The interview: Research & prepare but it’s as crucial to relax & smile

Smile and relax at your job interview. Image of smileys.Times have changed. Recruiting styles change & things are in & out of fashion & some traditional attitudes, styles & habits fall by the wayside.

Assessment Centres, Psychometric Tests, Personality Tests – all are used & results picked over BUT the one thing that doesn’t seem to change / move / evolve is THE INTERVIEW.

So why blog about an every day occurrence that everyone KNOWS they’ll have to endure in order to get that new job?

It’s because lately & I’ve had to deliver crushingly disappointing ‘NO’s to candidates that just fluffed, flustered & clammed up at interview. All the disappointed candidates had done really well at their meet / interview with me – but had just ‘gone to pieces’ when in front of the potential employer.

Worse (& of course no surprise or they wouldn’t have reached the client interviews) these candidate were all perfectly – indeed very – capable of doing the job they went for. But couldn’t get their smiles & their personalities across due to nerves, brain fuzz or just fear.

My advice? Don’t take an interview so seriously that you’re a wreck & a state over it. Most of our clients only interview for 30 mins – some even 20 – that’s all & it’s a well worn phrase but so true, it’s so much about that first impression.

And therein can lie the problem. If a person gets nervous, they can lose even the ability to offer a smile from the outset. To not be relaxed enough to even smile is tough feedback but on 2 of the occasions I had this feedback given, that in itself was a major contributing factor to not getting to the next stage. To lose the chance of a job you really want (& can do) because you were too nervous to relax & smile is hard news to take, but remember the next candidate in could be more confident, more relaxed & have a beaming smile.

Of course don’t float in there thinking you know what’ll happen. Yes, prepare, research, do your homework & take anything that can prove your work – certificates etc. But above all remember, nothing can replace being yourself, smiling, feeling comfortable (ish) & taking deep breaths & THINKING before replying to questions.

I’m Roseanne Stockton. Chester SME Business Woman of 2013 & I successfully run Nu-Recruit.

We place permanent & temporary candidates of the very best quality into great local employers & jobs in Liverpool, Chester, Wirral. In a no-fuss, no nonsense way.

And I love what I do. And I’m good at it!

Call me if you think my experience will help you get the best candidate for your job! And please feel free comment on my Blog…..

 

 

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