To feel stressed at work is quite normal, it’s a feeling we can’t escape and at some point during your working week you will feel stressed due to one thing or another, it’s a fact. One thing you must not do is allow your stress levels to control you and let it affect your productivity or even worse, your physical or mental health.

You have to remember that you can’t control everything in your work environment, however the one thing that you will always have control of is yourself and your actions when difficult situations arise: it’s simply a case of reminding yourself this and not letting things get to you. How you deal with the situation could mean the difference between making things a lot worse or reducing your stress level.

Prevention is the best cure.

One of the most common causes of stress at work is lack of organisation. A tidy workplace is a tidy mind. To start thinking clearly you must have a clear vision of your cycle of events, schedule and responsibilities. Try to regularly consult your diary and make notes of important daily tasks, this will help you think a little more clearly. Pen tidy’s are good too!

All work and no play is a playground for stress. It’s important to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and private time, daily responsibilities and idle time. If you can find a balance between these things, your stress levels will automatically reduce.

Your brain has a way of naturally getting confused when you are faced with many different tasks at once, another cause of stress which can be prevented. Writing things down, making a list of tasks and even creating an order of importance will certainly prevent stress. To add to that, by getting the more unpleasant or important tasks out of the way first means that they won’t be on your mind all day, leaving you more time to think about other things – thus reducing stress.

It’s easy to become distracted with constant interruptions, by reducing the amount of interruptions you could be faced with is another good way of preventing stress. Turn off your phone, avoid social media or personal emails, these are all things that will still be there when you have finished the job in hand. There are some interruptions that you do not have control of but you can respond to them in one of three ways; accept the interruption, cut it off or work out its importance and work out a plan to deal with it.

Accept that you may not be able to do it all on your own. If someone else can do the task, why not let them take over? If you are the type of person who has the desire to control or oversee every little step in your office then try letting it go –you’ll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.

If all else fails

Take a step back, take a look in the mirror. Are you getting enough sleep? Exercising regularly? After all you’re physical health plays a big part in your mental performance. Drinking energy drinks alone will not make you feel fantastic or in any way enhance your performance, well at least not in the long run anyway. Release some of the stress physically, your body may just be craving a good old exercise. Fit regular breaks into your day – working long hours may make you seem like you are working hard, but it may have an adverse effect and you lose productivity.  Breaks can help you recharge and improve your productivity.

Try it and see the difference.

 

Stressed about something else? Perhaps an upcoming Job Interview? Maybe these handy tips might help…

 

Interview Preparation

How to take control of a Job Interview

Got an interview lined up? Have the edge and be head and shoulders above the other candidates by using these 10 easy tips in our “10 ways to make a good impression”.

 

Look the part! The suit is the obvious choice for most but unless you are applying for a power position, it’s not compulsory. I’m not saying wear your sweats or look too casual but don’t be afraid to wear a smart shirt and trousers, after all it’s not a fashion parade, it’s an interview. Sometimes not wearing a suit can make you stand out, you will be remembered as “the one who didn’t wear a suit but was really good in the interview”.

 

Eye Contact Look your interviewer in the eye. Anybody who has studies psychology will know that this shows confidence and truthfulness.

 

Shake hands with a firm grip. No soggy handshakes! Other gestures similar to this will have a huge effect on how you are perceived. Crossing your arms, yawning, head in your lap or slouching are all classed as negative body language.

 

Go Prepared, Take with you a copy of your CV and cover letter so the employer has a souvenir of your visit.

 

Smile! It’s amazing how much a smile can change someone’s outlook or impression of you. Chances are, like most people – nerves will kick in, keep the nerves at bay with a smile and the interviewer will smile back, subsequently the situation won’t seem so overwhelming. Also it plants a positive seed in their head and are more likely to be remembered for the right reasons.

 

Don’t be afraid to disagree on certain things, overly agreeing with your interviewer could be perceived as being a pushover. Show them that you have your own thoughts and ideas.

 

Comment on something in the building or room that you are in, this will make you appear to have a warm personality and aware of your surroundings. Finding a common ground with them or having something in common has a similar effect.

 

Do your research on the company prior to the interview. How long have they been established? How many people work there? What is their turnover? If you can’t find out, don’t be afraid to ask.

 

Ask questions! You want to get to know their business! You are interested in their business! Refer back to your ‘Research’. The interview isn’t just about finding the right candidate, it’s also an opportunity for you to find the right company to work for.

 

Give yourself a break… Don’t work yourself up. Stretch before going in to a job interview. Take some deep breaths. Do whatever it takes to calm yourself down. Your personality will suffer if you let your nerves take over.

 

– For more tips on this topic, don’t forget to check out…“How to take control of a Job Interview”

We have tried to create a valuable list of Interview Do’s and Don’ts to help you achieve success at interview stage of the job hunting process. By taking note of these simple Interview Do’s and Don’ts, you WILL increase your chances of being hired.

 

Do:

• Take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview before hand, or at least be 100% sure of where it is and how long it will take you to get there. Turning up late to an interview is as good as telling them that you don’t want the job. If you are going to be late, phone the company to advise them and hope that they understand.
• Research and know the type of job interview you will encounter. Depending on the type of interview you have, tailor your approach. Be prepared – research interview questions they may ask (see our Interview tips for some commonly asked interview questions) but never over-rehearse your answers.
• Dress to impress! Or at least appropriate for the job, the company and the industry.
• You only get one chance to make a first impression. Greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect. This could be one of the most important things to remember and could also be the reason you have the edge over others. First impressions count.
• In the likely event that you are presented with a job application or questionnaire, fill it out neatly, and accurately without leaving anything unanswered. This could just be a test of your attention to detail.
• Take extra CV’s to the interview, or even better, a job-skills portfolio if you have one. This not only shows that you are prepared but also shows that you are proud of your achievements. Show enthusiasm to demonstrate your hard work.
• Greet the interviewer(s) by title (Mrs, Mr, Dr) and last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. (If you’re not sure, do ask the receptionist about the pronunciation before going into the interview.
• A good handshake says 1000 words. Shake hands firmly. Don’t have a limp or clammy handshake!
• Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Remember body language and posture: sit upright and look alert and interested at all times.
• Make good eye contact with your interviewer, a shy and cagey approach will put the interviewer right off you.
• Make sure that your strengths and strong points come across clearly to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
• Show off the research you have done on the company and industry when responding to questions.
• Show enthusiasm in the position and the company.
• Close the interview by telling the interviewer that you want the job and asking about the next step in the process. Some experts even say you should close the interview by asking for the job.
• Another good way to close is by replying to their last question which is normally, “Do you have any final questions?”, simply ask them “do you have any concerns or reservations about me?” This will reduce the chances of negative feedback at a later date and also gives you a chance to handle any objections there and then. By answering – “No, I think you have covered everything, shows lack of interest and hunger for information.

 

Don’t:

• Don’t smoke prior to your interview, a bad smell is enough to put anyone off.
• Don’t be over confident, walking in like you own the place will not work. Simply putting any nerves to one side and speaking clearly is enough confidence for an interview.
• Don’t fidget or slouch.
• Don’t use poor language, slang, and pause words (such as “like”, “uh”, and “erm”).
• Don’t act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment. You have to be more specific with your ambitions and aspirations.
• Don’t say anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, employers and of course yourself.
• Don’t tell jokes during the interview. Understanding someone’s sense of humour can take weeks.
• They are interviewing you – Not your CV. Don’t rely on your application or CV to do the selling for you. No matter how qualified you are for the position, you will need to sell yourself to the interviewer.
• Don’t ever lie. Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly.
• Don’t chew gum during the interview.
• Don’t answer questions with a simple “yes” or “no.” Try to answer each question with at least 2 or 3 sentences to showcase your skills, experience and ambition.
• Don’t bring up or discuss personal issues or family problems.
• Don’t respond to any questions, no matter how unexpected or irrelevant with an extended pause or by saying something like, “boy, that’s a good question.” A short pause is ok, or even repeating the question aloud should give you enough time to think of a suitable answer.
• Don’t answer your mobile phone during the interview, turn it off (or set it to silent) before the interview.
• Don’t inquire about salary, holiday entitlement, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after you’ve received an offer. Chances are they will tell you but asking about them makes it seem like you are only interested in what they can offer you.

 

If you found this useful and also want to read some tips on how to control the interview, Click here. 

Literacy and numeracy tests are often a requirement for the recruitment process in many industries. Here at Very Important Personnel, we feel that practicing such tests prior to an interview is a no-brainer. Practicing the tests will help to familiarise yourself with the look and feel of the tests. It will also provide an opportunity to revise the different content areas covered by the tests.

 

Based on previous experiences and feedback provided to us by clients and candidates, we have found that those candidates who spent 20 minutes completing practice tests online, proved a higher success rate compared to those who didn’t. Sometime even just a glimpse at similar questions can help you know what to expect as opposed to being surprised on the day.
Many of our clients require candidates to complete a literacy and or numeracy test at interview stage. We are providing candidates the chance to trial similar tests in order to prepare for the real thing. The tests that we provide are not necessarily exactly the same, nor can we recreate the test environment that you may be faced with, however we have tried to give you examples of similar questions to ones that you may be asked in typical Literacy and numeracy tests.

 

Often, tests will be timed. We are not adding a timer to our practice tests, however for an extra challenge, we recommend setting a 15 or 20 minute timer to the tests and see how you get on.

 

To make things simple, we have split the test into separate literacy and numeracy tests. This way, if practice is needed in a certain area such as numeracy, it is possible to answer just numeracy questions. We still recommend that both tests are revised as they are normally merged together in actual tests.

 

Below are our Literacy and Numeracy tests. So if you have a test coming up or simply just want to brush up on your Maths and English skills, click the links below to test yourself. We will send you your answers to the email address you provide.

 

Literacy test.
This section tests your ability to identify main points in a text and distinguish between facts and opinions. Some question may require you to identify correct grammar or even

 

Numeracy test.
This section tests your mental arithmetic ability. Questions may not always be difficult equations, but instead a passage of test in which you must find the answer. The questions are varied but normally include answers that relate to time; money; fractions, decimals and percentages; proportion and ratio measurements (eg distance, area); averages and so forth.

 

Amber Rolfe, Author at Reed.co.uk, hit the nail on the head with these top 5 interview questions and providing examples of how to and how not to answer them. From our experience as a recruiter and speaking to countless candidates and employers, the 5 interview questions Amber picked out are among the most asked questions at an interview.

More questions like these can be found in James reed’s best-selling book (Why You?: 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again) which is now available and makes a very interesting read but more importantly will help you secure your next job.

In no particular order, here are the Top 5 Interview Questions. 

Please describe the job you’ve applied for.

The difference between success and failure at an interview often comes down to whether a candidate knows when to stop talking.

This question is a perfect example. Your interviewee’s first reaction could be to say as much as they possibly can about the role, in the hope that a large amount of memorised facts will impress.

Or instead, they might take the chance to demonstrate their ability to summarise information. The best candidates will accurately be able to sum up the ‘essence’ of the job, rather than each individual duty it involves.

A short, succinct answer, which shows you that they’ve not only done their research, but they’ve also developed an understanding of the most important aspects of the role, is the perfect answer.

Good answer: “As an Airline Pilot, my job involves flying passengers safely, on time, in comfort, and at a profit to the employer”

Bad answer: “Why don’t you describe it for me? You’d probably be better at it.”

 

Why do you want to work at this company?

In other words, are they a genuine fan of your company, or have they just re-read your ‘About Us’ page 17 times directly before the interview?

Candidates that can demonstrate that they have a real interest in your business are the ones that’ll really impress. If they can show they’ve done their homework, and can provide relevant examples to back their reasons for wanting to work for your company, you’re probably onto a winner.

For extra points, the best candidates may even reference subjects such as recent news stories, press releases, and expansion plans on their site, as relevant areas for discussion in interview.

Steer clear of those who focus on what your company could do for them, and look for the candidates who can explain what they can do for you instead.

If they can prove how their contribution could add to your success, then you’re going in the right direction to finding the perfect fit for the job.

Good answer: “Aside from your company’s reputation as an industry-leader in your field, the thing that excites me most about working here is your expansion plans over the next two years. I’d love to work for such an ambitious business, and I think that my [quantifiable expertise] would be a beneficial addition to help it continue to succeed.”

Bad answer: “Two words: Employee. Discount.”

 

What is your dream job?

When candidates hear this question, they may automatically feel the need to refer back to some unobtainable childhood dream that has no relation to the job they’re applying for. Needless to say, this isn’t going to help you figure out their true career goals.

Look for candidates that bring it back to reality by opting for a real-world job, which results in a dream-like outcome. The top answers will involve candidates explaining how their job role would create the best impact possible, whilst relating back to their personal aspirations or the job title itself.

Just lookout for clichés. It’s highly doubtful that the job you’re advertising is exactly the same as the one they’ve dreamed about since they were five years old.

As nice as that would be for everyone involved…

Good answer:  “My dream job would be one where I communicate with customers, use my expertise to solve their problems and make everyone who meets me go home happy.”

Bad answer: “I’ve always wanted to own my own boat and just sail around the ocean for a while. I know it’s not technically a job, but I could fish for my food so I’d be a… Professional travelling fisherman?”

 

What motivates you?

Translation: are they here because they’re passionate about the position, or are they just in it for the paycheque?

A good candidate will be able to explain what kind of tasks they’re enthusiastic about, and link back them back to the job. They’ll also have a solid idea about what they want out of their next career move.

However, be wary of candidates who opt for more trivial motivations, such as an intense dislike for their current job. These answers are always unlikely to be offered by motivated workers.

And don’t be fooled by anyone who gets unnecessarily excited over every detail – they’re almost always faking it.

Good answer: “I went straight into IT after University, and my true motivation was realised when I got to work on a project that assessed software tools against our own needs. I found that I really loved translating people’s requirements into technical solutions. I felt I was helping to make people’s lives easier, and at the same time I got a sense of fulfilment from working out the answer to a puzzle. That’s what interests me about this role…”

Bad answer: “This job pays the most out of all of the ones I applied to. Which company is this again?”

 

Why do you want to leave your current job?

There are many reasons why a candidate might be leaving their current job, and chances are the reasoning won’t be massively positive.

This is understandable. But as long as the candidate is honest and doesn’t appear to be hiding something, in theory, they should be able to do well at answering this question.

And it’s not all about them. They need to accurately demonstrate that they can solve your problem – in this case, your job vacancy. Those that focus on this above their individual needs indicate that they realise the importance of task at hand; an ideal answer would be linked to the job they’re interviewing for and highlight what would be expected of them.

It’s also a good sign if candidates choose to use pros of the job they’re interviewing for as reasons to leave their current job. Positive comparisons indicate they’re able to look on the bright side, and are ready to move on in their career and leave any negativity behind.

Remember: the most desirable candidates are always running towards something – not running away.

Good answer: “You’re doing a lot of biotechnology investments here. I think biotechnology is the future, and I find it fun too. I do like what I’m doing now; but it’s not quite biotechnology, although it’s closely related. On a personal note, I’ve always thought it best to change roles before reaching a plateau. I’ve decided now feels like the right time for a move.”

Bad answer: “I probably shouldn’t talk about it. But basically, my boss had it in for me from the beginning…”

 

Post Courtesy of Amber Rolfe, Author at www.Reed.co.uk

Searching for a new job is almost a full-time job, as it takes hard work, time and commitment to succeed.  So the last thing you want to do is to send out hundreds of resumes and wait for a reply that may never come, so it’s important that you are organised and know how to go about your search. In today’s fiercely competitive market, you need to have a strategic plan for your job search before you actually begin the search, from where to look, to identifying the specific kind of roles you want to apply for. Here are 7 steps that should follow when planning your job search.

 

1. Ask yourself why you are looking for a new job.

 

Are you looking for a new job because you hate your current field of work? Or is it because you have become so good at your job that you no longer feel challenged in the role you are currently in and need to step up and find something more stimulating.

 

 

 

2. Think about what you are looking for.

 

Figure out what you want to do AND what you don’t want to do. Even though you may feel quite strongly about wanting to get out of your current job, it’s still very important for you to take your time to do some planning before launching into your job hunt. At the very least, you should know which fields or industries you are interested in, and what types of positions you are suitable for.

 

3. Know your strengths and weaknesses.

 

Now that you have a rough idea of what you’re looking for, do you have what it takes to work in those particular fields or positions? What are you good at? Don’t wait until the job interview to figure these out. You’ll have to highlight them in your resume or you may not even be invited for an interview.

 

4. Do your initial research.

 

Find out what opportunities are out there in the fields that you’re interested in. Take a look at the job boards, or even company websites of businesses you are interested in. Some job openings are not advertised, so if you know people who are already working in those fields, talk to them. Even though they may not have a job to offer you, they may be able to point you in the right direction or spread the word that you are actively looking for a job. This type of networking has proven to be very helpful throughout the job search process.

 

5. Set aside time to do the search.

 

Don’t “find time” for job searching, make time! Set aside a couple of hours a day for job searching and make sure it is your sole focus for that time. Make it your “job”.

 

6. Set measurable goals.

 

Your ultimate goal is to land a job, but before you get there, you’ve got work to do. Set weekly goals for yourself, based on the number of applications to send out, the number of company websites to check out, etc. It will help you to stay motivated and give you a feeling of achievement each time you meet a goal.

 

7. Practice your interview techniques.

 

Even though you haven’t been granted an interview yet, you should be prepared. List out some of the common interview questions and practice, practice, and practice! This way when you are invited for an interview you feel confident and ready to impress!

 

Post courtesy of Undercover Recruiter @UndercoverRec

http://theundercoverrecruiter.com

We all rehearse the obvious questions like “What are your Strengths/weaknesses”, or “What makes you different”, but what about if you are asked to explain how to change a Bicycle tyre”? Sounds completely Irrelevant doesn’t it? It’s not! It is common for your Interviewer to try and put you on your back foot. They will often fire questions at you that are designed to keep you on your toes, mainly to expose your weaknesses.  It is really important that you teach yourself how to expect the unexpected, and more importantly how to answer such questions. Here are some simple tips on how to take control of a job interview and remain one step ahead of your interviewer.

Serve the ball to them.

Following your introduction to your interviewer, start the interview with an offer to run through your CV. This allows you to immediately take control of the conversation and show off your most important attributes/skills/experiences. First impressions count and by making a good strong start to an interview will normally boost your confidence and set the pace of the interview.

Throw them a curveball or two.

Keep in mind that an interview is not just about your future employer finding the right candidate, it’s also about finding the right job that suits you. Many people forget that an interview works both ways. You are there to ask questions too!  So, instead of letting your interviewer swamp you with questions ask them what they enjoy about working there. Find out the ins and outs of how the company operates. This shows interest and initiative, doing this right will often make you more desirable to the employer but at the same time you are standing your ground and making a point that you are not desperate for the job.

Master the Polite Cut-In

As Denise Taylor mentioned in a Live Q&A about how to succeed at an interview, wait for the interviewer to take a breath and cut in with a comment about responding to what they have already said. A polite interruption and careful use of body language can help you regain control of the conversation.

Don’t be Intimidated

From my experience, many employers like to sit you in front of the company Director or Manager at some point during the interview stage. A lot of employers like to use multiple interviewers as an intimidation technique. Do not get nervous. Treat these interviewers the same way you would anyone else. The only difference is they are often more focused on getting through the interview as quickly as possible, making it crucial for you to take and keep control of the interview process. A commonly used technique to avoid being intimidated is to imagine these people with no pants on. Although be careful not to break out into a laughing fit halfway through!

Return the ball to them

One of the biggest mistakes to make in an interview is to not ask any questions. Make the interview about them. Ask questions that will give you more of an insight into the company, the people that work there. It is surprising how many interviewers tell me that candidates have answered all of the questions well but never asked any questions themselves, making them believe that they had no interest in the company.

 

Be prepared for their return

Answer questions as completely and personally as possible. No matter how strange the questions may be in an interview, there will always be at least one or two competency based questions. If you do not know the answer or if the question is inappropriate, do not be afraid to ask for clarification. It is important that you are not drawn into a question without understanding what they are trying to find out. For example.

Q.”If you were put into a situation with two colleagues and you had to choose one side of the dispute, what would you do”?

1. Instead of answering with a direct approach, decide what they are trying to discover about your personality. In this case they may be trying to see how confrontational or responsible you are. A good answer would be to explain a similar situation that has occurred in a previous job and how you dealt with it appropriately.

When you control the flow of the interview, you increase the opportunity to make a good impression. Active and engaged communication shows how interested you are, and preparation displays your ability to anticipate and respond accordingly. Do not let the job interview drag on in a long discussion of your shortcomings. If this is the case, remember to use your polite cut-in technique, or draw the interviewers attention to a more positive discussion of your successes and lessons learned.

The process from Data to wisdom according to Russell Ackoff, a systems theorist and professor of organizational change, the content of the human mind can be classified into five categories:

 

Wisdom is evaluated understanding, including philosophical and ethical probing. It depends on the previous four levels and is usually future orientated and it embodies an appreciation that much will remain unknown and unknowable.

 

Insight and Understanding, a synthesis of new knowledge and information, an appreciation of why things are the way they are and what would provide the highest leverage for intervention and whole system enhancement.

 

Knowledge requires the consideration of date and information in context to discover how things are working, information is assembled as narrative that enables meaning for those working in and on a system. Prediction based on experimentation if well designed leads to knowledge.

 

Information is data that has been processed to provide answers to who, what, where, when how and why questions. Information is data that has been given meaning by the making of relational connections, this meaning can be useful if correctly applied.

 

Data are mere symbols having no significance beyond their existence, sometimes they are useful. It has no meaning by itself, for instance a spreadsheet which has no explanation which may have duplicated or wrong data within it.

 

With an ever growing number of social media users, the link between employment and social media is becoming stronger. There are many platforms available to us which enable us to post, share, like and connect with people all around the world. Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram to name a few, the list is endless.

That said, the content you display is more than likely going to be viewed by your employer, your colleagues or even both at some point, so be mindful on the type of things you choose to display.

Before we look into this further, let’s take a look at some of the statistics…

 

The numbers are astronomical.

Many of us have some kind of social media presence, in fact 2 thirds of all internet users have some form of online profile. The market leader is Facebook with nearly 1.5 Billion monthly users in the second quarter of 2015 alone, that’s 47% of all Internet users currently updating regular posts to Facebook.

If you are considering using social media to increase your chances of employment LinkedIn is probably the most effective form of social media to do it. LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site allows users to connect with like-minded users and build a professional network. Opportunities are regularly advertised on here, simply follow the right people and search for your preferred sectors and professional bodies to begin networking. Linked in has approximately 365 million users, not quite as popular as its big brother Facebook, then again – how many people do you need to know to get one job?

 

So how is social media connected to employability?

Your online presence has become the much easier to access in recent years, the fact is, if you put it online, it’s there for the world to see.

 

Back in 2009 a University of California student posted the following tweet about an internship with a software giant.

“Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty pay check against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.”

Well, for those of you who didn’t know, it didn’t end well. A Cisco employee discovered the tweet, the offer was withdrawn and a publicity storm erupted. This incident was one of the first cases where a status update resulted in the loss of a job.

 

 

So is it legal for employers to examine your social media presence?

 

This is a loaded question and in short, yes and no. Measures have been put in place to protect both Employee and Employer. It is generally up to the Employer to enforce a social media policy that enables them to take action when an employee bad mouths their company online for example.

Many online activities, especially something like a Facebook post regarding wages or working conditions that is shared with co-workers, are forms of “concerted activity” that are sheltered under the law until it reaches the point of being “disloyal” to the employer. “Disloyal” can be complicated to define, but it differentiates between comments that are merely complaining about work from ones that actively seek to reduce business by driving customers away.

 

The bottom line is, respect the boundaries of social media. The legalities can be messy and avoiding a court case is advised. Our advice to you would be to only publish things that you wouldn’t mind your employer or future employer to see. After all prevention is the best cure.

Attention to detail is key when looking for a job, after all, first impressions count for a lot.

In recent weeks, I have attended several open days and interviews with a variety of candidates for a wide range of different jobs. Something that I have noticed and wanted to underline, is how many people lack attention to detail.

Regardless of the calibre of the role you apply for, whether it be a Receptionist role, or a higher paid job like a Business Development Manager, there will always be candidates that fail to realise the importance of the small yet vital details when trying to amaze your future boss or recruiter.

I once met a really great candidate for a Sales job, David was just what we were looking for on paper and even better in person. Prior to our meeting I asked him to bring with him a copy of his most up to date CV. Do you think he did? Well, he didn’t. These kind of things can generate negative reactions or lasting memories of you. Instead of remembering David for his enthusiastic approach and his persuasive persona, I will always remember him as the guy who forgot his CV.

You may have spent a week solid preparing for an interview, questioning yourself over and over, ironing your shirt the night before, practicing positive body language in the mirror, but all this can be crushed by a simple yet devastating mistake like David did.

Attention to detail is not just about remembering to do the little things, it can also be a great tool for standing out in the crowd. Paying attention to the facts and understanding the ins and outs of a job will impress any employer. Asking questions and mentioning certain duties on a job specification shows that you are engaged and have done your research.

 

Things not to forget!

If you are sending an email to a prospective employer or recruiter, you can’t say you have good attention to detail in your cover letter and then go on to forget to attach your CV, this happens all too often, DON’T DO IT!

Cross the T’s and dot the I’s… Your CV says a lot about you and your attention to detail. First impressions count! Read through your CV a few times paying attention to punctuation and spelling. Failing to correct any mistakes can suggest that you lack attention to detail.

Be prepared! Take a pen, a notepad and anything else you can think you might need in your interview. After all, looking unprepared and unorganised can be damaging. Good preparation is crucial to any interview.

Don’t forget their name!  If you know the name of your interviewer, please get it right. For example: if you are being interviewed by Jonathan King, don’t go to reception and ask for Jon King and certainly don’t call him Jonny boy when he greets you. Remain professional at all times. Use only the name you have been given. These details are all noted by employers.