The Interview At some point you’ll be invited for an interview. Before getting there, learn the most popular questions and think about possible responses. To answer questions use an established format called STAR. It doesn’t have to do anything with pop culture; it simply means that the answer has to follow a particular order: first describe a SITUATION, then, say about a TASK, after that explain what ACTIONS were taken by you, and finally achieved RESULTS. By the way, STAR Approach is to be applied within all scenarios whenever you describe your achievements, regardless what actually you do – writing Cover Letter, CV, or having an interview. Recruiters often ‘Google’ candidates – nobody stops you – Google them. Observing one’s FB or LinkedIn profile, you might find that a person is keen of something – so bring to the table your experience in something relevant. You might also find what achievement person is highlighting and that would’ve told you about their priorities. If you haven’t got a chance to learn anything about your interviewers in advance – listen for them. Sometimes, and often over an interview stage recruiters look not what you say but rather how and why. Do the same – understand their values and speak in their terms. If they ask you, ‘What was the situation you remember the most?’ Believe me in this culture ‘Are you all right? Ok! Bye!’ they do not really care about exact situation in all details. What they want to know it is your priorities (based on them a person usually decides what is more important to describe), any approaches you might use to treat a situation, how you describe something, that would highlight some patterns in your behaviour (find a difference ‘I wasn’t really familiar…, but I had to…, because my boss – real nut, gave me an order…’ or ‘It was slightly challenging situation; however, due to my natural curiosity I truly wanted to find a solution. Doing so would enable me…, and I also knew that my manager relies on me – so I really wanted to do my best…’). Hence, to know what to answer, listen what you’re asked. Try to be precise, it is not an Eastern culture, where meeting somebody for a first time in the train, you would be able to learn about not only their life, but that of their parents, grandparents, neighbors and so on. Here they don’t even any longer ask, ‘How are you?’, there is a better form to get protected from knowing everything ‘You’re right?!’. On interview it is like in a court as less you say as better for you. Say just what is necessary in order to make a positive impression. Before finishing an interview it is a good idea to ask some questions. I won’t say anything about an obvious point, that when you’re truly have made some research and are genuinely interested in that particular job you’ll have many questions; what also is important and candidates are not aware of – it is another chance to make an impression of you. I’ve noticed that people often left with positive opinion about the one, who knows how to ask questions and is able to actively listen. Summing up, here are some tips. To be successful at job hunting think of what you truly want from life, be positive and outgoing person, and respect British key values: language, smile and traditions. It is a country, which, even borrowing expressions from broken American English (instead of How do you do? – How are you?), still proud of its language. People speak often not to deliver a message, but rather to enjoy a language. Smiling turns you from a stranger into friend. Traditions are important as long as they are affordable. If you ask British people, ‘Why do you still have a Monarchy – it seems to be just a symbol nowadays?’ they would reply ‘It’s just 60 p per person per year – so, we can afford this’. Last, but not least – Sense of humour; that’s something truly important. The best compliment in this country – it’s to highlight someone’s sense of humour (even if you don’t notice it – it exists, and don’t think [out loud] anything otherwise, especially about prospective employers). Very last, but very important point! Get yourself dressed smart. As long as you are applying for an office role, formal suit is the best alternative to everything; (even in such a hot summer, as it was this year). The reason is simple – only the first time gives one a chance for the first impression.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 00:30:01 +0000
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