How to ace an interview – an entry-level guide
Interviews are a nerve-wracking thing for so many people entering the working world – how do I demonstrate my skills? What sort of questions should I ask? How can I stand out from other candidates? We’ve put together this handy guide to cover the key points we think are most important when preparing for an interview. Best foot forward Always make sure to dress the part – a lot of roles nowadays have a more casual dress code for the office, but it’s safest to make sure you are dressed in something smart and comfortable for interviews to make sure you’re making the best first impression. Avoid trainers or other casual shoes, and if in doubt, dressier is better! Nerves are understandable but try your best to not let it seep into your body language too much. Smile and nod wherever you can, avoid crossing your arms and don’t be…
Events talent crisis? The solution is clear
Over the course of the pandemic, the decline of the events industry forced a lot of people to make difficult career decisions. Many people shifted to different industries in search of stability during unprecedented circumstances, and while this was a crucial decision for the livelihoods of many, it has since created a talent gap in the market that is becoming difficult to solve as live events start back up. What’s the issue? As restrictions ease across England and the live events market is beginning to accelerate, a trend we’re noticing is a gap of mid-level talent with 2-4 years’ experience to take on executive level roles. Graduates who left university were unable to acquire hands-on events experience beyond their degree programmes, many of whom had their final years delivered virtually and couldn’t gain the expected level of event management experience. For candidates who did not go to university, apprenticeships and…
Hiring Managers- Ask these questions to ensure your offer is accepted.
The list of reasons a candidate might say no to a job offer is exhaustive! Some might seem obvious and some, you might think, ‘you’re only telling me this now?’. It’s amazing the information you miss from forgetting to ask one little question. We can often get over excited, rushing through the process thinking you’ve made such a great match. As a hiring manager, you’ve put all your eggs in one basket, ignoring all other applications and as a recruiter, your thinking the placement is in the bag! If you are a recruiter, you should’ve only experienced a job offer rejection once or twice in your career. If you listen to your candidates and clients needs from the very start, challenging their answers and delving deeper into their reasoning, you will uncover enough information to know whether to even put the offer in front of the candidate. You should have…
Only Successful People Use The 5 Hour Rule
Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk and Bill Gates, what do they all have in common apart from being some of the worlds most successful business minds? They all have the same habit which seems incredibly simple but has impacted them and their lives and always shall be an imperative part of their day. They all read! Not just your NYT best sellers but they actively pick a topic beyond their own level of expertise and read about it for an hour a day at least 5 days a week. Seems exceptionally simple and a bit of a…well obviously they do! But to think about the level of discipline, forward planning and focus it is very impressive. Also considering how busy they are running multi-million dollar companies. I think we can all take a lesson or a slight bit of inspiration from this and start to pick up on the habits of…
The Graduate Job Drop
It’s a very tough time for all job-seekers right now, but arguably more so for Graduates and those seeking entry level roles. Graduate roles have drop by a massive 60% since this time last year in the UK. The average amount of applications per job has increased by 47.2 per cent in the past 12 months; from 16.8 in 2019, to 24.7 in 2020. Speaking to graduates in the last few weeks the main frustration is being ‘ghosted’ and not hearing back from the roles they are applying for or ascertaining why that is. How can you fix what’s wrong with your profile and secure a first stage interview if you aren’t given feedback as to why your not suitable? When I was a graduate I spent most of my time sat in Starbucks buzzing off 99p free refill filter coffee applying for every grad job and wondering why I…
How Body Language affects your interview technique
Body language goes both ways, Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others. Other people’s body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you. How do we show confidence, intellect and suitability during an interview through our body language? One widespread technique before an interview instead of having your head in your phone or frantically reading over notes, you should do the “Power Pose”. Stand with your feet apart and arms out making yourself as wide as you possibly can, try to avoid doing this in the lobby before your interview. This action increases Testosterone and Cortisol levels significantly, getting you pumped for your interview. During your interview, be aware of your body. Sit up straight, this not only helps you concentrate but makes you appear bigger which demonstrates power, like a peacock. Leaning forward when answering questions shows that are ready to face any question and challenge directly and readily, moving…
How to Look Confident When You Don’t Feel It
Be more confident! Its much easier said than done, we get repeatedly told to be confident and we will do well in life. But how do you be more confident? and if you can’t, can you fake it? The answer is yes, the fake it till you make it technique can actual work to make you appear a confident person and in doing so you will become one. Initial impressions are made by Body Language, your body language is screaming out how you feel on the inside. If you don’t feel confident you will not look it. Make a conscious effort to hold yourself tall with your head slightly raised. Making yourself look bigger demonstrates power and like you can handle any situation that comes your way. Increase eye contact with the people you are speaking too, of course don’t stare them out.. but show them that you are listening and…