6/13/2011 3:41:53 PM
Don't be misled by The Apprentice - ARM's guidance on acing your interview
On Tuesday 10th May 2011 the new series of The Apprentice
started. Although it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, let’s face it,
in terms of entertainment value it has to be up there.
For those people who watch it for practical reasons, i.e. to get
a better idea of the corporate world, we would like to offer you
our take on how to become a good apprentice.
Where in some cases the labour market is more candidate rich
than ever before, it is vital to find ways that enable you to stand
out from the crowd and make an excellent impression on a hiring
manager.
Your CV
Consider your personal marketing literature such as your CV. No
matter how good you are at your job and no matter how many amazing
things you have achieved, none of this really matters if your CV
doesn’t do you justice. This is the first thing a potential
employer will see and it is this that you will be solely judged on
before you have any hope of meeting them. Be completely honest and
avoid exaggeration or downright lies as it is all too easy to be
caught out, as seen in previous episodes of programmes such as The
Apprentice!
First impressions
First impressions really do count, so eye contact, good body
posture, a firm handshake and a smile are a good starting point.
Come prepared with some initial small talk for those potential
awkward minutes walking from reception to the meeting room.
Know yourself
Spend time working out your personal unique selling points. What
are the skills and experiences that you have accumulated over the
years that make you different? What can you bring to a new company
that others cannot? The more confident you are about the brand you
are selling, in this case yourself, the more confident you will
feel in any interview situation.
Reality check
In shows such as The Apprentice, we see a dozen or so
hard-nosed, over competitive, two-faced individuals scrapping their
way through a number of tasks assigned to them in order to prove
their selling, marketing and negotiation prowess. Fortunately the
real life process of getting a job tends to be a little less
fractious.
Understand the role and company
It may seem like an obvious point to make, but really get to
know the requirements of the role you are applying for as well as
the company. Ensure you have a solid understanding of their
products and services, recent press releases and as much
information as possible about the people you will be meeting. How
many times have we seen The Apprentice candidates asked in the
final interviews what they know about Sir Alan Sugar's businesses,
and are unable to give a decent response? And it’s not like there’s
no historical precedent for that question!
Finally, ensure you give lots of thought to the types of
questions you will be asked and have concise, factual answers
ready. Being prepared and knowing your brand all go a long way
towards giving you the confidence to convince the employer that you
are the best person for the job.
The interview tips
If you’re offered a drink before an interview, we would suggest
taking it. There is a possibility you will be faced with a
difficult question, in this situation simply take your drink and
sip on it slowly to give yourself a little longer to think about
your response.
It is important that most of the talking is done by you. The
majority of the interview is based on your experiences and skills,
which, if you can apply to the potential role, will stand you in
good stead.
Acknowledge your interviewer
If you receive a business card from your interviewer, just take
a few minutes to look at it and comment on something about
it: it is an excellent way to deflect the attention and
acknowledge the interviewer.
Dress
Dress code is arguably the most important element of an
interview. It is strongly recommended that you dress formally for
all interviews. Interviews are difficult enough without adding the
risk of being penalised for your dress code. What a horrible and
unnecessary extra stress to load yourself with – worrying that you
might be immediately rejected on the basis of your attire!
Getting the balance right at work
It is important to be both a team and company fit - big
personalities invariably alienate both potential clients and are
wearing for colleagues to work alongside. They may be entertaining
on a TV programme, but hard work in a workplace where peers are
trying to get a job done as painlessly, profitably and easily as
possible.
Like anything in life, it's a case of finding the 'happy medium'
with regards to your working persona, not being a shrinking violet
- if you have no confidence in yourself, you can't expect any one
else to have confidence in you. Likewise, a loud, domineering
approach leaves no room for other team members to have their say -
leading to a clear imbalance and a stifling of ideas from
colleagues.
We hope this information has helped you in preparation for your
next job interview. Should you wish to discuss your next job
opportunity or are looking for CV advice please call through
to our main reception and ask to speak with a recruiter in your
sector. 02392 228 228.
Dil Bhakar
Marketing Executive
ARM