Although still little used in higher education recruitment, if you are applying for a senior job elsewhere in the public sector or are seeking a move into the private sector then it is likely that you will encounter the assessment centre at some point. And even in higher education, you…>
Professional Interviews
Tips For Dealing With Pre-Interview Nerves
Most people dread job interviews. It is perfectly normal to feel pre-interview nerves since there is a lot riding on the outcome. But don’t panic. By following a few simple techniques and preparing properly, you can reduce your stress levels to help you perform to the best of your abilities….>
What Are Employers Looking For?
Skills and Qualifications With many graduates struggling to find work, it’s wise to ask the question, ‘What are employers are looking for in a candidate?’ Unfortunately, a university degree may well be insufficient. It is skills and experiences that can make you a desired applicant and supplement your qualifications. What…>
Succeeding At Internal Interviews
Succeeding in an internal interview can seem like a breeze. You know the people. You understand the organisation, and you have a successful track record that should speak for itself – right? This can lead to a false sense of security, a lack of proper preparation and underperformance on the…>
Top 10 Questions To Ask At A Job Interview
Deciding on questions to ask the interviewer can be one of the most stressful parts of the interview process. Often candidates hurry through this part, relieved to have the job interview over as quickly as possible. Others ‘go through the motions’ by asking unoriginal questions to fill the time. Asking…>
Employability: What Are Employers Looking For?
What is employability? There’s a lot of talk about employability in the recruitment community as competition for jobs in all sectors intensifies. But what does it mean? The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)[1] gives the simplest and most accessible definition of employability in terms of skills: ‘the skills…>
Interview question: What’s your biggest weakness?
It’s an old classic and a question that seems to have had plenty of interviewees struggling, but should the question ‘What’s your biggest weakness?’ cause so much worry? Well, today we’re going to have a look at the different types of answers and offer some useful tips to help you…>
Presentation at an Interview
Have you had any experience of delivering a presentation at an interview? How do you prepare? How do you engage your audience? Presentations are a common part of the recruitment process for graduate, research, teaching, consulting and other professional roles across a range of sectors. Whether you have had a…>
Preparing for Telephone Interviews
Telephone interviews are often an early part of the recruitment process to screen candidates. They usually last 15 – 30 minutes and are conducted by a recruiter or an employer. The way you prepare for a telephone interview should be taken just as seriously as if you were preparing for…>
How to Make a Good Impression in an Interview
Making a good impression during an interview can lead to the next step in your career. But how can you do this? Preparation before interview is essential. The practical steps below are aimed at those of you who have little or no interview experience to individuals who regularly market themselves…>