How to turn Job Interviews into Job Offers: Standing out in the Recruitment Process.
A Blog by our Sales and Marketing Consultant Richie Gill. 14/02/12
Roses are Red. 
Violets are Blue.
Stuck looking for the right jobs or candidates?
We’ll find ‘em for you!
Right, that’s the Valentine’s Day cheese out the way.
With the reported rise in job openings, coupled with an increasing rise in people applying for those jobs, it remains a very crowded market! However, it is those that are doing that something different that are getting the job offers; and those things, surprisingly, are the basics. So, at the risk of sounding like a patronising school teacher, let’s cover them again:
Research
With so much information just a Google or Bing click away, there is NO excuse not to know what the company does, what they have achieved and possibly what growth they have planned. In addition to this, make sure you have a good read through the job description, highlight the key things that the company are looking for and what the role entails, then tie these in with your skill sets and experience.
Prepare
Make sure you plan your route and possible other alternatives, have your outfit planned and ironed, research printed, questions at the ready and 2 copies of a correct and current CV, at least the day before your interview.
Be on time
Excuses just don’t cut it here. If you’re 5 minutes late, you’re late. If you’re on time, you’re late. Simple. As you would have already prepared, account for travel delays and for other ‘unforeseen circumstances’. The last thing you want to do is make a bad impression before you even step into the interview room. However, showing up more than 15 minutes early doesn’t do you any favours either. Simply put: arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your arranged interview time; this gives you enough time for a quick pop to the toilets and ensures you have gathered your breath and your wits before you enter the interview.
Communication
Chin up, unclench your fists and take a deep breath. It seems simple, but remember to keep composed and have control over your tone, expressions and language! Slang or foul language is a no no, waving your arms about when you're speaking shows lack of composure, and shouting will have the interviewer hear the loud ringing in their ears drown out your words. Yes, it’s important to show passion and interest, but this can be done by keeping calm and composed, speaking clearly and conveying your point without waffling.
Know your CV
It is so important to know what you have written on your CV. It is what will most likely control the flow of your interview. You don’t want to put an essay on to a 6 page CV; so summarise and try your best to squeeze it onto 2 pages, keeping all your key points there to discuss in greater depth in the interview.
Buzz words
Make a mental note of certain words the interviewer keeps saying or puts emphasis on. If they talk about ‘reliability’ or ‘adaptability’, it would be a great idea to give an example highlighting a certain aspect of your CV that demonstrates exactly that! Subconsciously, you’ve ticked those boxes in their mind.
If you nail those basics, you have a great platform to showcase your ability and credentials for the job.
Remember: Preparation is key; stand out.
Now I have this Capello fella asking me to help him find a new job or something, so with that I pass the blog baton on to the Director of Maine-Tucker’s Temporary Division, Carly!
14.02.2012 15:54
