Graduate recruitment and tackling those interview nerves

by JSB

To have the best chance of tackling nerves, you need to understand what's behind them. Nerves are basiclly a form of stress, and stress is generated primarily by uncertainty, and this is the key to dealing with those nerves. If you can remove some of this uncertainty, then you will be able to remove some of those nerves. Here's some ideas that will serve you well through the graduate recruitment process.

Don't leave your journey to interview to chance. In most cases, if do you turn up late, you've blown it before you even start. So if you're anything other than very early leaving, the chances are along the way you will begin to feel nervous about whether you're going to make it. On traffic Jam and you'll be shaking behind the wheel worrying whether there's still enough time. The solution is simple. Do a practice run of your journey on another day at the same time and remove the uncertainty. Then add another hour onto this time and leave extra early. The worst you'll have then is an hour to kill at the venue, but at least you're worrying about being on time!

Learn about the company in advance. Uncertainty about what questions you may be asked is another source of nerves, and indeed whether you can answer them. Some questions are predictable, like 'what do you know about our company.'? Really go to town on your company research, being over prepared for a question you know you will get is a nice comfortable feeling that will have you waiting with anticipation for it rather than dreading it.

Is your graduate recruiter an 'axe murderer'? Okay so it's an exaggeration but worrying about what your interviewer is like is another significant source of uncertainty and stress, and it's unnecessary. If you've gone through a graduate recruitment agency, your consultant should be able to tell you what the interviewer's like and how to approach them. In addition, try to speak with an employee as part of your research, they will also be able to give you some hints on what the manager is like.

Here is my killer nerve buster, exercise. If you've ever been in a gym for an hour, you'll know that sense of relaxation you feel after strenuous exercise. the relaxation is enduced by endorphins, natural hormones which are sent flowing around your body after exercise. Call up the hotel in advance and ask them if you can use the gym before your interview, them let you in for free, or they may charge you a few pounds, but it will be worth it!

Drum up a load of graduate recruitment activity. If you only have one opportunity on the go, the uncertainty about the outcome is a sure killer for your nerves. Apply to lots of different jobs and generate several processes at once, then, there's less uncertainty around any one interview, and therefore less nerves associated to it.

The graduate recruitment process is riddled with uncertainty in itself, let alone the uncertainties surrounding your future career and life, so one can easily see why it is so stressful and nerve wracking. Employ these techniques methodically and you will see your interview performance rise dramatically.

John Bult runs internet job sites for graduate recruitment agencies in the UK.

Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com

A Guide To Job Seeking

by rwakefield

If you have recently lost your job, you may be at a loss of where to start looking for employment again and how to apply for jobs. Recruitment Agencies are a great place to start.

Recruitment agencies can take the fear and effort out of job hunting. Good agencies match job seekers with employers but more importantly, they match the skills and experience of job seekers to the requirements of employers. They may also offer extra services like:-

- help finding training to update your skills.
- advice on how to prepare a CV and how to write a cover letter.
- help brushing up your interview techniques – some recruitment agencies will give you mock interviews.

Keep in touch with your recruitment agency to check on progress.

As well as registering with some of the more respectable agencies, you will also want to look through the job sections of newspapers for jobs to apply for. But how do you actually go about applying for a job this way? Her are some tips:-

- Don't waste your time or an employer's time by applying to a job that is outside of your skill level.

- Telephone and ask for more details about the job if the advert is short or vague. Doing this will help you to make your CV and letter more relevant to the job.

- Make sure that your CV really sells you. Ask your the agency for help with preparing it. Keep your CV brief and to the point, use bullet points and space it out evenly. Your CV should have sections for your personal details, your skills (in summary), your education, work history and experience, activities and interests, and finally references. Only list skills and experience that are relevant.

- Send a covering letter with your application. Again, your agency may be able to help you with this. The job of a cover letter is to explain why you are the ideal person for the job and how you can benefit the company. Keep your letter short and to the point – one side of A4 paper is enough. Look carefully at the job details so that you know what the employer is looking for and what to emphasize. Print your CV and letter out on the same paper and use the same font so that they match. Don't forget to make your letter personal – if a name is mentioned in the advert then address your letter to that person.

Most agencies should be happy to look through your letter to give you pointers.

- Mention any reference numbers from the advert so that the company knows which job you are applying for.

- Follow up your application with a phone call to make sure that your application has been received.

Combine using recruitment agencies with applying to advertised jobs to increase your exposure and to increase your chances of finding a suitable job. Don't forget to check with your agency before applying for a job, they might have already sent your details to that employer.

Most importantly, don't expect miracles - there is often a finite supply of jobs in the real world, most jobs have tens or even hundreds of applicants. Your challenge is to make sure that you present yourself in the best possible light, and keep persevering until the right job comes along.

Roger Wakefield works for for Agency Central (http://www.agencycentral.co.uk). Agency Central is a directory of recruitment agencies allowing job seekers and employers to search by industry sector and location in order to find the right match.

Article Source: http://www.articlecube.com