CAREER PURSUIT 2021

17 EXPERT ADVICE - EMPLOYMENT think about a similar role or example and use this to explain how you would go about doing it. WHAT TOWEAR There’s no one perfect dress code for interviews, but the key for me is to feel comfortable! I’m not suggesting you wear sweatpants, but, equally, don’t wear clothes that make you feel insecure or that are physically uncomfortable. It shows in your body language that you are not 100% confident. If in doubt, over-dress rather than under-dress. Not only is it better to be slightly more formal than less formal, but ‘power dressing’ also helps you feel super confident, which will come across in how you talk and move. I highly recommend getting your outfit out a couple of days before to make sure it still fits well, it’s clean/ironed, and you have all the elements you will need on the day. Don’t forget shoes too! Not only making sure they are clean and in good condition but that you can confidently walk in them. CHECK YOUR COMMUTE Make sure you do this ahead of time. When you are checking a tool like Google Maps, do it at a similar time of day to when you will be making the journey, so you can account for traffic, etc. If you are driving yourself to the interview, have you thought about where you will park? Make sure you have change for a ticket andhave aback-upplan incase there areno spots available. If you are taking public transport, leave early and find a local café that you can wait in. It is better to be early than to miss the only train/bus you could take and need to postpone or cancel. BODY LANGUAGE Only 7%of your communication is made up of the words you speak; the rest is all how you say it and your body language. This is why preparation is key to helping you feel as confident as you can on the day. Amy Cuddy has a fantastic TED talk on power poses for confidence, which I always recommend you do before an interview (though only if you can find somewhere quiet to do them!). Focus on keeping your body language open and relaxed: - Don’t cross you arms in front of your body. - Sit up straight, shoulders back, and, crucially, down (not hunched up around your ears). - Make eye contact with everyone in the room. - SMILE whilst you are talking and listening. - Subtly mirroring the body language of the person interviewing you is a great way to make them subconsciously warm to you. - Don’t be afraid of using hand gestures to emphasise points. - Try not to fidget, particularly when you are listening. ASK QUESTIONS Make sure you ask questions at the end of an interview; this not only shows that you are interested in the role and company, but it also gives you an opportunity to find out if the company is a good fit for you too! I would always write questions down on a notepad and take it in to an interview with me. Firstly, it helps when you are asked and suddenly go blank, but it also shows you are taking this seriously. If you are struggling to think of questions to ask, then check out the checklist section at the back of this magazine. I’ve put together a list of questions that you can tailor for your interview. Questions should be about the culture of the company and anything you are unsure of about the role itself and your potential career. Interviewers love an opportunity to talk about what they love the most about their company, so give them that chance! DON’T FORGET You got through the hard stage of getting an interview, so you have all the right experience for the job. The employer already sees that you can potentially fill this role. Feeling nervous is completely normal. By being prepared and giving yourself plenty of time, it will help you stay calm. Don’t rush through the interview questions. If you haven’t heard or understood something the interviewer said, ask for clarification. Take your time to give the best answer you can. If you get the interview basics right, you will feel comfortable and confident in answering questions and dramatically increase your chances of success. Most importantly, good luck! Alex Aldhous − Arc Virtual Solutions Website: www.arcvirtualsolutions.co.uk Email: alex@arcvirtualsolutions.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ thebusinessfreedommethod Instagram: @alexaldous_arc LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-aldhous