The latest career news and comment from the University of Manchester
You are asking me a question and I have nothing to say, I’m just not that interesting! Does that thought sound familiar? When faced with questions like… Tell me about yourself Why are you interested in ….? What do you do? Tell me about a time when… You need to have something to say that…
Read more Telling your story. Interviews, applications and networking.
As part of your job search it is inevitable that you will have to write to or ring employers. You may be applying speculatively for work experience, asking for more information about a job or have a query about the application process or interview. Employers are not ogres but they are busy and will have expectations…
Read more Help! I need to ring or email an employer, what do I do?
By Hannah Watson It’s that time of year when you may be getting called to assessment centres and interviews. What if someone asks you to give a presentation? In my Psychology degree I didn’t deliver presentations often. In three years I gave two presentations as part of coursework modules to a few classmates and tutors.…
Whether you have had an interview before or not it’s always nerve racking when you get the call / email inviting you to come along. The more you want the job the more daunting it feels! Interviews can be: Competency based, Strength based, Technical, By Phone, Video or Skype, Panel, 1-1, a chat over a coffee or incredibly formal. There…
I read this article the other day about how what your wear can affect what people believe your role is. https://about.me/dbakevlar People are biased, have preconceptions and a whole load of baggage that affects the way they react to you before you even open your mouth. You can’t change them but you can decide what you…
Read more What to wear at work or for interview to make the right impression
Employers are all agree they want the best people for the job. Employees who have the right skills, motivation & values are happy, more productive and stay longer. The company does better as a result – happy days! This is the goal of recruiters, how they get there differs. This is why there are so…
Read more Advice for psychometric tests and assessment centres
Q. Why do you want to work for us? It’s implicit isn’t it that if I take the trouble to send a CV off or fill in your overly complicated application form OBVIOUSLY I want this job. Why on earth are you asking me this question? Actually it’s a really good question that measures your…
Read more Why do you want to work for us and other tricky questions
What is it that makes a CV, application or interview performance stand out and have real impact? It could be the story. Telling stories is a powerful way to communicate. It allows the author to reveal something unique about themselves; evokes emotion and is something other people can relate to. Story telling is an ancient…
Read more Telling your Story – create impact on your CV and at interview
Sometimes it feels a bit like filler on your CV. You scratch your head to think of activities you do outside work and study and you come up blank. What exactly do you put? It’s not an absolute must have if you can’t say anything sensible or relevant; but most people can! Think about the…
Read more Are your hobbies and interests really that interesting to an employer?
In the last month I’ve had some interviews for full-time graduate roles – two with a Manchester-based marketing agency and one for a graduate scheme at a PR agency in London. I thought I’d share my experiences to help you think about how you could approach any interviews you have coming up. After the Interview If…
