Introduction
Interview questions and styles will change for every interview you go to. Some will be formal and some may be a little more relaxed. However, there are questions that are commonly asked at many interviews.
It is worth while taking the time to look at a range of questions you might be asked, by thinking about them beforehand it will give you more confidence on the day of your interview.
So why are you being asked these questions?· To see if you have the skills and experience to carry out the job
· To check your enthusiasm, motivation and interest for the job – why did you choose to apply?
· To see whether you will fit in with the working environment and the staff.
Why you are being asked questions
A range of commonly asked questions and how you might answer them
Unusual interview questions
Questions to consider asking your future employer
Introduction
There are various statistics on what the average number of applicants per job is and these vary greatly. Some say 115 applicants per job opening and others say up to 270.
Hiring managers receive hundreds of applications for each open position. This will vary according to which organisations and which industry you are interested in. The main point is that you are going to be facing a lot of competition.
This is ultimately a numbers game - how many applications are you submitting, how many people in your industry are you meeting, and how many job interviews have you got? If the answer to this is “not many,” you aren’t alone.
You may think you are the perfect candidate for a given job, but there are a number of reasons why hiring managers may not be contacting you for interviews.The odds of getting an interview
Reviewing your applications
Recruitment tracking systems
Following instructions
Spelling and grammar
Networking
Personal Profile / Personal Statement
The best way to tackle an interview is by being prepared. This course will cover ways to prepare for a successful outcome.
Introduction
If you are invited to an interview you should spend some time researching the organisation; this will give you confidence if you are asked any questions on what they do.
Here are some ways that you could gather information about the company:· Business publications or magazine articles
· Internet research – have they got a website?
· Social media – do they have a Facebook page? Are they on LinkedIn?
· You could telephone and ask for an information pack if this is relevant
You will learn
- Researching the organisation
- Planning your journey
- Creating the right image
In this course we will cover the challenges of what to do after an interview and the things to consider regardless of the outcome of the interview.
Introduction
You’ve completed your interview, fantastic! Getting to the other side is really stress relieving but remember that you still have more to consider and do. You will need to consider what to do if you aren’t successful or even if you are, is the job right for you?
Whatever the outcome, whilst you wait it is important to continue applying for other job opportunities.
You will learn
- Contacting the employer after the interview
- What to do if you are successful
- What to do if you are unsuccessful
In this course you will learn about interview day, well done if you have made it to the interview day. Chocked full of hints and tips, this session will help make the whole experience less stressful.
Job interviews are stressful and un-nerving. To reduce this stress and anxiety it is important to feel prepared. Preparation ranges from practicing your presentation to ensuring that you eat and drink appropriately.
On the day of your interview try to be relaxed and prepared. Throughout this session we will explore methods to ensure a smooth interview process.
The interviewer(s)
Preparation on the day
Do and don’ts in an interview
In this course you will learn about what a social media presence is and why it is important to your job search. This course is suitable for everyone.
Introduction
Your social media presence is how you post content and engage with other people on the internet. This includes how often you post, the type of content posted and the levels of engagement on your social media accounts.
Whether you have a social media presence or not and however you feel about it, social media is here to stay and has impacted the recruitment market.
What does a social media presence mean to you? Write down your thoughts. Social media provides you with an opportunity to advertise yourself, helps you find job opportunities, allows employers to see beyond your CV and provides you with an opportunity to learn about companies and industry trends.
You will learn
- Understand the importance of a social media presence when job hunting
- Know some of the different social media platforms
- Understand how to use social media
In this course you will learn about the hidden job market and how to make it work for your in your job search. This course is suitable for everyone.
Introduction
The term “hidden job market” is used to describe jobs that aren't posted online or advertised. Employers could choose to refrain from posting jobs for various reasons. For example, they might not have the money to advertise or they may wish to attract candidates through contacts in their sector.
Despite being described as hidden, it is still possible to find out about these jobs. Many opportunities are discovered through networking with others rather than traditional recruitment methods.
You will learn
- Understand what the hidden job market is
- Know how to access the hidden job market
- Know how the hidden job market can work for you
Introduction
Let's find out what skills you have. What equipment can you use, such as a computer or welding tools? What ways of working are you good at, such as talking to others, planning or multi-tasking?All skills are useful when searching for a new job, but some skills are particularly highly prized by employers. Here is some more information about the most commonly requested skill sets.
Communication: Listening, speaking and writing. Employers want people who can accurately interpret what others are saying and organize and express their thoughts clearly.
Teamwork: Many jobs involve working in one or more groups. Employers want someone who can bring out the best in others.
Problem-solving skills: Employers want people who can use creativity, reasoning and past experiences to identify and solve problems effectively.
Personal management: The ability to plan and manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.
Interpersonal effectiveness: Employers usually note whether an employee can relate to co-workers and build relationships with others in the organization.
Computer or technical literacy: Although employers expect to provide training on job-specific software, they also expect employees to be proficient with basic computer skills.
Leadership or management: The ability to take charge and manage your co-workers, if required, is a welcome trait. Most employers look for signs of leadership qualities.
Competence in reading and maths: Almost all jobs require the ability to read and comprehend instructions and perform basic maths.
You will learn
- Know how to identify the skills you have
- Understand which skills are transferable
- Know how to use transferable skills in practice
In this course you will learn about what an online job board is and how it can be useful to you in your job hunt. This course is suitable for everyone.
Introduction
A job board is a website that deals specifically with employment or careers. You might have heard them called job sites, job portals, job websites or employment websites. Employers can publish job offers when they have a position that needs to be filled. Jobseekers can search these sites to find a job that is being advertised and apply for it.
An online version of circling job adverts in newspapers, job boards can be an excellent job-hunting tool. From huge national job boards to niche job boards run by industry publications, job boards can help you reach thousands of employers and recruiters.
Know what an online job board is
Know the benefits of using an online job board
Understand how to use an online job board
In this course you will learn about different types of CVs and how to make them work for you, as well as interview tips. This course is suitable for everyone.
Introduction
Write down your ideas. You might include the reasons why you should have a CV, or some of the things you might expect to include on your CV.
A CV can make you think of lots of things, because it is an important document for you in your job search. You could have written lots of things. Some of the words you might have written could include;· Job role
· Training
· Work history
· My details
· Address
· My story
· Education
· Name
· Experience
· First impression
You will learn
- Understanding different types of CVs
- Know how to make a CV work for you
- Know how to be interview ready