Tag: job interview advice

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Rule No.71 Offer A Diamond With One Hand, Take It Away With The Other

 

“To a brave man, good and bad luck are like his left and right hand. He uses both.” – St Catherine of Siena

The interview is broken down into several parts, from the introduction, followed by the interviewer’s brief overview of the company, to the interviewer checking you are a suitable candidate, questioning you to extract what value you can add to the company, to the interview close.

Throughout the interview you will have used a variety of techniques to increase your chance of the interviewer realising you are the ideal person for this position. At the interview close stage, you need to close the deal, to finally ensure the interviewer will choose you.

But, first you need to understand why people want what they can’t have. Scarcity makes us want a product more, which is why collector’s items are so valuable – there’s not that many of them. I have a friend who collects album covers with faults; the guitarist jacket is the wrong colour, a name is spelled wrong. These items are worth quadruple the price of a normal collector’s item even though the product was wrongly produced, the value is in the fact that this item is unique, one of a kind. And it’s being one of a kind, a unique item that will secure you a job offer.

If you have followed the rules in this book, so have already sold your unique selling point and highlighted on several occasions the value you will bring to the organisation, so all that is left is to make yourself scarce.

If I was selling a necklace, I would put a big sign in my shop window saying “Ruby Necklace Only 10 Remaining” if I was selling an old comic I might say “Limited Edition Superman Comic Only 100 Ever Produced” but when making yourself look scarce at a job interview you need a different tack, but the psychology remains the same – the interviewer doesn’t want to miss out.

With the interview being highly impressed with you, mainly due to your new selling skills or by you embedding commands into your interview answers, telling him to recruit you, you next need to highlight that you are not freely available and you can do this in two ways:

  • At some point towards the end of the interview, explain how you are under pressure from other companies to accept a job offer “Thank you for inviting me to the interview today; I have really enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your organisation.  I have a hard decision now, I’m really impressed with the vision you have for the company and I can see myself fitting in here really well, but a company that interviewed me last week is pushing for me to accept their job offer” this is highly effective, especially when it sounds of the cuff and as if you really talking to yourself out loud.
  • A different version is to use a similar line to highlight that you have 3-4 job interviews lined up. “Thank you for today, I’m really impressed with your company I have several other interviews lined up this week for similar positions I hope they can match your high standards”

Remember by this stage of the interview, the employer is already highly impressed with you, all you are doing here is saying, “Look I’m not going to hold out for this job” if you have done your homework and the interview has gone as planned, the interviewer will want to hire you anyway, but they can’t as they have to follow their company policies and procedures and interview the other 4-5 candidates that made it through the first round of CV’s and application forms, and now they have the fear that an opponent company may snatch you up first, making them want you even more.

By highlighting how you can add value to whichever organisation you accept a job offer from, the current interviewer or their competition, you are now taking the interviewer on an emotional journey.

Taking them on a high when they realise how they can turn your skills into profit and down to a low when they realise that a competitive organisation is still in with a chance of recruiting you. emotional journey will add to your unforgettable performance, but as we started on a high, you need to end on a high….

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Interview Coaching and Advice in Manchester

Employment King has helped thousands of job seekers to gain career success with our highly successful career and interview coaching progamme.

A female applicant attending a panel job interview.

We believe that everyone deserves to receive a job offer in a sector they are passionate about and skilled in. 

Job interview coaching can help you achieve your career dreams. Available in Manchester.

Career advice and interview coaching sessions are delivered by a trained coach.

Interview Coaching Sessions.

Choose one of three programmes:

Manchester Interview Coaching Session: Upgrade Your Interview Skills.

1 Session

  • Attend a mock job interview with an interview coach.
  • Professional feedback focusing on the strength of your interview answers.
  • Gain personalised interview advice and tips to take your job interview to the next level.

The upgrade session is best suited for career professionals who know they should be gaining job offers but, due to their interview skills, fail to secure offers of employment.

One session lasting 60 minutes, delivered online.

Manchester Interview Coaching Session: Interview Boost.

Two interview coaching sessions:

Session 1 – focuses on sector-related interview questions and how to deliver high-scoring interview answers.

Session 2 – increases job interview confidence through techniques to help overcome job interview anxiety.

The boost package is two interview coaching sessions that focus on improving the overall performance of an interviewee. Ideal for applicants who fear the job interview process.

Each interview coaching session last 60 minutes per session.

Manchester Interview Coaching Session: Interview Reboot.

3 interview coaching sessions that will take your interview skills to a professional level:

Session 1 – Job interview analyst to breakdown an interviewee’s strengths and areas of development, including the structure of the interview answer, confidence level when answering questions and delivering interview presentations, and the likelihood of receiving a job offer.

Session 2 – A focus on creating high-scoring interview answers that reference the job criteria which increases the likelihood of receiving a job offer. Learn about the structure of an interveiw answer, embedding storytelling into job interview answers and how to be seen as highly valuable.

Session 3 – Improve communication in terms of confidence and delivery. This session can be focused on overcoming job interview anxiety, improving confident communication, and how to feel relaxed during the job interview.

Each interview coaching session last 60 minutes per session.

Career Coaching Sessions in Manchester.

Specialised career by a trained career guidance officer.

Each session will be tailored to the needs and circumstances of the career professional.

Choose 1, 2 or 3 career coaching sessions.

  • Review your workplace values and understand your workplace motivators.
  • Match careers to your personality type. Gain new career ideas.
  • Discuss career and higher educational pathways, job duties and entry routes. Plan your career route.

Each career coaching session last 60 minutes per session.

BOOK YOUR ONLINE CAREER ADVICE AND/OR INTERVIEW COACHING SESSION TODAY

Price Plan – no payment required until an agreed date and time for your career advice or interview coaching session has been confirmed.

To book your career advice and interview coaching session, please complete the coaching inquiry form below.

Session Cost

1 x Session Was £299.99

Now Only £149.99

2 X Sessions was £369.99

Now Only £249.99

3 x Sessions was £499.99

Now Only £299.99

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    Are you one of these 10 people who will never pass a job interview?

    10 People Who Will Never Pass a Job Interview

    Employers often feedback that time and time again the same type of person is refused a job offer, even though job hunters now have access to a wide range of interview techniques through Employment E-Books, Interview Articles and Career Coaches.

    Don’t make the same mistake as others and come across at the job interview as one of these 10 people who will never secure a job offer:

    • Someone with poor personal appearance – no effort made with their appearance, interviewees have been known to turn up in jeans and t-shirts
    • Showing a lack of interest and enthusiasm – Yawning during interviews and answering questions with “yes” and “no” answers shows a lack of interest – you need to sound passionate and answer all interview questions with examples
    • Being late to the interview – again employers see this as a lack of interest and commitment
    • Discussing money throughout the interview – employers agree that people who over-emphasis on money are more likely to leave the job in the first couple of months leaving the employer with the job of re-recruiting
    • Criticising past employer – this is often seen as passing the blame onto someone else – you need to discuss what you did for self-development: Interview Questions and Answers
    • Lack of confidence, lack of eye contact and showing nervousness – there are several techniques to help you prepare for an interview and to increase your interview confidence; a common mistake many interviewees make is failing to practice their interview questions  
    • Being a ‘Know-it’ all – the opposite to having a lack of confidence is being overconfident which can lead to you coming across as aggressive, employers look at which interviewee will fit in with the team and company environment
    • Asking no questions about the job – employers are looking for someone who is interested in their company and the job sector, this is because someone who is not interested will not work at the same level as someone who wants to make this job sector their career.
    • Unable to sell themselves; poor voice (often to quite or to loud), poor diction, poor grammar on CV and Cover Letter and no evidence-based interview answers: employers look and recruit people who have a career plan, job goals and can prove with evidence that they are the best person for the role. Interviewees need to understand what the employer’s essential criteria are and to discuss these points throughout the interview.
    • Having strong prejudices and opinions; you can often recognise when someone has a strong opinion or prejudice and I would add these strong opinions often come out during a job interview. When your opinions do not match that of the interviewer you will quickly lose rapport and any possibility of a job offer.
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    The Interview Check List

    Prepare for the Interview

      • Write a list of your strengths, skills and qualities – highlight the strengths, skills and qualities needed for the job you are being interviewed for.
      • Research the company; you can research the company online by clicking “about us” or “company history” tab on the company website – you will be asked “can you tell me what you know about our company?” during the interview.
      • Complete a mock interview; rehearse what to say and how to respond to interview questions. Also plan a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
      • Plan travel (complete a mock ruin in advance) prepare interview clothes, put CVs and references in a smart-looking file and set your alarm clock – you don’t want to be late!

    During the Interview

      • Arrive early; no-one likes a late interviewee. Introduce yourself to the receptionist “good morning my name is Mr X, I have an appointment for an interview with Mrs Y, this morning at 10:00”
      • When asked into the interview, introduce yourself to the interviewer, shake hands and wait to be seated.
      • Have a good induction planned, as a common first interview question is “tell me a little about yourself”
      • Sit up straight, speak clearly and breathe between questions! Lock your hands together if you are nervous as this stops you from fidgeting, make good eye contact and ask for any questions you don’t understand to be repeated.
      • Answer questions using stories and real-life experiences; prove your knowledge, skills and worth by offering evidence or giving numbers, facts and figures.
      • Smile throughout the interview and offer detailed specific answers, relating to your background and experience – remember to discuss your skills that relate to the job specification.
      • Close the interview by asking the interviewer questions relating to the growth of the company, staff development, new contracts and the company employees.
      • Thank the interviewer for their time and shake hands.

    After the Interview

      • Review the interview, write a list of what went well; your posture, interview answers, confidence etc. and a second list of what you can improve; speaking more slowly, answering a certain question, eye contact etc.
      • Complete a new mock interview and notice how you have improved with this new learning.
      • Write a thank-you letter to the interviewer indicating your interest within 24 hours of your interview.
      • Prepare references and continue to job search until you have a job offer in writing.
      • If rejected for the position, gain feedback from the interviewer. If offered the job, reply within 10 days.
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    How to Ace the Job Interview

    Tips to help a career professional ace the job interview

    We all love a good story

    When asked interview questions, don’t be tempted to answer your question as a list of achievements, as many interviewees do, use a story to sell yourself. Interviewers become bored of hearing list, while a story is intriguing and exciting, you can use a compelling story to build up suspense and make you, the main character, come out on top.

    In your story highlight what you personally did to achieve a target or to complete a task. Add to the story, what others thought about you “My Manager said that I was the only one to…” use numbers and percentages to sell yourself “I had a 95% success rate…”

    Sell Yourself

    Why do you buy certain products? The advertisement tells you how you can benefit from buying this product; they don’t discuss the products faults. You need to use this procedure during your interview, explain how you will benefit the company and what you have to offer. Don’t discuss your faults and answer any potential negative questions with a positive answer.

    When to ask questions

    Many job hunters think that employers have an unwritten rule and we can only ask questions at the end of the interview – this is not true. By the end of the interview, with some questions you wanted to ask, the interview has moved on so much, that your questions can seem pointless.

    Ask your questions throughout the interview, this will show you have confidence and allows the interview to turn, naturally into an employment conversation rather then a set of questions and answers.

    Influence the Interviewer

    Use a career coach to help you understand how body language, hand shaking, language patterns and mirroring can influence your interviewer.

    You can quickly learn how to gain instant rapport with an interview and how matching body language and verbal language can make a positive impact on your interview outcome. Everything you need to know about influencing the employer is in the Secrets of Employment e-book.

    Do you Job Hop or Have Gaps in Your Employment History?

    Are you a job hopper? Or do you have big gaps in your employment history? Employers are more interested in how productive you are, again use a story that sells your strengths and don’t ever apologies, as this will weaken your interview answers.

    What ever you have undertaken, several jobs, gap year, volunteering, education – talk about what you have learnt and achieved form this experience.

    Be an Industry Expert

    To give the interviewer confidence in your knowledge and ability, become an industry expert. This is good for two reasons, the first, by being an industry expert you will fully understand the industry and will be able to answer questions confidently. Second, an industry expert will know which company won the new contracts and which employers are best to work for; this will help you choice the employer you feel would suit your working personality.

    Practice Makes Perfect 

    Don’t struggle to answer questions, by thinking about the answers on the spot, think about the job role you are applying for; what would your duties be in this new role? What skills and qualities do you need to complete your daily task? Your interview questions will be based on these answers, from this you can predict what you will be asked and prepare your answers.

    Many people use an interview coach to help them prepare for the interview and to complete mock interviews.

    Think about the type of interview you have to attend and what, if any task or presentations you will have to complete. Not all interviews rely on just a one to one interview question and answer session. Learn what type of interviews you may have to attend and how to overcome interview fears.