06/11/2007 by admin.

The majority of jobseekers who left an interview with a bad impression blame the interviewer, claims research from T-Mobile. Unappealing traits in interviewers included asking questions completely unrelated to the job (40%), being unprepared (35%), lateness (18%), sexism (16%) and even drunkenness (2%).

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04/11/2007 by admin.

Most jobs are offered on the basis of one or two interviews and, done properly; each serves a clearly defined and distinct purpose.

Once your CV has passed the first stage of the short-listing process you may receive a letter inviting you to a selection day interview. These short-listing visits are used by employers to try and find an insight into how you interact with others and your ability to work in a team. Many include a group discussion designed to test your ability to interact in a group situation or may include a test or presentation. You should be given details of the structure of the interview prior to the day to allow you time for preparation.

Even though this may not be the final selection interview, good preparation is still just as important. Remember first impressions count. Make sure that you are well presented and take along the bare minimum of belongings necessary. Take your interview letter with you and if you are asked to take along certificates, references etc make sure that you get them ready before the day.

Your CV or application form should have addressed all the points given in the person specification showing how you meet the requirements of the post. Make sure that you have all these points clear in your mind before the interview and try and make comments during the discussion to show that you meet the criteria. This will help to maximise your chances of reaching the next stage of the interview process.

Make sure that you have time to relax and collect your thoughts before the interview starts. Remind yourself that you wouldn’t have got to this stage if you weren’t considered to be good enough. Your CV has passed the test, now your potential employer wants evidence that you would work effectively for them. They are looking for someone whose personality and skills fit in with those that they need in their organisation. Some of the skills they will be looking for are: the ability to communicate effectively, evidence of listening skills, and an understanding of how and when to intervene. They will also be looking for someone who can empathise with other team members and provide support when necessary.

It can feel very uncomfortable being put on the spot, but try not to use a defensive posture. Try and be as open as you can and if you need to try and buy some time – perhaps just by saying ‘I need some time to think about that.” Try and demonstrate that you are prepared to put in some effort toward professional development. Opportunities in career development in nursing have never been better and many employers are looking for staff with an enthusiasm to continue developing their skills.

Sometimes if the job you are applying for only has one formal interview it can be beneficial to arrange a pre-interview visit yourself. This gives you the opportunity to find out more about the area you are hoping to work in and meet potential future colleagues. As well as giving you a clearer idea of what the job is like, the employer will also be impressed as it shows that you are motivated and genuinely interested.

If they haven’t already told you by the end of the interview, ask when they think they will let you know whether or not you have made it to the next stage. No matter how badly you think the interview went, if you still want the job always send a follow up letter. Try and include some facet of information from the interview such as ‘I found it very interesting how you use such innovative techniques in encouraging staff to work with patients to encourage self-empowerment and self-care.’

If you don’t manage to get to the next phase in the interview process, then you should think about where you went wrong and consider whether the job was not right for you in the first place. Phone up and ask the interviewers for some feedback on where you went wrong. Don’t give up, be constructive and keep looking for other opportunities. It may just be that your ideal job hasn’t come up yet, so put it down to experience and learn from your mistakes. Making yourself open to new opportunities will ensure that eventually you will get where you want to be.

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