When the Interviewer Hates You

The whole point of a job interview is to make a good impression. Every candidate wants to wow the interviewers with their skills and experience so that it’s almost impossible to reject them.

But it isn’t always plain sailing.

Sometimes, you get the sense that things aren’t going well. It might be that you struggle to answer, or stumble over, a particular question. Or, even worse, you don’t feel like you’re making a good impression with the people asking the questions.

Having a feeling that an interviewer doesn’t like you is horrible. It can dent your confidence and lead to a difficult experience where hopes of the job disappear in front of your eyes.

So, even if things get off to a rocky start, it’s important to keep the interview on track and ensure that you stay in contention for the job. Here are some tips for helping you to achieve just that.

Don’t Panic

Easier said than done but failing to hit it off with an interviewer doesn’t mean that all is lost. The following points should be kept in mind:

Your belief that the interviewer doesn’t isn’t a fan of yours might not be true.
The remainder of the interview is an opportunity to turn any negative impressions into positive ones.
The individual concerned may not have the final say when it comes to who gets the job.

Try to Build Rapport

Even if the interview hasn’t had the best of starts, the aim of the candidate should continue to be to give the best possible version of themselves.

Smile and make good eye contact with the people across the table, or on the screen if it’s a video interview. Speak positively about yourself, your career and the role you are applying for.

Don’t Overdo it

While showing enthusiasm is usually beneficial when going through the recruitment process, be careful not to go too far if the interview isn’t going to plan.

Cracking jokes, talking too much, going off subject or focusing too much on the interviewer who doesn’t appear to be a fan won’t turn things around.

Learn from the Experience

If your application ultimately proves to be unsuccessful it’s important to learn from the experience. Did you say or do anything that could have offended the interviewer or left them feeling less than impressed by you as a candidate?

However, it’s also important to remember that a failure to connect with an interviewer is not automatically your fault. It could have been down to unconscious bias, a random dislike or a lack of people skills on the part of the other person or people involved.

Step up your Job Search in 2021

If you spent 2020 applying for multiple jobs, only to be rejected every time, then perhaps 2021 is the year for a different approach.

Here are eleven suggestions for improving your job-hunting process and, in turn, giving your career prospects a much- needed boost.

Update Your CV

Are you really detailing your skills and achievements, or just noting a list of tasks in each job? Also, ensure any recent experience or relevant training is included and use keywords to overcome applicant tracking systems.

Draft a Killer Cover Letter

Far too many good or great CV’s are undermined by a lazy, uninspiring cover letter. It’s another opportunity to tell a prospective employer about who you are and why they need to give you the job.

Use LinkedIn

There’s a huge difference between having a LinkedIn account and using LinkedIn to your advantage. Once you have tidied up your own page (suitable photo, engaging profile summary, etc…), then use it to network, blog and find work. This, from last year, is worth a read.

Contact Employers

If employers aren’t knocking down your door, then down theirs…well, not literally. But if there’s a particular industry or company you want to work for, contact them direct. You never know what might happen.

Upload your CV to Job Websites

Many of the big websites allow job hunters to upload a CV or CV’s. Make yours stand out and you may be headhunted.

Register with Recruitment Agencies

Many agencies specialise in particular sectors and may be able to put you in touch with suitable employers.

Think About a Portfolio Career

Perhaps you don’t need a new job…instead you need two or three or four. Think about what you’re good and make the most of your talents, working hours that suit you.

Consider a Qualification

Your CV or application form saying that you’re good at something is fine but backing it up with a recognised qualification can put you ahead of the competition.

Use Different Websites

Consider sector specific sites if you know what you want to do. Alternatively, visit the careers sections of large organisations or public services.

Work for a Charity

Good causes need admin, human resources, IT, maintenance and marketing staff as much as large, private organisations. Check out the likes of Charity Job and Goodmoves for vacancies that could lead to greater job satisfaction.

Practice the Interview

For some applicants, the CV or the application form is the easy bit. Their issues only start at the interview. Regardless of it’s down to nerves, lack of confidence or experience, practicing possible interview questions with a friend, relative or colleague could prove to be hugely beneficial.

Delivering Presentations

So, you’ve designed your presentation. Your slides are clean and crisp, and you know exactly what you’re going to say and when. All that’s left now is to get out there and do it.

If only it were that easy. Public speaking, even if it’s only in front of a couple of people, can be hugely challenging. In the second of two posts, we look at how to handle the nerves, and any other challenges, in order to deliver your best possible presentation.

Practice

The only way to confirm that you’re happy with how your presentation sounds, and how long it lasts, is to practice delivering it.

A series of trial runs will increase your confidence and hopefully help you to sound more natural on the big day. If you’re not a confident presenter, then start off in an empty room before including a friend, relative or colleagues. They don’t have to understand everything, it’s about you being familiar with your content and speaking in front of others.

Position Yourself

So, you’ve arrived at the venue and you’re minutes away from beginning your presentation. It’s at this point that you make those final preparations – like where to stand.

Make sure that you are not blocking anyone’s view of your slides and try to avoid nervously pacing across the floor. Instead, stand in a prominent place (that isn’t too close to your audience) and be in a position to easily move onto the next slide without making it obvious.

Pace Yourself

That point, where you first start to speak, is huge. All your hard work and preparations have led to that moment. It’s likely that you’ll feel a mixture of nerves and excitement.

So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself speaking far too quickly. Don’t be hard on yourself, it’s perfectly natural. Instead, try to be aware of your delivery and, if necessary, take a breath and slow it down a bit. After all, a fifteen-minute presentation shouldn’t be over in five minutes.

Have Some Water Nearby

One other ‘side effect’ of delivering a presentation is that, as time goes on, your throat will dry up and your voice may start to sound just a little bit croaky.

To avoid this, a little sip of water now and then will be a big help – particularly during lengthy deliveries. Keep a glass or bottle nearby and grab a quick drink at convenient points. Don’t stop mid-sentence to guzzle half a litre, no matter how tempted you are.

Enjoy Yourself

Now, this may seem like strange advice. It’s difficult to have fun when you’re public speaking and there’s a job, or something else of equal importance, on the line.

But if you’re friendly, positive and perhaps even manage a smile along the way, your enthusiasm for the subject matter will shine through and make a lasting impression on other people in the room.

Welcome Questions

Many presenters are glad when it’s all over and they can make a hasty exit from the room. But they’re missing out on an opportunity.

Inviting questions from the audience is another chance to show those in attendance what you know and what you are capable of. If it’s at the end, you’ll feel so relieved that the presentation is over that any questions thrown at you will be a breeze. Or, if it’s more appropriate, allow questions during the course of your delivery.

Designing Presentations

Presentations are scary. Standing in front of an audience and speaking for any length of time can be hugely challenging, even for confident, experienced professionals.

It doesn’t matter if you’re applying for a job, managing a project or telling another organisation about what your company can offer, presenting can be intimidating even if it’s only for a couple of people.

But before you get that far, you must make sure that the content is spot on. Having confidence in what you’re about to say and show is essential for any successful presentation.

In the first of two blog posts, here are some pointers on designing your presentation.

Focus on the Content

Many presentations contain slides with fancy graphics, animated characters, and all sorts of other gimmicks. Unfortunately, in many instances, the presenter has spent more time working on how the presentation looks, rather than what it says.

Most audiences will quickly be able to tell if your content lacks substance. So, spend more time getting that right and less time on colour schemes, graphics, and animation. And remember, the presentation comes from you – slides, flipcharts and booklets are just aids to help you deliver it.

Stick to the Brief

If a presentation is part of the process for a vacancy, then the recruiting agency or organisation will normally set a brief which outlines the subject or area around which the content should be focused.

When you’re trying to make a good impression, it may be tempting to drift off into other topics and let everyone see how talented and knowledgeable you are. Big mistake – not only will it make your presentation seem disjointed, it will also show the recruiter that you haven’t been able to follow instructions.

Make Slides Easy to Read

Assuming that you are using a presentation package, you will have at the least a few slides to refer to as you speak. A common rookie mistake is to cram these with as much information as possible. That approach means the slides are less than pleasing on the eye for your audience and there is a danger that you have nothing additional to say and your whole delivery is you reading from a screen.

Instead, keep the slides looking clean (using a suitable font) with a few bullet points on each. You then use these points to lead into the message you want to put across. If you want to use a quote or some stats, do it on a separate slide.

Link Slides/Topics together

If you’re a natural when it comes to presentations and you can ‘wing it’, thinking up what to say on the spot, then good luck to you. For the rest of us mere mortals, it’s essential that we know what we are going to say and when.

This is particularly important when it comes to moving from one slide, or one subject area, to another. If you don’t plan how you will achieve this, the transition can be very clumsy as you hesitate and ‘um’ your way through it. It only takes a few words to bring things together and ensures your delivery is smooth and seamless. Examples include

‘I now want to move on from customer service and discuss sales.’

‘So, that’s some of the challenges faced by a new manager. Now, let us consider some possible solutions.’

Decide on Extra Materials

As articulate and charismatic as you are, it may be wise to consider other ways of providing information to your audience, rather than just the spoken word. This is particularly important in longer presentations (to keep your audience interested) or where there are complex processes involved.

Whether it’s a single sheet of A4 paper or a longer brochure or manual, a good presenter will also know the right time to provide their audience with these materials. If you’re trying to land a job you may want the audience to focus on you and finish off by handing them a booklet summarising your key point. In other situations, allowing others to refer to a guide or manual as you speak might help them to understand the content.

Consider Time Constraints

It’s possible, or highly likely if it’s part of the interview process, that your presentation will have a time limit. If you’re nervous about speaking in front of a group of people then you might think the shorter the length of time, the better. But that’s a very negative viewpoint – the longer the presentation, the greater the opportunity to make a good impression.

Other than a brief introduction and a summary at the end, the rest of your time should be spent on getting your message across. Regardless of how long you have, prioritise your key points and topics of discussion.

Reasons to Love Video Interviews

Video interviews are, for many job hunters, a necessary evil. The Covid-19 lockdown means that remote interviewing has quickly moved from being a novelty to the norm.

It’s a format that isn’t without its issues. Technical difficulties, poor connection and talking when someone on the screen in front of you hasn’t finished speaking are all challenges faced by many interviewees.

But it isn’t all bad. Despite some negative coverage on websites and social media, there are a host of benefits to being interviewed via Teams, Skype, Zoom are any other video conferencing service.

You’ll be on Time

In addition to the interview itself, one of the biggest causes of stress is planning your arrival at the venue. What bus or train do you need to get? Or where you can park your car?

A video interview, from the comfort of your own home, means one less thing to worry about. Instead of rushing to make your appointment, you can be relaxed, getting in some last-minute practice, double checking your laptop or taking some time to relax and compose yourself.

You Can Decide on the ‘Venue’

When it comes to where interviews are held, some organisations do it right. Large, air-conditioned rooms with comfortable seating and tasteful décor. Unfortunately, not every employer can provide such luxuries, with some companies struggling for space and interviews being held in what feels like no bigger than a broom cupboard.

Being at home, you can choose a comfortable room with plenty of natural light and set the room temperature to your own preference. Just don’t get too comfy – be in a chair looking directly at the screen and don’t be tempted to lounge around on the couch or your bed.

It’s Less Intimidating

Sitting across a desk from one or more people who are firing questions at you while watching your every move can be a scary (traumatic?) experience. The room feels small no matter how big it is, you’re sweating, and your voice sounds croaky.

While a remote interview can’t stop the questions, it can at least put a bit of distance between you and the interviewer(s). That might put you a bit more at ease and make the whole process just a little less frightening.

You can Cheat

Now, hold on. This doesn’t mean that you can tell blatant lies about your achievements, experience or skills. But there are a couple of sneaky shortcuts which could make a difference to how well the interview goes.

A couple of post-it notes on the edge of your laptop screen would allow you to recall key points or examples you want to put across, without making it obvious that you are referring to your notes. Also, while you need to adopt the same dress code for a video interview as its face to face equivalent, the interviewer will only see your top half. So, if shorts, pyjama trousers or slippers make you more comfortable, then go for it.

8 Alternatives to University

Go to school. Pass some exams. Attend university. Pass more exams. Then walk into the job of your dreams.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? And, for some people, it is. But for many others, life doesn’t turn out like that.

Not everyone is suited to higher education and studying for a degree. Many people don’t enjoy the environment, while others struggle with the pressure of meeting deadlines and studying for exams. Some students pick the wrong course and there are people who just want to be out in the world making some money. There are also those who fail to meet the entry requirements.

Fortunately, for most professions there is more than one entry path. So, for anyone not keen on going straight from school to university, here are some different routes to reaching your chosen career destination.

Work Based Learning

The best of both worlds. You work, earning money and gaining valuable experience, while studying for a qualification.

Examples include modern apprenticeships and professional awards in areas such as accounting, human resources or training and development.

Full-Time Job

School is enough to put people off education for life. By the time they’re 16, they want to get out into the world and start making some money.

And for some roles, particularly at entry level, that’s fine. Learning is on-the-job, with not a test or certificate in sight.

Gap Year

Not everyone has their full working life mapped out in front of them. Some people need more time to decide what is best for them.

Taking a year out to travel, work casual jobs and (hopefully) work out what’s next can be hugely beneficial.

Mature Study

There’s nothing to stop you studying for a degree, or any other qualification, in your 20s, 30s or even later.

Due to their work and life experiences, older students often find it easier to relate their course work to the real world. And they may appreciate their studies more if they have worked in jobs they didn’t enjoy.

Distance Learning

Post covid-19, studying from home may be the long-term solution for millions of students.

It’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t enjoy attending lectures and seminars or who lives in a remote area and doesn’t want to move away from home.

Part-time Study

Completing a degree over five or six years, whether it be at a local institution or via Open University, is far less demanding than studying full-time.

It also allows for greater flexibility with regards to work and family commitments.

Self-Employment

Some people are better suited to going it alone than working for someone else. The right idea could mean you are the boss from day one.

The Gov.UK website reports that, in 2018, there were 450,000 16-24 year olds running small businesses in the UK.

Portfolio Career

It is becoming increasingly popular to gain an income from multiple sources rather than one. Usually with one steady, reliable job, the ‘anchor’, supported by other pieces of work.

For instance, someone with a flair for languages could teach night classes at a local college. They could supplement this by offering interpreter or translation services, providing one-to-one tutoring or writing a monetised blog about an aspect of life in a country where their chosen language is widely spoken.

4 Reasons to Try a Secondment

Afraid of the unknown

Comfortable with your surroundings

External commitments and responsibilities

Reluctant to change

These are just four out of a host of reasons why people stay in a job or career long after they stopped wanting to be there.

There’s nothing wrong with the examples listed above or others like them. They’re all natural responses from anyone who has thought about moving on and doing something else.

But changing jobs doesn’t have to be permanent – well not straight off, anyway. A secondment to another job and/or department within your organisation can be an invaluable first step towards making a longer-term change.

It might only be for a few weeks to provide cover, or it could be for as long as two years as part of a specific project. Regardless, taking on a secondment could prove to be a career changing experience.

Test the water

You can try something new without committing to it permanently. If you do enjoy the temporary role, it could lead to a job or career change. If you decide it’s not for you, you can go back to your original post, no harm done.

New skills

While some secondments are only about filling a gap in an organisation, many play an important part in someone’s development. The skills and experience gained can make you more employable as well as increasing your confidence when it comes to taking on new challenges.

New environment

A new department or workplace can provide a welcome change of scene. Combined with new tasks and different colleagues, it can provide a refreshing break from the old routine.

Raise your profile

Doing a good job while seconded can help you to be noticed by senior management and others within the organisation. This could increase your chances of gaining a permanent move or other secondments.

Returning to Job Interviews

Job interviews are nerve racking. Answering questions about yourself in front of one or more people is a daunting prospect for many.

And those butterflies in the tummy can be multiplied when you haven’t been interviewed in years.

Many people go extended periods between interviews for many reasons, including poor health, raising kids or simply spending a long time in one job.

So for anyone who hasn’t been in that position for a while, here are some tips to get you through that first interview:

Learn About the Organisation

Do your homework and find about the company you hope to work for.

Plan your Journey

Work the best route to drive or know your public transport times. And try to have a fall back in case of delays.

Remember Who to Ask for

The contact name should be on the letter or email inviting you to interview. To a copy with you if you need to.

Know What’s Involved

Do you only need to go through one interview? Or is there a presentation or an assessment centre? Again, being prepared helps.

Have Prepared Answers

Try to anticipate the type of questions you’ll be asked and have a set of answers that you can go to. This is particularly useful when it comes to competency based interviews.

Smile and be Confident

On the big day, give a good first impression and remember that you were invited to interview because of a good application form or CV. The interviewer wants you to perform well.

Make Yourself Comfortable

Once you’re in the interview room, don’t be afraid to take off your coat or jacket if it helps cool you down. And, if offered a glass of water, take it.

Nobody Has a Perfect Interview

Take time to think about the questions before answering. If you stumble don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to make up for it.

Ask Questions

Relevant questions about the role can show how keen you are and perhaps even demonstrate your knowledge – while helping you find out about anything not covered in the interview.