New Year… New Job?….
It’s January and you may be one of many thinking it’s time for a new challenge in 2025, we’ve written on our blogs about tips on job searching, putting your CV together but here is a reminder of help once you have the interview for your dream job. You have done your research, arrived on time in your smartest outfit (in person or on line), so the final hurdle is getting through the interview and coming up with amazing answers to their questions and make yourself the standout candidate for their vacancy. Telling them about your experience, what you have studied is the easy bit, however we often struggle when we have to talk about ourselves (the good, the bad and the ugly). We hope this will help you a little to prepare yourself,
Tell us a little about you…
What exactly do they want to know? Most companies like to get to know the person a little, looking to see how quickly you will fit into the team (if they have picked you to interview it’s likely they already feel you have the skills and experience to do a great job). Talk about things you love doing, things you spend your time doing, things you are proud of yourself for. Be passionate about things you talk about. Be prepared to be asked this question and talk about yourself personally too as employers are interviewing you and want to get to know you, before you potentially join their team.
What are your strengths…
Oh we don’t like blowing our own trumpet do we? That’s why we like to ask it when we meet with you. We find that candidates who look completely panicked end up with at least 4-5 things that they consider themselves good at. Then it gets you thinking and listening to feedback from family, friends, colleagues and bosses in the future, the question is then a little easier to answer in the interview. They like the look of you from your CV, they want to hear about why you should have this job – so this is your opportunity to tell them. Remember to keep these specific to the job you are applying for.
And the worst question of all…. What are your weaknesses…
We REALLY dislike this question, it’s a really funny one which some companies love and some definitely don’t. It’s really tricky to know what they want to know about that is not so great about you but it’s best to try and talk about something that doesn’t come naturally to you, remember we are not brilliant at everything. In this situation talk about something that isn’t easy for you but you have adapted to be more successful. Did they introduce a new CRM and you initially struggled to learn all the features, and you reviewed the on-line training sessions and then were the CRM expert? Did you used to be late with assignments at University but then set yourself a diary or timetable and then never missed a deadline. We aren’t all perfect but remember to be positive about anything negative you mention.
Here at Alexander Mae, we support all of candidates with the interview process, giving them as much information and advice as possible. Want to know more about us and our services contact us on 0117 9055035 or [email protected]
Good luck with your job search!
