, you now have one lovely big pile of useful data about yourself. This to me, is gold to fund your career planning.
Go through each point one by one and decide what it is you were talking about. It makes no difference whether it's a positive or negative. Just ask yourself - what am I referring to here? Does this point (positive or negative) relate to a lifestyle factor (location, hours, salary..), a skill/task I enjoy or don't enjoy using/doing, my interests, something about my personality, something about my values, something about the culture or environment I was in, for instance the people or the physical environment. Place each note in the relevant pile. Yes, positive and negative can still be all in together you just want to stack up under the above headings, or others if some other theme occurs which doesn't fit my categories.
What is the mix? Do you have 6 stacks, or maybe less because some of the categories I suggested aren't of significance to you? That's ok, some people don't find that the tasks they actually do in a day is a factor in their career choice or happiness. Or personality and values haven't really had a noticeable impact yet. Or, you may have come up with a category I didn't list. It doesn't matter this just tells you in a broad sense what is important to you, so what factors you should perhaps research or consider when ruling options in or out.
What stands out as more important? Is one stack of notes bigger than the others, or maybe a couple? Is one absent, or very small?
What you have here is your ideal mix of ingredients making up the most desirable work situations for you, right now. If values stand out as particularly important then you can focus, or at least start, your exploration of career options around those. If interests are key, then you can read about certain sectors and organisations to see which areas you enjoy reading about and develop views on - because they are interesting to you.
Your ideal mix will most likely grow and change a bit as you get more experience and as your life and priorities change. But that's ok, you can add in more preferences and things you want to avoid at any time and as the desired ingredients and proportions change, then you just seek new recipes to fit.
]]>Start by looking at your university vacancy system for internship schemes advertised by large organisations and perhaps smaller ones local to your university. Some smaller organisations may advertise later in the year. There are also national sites such as PROSPECTS, TARGETjobs and milkround
This is a good introduction to the world of work, rather than education. You are now outside of the world of clearing, set timetables and deadlines. It's time to put aside the idea of one or two resources listing all your options and a common application and selection process.
Scary? Well, yes it can be. Confusing and overwhelming? Certainly.
If you re-frame it though, look at the freedom! That you are no longer constrained by a missed grade or one missed deadline. You can use a variety of strategies to find an internship and play to your strengths.
Some internships are aimed at students in a specific year of study. In the UK this is commonly the penultimate year, although that can be ambiguous. If you are doing an industrial placement year or year abroad where does that fit, and did you know that if you are planning to do a Masters degree, then your final year might count as penultimate? If you're not sure you qualify, check before spending days applying. For some sectors, applying in your first year is more desirable, others in your final year.
If you just look by an internet search you might come up with internships seeming to want lots of experience already! They may be aimed at graduates, common in some industries; or be outside the UK, where graduate internships are more common.
Put yourself in the shoes of your target organisation. Universities have big budgets for promoting their courses to you, as do large graduate recruiters for their vacancies. A smaller organisation, not recruiting graduates or interns in large numbers, won't create internship schemes and advertise on national sites.
Charities and organisations who receive lots of speculative approaches aren't going to use up time and funds advertising so much. It's not entirely logical which sectors have a tradition of speculative approaches, nor which are likely to be unpaid, so you just have to find out.
Any of the above might advertise through your university, as usually that's free, but it just might not occur to them to do so. They might not particularly target students, instead choosing to spread the word in places where they know their sector 'tribes' already hang out.
National career sites have some fantastic sector briefings and your own careers service may have too. You can discover specialist vacancy sources, professional bodies and typical employers you might then approach speculatively. Also, they will have suggestions about the most useful experiences to help you develop the knowledge, skills and contacts to break into a particular career. Which reminds me...
Because it most definitely is NOT the only way. This is particularly important if you are going to make those speculative approaches I keep mentioning. You can send an email, with a CV attached, asking specifically for an internship. If you get a really good targeted CV and cover letter together, experiment with your approach and catch the right person at the right time, that might work. On the other hand, it often won't.
Be considerate of the person receiving your approach. Do they have the same understanding as you about what it means to offer a placement, internship, experience, work shadowing? Have you thought about what they could gain from this? If it's not a routine strategy they use to attract a pipeline of students and graduates, have you considered how much work it might be to set up an internship? They have to think about what to do with you, who is going to manage you, what they can let you loose on and not, possibly confidentiality issues, legislation about pay and conditions.
Be flexible. By all means ask for what you would ideally like, e.g., a summer internship. But you might also acknowledge how that might not work for them and that you would be grateful for any advice or suggestions. So perhaps a week might work better, or a day shadowing, or even a coffee or chat over the phone for 20 minutes.
Think about why you're doing this. Probably for some advice, contacts, insight, ideas. From just a conversation you can learn about many things: the highs and lows of the work, how it's changing, common routes in. This smaller step of a chat may well lead to you following up with a CV, or some actual experience. If not, you still have a contact for the future and perhaps they know someone else you could talk to?
Make it easy for someone to say yes. If you do your research, listen to the demands of the job and consider your skills, you may be able to suggest a way you can help your potential host. Nearly everyone has something they keep meaning to do and don't have time for. Perhaps it's some social media marketing, a research project, setting up a new database. Could you help with that?
Or is there at least something where you will cause them no extra work. One careers service I worked for regularly received approaches from newly qualified careers advisers looking for experience. We did often help but sometimes it was just far too busy to even think about. I remember one careers adviser who looked at what we were doing, saw that an autumn fair was coming up and just asked if she could come to that. Yes, fine, brilliant, easy! We felt helpful but with no effort, she could chat to staff, students, employers and help out and she did later go on to work for us full time.
Put in some extra groundwork. That's obvious from the points above really, but you will stand out from others if your communication clearly demonstrates research into and understanding of the organisation you approach. If you're not genuinely interested or not going to show it then, frankly, don't bother! Groundwork means time and energy, so less is often more when it comes to how many speculative approaches you make.
Be creative and personal. Researching the work of a particular organisation might change your approach. For instance, advertising or media agencies will have different cultures and respond to more or less formal approaches, which you can gauge by looking at their clients, their work and their staff.
Find something in common with the organisation, perhaps their values or connections with a specific region. Medium sized accountancy firms for instance often like employees who have links to an area as they may know and care more about local businesses.
Don't get too personal in terms of researching individuals and if you're not good at determining where to draw those lines seek advice, but it can be good to find something in common with an individual too. Perhaps use alumni contacts so you have the same course or university in common, perhaps you have an acquaintance in common. Sometimes a difference can also be interesting to an employer, as it brings a different perspective.
Seriously! You won't get everything perfect every time. But take regular steps. When you aren't getting results; review, get feedback, tweak your strategies. It's a great time to explore and you have nothing to lose by asking, spreading the word and trying your best. Soon you will gain momentum and others will help and work for you. Then you will truly find some amazing experiences and learn so much about work and yourself.
]]>Treating applications like a 'numbers game' is a bit like:
- trying to play all instruments in an orchestra or
- training for 5 sports to increase chances of a medal.
In reality, to secure the best job for you takes FOCUS.
When you focus on one application at a time (or at least one type of job) your form, CV and letters will be targeted and relevant enough to engage the reader and give them confidence that you are a likely contender.
This is a marketing document, and your potential 'buyer' needs to see (easily) that you have the relevant: skills, knowledge, experience and qualities. To get this across you must understand the job ad and specification; or if it's vague do your research. You must be able to recognise the evidence you have to fit the requirements and be able to articulate that evidence using language your target employer will understand.
Some people find this all harder than others. If you find it difficult, this is absolutely no reflection of your suitability for the role. The skills to get through application and selection processes are unrelated to the skills required in most jobs. So, don't feel defeated, get help. Don't get someone to write it for you! Ideally get help to develop this skill for life not one application, you'll be amazed how you can improve with a bit of coaching.
The top way to stand above your competition is to write a researched, focused, specific and genuine answer to "why do you want to work for us?". If you have to ask what you should write to make a good answer to that one you need to go away and research the employer and role and think about what you want from work. If you still can't think of what to say, then maybe you are focusing on the wrong job?!
Don't use cliches, don't lie, don't be generic. This all applies to applications for courses as well as jobs. Expand on your reasoning to explain not only what is appealing and important to you, but also why. For example, the fact that a company is large and international may be genuinely appealing, but why? So far you are only telling them what you know and nothing about you or why that appeals. Get specific. Maybe you have spent your life moving around the world, couldn't imagine not using your languages and like nothing better than learning about different cultures and seeing how you can adapt.
Don't write that exactly! But you get the idea, with anything you write ask yourself "why?" again, then again until you get to the specifics. Now your application is starting to sound a little bit different to every other application and is telling them more about your personality, values or interests.
If you look at your answer and think you could paste it into other applications that's not great. Especially if you do so and forget to change the name of the organisation in the process.
If you've not explicitly been asked "Why this role and why us?" don't think you've avoided this. If the application is a CV and cover letter then it should be addressed in the cover letter. If the application is mostly a big blank 'supporting statement' you should of course use that space to say why you are suited to the role, with evidence, but also part of that is why you want to be there.
So for the "why us?" question mentioned above, don't just repeat all the relevant skills you have.
For competency questions make sure you answer every part of the question. STAR can be helpful to remind you to cover: the Scenario, the Task (what was important and what was tricky), the Actions you took and the Result and possibly Reflection on what you learnt. There is a lot of advice out there for competency questions and if you are completing applications for graduate schemes you will probably write a lot of these. But remember...
Read the question again. Just because you see the phrase 'team work' or 'problem solving' don't just paste an answer from another application without carefully checking the phrasing. Examples you used before may fit, or they may not quite and show up as obvious cut and paste jobs.
I know if it's a dream job you don't want to put a foot wrong and that's great. But don't stifle your personality or ideas. If you are too careful your application can become too full of buzz words and too like every other application. Imagine reading through a big pile of applications on a Friday evening and you can imagine how quickly they turn into "blah, blah, blah".
Personalise in the "why us?" question mentioned above. But also questions about commercial awareness and ideas. So, if you are asked about the top 3 issues for that company and how they should handle them, you don't want to be too wacky and miss the sensible answers but if something strikes you or you feel a strong opinion and worry "is that right?" you might be on to something good. These questions rarely have one answer, you will rarely know the best answer or you would already be running the organisation and the reader may not agree with you. But, if your answer is backed up by research and it demonstrates real interest and opinions you'd like to discuss more at interview, then it's probably great.
Clearly creative questions you definitely must not hold back. Guess what most people write in response to: "if you had a million pounds what would you do with it?" Normally it's along the lines of "Give £x to charity, invest £x and use £x pounds to start..."
To all questions ask yourself, why are they asking that? This question is probably asked by a company valuing creativity and big thinking. Again there is no one 'correct' answer; maybe it will be a well thought out plan (but not boring), something reflecting your values (and their's), or maybe something more amusing and entertaining. If you make them think, or spill their tea, or laugh, that has to be better than the most common answers which will just lead to 😴
Even better swap around with friends to proof for each other too, as it's easier to spot others mistakes. Here are some real life examples of when students didn't:
* My hobbits include..
* I'd like to work in the pubic sector.
* Look forward to hearing from you shorty.
* I attach my CV to you.
* I am a conscious individual.
Please don't lie. Apart from me personally just wishing everyone could be more honest, not everyone realises how damaging this can be. I've been laughed and scoffed at for saying so as lying on applications isn't uncommon. But, you don't just risk being caught out at interview or damaging your conscience, it is actually fraud and you could be prosecuted. I agree, that doesn't often happen, but even if you 'just' get found out, recruitment can be a small world so you don't want to get a bad reputation from the start.
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Before you start making plans, give yourself the advantage of knowing 5 reasons why change can be so difficult. Particularly if you have tried before or are blaming and shaming yourself at all for having not enough skills, motivation or willpower.
Okay, so let's ensure knowledge really is power and work with those perfectly human and understandable tendencies.
Coaching through change is a huge topic and we all go through some change throughout our lives, but here are some tips to get started tackling the 5 barriers.
1. The key first step to change is to decide 100%. Are you going to start a the change now? And that is the only decision - "change now". "change" without the now is deciding that you aren't going to.
If you're not sure about this one. Ask yourself if the particular career change is really important to you? If it's someone else's goal or something you describe as a change or move you 'should' make, then you are off to a bad start.
Then if you're still not sure if it's worth it, really think about the gain and what you will miss out on if you don't do this? Because our brain's default is for no change we have to believe that staying as we are is absolutely guaranteed to be a bigger risk or less desirable than changing. If you need to seek guidance or a sounding board at this point, get it.
Once you decide to make a change, success is actually the easiest path, because 'all in' is easier. Holding back, doubt, hesitations, delay, procrastination, those are when it's really hard.
2. Be patient with yourself. It is easy to think something is a permanent change and then we slip back. Remember you are often building new habits and beliefs, which you may have formed over years! The old pathway will always remain and it will take time for new beliefs to become the stronger default. But you can keep starting and it gets easier.
3. Think big but then act small to start with. Key is to remember that habit is more important than intensity. So set a low bar you can meet everyday, e.g. looking at one job ad. You may exceed that most days but if you still reach that low bar even on an unmotivated day, then your brain will conclude success not failure. Do all you can to stay in success, no matter how tiny the action. Don't be tempted to think that if you completed one application on Monday, or tackled one difficult work issue, then you can complete two on Tuesday, three on Wednesday. Your aim is to trick your brain into thinking this is not a big change, no big deal, no risk.
4. Reduce the fear further. What is this about fear and risk all the time? This sounds silly, you may logically think "I'm not scared of completing applications" but at some level you probably are - fear of not doing a good application, fear of rejection, fear of getting to interview. Again this is a big topic with lots of strategies, but my best tip is to decide on an action when you are as relaxed as possible, pick a time to do it, again broken down to quite small, then just start at that time, on auto pilot. Like the habit of going to the gym - it's easier if decide the night before that you will go, decide on the time and put your gym clothes ready. Rather than thinking about whether to go or not (and talking yourself out of it), whilst you're lying in bed the next morning considering the time, the weather, how you feel. Of course the gym or an application shouldn't be scary, but remember to your brain it is if you've survived where you are so far.
5. Use your environment to help you. Putting the gym clothes ready is changing your environment. So is putting the laptop and your CV on the desk ready to work on in the morning. Also observe where you go, who with, what anchors you have around you. If you spend most of your time talking with people who don't want to move on from the job you did see as temporary, it will become harder to break away from the same mindset and limitations. Your environment can also be yourself - do you notice any self-limiting beliefs and justifications for not making the move you intended to?
6. Accountability. Mainly this is to yourself. Set little actions and follow through will increase your confidence that you can count on yourself. Other ways to make your ideas into real achievable goals, rather than fantasies to fade in a puff of smoke are:
If you do employ a Career Coach, ensure that they don't tell you what actions to take, but work to help you:
Let me tell you a little more about coaching, so you are clear what it is and isn't.
Check you are ready for coaching and if any questions or concerns have not been covered contact me.
Then go ahead and book me.
]]>The main explanation is the way our brains work, how we've evolved. So don't beat yourself up for not being brave enough, smart enough or having enough will power. Change can be exhilarating but it's not your fault that change is also often very hard!!
Your brain's top two priorities are to:
1. Save energy, which means follow the same habits - of thought and action. Until and unless it becomes clear that a change is definitely happening, then the brain will resist putting energy into creating a new neural pathway. It would rather revert to the old automatic pathways. This is why a new thought pattern or habit takes time to stick, or grove in, sometimes a very long time.
2. Keep you safe, which again means stick to what you know. Change is the only way to enrich and improve your life but your brain is wired for survival. You've survived so far right? So best not change. Change, however positive the potential gain might be, is a loss, we are giving up something.
Our next undoing can be our own enthusiasm for change, because..
3. You are not a super hero. When we are fired up to make a change it is easy to get started and to think big and that is fantastic. However, imagine you go from eating no fresh food and decide to eat only vegetables. You start big and eat only vegetables for 2 days, but on the 3rd have some cheese, what happens? Do we have one slip and then keep on track? Not normally, another slip happens the next day. If we don't judge ourselves too harshly then that's fine still may be incredibly healthy. But, if the goal was only vegetables then chances are you will be disappointed and feel you have failed. So may as well fail a bit further, eat some cake too, then delay for a day and eat whatever you like, then another day. Maybe start again next week, with unrealistic expectations, fall again and so on it spirals.
4. Environment always wins This is an absolutely huge topic, so it's sneaky for me to put this in as 1 reason really. Your environment is broken down into 9 areas including your physical environment and the people around you. Ever tried resisting chocolate when it's in the house or wine when a friend is having some? Then you know, willpower has to be incredibly strong to beat the environment and willpower can't last 24 hours a day indefinitely.
5. Lack of accountability. Most change is a 'nice to have' not life or death and therefore however easy it starts, it's also easy to stop. This is why if you have accountability, with a coach, or a friend to run with you, chances of success are much higher.
Has that comforted you into leaving this page now and staying where you are in life? Or do you still want to change? Is the certainty, safety and path of least resistance still unappealing?
First - what is your decision? The key first step to change is to decide. Are you going to start a the change now? And that is the only decision - "change now". "change" without the now is deciding that you aren't going to.
Second, what are you going to do next? In order to:
The answers are up to you and there are lots of strategies you can use to make a change. Although I believe everyone needs some support to achieve the best they can, you can certainly achieve a lot by reading '6 Ways to Make Change Easier.'
If you want to make a big change, such as a career change, then you might want expert advice and support. Coaching is the only way I know for getting the kind of support that means someone, with no agenda of their own, right there alongside you wanting you to achieve your goal as much as you do. To be honest and supportive. To help you find perspective and solutions. To motivate you and most of all to provide accountability to ensure changes happens, more quickly than possible on your own.
Let me tell you a little more about coaching, so you are clear what it is and isn't.
Check you are ready for coaching and if any questions or concerns have not been covered contact me.
Then go ahead and book me.
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To reassure you that no-one is perfect, this will cheer you up if job interviews aren't going so well at the moment.
Here are some whoppers made by: me, friends, graduates and candidates I've interviewed or observed.
* I was asked what made good customer service. Easy and I started well with "patience" but then complete brain freeze and couldn't think of anything else. I think I dealt with that by just repeating the same word a couple more times.
* I asked for feedback after not getting the job. Apparently I took swigs of water from a bottle in my bag throughout - NO idea I had been doing that!
* At the end I meant to say "bye", then changed in my mind to "see you", came out as "Boo ya"
* As brain switched from "Thank you" to "Cheers", mouth came out with "Chanks."
* The most awkward part was when the interviewer read from my application how much I wanted to work for PwC. "Could you tell me more about that?", said the Ernst & Young interviewer.
* When I was asked if I had any questions for the interviewer I was pleased to ask my carefully planned super clever question. Unfortunately, I'd made the question too hard for someone at that level to answer and it just left us both feeling stupid.
* One candidate brought along a sample publication he had written. Great - if he had acknowledged that there were obvious ways it would need tailoring for our clients. Worse, he was then very persistent in trying to sell the publication to us.
* When one candidate sat down in the waiting area, the receptionist couldn't miss the fact that the candidate had neglected to put on underwear that morning. This was not Sharon Stone auditioning! Ask your parents.
* I realised afterwards that I probably didn't pay enough attention to the interview panel. I remembered lots about the picture on the wall behind the panel and could describe every detail of some gorgeous shoes one of them was wearing.
Any situation where we are on the spot: job interview, presenting, talking to anyone we want to impress is likely to increase nerves. Increased anxiety equals less brain capacity and more errors.
If you've ever had complete brain freeze and a blank you are not alone. If you have mixed up your words you're not alone. If you've given an answer then realised it was not at all what the interview asked, you are normal. If you have found yourself staring blankly because what the interviewer is saying just won't compute, you're not alone. If you have had something practical go wrong, well you're definitely not alone there.
One of the candidates above actually still got the job, as they kept their cool. I wonder if you can guess which?
Some things you can't predict or prevent. But, if you learn techniques for handling nerves and staying calm and confident in the moment, you certainly help your brain to do it's best.
Practice, instead of just theoretical preparation, also helps HUGELY. So get in touch if you want your job interview performance to get better quicker.
]]>It's that time of year when you might be planning to attend a Graduate Fair to meet potential employers. It can be overwhelming for you and busy for the employers too. So how do you stand out in the employers mind at the end of their long day talking to many people?
It's the same question for autumn career fairs, employer presentations, or any other event you attend where you might be in front of your future employer. Also for any other chance you get to meet an employer. Some people might say "networking" at this point, though I see people grimace when I say that and I don't like it much either, so lets just get "network, network, network" out of the way then ignore the word, it's not needed.
It might even be a conversation with a neighbour's daughter your gran introduces you too. Or someone you meet and get talking to on a train. Or a visiting lecturer another lecturer introduces you to without warning - that's how I got a research post for a year. So always be prepared.
Whatever the scenario, here are my top tips for being remembered and also getting the most out of the opportunity in terms of helping your career goals.
Once a degree was no longer enough to stand out broader skills became important. Then academics, plus skills, plus experience. Oh and motivation and interest too. In my experience the 'cherry on top' of all that for a few years now, has been the professional behaviour of potential candidates. A fit for the expectations of your target employer - the kind of conduct they want you to employ with future colleagues, clients or service users. That is generally more important than grades.
Because recruitment processes are mostly very automated they can feel anonymous and rigid. Yes, the idea might be to make the process standardised. But, there is still room for personal impact, more so in fact. There is still no ideal recruitment tool (or combination of) to guarantee selecting the best applicants and people still trust human judgement more.
That means that someone you speak to may like you enough to jot down your name, look out for your application and push it through to the next stage. Good candidates can slip through the net and if this is you (particularly if you are a bit border line on one criteria) then a great impression at the fair may be what decides your future!
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I imagine someone with low self-esteem telling themselves "I am smart, beautiful and loveable" whilst sobbing. Or, "I am a confident communicator" before falling onto stage to give a presentation, awful. Tragic.
Needless to say, chanting (cross legged on a cushion or not) will not bring to you your heart’s desires. You get what you want in life through: having vision and goals, making a plan or route to get there, being open to that plan changing and spotting new routes and taking action.
However, that action may well include developing your skills set and indeed your mind set. Positive psychology, CBT, learning to manage your emotional states, visualising, affirmations (in terms of choosing where to focus your brain to spot opportunities, not sitting on your behind waiting), CAN be effective.
Don’t tell yourself something you don’t believe. I can’t improve on an analogy another coach gave me, which was that an affirmation you don’t believe is like putting “icing over liver”, or whatever food you hate. You might like icing but pouring it over liver only makes the liver taste worse, not better.
Don’t make it half hearted. Our brains are lazy. Designed to take the easiest route, using the least energy and going for the least change, they quickly return to default where possible. If you think something probably won’t work, then you have instructed your brain to expect that. The consequence? “okay cool, I won’t go all out focusing on finding ways to make that happen then”. The result? You were right all along, it doesn’t work.
Do soften difficult affirmations to find that place where you can believe whole-heartedly without lying to yourself. “I am a super confident accomplished speaker” will cue your brain to look back and pull out all the times you have in fact been a gibbering wreck. Instead you might say, “In the past I have struggled with presentations, but now I am feeling more confident and professional each time”.
Do aim for consistency. Brain operating manual again! If you think/ do something for a bit then stop, your brain’s reaction is to revert to default, it assumes you aren’t going to stick with it this new thought pattern or regime. The more habitual a disempowering habit or thought is, the more work to change it. Managers of gyms see this one a lot in February!
Do take actions, however small, to prove those affirmations to yourself.
“In order for the more substantial pieces of wood to catch fire, the kindling must burn first”, Paulo Coelho
Small is fine, when it comes to progress. So, don’t be down about changing those deeply grooved in brain patterns. The solution is to make your steps teeny tiny and when you slip into the old groove again just get back onto your new track – without judging or blaming yourself. Progress over perfection and habit over intensity. Habit builds self- trust, which gives you momentum to make bigger progress.
]]>The assessment centre activity most candidates worry about is the group task or group discussion. The most common question I get is about group task is:
"How do I make myself heard in a group, in particular how do I cope with one very dominance candidate?"
First things first. If you are about to skip this advice because you aren't worried about this at all...consider...
Are you prone to talking the most in a group? Do you enjoy a good vocal debate?Do you assume that if people have something to say they say it? If the answer is yes then just be aware that you may be that person who dominates too much.
I can remember only two students who have asked me how they should keep a check on their extroverted personality in groups. They were clearly very self aware individuals. There are many more who don't realise they are perhaps stifling others, or at the very least letting potential contributions go to waste in group settings.
For now, for those of you who find speaking up in groups difficult, or who don't but still don't want someone in the group to dominate more than you!
Start by taking a deep breath, resist immediately going into battle for dominance and remember that it is quality of contribution not quantity. Then, try these tactics.
A couple more points to remember. Firstly, one person dominating is not that common, usually groups are very polite and sometimes you can get the reverse with everyone taking time to warm up and constantly apologising for speaking over each other.
Secondly, a group phenomena I do see a lot more often is a pair dominating, this is bad news. If you are relieved that you are getting equal air time with another candidate, stop and consider if you are now just checking decisions with each other instead of really truly involving everyone. No protest and loud agreement from one other candidate, when you say "are we all agreed then?" is NOT the same as group consensus. Pause for those who don't think out loud and watch body language. That quiet person with a contradictory viewpoint may have spotted something crucial the rest of you haven't, so make sure they are heard.
Ultimately some people talk more, some less, that isn't the main point. You must say something to be assessed. If you being taken out of the group would have made no difference to the task outcome, then the assessor may see no reason to hire you. But, contributing to the group outcome is the important thing, not word count
Would you like one to one help to support your through selection and more quickly into your target job? Then book me, the interview preparation package can also be used to prepare for Assessment Centres. Or if you are not sure what you need, just ask me.
There are bound to be things you want to change about your life, you wouldn’t be reading this if that wasn’t true. On the other hand, it’s hard to make progress when you’re feeling stuck and down, so that needs tackling first. Particularly when you’re working on matters related to your career, which can be so hard on the self-esteem.
So how do you pick yourself up?
The easiest and most effective ways to change mindset are not forcing yourself to be happy, beating yourself up, remembering others are worse off, or chanting fake affirmations.
The best actions are not radical changes to your situation, or at least not those BIG changes you intend in a rush of enthusiasm, only to fail at and feel worse. Equally it’s not about doing nothing, pretending all is fine or just wishing and hoping. Some action is needed.
So, based on what we know about the human brain and psychology at the moment, what is key to making a shift then? Excluding any longer term or specialist help, here are the practical things you can do TODAY:
If you can start by making any of the above regular parts of your routine, you can then add in another and another. Any change (even if we know it’s good for us) can cause resistance in the brain so can take time.
But once you get past a certain point your brain will say “oh, okay you’re serious about this, so I’ll move energy away from having to think about each time and make it a habit”.
Once something is a habit then the magic happens because questioning and resistance go down, it uses up far less energy and you get a greater confidence that you can do whatever it is you were intending to tackle.
The knowledge that you can count on yourself to follow through, on top of the above being good habits for well-being anyway, makes such an impact on what you can get out of life. Momentum builds and before you know it, you will be 'unstuck'.
When you can face some of the above steps and feel better, you can then set about taking action in relation to your career goals. Those can be particularly daunting, so I have another blog post (or two) coming soon on how to make those steps easier.
Alternatively, if you are in work but feeling stuck and ready to make a change now, then the bet investment in yourself and your future might be one to one support.
]]>Following on from an earlier blog on interview questions, here are some more interview questions interviewees commonly dread, or answer badly.
I said before that understanding why you are being asked something is key. Once you know that though, some questions are still a bit of a danger zone.
If you immediately shrink and think how much you hate talking about yourself, you might miss an opportunity with this one.
If you immediately think, oh good I'm the sort of person who is fine when I get to interview, I like to talk about myself, then you may answer this just as badly.
"Well, I'm a Leo, born in a small town, eldest of 3, my first word was..." STOP.
DON'T just ramble through your whole life story. PLAN beforehand, rather than avoiding in your preparations and then answering on the spot. What is most relevant to helping the interview decide to hire you? What do you want them to know, remember and maybe ask more about?
This questions is a gift if you plan because it is your chance to summarise your key strengths, why they should hire you. In fact, another more direct way to ask the question is "Why should we hire you?", or "Why should we hire you above other candidates?" If it's at the beginning of the interview, it can be your chance to influence follow up questions.
No real traps or right answers. They genuinely want to get to know you but think in advance which aspects to cover: experience, skills, personality, values, motivations? Not everything.
Pick the points you can back up and where you are strong for the role. Avoid the areas where you know you are a bit weaker, or good but lacking in evidence. So, if you lack experience and know you aren't going to win the race on that basis, you would instead focus on perhaps why it's a perfect next step in terms of where you want to go and how your values fit with the organisation. Another candidate may have more experience but not show such a good understanding of the organisation and such a close fit. Or the interviewer may see you as more likely to enjoy and put energy into the role than someone who has done it all before.
I can see eyes rolling at this one. Occasionally there might be one employer you have in your sights and no other, most of the time though you are applying for more than one and may even have problems telling them apart.
This is critical though and also, in my experience, it's the question most likely to cut you out of the short list if it is asked on an application form.
Employers aren't completely naive, they don't expect you to say you were born wanting to work for them and will never leave. On the other hand they are, understandably, fairly focused on themselves. So they need to conclude that you are genuinely interested and feel good about the prospect of working for and with them.
Show two things with your answer and you will do better than most candidates. Firstly, that you have done your research so that you don't say you want something they clearly can't deliver. Or that you like something about their culture which isn't how they see themselves at all. Secondly, that you have thought about yourself. That you have some awareness about what you want from work and your employer, that you know what you enjoy and what drives you and how they fit for you. You might touch on your strengths, because most of us want to work to our strengths.
But be careful, this question is not a re-hash of "why should we hire you?"
Oh okay great simple, you might think. The company website says they offer: the biggest player in their field, internationally renowned, with a great culture focused on the development of individuals but with a fantastic team spirit. That's what you want so answer done? Well no, not quite.
IF your answer could be applied to their competitor, so perhaps all of the biggest 4 professional services firms, or even to any big international employer, then it's not good enough. You must get more specific than that, dig further and I mean beyond just what the marketing/ PR department of the organisation put on their website. Your reason for choosing that company may be something competitors also say, but show how you have checked that out for yourself critically - perhaps by talking to people working there, perhaps from your experience, perhaps from digging deeper into what they mean by 'team spirit'.
IF your answer could be applied to almost any candidate, then you also need to get more specific. I haven't met many people who don't want 'interesting' work, but what does that mean for you? You may genuinely want to work for a big international company, but why do you? Why is that important to you? Think about how you will make the most of that, why you will benefit. Again, what is it that you want to keep you motivated and enjoying your work?
So, many candidates get focused on selling how much they will bring. Of course interviews are about that. But don't forget to think a lot about what you enjoy and what you are looking forward to doing or doing more of. A good answer will show that you bring self awareness, critical thinking in making choices, commitment and enthusiasm.
Best of all, if you prepare for these questions well you won't be faking anything. You will be going for opportunities you are genuinely excited about and the interviewer gets to talk to someone authentic. How refreshing is that?!
If there are other interview questions you dread let me know. Or book comprehensive interview preparation where we can: predict, talk through and practice until you feel confident and can actually enjoy interviews!
]]>The key to answering any interview question well, particularly difficult interview questions, is to understand WHY you are being asked that question.
For example, "What is your greatest achievement?" or "What is your greatest weakness?" Have you stopped to think what the interviewer learns about you from those question?
Well... it isn't to laugh and jeer and feel smug that they've caught you out and now don't have to give you the job! What they want to hear is GENUINE reflection and self-awareness. Followed by what you do to work with/around that weakness or what steps you are making to improve.
It is generally not a good idea to say "oh I'm a workaholic" (or a perfectionist). Whilst these are not always a lie, they usually are the interviewee trying to look good, rather than reveal a genuine weakness.
As an interviewer, in order to rest how genuine an answer is, I always ask a follow up question to the weakness question..."and when has that caused you a problem?" Usually when someone is trying to hide weaknesses and just look good they can't say. If they can't say when it has caused them a problem then it isn't a weakness and so I ask for another. Then we get closer to the truth, so better to prepare for that in the first place.
Some candidates genuinely do find perfectionism gets in their way or may have a tendency to overwork and burnout. These are really serious issues sometimes, so make sure you have talked through with a coach how you handle those. You don't want any unmanaged weakness to scare off your potential employer.
This question can tell the interviewer:
Many so called 'difficult questions' can be tackled using the above thought process. Perhaps it's more accurate to say they are popularly disliked questions!
But when you listen carefully, understand the purpose of the question and think about your least favourite questions before the event, then you will not find you are facing difficult interview questions. Instead you can see any question as a great chance to shine over less prepared and thoughtful candidates.
Other categories of questions are difficult because they require knowledge of the role, company and industry which you have failed to acquire. If 'motivational' or 'commercial awareness' questions are likely (which they nearly always are) then you need to do that research.
Or, it may be that there are some questions which may be difficult for you personally. Gaps on your CV, questions about past decisions, questions about qualifications below expected levels, health issues. These take preparation too so that you tackle in the most positive and straightforward way.
You can book comprehensive interview preparation where we can: predict, talk through and practice until you feel confident and can actually enjoy interviews!
]]>This could be the final hurdle, followed by an offer that day. Or it may followed by further interviews and an assessment centre. Either way, you have shown the target employer that you are a potential hire and are in with a real chance. As a rule, most of your competition were out of the running at the application stage.
Job interviews are increasingly varied. Format could be face-to-face, telephone, Skype or video. The interviewer(s) may one person, a panel, an outside agency rather than the actual employer. Questions could be competency, strengths, chronological, case-study, technical or a combination.
Finally, do be aware of over anxious preparation. The most prepared, if it’s frantic cramming of every possible question under the sun, is not usually the person chosen for the job. Some of the keenest, best applicants are too rehearsed and too anxious.
See the interview as a chance to listen and learn as well as sell. It should feel like a professional conversation: formal but also relaxed, not too hard a sales pitch and not an interrogation. If that feels impossible read my blogs 'Job Interview Anxiety'. and 'Job Interviews and Mindfulness'.
You can also book comprehensive interview preparation where we can: predict, talk through and practice until you feel confident and can actually enjoy interviews!
]]>The truth about ‘employability’
It doesn’t really exist. I mean it’s a concept and sometimes useful, depending on the context, but the way it is used in reports and league tables you might think it’s a clearly defined and measurable fact and it isn’t.
I know - tricky claim if it's part of how you're choosing a university or degree.
You can find definitions and choose one you like and actually that’s the answer, think about what you mean. Decide what you mean by employability and if that is important to you when you make a choice about university or degree course. If it is, check if what you want to know can be found in the data and information out there. If so great use it. Use it wisely and with a critical eye but use it certainly.
When you hear ‘employability’, or ‘graduate prospects’, what comes to mind?
You can probably see why people who work in Careers Services don’t much like the term ‘employability’ and neither do students. Because we all differ in what we want and that’s good. Just give it some thought and compare what you want, with what the league tables tell you.
What do the league tables tell you, when they talk about employability and prospects?
It varies but can be any mixture of:
If you are now stumped as to how to assess a course and university, in terms of impact on your career prospects, read my blog 'Choosing a University and Course - Life Outside the League Tables.'
I also have a FREE guide and checklist to help you with what to think about, in terms of employability, when choosing a degree.
If you would you like individual help, in order to increase your confidence around your University and course choice? Then book a one-to-one telephone/ Skype session for an unbiased discussion. Saving you some stress and confusion for less than the cost of train ticket to an open day!
I've written before about the limitations of headline data you might be given when choosing a university and choosing a degree. Specifically data you hope will tell you the impact of university on your graduate career prospects, or employability.
Now you know the limits, what can you do? How else can you assess if a particular course and institution is likely to aid you with your career hopes and dreams?
Well hopes and dreams are all about ideas and possibilities. Ideas which may not be fully formed, possibilities careers advisers may not have come across before, dreams that develop during your time at University as you (and the world of work) constantly change.
So you can look at what you could and might do. If that relates to a particular sector or trend then talk to people in those areas, or meet them on forums and online courses. Look at information and events through relevant professional bodies. There are several career websites telling you what a certain degree course could lead to, e.g. www.prospects.ac.uk. Course information may also give you some ideas. These ideas will often be written by marketing people within the institution. Nothing wrong with that, but bear in mind that "this course might lead to a career in..." doesn't mean it ever will or has so far!
If you want something more concrete.. that is, you want to see that a desired outcome has been achieved by someone from that course, within a reasonable time frame, then look at the data. Historically this data was called the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education and 2018 graduate data onwards is known as Graduate Outcomes. Ask about it. Of course that doesn't guarantee the same outcome for you, so you might also ask what else someone had to do (other than the course) to get that kind of result. Ask at the Careers stand not just the department.
The above is more if you have specific ideas, what if you don't?!
Well then, you are probably more typical of someone considering university and choosing your degree. You may still be interested to see what others have done, to give you ideas. But you don't have to have a set career plan to be interested in how much the university experience will develop you - in terms of appeal to employers and in developing your interests and ideas.
Jobs and careers change, who knows what will happen over 3-5 years.
People change - who knows what talents and interests you will discover.
General advice about this or that degree being 'employable' may not apply to you. It certainly won't if you hate that degree and do badly at it!
So these are the questions I would ask of myself and any University course, regardless of it's position in a league table, what the latest headlines say and what my neighbour who works in recruitment thinks.
There may be other things I've not thought of but you know will help you to thrive. If you enjoy your time, do well, get involved and develop - in confidence, self awareness, knowledge, networks and skills....well then you're going to have better graduate prospects and be more employable regardless of how fixed or vague your career ideas are.
Remember, many employers don't mind which degree you study and even if they do your plans may well change.
If you would like more guidance to help you when choosing a degree then order my FREE guide and checklist.
However many blog posts and guides I write I will never cover any consideration applicable to every individual. Plus if I did you'd be even more overwhelmed and confused!! So, if you would like to invest in a one to one conversation, do book. For less than the travel costs to an open day I can save you a lot of time, effort and heart ache.
]]>Talking about ‘employability’ from your first year can feel a bit too heavy. Honestly I’m not going to lecture, this can still be fun! Because, you can focus on what you want from University: friends, fun, pursuing interests....and easily develop yourself in readiness for a career at the same time.
Paid if you want to earn money but voluntary can be as good or better. You meet people, develop skills, find out some of your strengths and interests. Plus doing something useful, whilst improving confidence and commercial awareness. Structured internships are great, but don’t get hung up on your experience having to be a ‘scheme’ or with a big organisation. Many of those are more targeted at second years anyway.
Competitions and insight events are a little known area you should also look at. Common in sectors like banking. BUT, they are getting more varied and competitions in particular are amazing because of the:
Whatever your passion, pursue it, with enthusiasm. Don’t think that now you are away from school and parents encouraging you that you have done all that ‘extra-curricular stuff’.
On the other hand, don’t join every society and passively attend events now and then. Really get involved. Step up and volunteer for a position on the committee and do it well - make something better than it was the year before, e.g. grow the membership, put on the biggest event ever, raise the most money. Start your own society if there isn’t one to fit your interests.
Not a ‘society’ kind of person? That’s okay, just take whatever you want that bit further than you might. So if you like photography get an exhibition, enter competitions.
If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!, Richard Branson
This involvement will help you to learn about yourself, making career choice easier later. I want that more for you than employability. But it will also help demonstrate: initiative, team work, organisational skills, creativity. Your society might be sponsored by a graduate employer, giving you the start of a business network without even trying!
More career focused? Great, join the Finance Society, Law Society, sector focused groups within your department. This can be such an amazing gateway to contacts and even a place on an Internship or Spring Week, without having to go through all the selection processes.
Career related or not, meeting others outside your course is great for: getting to know yourself, developing your interpersonal skills and potentially networks for the future. Try to be aware of the natural human tendency to just seek out people like ourselves. Develop your openness to other lifestyles, cultures, political views.
Be alert to opportunities. Know your stuff in terms of what is available, when and how - by learning from those who know. Go to Employer events, talk to Finalists and Alumni, Lecturers and Careers Advisers, e.g. keep reading on here ;). Generally, notice what is going on around you on campus and online.
There is so much you can do and I promise you won’t regret any of it. So go and HAVE FUN!!
]]>Looking for quick results?
This method doesn't need detailed assessments or tests. Neither does it need a detailed review of your skills, knowledge, experience and values!
]]>The Power of the Present
I previously talked about how pausing to focus on a specific moment can bring huge rewards for self-awareness. Now, how being mindfully in the present can improve your performance in job interviews.
Huh?! Yes, I do realise that the last thing you want to do in the middle of job interviews is to sink into a deep mindfulness meditation. It may relieve the stress to simply notice the questions and your thoughts and let them float by, but it isn’t going to get you the job. So NO, I’m not talking about meditation in the interview room.
But imagine this.. you have prepared like mad, you have loads to share with the interview panel, you are pumped up with enthusiasm and/or nervous energy (you’re not really sure which) and wow - isn’t it weird how time is flying by as you race to tell the interviewer everything they need to know about you and all your achievements.
You could leave the scene above feeling like you have been interrogated, or that you rambled. In any case it probably all feels like a bit of a blur except for the question which you couldn’t answer well and have just now thought what to say – drat!!
Now stop. Drop those shoulders, unclench your hands, relax that jaw and your thighs and take a slow breath. Where in that emotional state is there the space for your ears to hear, your eyes to see and your brain to consider and find the best responses to the questions?
If this scene sounds familiar then finding that space is what you need to achieve. This is where learning to become mindfully aware of the present moment is so helpful.
This is simple but may take time to become a habit you remember when you most need it. Try it out, practice. Ideally in practice interviews, but the same technique can be applied to any communication: presentation, group work, phone call or meeting.
To remind you why this is worth working on, imagine this. You show up to job interviews with an easy calm confidence. You are engaged and engaging, you are sharing openly and are also curious. Your intellect shines through as you interpret the questions with ease and give clear and relevant examples. You enjoyed what you shared and what you discovered and leave knowing that you have shown your best.
For more on calming interview anxiety, read 'Job Interview Anxiety' You can also purchase a tailored interview preparation package.
]]>Is there a time and place for being present when you are: reviewing your past experiences, successes and failures; researching and imagining possible futures; predicting interview questions; any stage of career planning in fact?
Well, yes! There are times when I find asking clients to be in the moment (or a moment) brings HUGE results. Here is one you can try right now.
Recall a great experience, where you felt at your best:
Somehow everything flowed, you felt at home, comfortable with yourself, at the top of your game. You were energised, time flew and at the end you felt satisfied and fulfilled.
Now do this:
Result:
Taking time to be back in that moment, I bet you picked up things about yourself that (quite rightly) you weren’t focusing on at the time. This is gold dust. You now know more about your motivators, values, personality and skills!
Some coaches and recruiters use psychometrics and other tools to identify these ‘strengths’. This is different to the common definition of strengths as activities you are competent or skilled at. Knowing what you can do well is great. Capturing what you love doing and why is magic!
Try this exercise and let me know what you identify. To help with identifying more of what you want to have and avoid in your career try the more detailed exercise here. Or if you struggle to articulate what you felt into something concrete to apply to your career planning, this exercise will help too.
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If you haven’t found your dream career yet, it’s not too late. If you’ve found it and lost it, it’s also not too late. You aren’t a failure because you haven’t ‘made it’ by the age of 25 or 30. It’s OK if you don’t even know what your dream is, or if you’ll ever have one.
Job interviews are just, well weird situations when you think about it. When else would you have a conversation where you are asked constant questions by strangers and mostly talk about yourself without asking about the other person. No wonder you may be feeling interview anxiety.
Well yes, you need the traditional interview prep, but I cover that in Interview Prep 101. Plus, I have written other blogs covering questions candidates find most challenging. But none of that preparation will completely alleviate interview anxiety and if you are anxious and uncomfortable the interviewer will be too. In that scenario amazing knowledge, skills and qualities aren't going to shine through.
To stop nerves hindering all your preparation and greatness shining through, here are some techniques I’ve tried and tested with clients over the years.
If you don’t get a job offer, of course review and get feedback but don’t take it too personally. Focus on being the best you can on the day delivering what you wanted to deliver. You won’t achieve perfection so focus on progress. That is interview success and if in this case you weren’t chosen by that interview, you move on until you find your match. Be kind to yourself, don't take it all too seriously, have a laugh and know that everyone else has been imperfect too. Reading 'Job Interview Gaffs' others have made might help.
For help reviewing feedback and with every step of preparation, purchase my tailored interview preparation package.
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