Job Interviews

Job interviews. They are our passage to employment, but it's a bridge we struggle to cross. Many people would do anything for work, yet just as many, if not more, fear this short conversation.

But why do we get nervous? Is it because one mistake could spell doom? Is it in case we are given a question we don't have answer to? Or something else?

Let's consider the worst case scenario. You're late for your interview. Maybe your alarm clock never went off or you underestimated how long it took for the tennis to finish; either way, you're late. You get dressed, but your suit is still hung over from a night out, leaving you in a rainbow-coloured tie, a shirt with a button missing, and trousers that are tighter than the Coalition's budget.

You set off. Where's the bus? The old man who's telling the driver about his Farmfoods adventure is really delaying you. After 20 minutes, you start sprinting, and begin sweating profusely and losing breath. Stepping in dog muck and having water splashed on you by the same bus you were waiting for as it passes you by don't help, either.

You finally arrive and somehow you're on time, but compared to the others you look like you've been dragged through the hedges backwards. Your confidence is further dented when they discuss worldwide tours, five-year college courses and their experience working as a manager of a similar company.

Nevertheless, you go into the interview. Your sweaty palm leaves an unfortunate lasting impression on the interviewer. You bump your leg into the table. You’re still breathless from the great Liverpool Marathon, making your answers seem lazy and generic. Your CV still has a bite-mark from the dog. You struggle for answers even remotely resembling the question. And you call the interviewer "Lad" and describe your time at University as "sound".

As you leave, you wonder why you bothered turning up, and when you trip over the carpet as you leave, and go flying into the corridor where the other applicants are waiting, you wonder why you even bothered trying to get a job.

Okay, this is an exaggerated example of what can go wrong. But, to avoid a situation like this, remember these simple yet effective tips: manage your time well; dress smart; leave early; tell the other applicants about your unique skills; and at the interview itself, as hard as it is, try to relax, and speak as if you're talking to a friend but with more polite language. Oh, and don't leave your CV lying about near the dog.

So many people worry about interviews, but, if you're organised, punctual and calm, you've got a much better chance of getting the job.

As for me . . . I've been standing at this bus stop for over 20 minutes now in a multicoloured tie and a shirt with more holes in it than a goal net. I wonder if it's worth me running . . .