Short-Lists & Interviews
Businesses receive loads of applications for jobs these days. It's not unusual for a business to receive over 100 applications for just one job!
It can take up to an hour to interview each person, so instead of interviewing everybody who applies, the business makes a big long list of everybody. They then turn this into a nice SHORT-LIST by getting rid of anybody's application who doesn't match what the company are looking for.
The SHORT-LIST will probably be about 6 or 7 people, who the company think might be good enough to employ. It is these lucky few who get invited in for an interview.
It can take up to an hour to interview each person, so instead of interviewing everybody who applies, the business makes a big long list of everybody. They then turn this into a nice SHORT-LIST by getting rid of anybody's application who doesn't match what the company are looking for.
The SHORT-LIST will probably be about 6 or 7 people, who the company think might be good enough to employ. It is these lucky few who get invited in for an interview.
Interviews
The interview is the single most scary thing in the world. You will feel nervous and think that you will never ever be able to do it. And to make things worse, all this is before you've even caught the bus to the interview!
The good news is, every other person who has got an interview will feel exactly the same as you. So, just be yourself. Because after all, if you act all wacky and get the job, the business will be expecting you to be wacky all of the time when they employ you!
People say to me that they can't prepare for an interview, but I say to these people "Excuse me. You're daft"! Because you can prepare. Here's how:
The good news is, every other person who has got an interview will feel exactly the same as you. So, just be yourself. Because after all, if you act all wacky and get the job, the business will be expecting you to be wacky all of the time when they employ you!
People say to me that they can't prepare for an interview, but I say to these people "Excuse me. You're daft"! Because you can prepare. Here's how:
- Go on the internet and read all about the company. Find out some interesting facts that you can casually drop into one of your answers at the interview, to show you've done your research.
- At least 2 days before the interview, go to the place where your interview is being held so you know exactly where to go on the day. Don't leave it until the morning of the interview to find out where the place is. You will get lost. You will be late. You will end up still being job-less!
- Almost all interviews start with a friendly 'Tell me about yourself then' question. Prepare this in detail. Write it down and learn it. You should be able to talk for at least a minute about your qualifications, interests, experience and reasons for wanting the job.
- During the interview you will be asked questions about:
- .how you work in teams,
- how you handle situations when things go wrong
- what relevant experience you have
- how you would help to make the business better
- what your main strengths are