Tough interview question No. 1: why should we give you the job? (video)
Posted inHow to look for a job Video tutorials

Tough interview question No. 1: why should we give you the job? (video)

There are some interview questions that you just can’t run away from. No matter how senior or junior the role, which industry you’re moving into and whether a recruitment agency is doing the initial interview instead of your employer, the questions will still remain.

Every day this week, we will be tackling one of the following five interview questions with a video tutorial:

  1. Where do you see yourself in five years?
  2. Tell me about yourself
  3. Why do you want to work for this company?
  4. What are your strengths?
  5. Why did you leave your last job?

Today, we look at the first questions: “Where do you see yourself in five years time?”. Watch the video below:

Shoes and interviews: three things that could cost you the job
Posted inGet the Look How to look for a job

Shoes and interviews: three things that could cost you the job

We’ve all heard the saying “first impressions count”, and it’s even more important at job interviews. But is it enough to splurge on a new suit, or dress for an interview and hope the interviewer will bypass your flip flops?

The truth is that, even when the weather is roasting in summer, what you wear on your feet is just as important at the clothes. It’s the attention to detail that the employer will be looking at, as well as how you will represent the company, so if you show poor judgement on your footwear, it may count against you.

Here are some things to consider when planning your footwear for a job interview:

How to dress for interviews…and do you really need to wear a suit?
Posted inA mix Get the Look How to look for a job

How to dress for interviews…and do you really need to wear a suit?

Making the best impression at job interviews is not always about what you say. Your clothes, hair and overall look can speak volumes.

If you’ve been out of work for a while, or are branching into a new career or sector, you may wonder what the protocol is style wise…it can get a little confusing to say the least. and the pressure of making the best first impression you can doesn’t help matters, either.

Here are some tips to get the balance right and win over a recruiter:

How to win the job war against young, cheaper graduates
Posted inA mix How to look for a job

How to win the job war against young, cheaper graduates

When you’ve spent time out of work making the decision to return to work can be a daunting prospect. You may have tackled the demands of being a parent, a 24-hour job – but the office is a different game.

You may be worried that there are younger, cheaper,  ‘more employable’ competitors out there fighting for the same jobs. Someone who’s fresh out of university and up to date on the industry news and trends is unbeatable, right? That’s not technically true.

How to explain gaps in employment during a job interview
Posted inHow to look for a job

How to explain gaps in employment during a job interview

Job interviews are an opportunity for you to prove that you’re the best person for the job – and it’s also an opportunity for recruiters to check anything that doesn’t add up. And for many mums, this may be a gap in your employment history.

Many people get anxious when a job interviewer starts checking the dates on your CV and asking questions about any gaps in employment. For mums, this is almost inevitable because so many choose to take time out to raise young children before returning to work later.

How every working mum can make returning to work after maternity leave as easy and stress-free as possible
Posted inCareers Coach Blog Family life

How every working mum can make returning to work after maternity leave as easy and stress-free as possible

No one said it was going to be easy, but if you want to have your cake and eat it as a working mum, you need to dust yourself off and prepare yourself emotionally, mentally and financially because there may be a few hiccups along the way when you return to work after taking maternity leave.

Being a working mum can be fulfilling and if you can get everything in place before going back to work, it will be a much easier transition that you probably thought.

Here are some tips for a stress and tear free transition (or as close to one as possible!):

A new manager at work doesn’t have to spell doom – learn how to break them in
Posted inCareers Coach Blog

A new manager at work doesn’t have to spell doom – learn how to break them in

Having a new boss at work can bring a mix of emotions. If you had a good working relationship with their predecessor, you may be a bit anxious about establishing a similar rapport with someone new who does know and understand you. Maybe you had your old boss wrapped around your little finger, and that made coming into a job you didn’t like all that much ever easier and now things are bound the change…

If you couldn’t wait to see the back of an irritating or incompetent line manager, anyone else will do, and you could come across as a bit too eager with a new boss who doesn’t know the history!

Whichever side you sit on, most people feel a little nervous, but if you play your cards right, a new boss can be a very positive thing. Here’s how:

Is going to work making you broke? Find out how with this infograph
Posted inCareers Coach Blog Money - how to keep it and how to make it

Is going to work making you broke? Find out how with this infograph

Do you feel like a dog who’s chasing its tail when it comes to work and money? Working all the available hours and still come short in the money stakes?

social media spy
Posted inHow to look for a job

Struggling to get a job interview? Your social media profiles could be to blame

Pictures of your wild party days (even if they are before you got all sensibly married and became a mum), inappropriate language and ‘I hate xxx’ groups you support…they may seem like a good idea at the time, but when you’re looking for a new job they could be lethal.

According to a recent survey of recruiters and those in recruiting positions by Reppler, 91% of respondants use social networking sites to screen prospective employees.

How to manage a boss who is a draconian bully
Posted inA mix Careers Coach Blog Work and career tips and advice

How to manage a boss who is a draconian bully

You’re blessed if you have a boss who is rational and fair minded. But every so often, you’ll come across one who may be so difficult to work with you literally want to throw the towel in every morning – and that’s before you’ve even left for the daily commute!

If that sounds like your sorry state of affairs, here are some tips on managing your boss when they have the personality and tact of a goldfish:

How to make returning to work after maternity leave tear-free
Posted inA mix Careers Coach Blog Parenting tips Work and career tips and advice

How to make returning to work after maternity leave tear-free

If I had a tenner for all the stories I’ve heard working mums share about crying the first day they left young Johnny at nursery or with a childminder…

No one said it was going to be easy, but if you want to have your cake and eat it as a working mum, you need to dust yourself off and prepare yourself emotionally, mentally and financially because there may be a few hiccups along the way.

Is a fear of failure stopping you achieve more in your career, business or life in general?
Posted inCareers Coach Blog

Is a fear of failure stopping you achieve more in your career, business or life in general?

Are you someone who always has the “what if it doesn’t work?” question at the back of your mind? Do you sometimes want to bite the bullet and go on a particular course, or start a part-time business from home but don’t know why you keep holding yourself back?

5 job interview no-nos that will get you sacked before you’ve even started the job
Posted inCareers Coach Blog How to look for a job Work and career tips and advice

5 job interview no-nos that will get you sacked before you’ve even started the job

Whether you’re preparing for a job interview after a redundancy, just looking to change your job for one that pays more, or are returning to work after a break looking after the kids, getting the basics right on your CV is only the first step to you getting your next job.

What would you do if you were made redundant from your job today?
Posted inCareers Coach Blog Work and career tips and advice

What would you do if you were made redundant from your job today?

It used to be the case that people could get a job and expect to stay there for as long as they wished. But with the current economic climate, the job for life is no longer guaranteed…but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that you have to be prepared for the possibility of a redundancy so that it doesn’t have a compete negative impact, should it happen to you.

Is job-hopping and career success related to each other?
Posted inA mix Careers Coach Blog Work and career tips and advice

Is job-hopping and career success related to each other?

These days, there is no such things as a job for life, unless you choose to create it yourself…but that doesn’t mean that recruiters turn a blind eye to CVs that show a lack of commitment to work.

Job hoppers do it for various reasons. More often than not they may not know what they are getting into when they agree to work for an employer and then stick it out for as short a time as possible before they leave so they can clock as much time as possible on their CV to avoid awkward questions.

10 ways to impress your boss and get that promotion you deserve
Posted inCareers Coach Blog Work and career tips and advice

10 ways to impress your boss and get that promotion you deserve

Are you tired of promotions passing you by? Do you wish you were more respected by your colleagues and your boss?

It takes more than doing the job to stand out in the workplace. Here are some tips on becoming irreplaceable in your workplace and getting a promotion.

No one likes being ignored in the workplace - but if you don't champion yourself, who will?
Posted inCareers Coach Blog Work and career tips and advice

Everyone is talking about Tom Davey during the Olympics…but what about his partner Peter Waterfield? Are you being overlooked at work?

Everyone is talking about Tom Davey in the Olympics – even when he and his diving partner Peter Waterfield missed out on a medal, all the spotlight was on golden boy.

Does your boss hate you? Yes, if he does anything of these things:
Posted inA mix Careers Coach Blog Work and career tips and advice

Does your boss hate you? Yes, if he does anything of these things:

We all have our little foibles, and bosses are no different. But how can you tell if your boss is just a little different or hates you?

boss from hellHow far can the comments go, and how schemes deep rooted are the incidents you’ve been receiving really go? Is it just a case of poor communication, or does your boss just not like you?

Here’s how you can tell if your boss hates you:

Posted inA mix Careers Coach Blog

Do you mean business? Why haven’t you got a business mentor?

No matter how good you are at your craft, there really is nothing like being able to have a mentor who can help you turn your expertise into a financial success.

Most business owners and successful online entrepreneurs will admit that a mentor was a big part of their success.

business mentorA lot of people feel like they can do everything on their own and this is something that can lead to a lot of problems. An enthusiasm to get stuck in and get your hands dirty is great, but do you have to learn all the hard lessons the long way, making avoidable mistakes along the way?

Posted inHow to look for a job Work and career tips and advice

Job interviews: 40 questions you could be asked…

Job interviews are a two-way thing. You go to showcase your skills, show them the type of personality you have and that you can fit in and work well with the existing workforce a d you also go to see if the employer is the right one for you.

types if interview questionsIf you go fully prepared, the experience will be less daunting and you’ll look like the true professional you rally are.

Preparation is key – and that’s why we’ve got 40 common interview questions you’re likely to be asked at the job interview, so you can prepare for them in advance: