Recently we looked at what you can do to improve your CV and in turn help achieving New Careers. Hopefully the article has helped and you’re now onto the scary interview stage. Interviews are they key part of the job application procedure. It shows the employers believe you might have what they need to fill these Careers and they’re interested to listen to what you have to say. The CV was only the start, they didn’t really get everything they want from it and now you have to go in there and establish you are suited to these Career Choices and can make a difference to their business.

So how can you make the most of an interview? You should ensure you have the best possible chance, these Careers don’t come along everyday, so you must make the most of it. The major thing to start off with is to carry out some research into the company and the type of business it operates. There’s nothing worse than arriving at an interview and not knowing a thing about the business. You will most certainly be asked why you wish to work there, and you will be asked about the product or type of business involved. Make sure you know your stuff and can answer properly without having to stop and think about it.

The next thing to you need to get ready for is something we pointed out in the CVs – be prepared to answer any questions about gaps in your employment. Employers can be concerned if there are long time gaps between your jobs, it could imply laziness to find a job or maybe indicates you were fired from your last role and nobody will take you on now. Whatever the reason might be, be prepared to discuss and position it in the best way possible to avoid any negative feedback.

Employers will also want to know why you finished your previous Careers. If it is to seek out a better opportunity, just say so and give details why you think New Careers within this business will provide that. If you left for other reasons, or maybe were made to leave, make sure to explain this as thinly as possible, but do not lie about it. Lying will make things worse, as an employer will check your references and can decline your application if anything you’ve said doesn’t match up.

Lastly, try reading up on some general interview questions and ready some answers for them. If you can, you could even ask a friend to help carry out practice interviews. Be prepared to talk about yourself and your qualities that you can bring to these Career Choices. You might be asked to provide examples of specific situations, such as handling pressure, handling difficult customers etc. As long as you can remain confident and answer these questions without stopping to think, you will boost your chance of success significantly. Although the answers themselves are critical, the employer is also searching for confidence and determination. If these New Careers are indeed for you, then prove it and put in as much work as you can.