CAREER PURSUIT

Why do interviews get people nervous, and what can you do to alleviate some of the pressure? Much of the concern of interviewing, from the perspective of the candidates, often stems from self-confidence that maybe the job is out of their league, that the salary is much more than they currently earn or that they simply feel that the competition is too big for them to ever be the one to receive the job offer! No matter how you look at it, all of these thoughts cause a person to feel nervous, and this can occur during the interview process and sometimes to the detriment of any future job offer. There are many things to consider before interviewing, but research is certainly the most important! Spend quality time learning about the business for which you have applied to work, visiting their website and other related online platforms. It’s also important to try, where possible, to relate these to some of YOUR own questions! Remember, an interview is a two-way process: the interviewer needs to engage in conversation. They need to get to know you. They want to learn what you think about the business and why you should be the applicant they are offering the position to. Research is such an important tool in successful interviewing, but it’s often so greatly underestimated. However, without good research you may not be able to answer the key questions, and your feeling of nervousness will be increased because not being prepared will only add to any apprehension or anxiety that you may have. USEFUL TIPS AND ADVICE. 1 . Try and attend mock interviews. You can do this with friends/family, companies you may already have associations with or with your recruitment consultant/career coach (if you have one). 2 . Dress for success. It’s very important to make sure that you are dressed appropriately for an interview − irrespective of the industry. The best advice is to always dress smartly − over-dressing is unlikely but under-dressing may occur, and that could result in the position not being offered. 3 . Arrive shortly before the agreed time of the interview ( 15 minutes is perfect), smile, ask questions, be aware of your value and what you could potentially contribute to the business through either direct/indirect experience, and be able to provide examples of previous work that can demonstrate your ability to perform the role in which you have applied. 4 . Remember, you may need the job, but, more importantly, know the reasons why the employer needs you. 5 . Seek professional support if the position you have applied for requires you to disclose any previous criminal cautions/convictions, or you are unsure if this could apply to you. This support is typically free of charge, and organisations that provide this service can be found online, via a Google search. 6 . Have planned questions that you would like to ask the interviewer, but seek to relate at least one of them to a success story of the business − maybe they have recently earned an award, obtained additional funding to provide a provision/programme or achieved accreditation in recognition of outstanding service. 7 . Note, an interview is a shared opportunity to decide if the company is right for you. Just as it is for the company to consider you as a suitable candidate. 18 C A R E E R P U R S U I T 2 0 2 0 Firmin Consultancy is a specialist independent management consultancy practice. We provide a range of employment-based services, including expert career coaching to both serving and former members of the Armed Forces. We have extensive experience in supporting military personnel who face barriers to the workplace, helping support them in sourcing employment opportunities across the UK. To find out more about how we might be able to help you please feel free to visit our website www.firminconsultancy.com