INTERVIEW

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW

We all know the job market is rather saturated, so we need to equip ourselves to stand out from the rest of the herd. One of the ways we can do this is by understanding the interview process and preparing ourselves beforehand.

Here is how to prepare for an interview:

  1. Always research the Employer/Hiring Manager

Knowledge is power, and you should understand the employer, requirements of the job and some background of the people that will be interviewing you. Doing this will help you better answer all questions that will be thrown your way!

HOW CAN I RESEARCH PROPERLY?

Look up the company website, and any other published materials associated with the company. Do you have a wide network of contact? Chat to them too!

INTERVIEW

  1. Scour the new for common interview questions and prepare yourself beforehand

Having researched common interview questions that you expect will be asked, you can actively prepare yourself for these questions ahead of time. You can ask the hiring manager what type of interview set up you will be experiencing. Will it be one on one, or in a group? You need to know this in order to prepare concise and to the point responses, that cover your experience, accomplishments and skill set.

HOW CAN I REMEMBER MY RESPONSES?

A good way to do this is to put all the information into a story, there is no need to remember specifics points an=s you want to engage in conversation.

  1. Dress the part

Every company/organisation has their own culture, and you need to plan your outfit accordingly. It’s always better to overdress than under dress, and wear clothing that is clean and neatly pressed. One thing to remember, try not to smoke or eat right before the interview – and keep your teeth and mouth fresh with a breath mint or mouth wash.

  1. Be relaxed and prepared, and arrive on time

There is no excuse on this earth for arriving late for an interview. If something catastrophic has happened, don’t leave the interviewer waiting, call them and explain what the situation is. They will appreciate the professionalism. As a best practice, try arrive to the interview 15 minutes before, this will also give you a bit of time to observe the workplace dynamic.

WHAT SHOULD I TAKE WITH TO AN INTERVIEW?

Take a pen and notepad to jot down notes you may need to remember, take copies of all qualifications, certificates, portfolio pieces and awards. Also, remember to switch of your cellphone and throw the gum you have been chewing into the bin.

  1. First impressions are everything

Always be poilite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet on the way to your interview. You want people to rmemeber you for the right reasons. Also, the impression your interviewer gets of you may make or break the rest of your interview. When greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact and offer a firm handshake (but not bone crushing). Studies have shown that within the first 20 miuntes of an interview, the hiring manager has already made critical decisions about you, the job applicant.

  1. Be genuine, cheerful, determined, confident and concise

Now you are in the interview, yikes! Another best practice here is to make sure the quality of your answers and the delivery thereafter is on point. Remebering you want to get to the point where you ca showcase your skills, experience and fit within and with the job and employer. You don’t want to ramble and bore the interviewer, so practicing, as mentioned in point #2, your answers, will help you avoid boredom.

CHOOSE CAREER PATH

REMEMBER TO NEVER BAD MOUTH A PREVIOUS COLLEAGUE OR EMPLOYER.

  1. Body language is everything

Not many of us actively think about our body language, but it can tell a story to your employer. Poor body language can distract your future employer to such an extent that they don’t listen to your well prepared interview answers.

WHAT SORT OF BODY LANGUAGE WORKS BEST?

A smile, eye contact, solid posture, active listening and the occasional nod are all best practices when it comes to body language in an interview.

  1. You need to ask questions too

Don’t just ask anything, however. Insightful, reaearched questions are what we are talking about. This shows you have put the effort in to do your research, as well as the fact that you are curious to learn more.

  1. Your interview is where you sell yourself

Sell yourself, and then close the deal. The most qualified candidate doesn’t mean the first hired. The candidate that ‘wins’ will be the one who answers questions the best, and clearly shows their fit within the company.

NOW THAT THE INTERVIEW IS COMING TO AN END?

Ask about the follow up process, and when the employer will be making his/her decision.

  1. Say your thank you’s.

Always send a follow up email or letter to say thank you. Politeness goes a long way in the interview process, especially after the fact.

 

Now that you have a better idea of how to prepare for and conduct yourself in an interview, why not try and figure out what career path to choose?

Also, check out what jobs we have available for you to apply for!

 

CHOOSE CAREER PATH

WHAT CAREER PATH SHOULD I CHOOSE?

CHOOSE CAREER PATH

Measured Ability SA

 

WHAT CAREER PATH SHOULD I CHOOSE?

 

The step-by-step guide

 

When you start thinking about your future and choosing your career path, your heartbeat may increase and your brow may sweat, but never fear; the complete guide is here!

No need for settling, no need for dreading work; here are some of the best ways to make sure you choose your career wisely.

 

 1.

 What are you passionate about? Explore those fields.

CHOOSE CAREER PATH

What are some of your hobbies?

What do you like doing?

Once you have a better idea of that, start exploring the different job opportunities within the parameters of what you like, or possibly what you are good at.

You don’t have to only explore your likes, or interests, but understanding this provides you with a good starting point. Also, don’t compare yourself to others, choose a path that YOU would enjoy and perform the best in.

No matter if you are analytical, practical, creative or technical, you may even be a socialite; there will definitely be a range of career paths that will suit you.

 

2.

Now that you have jotted down your skills – Use them.

By now you should have written down your skills, qualifications, like, dislikes and experience. With this information you can further refine your potential role research, and have them actually play to your strength.

Bare in mind, no matter how well you excel within different skills, hard work will always pay off and there is always more to learn, but those skills you possess will make it easier to find an achievable job prospect.

This also means that your strengths will be recognised and used to their maximum potential. You don’t want to be stuck in a career that doesn’t use the skills you have developed.

 

3.

 You may not enter the perfect job straight away, but you can always plan it out.

CHOOSE CAREER PATH

Once you have made your decision, think about the steps you may have to take to work your way into your dream position in the career path of your choice. If you are a people’s person, and have great sales and customer service skills, your chances of becoming the Sales Director is greater, especially if you are willing to start from the bottom and learn all the tricks of the trade.

Also ask yourself: is what I’m study going to bring me closer to my dream? Is the experience I’m gaining beneficial? If not, consider changing your game plan.

Remember, if you feel stagnated in your current job, there are courses you can take, volunteering groups and further educational training. These steps also help you better understand your value, and it makes you more employable.

Also, remember that a field of work is far more than a single job. Fields are broad; try looking for 5 jobs within that field

 

4.

Experience is key.

So, the well-known double edged sword of, how do I gain experience, if I need experience beforehand?

People seem to forget about work experience and internship opportunities, and this is a good place to start. Within these, you will be able to use the skills you have in a practical fashion, in a work environment. You will also gain more skills while doing so. If you work hard, it may turn into a permanent position and you may leverage key connections within the industry. Networking is very important.

Learn as much as you can about the qualifications needed to enter this field.

Even if the position doesn’t work out, you have still learnt something, and knowledge is invaluable. You’ll also have a better idea of what you truly want to do.

Here is a list of current internships in SA.

 

5.

 Always research what the career actually entails.

CHOOSE CAREER PATH

Remember, nothing is what it seems, until you’ve dug a little deeper.

Speak to people in the industry, try and get an idea of what their day to day tasks are, and what sort of lifestyle they lead.

Lifestyle is extremely important. A high status roll like a doctor or a lawyer may seem great, but they aren’t for everyone.

Dedication is key to any career, so make sure you can commit to your chosen career path.

 

6.

Expectations, don’t make them too high.

Be realistic when setting goals and looking for your future career path. As much as we all want to follow our childhood dreams, if they aren’t attainable, your career may not go anywhere.

Go into every career with an open mind. Expectations can trump the reality of the job and you may not enjoy it as much as you thought because you set them too high.

For example: You may not like your job at first, but by keeping an open mind, it may turn into the best career decision you could ever make.

You also don’t want your CV to put forward the notion that you are a ‘serial job happier’.

Keep this in mind: Leaving a job after 6 months because you have realised that career choice is wrong for you is acceptable. Leaving after a day is not.

 

Let’s have some fun:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleyperez/what-career-should-you-have?utm_term=.xmglXxYZb#.ik31DrQ4W

We hope that this read has helped you move along to your dream career. For more information on how to write a CV, how recruitment agencies work and more visit https://measuredability.staged.net.za/blog/

CV

Part 1: About Me – How To Make Your CV Stand Out

Part 1: “About Me” – How To Make Your CV Stand Out

CVIn a world where the job-seeker pool is rather saturated, people are looking for different ways to make their CV’s stand out, and stay memorable. This thought process can also be used when updating your personal bios on different social media platforms and professional networks.

The first way, by updating your “About Me” we will discuss today, but be sure to stay tuned for more tips in the future!

Did you know the average time spent by recruiters looking at CV’s is around 5-7 seconds?

So, how does one make their CV stick in the minds of their possible future employers? Without making it seem silly? If you don’t know how to write a CV, go here.

The first way, we will discuss today, but be sure to stay tuned for more tips in the future!

ABOUT ME:

Your “About Me” is one of the first things an employer sees, or looks for when going through a candidates CV. One thing to remember, don’t make the mistake of focusing only on your professional history, throw in an interesting and fun fact about yourself, let the employer find out about your personality.

Personality is an important facet, as each organisation has their own organisational culture. Some people fit in better than others, and to maintain a great work environment, employers’ make sure candidates also have what it takes to gel with their colleagues.

Who you are and what you have accomplished, go hand in hand.

Some questions you can ask yourself before writing your “About Me” are as follows;

  1. What is this one accomplishment you are most proud of?
  2. Do you have any hidden talents most people don’t know about?
  3. How did people describe you in highschool?

You want your CV to be easy to read, but you also don’t want it to be boring. Remember not to go too of topic, and try connect your ‘About Me’ to the type of job you are applying for. Always do your research.