Job interviews can be a hard thing to wrap your head around — that’s if you’re able to get one.
The current job market can feel like a minefield; there’s economic uncertainty, weak salaries and more competition for vacancies.
If you are preparing for a job interview, there are a few key tips to remember to give yourself the best chance at securing a new role.
A careers expert has shared how people can ‘nail a job interview’ in the first five minutes, and on this occasion it does not involve a coffee cup.
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We don’t mean to startle you, but from the moment you walk through the door (if it’s an in-person interview of course) you’re already being judged.
According to global recruitment consultancy Robert Walters, the initial first impressions are crucial and therefore, their top tip is to remember that the job interview actually starts from the moment you leave the house.
You never know who you’ll meet during your commute to the interview, but someone on the same bus or train could be from the same company you’re interviewing for.
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If you’re queuing for a coffee in the local coffee shop before going into the building, someone in line with you could be someone you may work with in your immediate future.
So, the key is to remember to be professional and polite as soon as you leave your home.
An anonymous interviewer said: “I once heard someone standing outside our building, smoking furiously and complaining loudly on their phone about the early start time of their meeting and wondering aloud why they were even there.
“When I got to my next interview, I realised to my dismay the noisy moaner was my next candidate! Not a great start…”
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You should treat everyone you meet on the day as though they are interviewing you for the job. From the receptionist, to the people you share an elevator with.
The usual rules also still apply: be on time, but not too early, and make a strong first impression by smiling, making eye contact and speaking confidently.
You can also use the company’s social media profiles to get an idea of their dress code.
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To help you land an interview, a hiring expert explained one key detail you should avoid including on your resume.
“If I see a picture, that’s going in the ‘no’ pile,” says Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at Resume Builder.
She has worked in the recruitment process for over 30 years and she told CNBC why including a headshot is now something to avoid.
She says that including a picture may unintentionally invite ageism or snap judgements based on appearance, and it also suggests ‘that person is out of touch with how we do things today’.
Gregory Robinson