Career Coach
Issue 3
Dear Juliet,
Welcome to this weeks edition of Career Coach,
your fortnightly burst of tips and advice putting you
in control of your career.
In this weeks issue:
- Interview skills Preparation - Research The
Organisation
- Setting Career Goals - Part 2
- Your Top 3 Interview Issues
Juliet Sidney
Career Change Tips
Interview skills Preparation - Researching The Organisation
It's surprising how many people forget to show any
interest in the organisation they are applying to for a
job. Especially when one of the most common
interview questions is - what do you know about our
organisation?
By not researching the organisation you are in danger
of giving the interviewer the impression that you do
not prepare properly. If you do not prepare for an
interview you may not prepare well in the workplace.
So where do you start?
These days the easiest place to start is on the web.
Most organisations will have a web site. Look for
information under about us - this should have
some good background to the organisation.
Look at what services and/or products they provide
so you have a good awareness of what they do.
Some organisations have pages on their sites
devoted to working for them. Here you can find
details on specific roles/job opportunities, the
company mission statement and their values etc.
Remember this is not just an opportunity to gen up
on your prospective employer but try to get a feel
for whether you would like to work for this
organisation. Remember the interview process is two
way.
If you do not have access to the internet and/or the
organisation does not have a web site then you
could try contacting them directly. Ask to be put
through to HR and explain why you are calling. Have
prepared a list of questions to ask and remember to
be polite and professional with your request. You
never know the person you speak to may later
interview you.
Other places to research are newspapers and
professional magazines as well as friends and family
who may have an awareness of a particular
company. You are not looking for war and piece just
some interesting points you can discuss at interview
and shown that you have taken the time to show
some interest in them.
If you feel you would benefit from improved interview
skills - click here
Proactive Career Habits
Setting Career Goals - Part 2
Last time I ran through the importance of
setting career goals. By now you should have a
good idea of your career goals for the coming year.
Now the important bit. You need to try to think of
the steps you need to take in order for you to
achieve your goal. By breaking your main goal down
into small manageable action steps it is easier to see
what needs to be done and maintain your focus.
To help you think of the action steps you need to
take. Think about the barriers to you achieving your
goal, what knowledge, skills and experience do you
need to improve and/or gain?
On the other side of the coin what opportunities do
you have? Ask yourself what support is available,
are there training courses available? Is your
immediate manager supportive? Is there a colleague
or friend who may be able to help? In this way you
should be able to build a good picture of what action
steps you need to take.
By doing this preparation your manager/mentor will
be more inclined to support you and know you are
serious. Don't worry if you don't have all the
answers they will respect your efforts.
Next time we will look at meeting with your manager
with your goals. If you are keen to improve your
career prospects
why not consider working with a career coach - click here for more
information on my services.
Feedback
Your Top 3 Interview Issues
Later this year I want to provide affordable interview
skills workshops. It is important that these cover the
issues that are most important to you.
Please therefore confirm your top 3 interview issues.
Email me here
I will focus my workshops to ensure they cover the
issues that are most important to you and feedback
in future issues.
