Have you ever been rejected from a job and have no idea why? You meet all the requirements for the role but another candidate has been selected over you?
Research from ONS has found that the employment rate in the UK has fallen in the last year, with the number of job vacancies falling in the last quarter. It’s clear the current job market is competitive right now, so it’s more important than ever to be prepared for job interviews.
To help you ace your next interview, HR expert Cicely Ward from digital marketing agency Embryo shares her top tips:
Always ask these questions
Cicely says: “It’s important to remember that an interview is a two-way conversation, and asking questions about the company, the role, and growth and development opportunities is necessary.
“Asking questions such as ‘What learning and development opportunities are available to up-skill the team?’ and ‘What does a typical day look like?’ shows that you are invested in the role and want to understand how you would fit into the company.
“Great questions to ask to find out more about the company structure and culture is ‘Can you tell me more about how the teams within the company work together and collaborate?’ and ‘How would you describe the company culture in three words?’.
“Asking the right questions will help you be a more memorable candidate and therefore more likely to secure the role.”
Prepare, prepare, prepare
“Aside from preparing which questions you plan to ask, there are other measures you can take to help you get the job”, says Cicely.
“Make sure you can succinctly explain your prior experience, showing how it is relevant to the role and job description advertised. This helps cut out the guesswork for the hiring manager as you’re demonstrating clearly how your skills and experience are suited to the role.
“It’s always worth having prepared some examples of your work so you can back up what you’re saying with evidence. Everyone can label themselves a team player or leader, but by having some examples of how you’ve put this into action will help you show the impact of your work.”
Cicely goes on to recommend: “Always do your research on the company you’re applying for. Not only will this affirm whether the role is right for you but if you can demonstrate you’re up to speed with the direction of the company, their core values and recent news, you’ll likely impress the hiring manager.
“The final thing to help you prepare is to make sure you look and feel confident. Always dress appropriately – and in something you feel good in to make sure you’re comfortable. A few minutes prior to your interview, you should practice a power pose, this will boost your confidence even more and give you the right mindset.”
Be open, but not unprofessional
Cicely explains: “When discussing past experiences, it’s important to not be overly negative as this can be off-putting to a recruiter as they may think you don’t have the correct attitude to take on the opportunity, subsequently selecting a different candidate.
“Instead you should talk about positive experiences that you would want to have in your next role, and exactly what you are looking for and what’s important for you in order to feel fulfilled at work.
“It’s also important to remember that it’s a job interview and not just a conversation with a friend, so it’s best to steer clear of asking questions about company or industry gossip.”
Consider following up
Cicely says: “At the end of the interview, you should try and find out when you can expect to hear back from the company by asking around what the next steps involve.
“If the recruiter doesn’t automatically tell you, make sure that you ask. Not only will this put your mind at ease and keep anxiety at bay, but it also makes you come across as keen and excited to start the role.
“However, if this conversation doesn’t happen, or the recruiter fails to give you an answer, we recommend reaching out 4 to 5 days post-interview, to show enthusiasm.
“This time frame gives the company enough time to make progress with making a decision while keeping you at the forefront of their mind.”
Take note of your use of language
Cicely says: “Phrases such as ‘I look forward to…’ and ‘I will offer my strengths in this way…’ help to convey confidence in your abilities – as well as making you appear excited for the role.
“Don’t forget to consider your body language too, as this goes a long way when trying to come across as confident. Sit up straight and make eye contact when you talk, and also try to avoid the use of filler words such as ‘um’ or ‘I think.’
The post Looking for a new role? HR expert shares how to stand out in a competitive market appeared first on HR News.