Got A Big Job Interview Coming Up?
Gareth Brooke, London's leading coach for job interviews, talks about his business
Gareth Brooke is London's leading coach for job interviews. Here he talks about his business The Job Interview Coach and answers some of the questions he is often asked.
Why did you set up the job interview coach? Where did the idea come from?
Over the last few years I noticed that more and more friends and colleagues were asking for my advice about how to do a job interview www.thejobinterviewcoach.co.uk. I helped willingly because, as a friend, it gave me immense pleasure to be able to see them develop in confidence and learn new skills. Nearly all of them were successful and a growing number of them suggested that I should establish my own coaching consultancy specialising in helping people with job interview preparation. A couple of years ago I decided to take up their advice and since then I haven't looked back. Based on this success I've moved into professional CV writing too. I've continued to have a high rate of success both in getting my clients an interview as a result of my professional CV writing services as well as helping them to succeed during the interview process and to get the job they want.
So, I'm going for a big job interview what should I think about – how can you help me? How does it work?
It's very simple. Just get in touch with me and soon as you can to give us both much preparation time as possible. Contact me via www.thejobinterviewcoach.co.uk or on gareth@thejobinterviewcoach.co.uk
We'll then work together. In order to put you in the very best position to get the job you want I'll research the role you're going for and the organisation that you're applying to. Because I know what to look for in these situations I can give you a real insight into the kind of candidate they're looking for and the organisational culture that you'll be working in. I'll ask you a series of in-depth questions about yourself that really gets you to think about how you can match your experience and skills to the requirements of the job and how to address any weaknesses you might have. I'll ask you tough, relevant questions – the kind of question that I know you'll probably be asked. I can then help you to develop strategies to handle them effectively. I'll give you some practical tools and together we'll build a storyboard/narrative of your career past, present and future. As well as practicing your interview techniques I can advise on any presentations that you've been asked to deliver.
What advice would you give to somebody going for a job interview? What are your top tips for succeeding in a job interview?
Motivation! By that I mean, do you really want this job? Passion, enthusiasm and commitment are qualities that impress all interview panellists. Preparation is also essential. The more you know about a role and an organisation the easier the interview should be and you'll impress the interviewers by the fact that you've done your homework clearly demonstrating your commitment. I'd say also practice and rehearse your responses to difficult questions or any presentations you have to give. But there is a fine line between “practice makes perfect” to being over rehearsed and too slick, so don't stop being authentic and genuine. In other words, just be your professional self.
What kind of people do you work with? How do you help them?
I work with anyone who thinks they could benefit from my assistance. I've worked with over 80 clients to date, they've been drawn from all backgrounds, ages, and professions, including, finance managers, marketing managers, communications directors, project managers, lawyers, and managers in the public and third sectors.
What about helping young people with their first job interview?
I work a lot with young people going for their first jobs after leaving college, as well as unemployed single parents wanting to get back into work, plus people who want to get promoted and people going for new and different role and positions that are more senior to the one that they currently hold.
The feedback I get is that I bring a sense of clarity and discipline to people who feel overwhelmed because they still have a day job to do! Or perhaps they feel anxious or uncomfortable about having to sell themselves. I give them clear guidance and a structure to follow that helps instil confidence and self-belief that they can get the job they want, they say that they feel more in control and empowered, able to give their best performance.
Typically what mistakes to people make when going for a job interview?
A number of things:
• Little to no preparation. By doing too little research into the role they're going for and the organisation they're apply to and generally winging the interview. A high risk strategy and very stress inducing! In other cases people do the wrong kind of research.
• Not being able to control their nerves. This can manifest itself in a number of different ways such as either talking for too long or not long enough, making weak or inappropriate jokes, or saying “er” and “um” a lot.
• Not answering the questions. People often over rehearse and can only respond to the questions they think they've rehearsed. They aren't agile or flexible enough in their thinking to adapt their responses to the actual questions they're asked.
• Being critical of their current employer or manager. Interview panellists will see this as a warning sign that a candidate is not good at managing potential conflict. I can also look just plain disloyal.
• When asked: “what's your greatest weakness” it's usually a mistake to reach for that old cliché: “I have perfectionist tendencies.” Panellists hear that response all the time. Don't be afraid to admit to a weakness but, very importantly, explain clearly how you have or how you intend to address it.
• Not asking questions of the panellists when invited to do so. This can be interpreted as either arrogance or disinterest, either way it doesn't look good.
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September 13, 2017
