Why can it take so long to hear back after a job interview?

You’ve narrowed down your job search. You’ve spent time composing a knock-their-socks off covering letter, and CV which pays off when you’re offered an interview.  You prepare and research the company, practice your success stories, rehearse your killer questions, and have a perfectly pitched presentation ready. You carefully consider your outfit and make your way to the interview – either face to face or online.

The interview is finally over, it’s the final interview and you know you are down to the last few candidates. You think you’ve done quite well, you got a good vibe, you built good rapport with the interviewers and got positive feedback, so you’re feeling optimistic that an offer will soon come through.

Then… nothing. Continue reading “Why can it take so long to hear back after a job interview?”

Job interview questions (the new type) – hypothetical situational questions

A new type of job interview question is gaining popularity – hypothetical or situational questions. Competency-based interviews have long been the preferred method of job interviews for large employers, but I’m finding my clients reporting hypothetical or situational questions being asked more often in their interviews.

Here are my tips on preparing for a job interview which includes situation-based questions. Continue reading “Job interview questions (the new type) – hypothetical situational questions”

When the job interview doesn’t work out – dealing with rejection

It was an amazing role; great package, state of the art offices, fantastic potential for the future – your job interview went well; you were dressed to impress, you’d done your research on the business and you had responses to a myriad of possible questions all rehearsed. You’d even allowed yourself to imagine where your desk might be or what your colleagues might be like.

Then the call comes and it’s not good news. So, where do you go from here? Continue reading “When the job interview doesn’t work out – dealing with rejection”

Don’t get caught out by the interview spectrum

Years ago if you wanted a job you could be sure you would have to go to the offices of the company you applied to, have a formal interview probably with the person you’d be working for and then perhaps wait a week or two to hear anything back.

These days, candidates need to be prepared for a broad spectrum of interview types and techniques which extend far beyond this traditional view.

Here’s my guide to the interview types you need to be prepared for when job-hunting. Continue reading “Don’t get caught out by the interview spectrum”

The 10 secrets of interview success

Fear of interviews is common, especially when you’re facing your first ever interview, your first after a knock like redundancy, or if it’s for a job or promotion you really want.

However, you can help reduce that fear, stand out from the crowd and increase your chance of success by practising these ten tips. Continue reading “The 10 secrets of interview success”

Common mistakes people make on CVs

Even getting shortlisted for a job is like climbing a mountain in the current job market so it’s best to be sure your CV doesn’t get discounted for common mistakes. Here are some errors to avoid, drawn from my experience of both writing CVs and recruiting for positions across a wide range of sectors and levels of roles. Continue reading “Common mistakes people make on CVs”

Five bonkers interview questions that should never be asked again

Every candidate knows that preparing for interviews is critical to give yourself the best chance of getting the job. I can give you lots of advice about how best to do that based on your skills, experience and the job you’ve applied for, but what if the person who’s interviewing you decides to throw in a curved-ball question?

Continue reading “Five bonkers interview questions that should never be asked again”

5 tips to prepare for a interview when you’re not even job-hunting

The job market is tough and there will always be stiff competition for good jobs. If you’re not looking for a move at the moment, you might think that you’d be wasting your time spending any energy preparing for a future job interview, but you’d be wrong.

I’ve seen many strong candidates panic at the thought of a job interview just a few days away. They wonder how they’ll be able to prepare while still juggling their current job and family/home commitments.

To avoid last-minute panicking and to give yourself the best start the next time you’re the candidate, here are my top five tips. Continue reading “5 tips to prepare for a interview when you’re not even job-hunting”