It’s you, it’s you, it’s you – how to put yourself at the heart of your interview stories

Thu, Oct 28, 2021

Q: In the interview, I felt I gave a good account of how things operate in my department. I talked about how we schedule our work, how we ensure that nothing slips through the cracks and how we evaluate completed projects. I didn’t get the job and the feedback was that I failed to sell myself well enough. I really don’t know what else I could have done. Any tips? (EC, email).

How to maintain focus as interview approaches

Thu, Oct 21, 2021

Q: I applied for a job yesterday, they rang first thing this morning and want to interview me on Friday. Can I therefore take it that they are very keen to hire me? (DL, email)

How to avoid getting pipped at the post

Thu, Sep 30, 2021

Q; I’m in an unusual position. A job has come up in the place where I’ve been freelancing / working on a temporary basis for several years. The reality is that I am the leading contender. But there are several others who have also been freelancing here. They haven’t as much experience as me and all the talk is that I am the favourite, particularly as I have good relationships with some of the key senior personnel within the company. However, I want to make sure I don’t get pipped at the post. Any thoughts?

I chanced my arm – and got caught

Thu, Sep 16, 2021

Q: I was poorly prepared for the interview. I chanced my arm. I hadn’t practiced my answers, and I got thrown off by some easy questions. For example, I struggled on what I knew about the company (little or nothing); why I was leaving my current job (my time there is done, and this was a good opportunity to get into a new company, even though I’d initially be taking a step sideways); and did I think I was over-qualified for the position (the actual answer is ‘kind of’, but I wanted to get into the new company and go up the ladder there). I didn’t get the job. Any pointers? (DG, email).

How to make your ‘dream job’ work for you

Thu, Sep 09, 2021

Q: I am going for an interview in a company next week. A friend of mine went for an interview there about a year ago and a question that really threw her was “identify your dream job – and why?” She reckons she made a complete mess of it. How can I get my head around this if it comes up again? (DF, email).

No stress, how I learned from the tough days

Thu, Sep 02, 2021

Q: I was surprised when one of the interviewers asked me how I handled stressful situations at work. I tried to tell her that I didn’t really feel stress on the job, but she didn’t buy it. I mumbled something about a time when our main suppliers had a major supply line issue, but the answer didn’t really go anywhere. How should I have approached this answer? (EF, email).

How to make the most of second college chance

Thu, Aug 05, 2021

Q: I started a college degree, but I was young and foolish, and the course didn't suit me. I lumbered along for a year and a half before cutting my (well, my parents’) losses. The following year I started again and this time I enjoyed the course much more and saw it through to completion, and even went on to get a masters earlier this summer. I'm now writing my CV as I go job-searching in earnest for the first time. Should I even mention the earlier course? I don’t want them to think I’m a quitter (AC, email).

How to keep the panel looking in the right places

Thu, Jul 01, 2021

Q: I am going for a job interview next week and I’m pretty sure I fit the bill. However, I fear my lack of technology experience will come against me. I’m not that bad on technology but I have never used it much in the workplace. I’m told the technology required in this instance can be learned easily, but I’m afraid they will over state it in the interview when they see my deficiency? In this case, the technology is only a means to an end. There are far more important criteria, and I am very strong in the areas that really matter. In fact, I think they will struggle to get someone more suitable than me given my background in this sector. What should I do? (RC, email).

Assessing your interview performance so that you do even better next time

Thu, Jun 24, 2021

Q: I have suffered a few setbacks on the job interview front of late. To be honest, I thought I had done a particularly good interview last time out, but I still didn't get the job. They gave me the usual guff about there being a better candidate, you did well etc., but at this stage my confidence is on the floor. Any tips? (DR, email).

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Jun 03, 2021

Q: I am preparing for an upcoming job interview. I won’t tell you a word of a lie, this job means a great deal to me. It would put me two steps further up the ladder than I could feasibly have expected at this stage in my career. I have a strong chance because I have specialist experience. But I find myself being dragged into oceans of research about the company. Is there a danger of over researching them? (DC, email.)

The Top jobs to apply for this week!

Tue, Jun 01, 2021

Looking for a Change of Career? Find our top job opportunities in the west of Ireland available this week on Advertiser Classifieds.

Thinking through your upcoming interview

Thu, May 27, 2021

Building on last week’s column on typical interview queries, here is another set of scenarios I regularly encounter when working with my clients, writes Deirdre May, Career Coach, Slí Nua Careers.

Q: When I am being interviewed by multiple interviewers at once, who should I look at when asked a question?

The Top jobs to apply for this week!

Mon, May 24, 2021

Looking for a Change of Career? Find our top job opportunities in the west of Ireland available this week on Advertiser Classifieds.

The Top jobs to apply for this week!

Wed, May 19, 2021

Looking for a Change of Career? Find our top job opportunities in the west of Ireland available this week on Advertiser Classifieds.

Close run thing can lead to a better future

Thu, May 06, 2021

Q: I did not get the job, unfortunately. I was very disappointed. I really give it a great shot over the three interviews, one of which included a presentation about what I would do in the role, but they told me I was pipped at the post by a very strong – but marginally better – candidate. Should I write to them saying I would like to work for them in the future? (ER, email).

Long-winded spec shouldn’t always put you off the job

Thu, Apr 15, 2021

Q: I saw a job advertised last night that I’m very interested in. I know I can do it, but, to be honest, the job spec has almost put me off. I don’t actually understand some of the items listed and others are not really necessary for the role, I believe. Should I walk away now or still go for it? (TG, email).

Have I even a remote chance of working from home long-term?

Thu, Apr 01, 2021

Q: I’m hearing a lot about remote work this weather. The idea of working from home really suits me but I can’t get my head around the fact that companies might actually offer this on an ongoing basis. Are we not all going to be shunted back into offices again once the vaccine programme has been rolled out? (AC, email).

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Mar 25, 2021

Q: I have over 20 years’ experience in an office administration and management role, but no formal qualifications. An opportunity to move to another company has come up to carry out a similar role, but I am afraid I will get overlooked. Does my broad range of work experience matter more than a degree? (AN, email)

Eight tips to make the Zoom interview work

Thu, Mar 18, 2021

Q: I’ve a big interview coming up. I’m in at 12.15pm – when I say ‘in’, I mean by Zoom. I haven’t done an online interview before – any tips? It all seems so un-natural. (DD, email).

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Mar 11, 2021

Q: I am an undergraduate looking for a job. I need to write a CV now. However, I intend to return to post-graduate studies next year. Is it possible to write one CV now that will suit both scenarios? (AC, email).

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