Employers now place greater emphasis on how different professionals engage with other areas of the business. Therefore candidates that demonstrate strong communication skills and a collaborative approach at work will be better placed to secure the best roles in sought-after companies.
Your technical skills may get you the first interview, but for many employers they will also be looking to see how you can engage with the business to achieve successful business outcomes.
Here are the top four areas of preparation you need to look at before your next interview:
You need up-to-date, practical knowledge of technical skills that appear on your CV and be prepared to discuss these at length. You should:
Likewise, you should be prepared to discuss why you chose your particular career path, reasons for accepting and leaving any prior jobs and gaps in employment, as well as your future aspirations.
It’s unlikely that the role you move into will be an exact match of a role you were in before. To prepare, consider:
If there are gaps in your experience, don’t be afraid to acknowledge this. Researching how you can learn these skills on-the-job will show that you are proactive and have the capacity to learn.
Not doing adequate research on the company will often be more noticeable than you’d expect and it can reflect very poorly on your commitment to the role. Outside of particulars on the company and its operations, you’ll want to consider:
Your technical skills will get you the first interview, but for many employers they will also be looking to see how you can engage with the business to achieve successful business outcomes
Most interviewers will expect you to have prepared a selection of questions for them as well. Aside from the more common and practical questions, try to think of something more unusual to show that you’ve really considered your suitability for the role. These should be future oriented and could include things surrounding the organisation’s greater strategy, culture and structure.
Employers now want their employees to truly understand how their role can impact the greater business as well as those who can liaise with stakeholders to find the best possible solution.
For any final preparations or should you have any questions, your specialist recruitment consultant will be a fantastic source of guidance to provide you with the key things you’ll need to know. They should also have insight into your interviewer’s personality, their interview style and the competition you’re up against.
Eight most common CV mistakes
Trying to make a strong first impression can be exceptionally difficult and quite often, great candidates fall at the first job hunting hurdle by making silly mistakes on their CV. We’ve put together a list of the most common pitfalls and tips on how to avoid them. 1. Spelling mistakes and bad gramm
Read More5 questions you should ask your interviewer
Interviews are a two way street so it’s important to be prepared and ready to ask questions when you meet your prospective employer. It’s a way for you to not only show interest for the role you are applying for, but also a great way to find out whether you actually want to work for a certain organi
Read MoreHow to answer competency based interview questions
As employers refine their recruitment processes to improve their ability to identify the best professionals, competency based questions are becoming increasingly popular in interviews. While these questions can be challenging, they also give professionals the opportunity to emphasise their accomplis
Read MoreAre you interested in launching your career with a world-leading specialist in professional recruitment? Gain valuable experience, expert training, and the opportunity to make a positive impact across the globe.