How to Stuff Up a Perfectly Great Job Opportunity - Ignore this Advice

So how do you get your dream job?  It’s really no different to selling a great frock ... it is total self-belief.

Sitting comfortably in your own skin and believing that anything is possible, just go out there and get it!

So why do so many of the people that I get to see, do such a bad job of selling themselves in an interview process?

Some tips for you

[It's not that hard really...it's just common sense]

Newsflash! - If you want a job working for one of our magazines, it would pay to have bought the latest issue and studied it before you apply for the job. Maybe even have a go at a trial lay to blow me out of the water.

Success in recruitment is about attitude, aptitude, fit for the brand and street smarts.
Do your homework. Read the company website. Talk to an employee.
Understand the vision of the company and how you can add to their vision.

Or, if you’re keen on a retail job, visit the relevant store, immerse yourself in their brand, experience the service and work out what was missing. Make up suggestions.
This is not a case of ‘fake it till you make it’.

How best to present for an interview
 

The first thing you have to do is get your head into 'outside in' thinking, that is, put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Why should they hire you? How will you add value to their company? Why should they take the risk, and it is a risk, of employing you? What sets of skills will you bring? What do you want them to think when they see you sitting in front of them? 

They should be thinking, “Here is someone who is enthusiastic, professional, talented, hard-working and innovative; someone who will fit in well and who will add value to my business".

Never ever turn up and apply for a job for the ‘sake of a job'.
Spare both yourself and the employer the 'waste of time interview' or the follow-on inevitable average performance, as you can never be great at something you don't love.

You see a job that pushes your buttons / lights your fire /floats your boat, then make contact! Or, don't wait for a vacancy - present yourself. If you do a great job, you're sure to be the next in line and you had no competition! Large companies are always looking for those great people; in fact small companies are as well.

 

This is the first impression this company will form of you and therefore potentially very important. Most people are terrible at this and for some unknown reason, decline the mandatory task of proof reading it before sending.
And FYI: A mistake in the covering letter rules you out instantly, unless you look like Hilary Clinton or Bill Gates on paper. So proof read it yourself AND give it to another pair of eyes to proof read too.

In the letter, only spend a couple of compelling sentences talking about you, as they have your info in the accompanying CV. The letter is your opportunity to get their attention, so use it to sell what you can do for the company.
"I understand the vision for the company is to... and this is how I can advance those goals by applying my skills including...etc.”

It's not about who you are, it's about what you can bring to the table for the business. Too many applicants just don't get this vital ‘outside in’ perspective.

Also, review your CV for accuracy and completeness before you send it to the employer.
You would be amazed at how many CVs we get that have no current contact details, or conversely, these are wrong.

Clear your messages regularly if you have left a cell number, or check your emails. Anticipate that you will be required for an interview. Some applicants can take up to seven days to return a call.

If you gain an interview, be flexible about the times requested of you. Alternatively, don't be if you don't want the job.
Arrive on time and be well presented in your own personal style. Don't try to be something you are not!

Research the company; search for information on their brand(s), products and services.
Look at their website, do your homework. Establish what it is that sets them apart in their market. You can never be too time poor to do this.

Know why you want the job and be prepared to sell yourself. Apply front foot thinking always.

YOU ARE GREAT AT WHAT YOU DO!!!!!

This is how you get jobs... 90% attitude!

Prospective employers will be looking for someone who is a fit for their culture as well as having relevant work experience.

During the interview, make direct eye contact and smile lots, preferably without looking like you are stoned, of course.
If you subscribe to Mehrabian's formula of communications; <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Mehrabian>  or have never heard of it, then know that regarding communication, it is 7% verbal, 38% vocal and 55% visual, therefore HOW you say it is almost twice as important.

Shake a hand when offered with a decisive (not too) firm grip. Let the interviewer speak. Only speak when spoken to and LISTEN.

Answer the questions asked. Do not drift off into 'what you want to tell them'.
Focus on accomplishments and not just activities. Point out the outcomes and outputs you have achieved.

Short and relevant answers should be 80% of the interview. Don't get side tracked, don't talk over the interviewer, but do remember also that stories are powerful and what people remember most.  However, keep them relevant, anecdotal, succinct and to the point.

If you have questions, wait until you are asked. This is usually at the end of the interview

Be okay about talking money. If they don't approach the topic, then reconfirm pay rate. You should have researched industry pay rates. It is okay to ask how much the job is paying!

Finish the interview with a statement from you as to whether you want job or not.

It is perfectly okay to wrap up from your end with a statement that says you have decided not to pursue the opportunity. In fact it saves people like me a lot of time!

Be forward; sum up from your end as to where you believe you would add value to the role.

Now that you have good knowledge of what you may be doing, because you have listened well, offer to work for free for a period to show how great you are.

And if they take you up, be great! Unfortunately, so many of our trials aren't.

And when you get home, follow up with an email thanking them for their time and state that you look forward to hearing from them.