4 Ideas for Assessment Centre Exercises to help you hire the right people into your business.

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You’re looking to hire and you need someone quickly otherwise it will impact your business. Most businesses have been in this situation but the reality is, by the time you’ve looked through CV’s and found the time to interview your shortlisted candidates, a month has passed.

Assessment centres are a great way to save you time and resources. They don’t work for every type of job but for most junior to mid-level roles, they really enhance the selection process. Unlike the traditional interview method, assessment centres allow you to see how candidates interact with each other and helps you decide who are leaders and followers. It can also support you to shortlist the candidates you want to invite back for a second interview or see the potential in someone for a future position.

At ASC we have experience of running assessment centres for our clients, here are 4 ideas for assessment centre exercises.

Top tips to plan your day

• Put aside one day to run your assessment centre
• Recommended time to allocate 10am-3pm
• 10 people is a good number but no less than 6 or no more than 15
• Allow time to welcome people to the day, talk through the agenda and a little about your company
• Aim for 3-4 exercises throughout the day
• Include lunch as it will enable you to see who networks with you and is interested to know more about you and the company
• Try to make the day as relaxing as possible so you can gain insight into the real candidate

Exercise 1 - The Ice Breaker

You can put these exercises in any order but the ice breaker is good to help everyone relax at the start of the day.

What does it assess: Listening and confidence when communicating with others.

The Exercise:

Put everyone into pairs (or if an odd number, one or more three’s).

Each person has 2 minutes to find out as much as they can about the other person.

You will time the 2 minutes and ask each pair to swap over once the 2 minutes has ended.

At the end of the task, ask each person to stand up and summarise what they have learnt about the person they were paired with.

You don’t have to use this icebreaker exercise but any type of exercise that allows your candidates to get to know one another and relax is the key. It helps set them up for the day.

Exercise 2 -The Written Test

The written test enables you to assess qualities needed specifically for that role. This means, the test can be tailored to the role in question. For example if you were recruiting developers, your questions would be different to those who might be attending for a sales role.

Aim to have 3-4 questions on the paper so you can test their understanding of different elements of the role. Ensure you put the top score for each question. This can be worked out by deciding on the pointers for each question, i.e. if there were 8 points needed to answer correctly then the score would be 8. The length of time to answer the set of question is up-to you.

We would suggest you provide pens and spare paper for candidates if they need it. We would also suggest having spare copies of the written test printed off.

Example Questions

Job Role: PA

Please proof read the following paragraph, advise if there are any errors and how you would correct them?

Job Role: Developer

Show how you would go about estimating the number of fast food restaurants in the UK without doing any research?

 Job Role: Customer Service Advisor

You have just received the following email from a long serving customer who is unhappy with the service they received on Wednesday. At the same time, you receive a phone call from a new customer whose order has gone wrong. Which do you deal with first and why?

Job Role: Sales

Your customer is asking to have a £5000 reduction in price of the latest product available. You know to make a profit, you can only go to £2500 off the original price, how do you negotiate?

Exercise 3 - Teamwork and Communication

There are a number of assessment centre exercises you can organise to assess teamwork and communication but also include other skills that may be required for the role. Such as the ability to challenge and persuade others, problem solve or thinking outside the box.

The following exercise example assesses teamwork, communication and creative thinking.

Exercise Example – Paper Towers

For this exercise, split your candidates into groups of about 5-6 people. Then give them 50 sheets of A4 paper.

Each group is tasked with building the tallest paper tower using the 50 sheets of paper within a set time frame. We recommend 10 minutes.

The group with the tallest tower isn’t necessarily the best candidates. If one person in a group did it all by themselves, this is not teamwork.

Assess:

• How have they worked together as a team?
• How did they communicate with one another?
• Was there a clear leader and how did that person lead the group?
• Was everyone involved in the exercise?
• Were quieter members of the group encouraged to voice their opinion?
• How did they deal with differences of opinion?
• Did any individual or the group think creatively about how they could build the tower?

Remember there are various teamwork exercises you can do to assess this skill but the important part is that it requires everyone to get involved.

Exercise 4 - Quick Thinking

This exercise is great for sales roles where you’re more likely to be under pressure to think on the spot. However, it’s also good for customer service positions or where an employee needs to think quickly to solve problems.

The Exercise – Random Words

Have a selection of random words in a bowl like radio, pen or screwdriver for example. Ask each candidate to pick a word at random out of the bowl.

They then have 2 minutes to talk about the word, what it is, how it works or what problems it solves for example. You’re assessing if they can think quickly under pressure. Look for how they talk about the word, do they stumble or are they confident. Do they make up facts or stick to what they know.

What next?

We hope that this has helped you to think about the types of assessment centre exercises you can organise. If you’re thinking about running an assessment centre but don’t know where to start, get in touch with us.

You can also visit our meet the team page to contact the consultant who specialises in your industry. Or simply register your role with us and we’ll get in touch with you.

On Sunday 12^th May, Mark Dawson, Managing Consultant at ASC cycled the Birmingham Velo and raised £650 for The Alzheimer’s society.

The Birmingham Velo is a 100 mile closed road cycle route starting and ending in the heart of Birmingham City Centre. Each year around 17,000+ riders cycle the route and get to encounter amazing landmarks across the Midlands. This year, the route took you through stunning countryside, panoramic views, picturesque villages and iconic climbs including Coventry Cathedral and Warwickshire’s Packwood House. Talking about the route Mark said :

‘I managed to cycle the 100 miles in just under 6 hours which I am really happy with. It was a great day, the weather was perfect and the atmosphere was amazing. There were thousands of people lining the route cheering you on, ringing cowbells shouting your name out and passing you cakes and biscuits! It was really nice for me as I had literally all of my family and lot’s of friends out to support me at various points on the route with banners etc. I have already pre-registered for next year’s where I will aim to complete it in 5 ½ hours’

Although a remarkable route to cycle, let’s not forget the real reason some cyclists choose to participate in the challenge – to support charities across the UK and beyond. Mark chose to support The Alzheimer’s society along with 500 other riders to try and raise £200k as a collective.

The charity is close to Mark’s heart as his father in law has the disease and Mark believes supporting the charity will improve research to better understand, treat and ultimately cure the disease. According to The Alzheimer’s society, Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Someone develops it every three minutes and there’s currently no cure. The Alzheimer’s society is the only UK charity that campaigns for change, funds research to find a cure and supports people living with dementia today.

With the help of family, friends and everyone at ASC, he managed to raise £650. Mark said ‘The support I had was fantastic. I set a target of £500 not really thinking I would get to it but with the help of 46 sponsors I smashed my target. Thanks to all of those that enabled me to achieve this’.

Mark’s colleague Anna Willis added ‘I am very proud of Mark for raising £650 through his Velo bike ride, it’s an amazing accomplishment and for a very worthy charity close to his heart. Well done!’

A big well done Mark from everyone at ASC.

We are very supportive of employees who want to support charity or community initiatives. If this sounds like a place you’d like to work, contact Neil McNally today or visit our work for us pages.

Getting your job application noticed

Many of us have experienced sending off a job application, only for it to disappear into the depths of the internet. The lack of response is frustrating, as you end up without answers, meaning you can’t learn from where you went wrong.

Getting your application noticed by recruiters or hiring managers is the crucial first step in landing yourself a new job. However, it’s no easy task, especially if you’re after a competitive role.

To land your dream job and get noticed, You want the recruiter to know that you’re the best person for the position. Read on for advice on how to stand out from the crowd.

1. Get ahead of the game

If you’re lucky enough to have contacts at the company you’re applying to, ask them to refer you. This is the fastest way to get an interview. While a contact can’t always vouch for your professional skills, the hiring manager will be able to get an idea of your character.

Hopefully, this will mean that your application is put straight at the top of the pile. Unfortunately, sometimes it comes down to who you know – not what you know.

2. Add a headline or profile

With the amount of applications employers have to read, why not make their job easier for them? Include a brief headline or profile at the top of your application to catch their attention.

This shouldn’t be more than a few lines, focusing on what you can bring to the team. Think of it as a test to show that you’ve researched the company. Then, tailor your best attributes to the role.

If it’s a social care role, for example, you could mention that you’re compassionate and communicative.

3. Prioritise your most important qualifications

Look at the job advert and find the minimum qualifications that are listed – do you meet the criteria? Reconsider your application if you don’t meet the specification, or you’ll only waste your own time!

If you do have the qualifications, then you can move forward with your application. For each of your past roles, be sure to clearly state your relevant competencies so the employer knows you’re not wasting their time too.

4. Use keywords

Include keywords mentioned in the job advert. For example, if it’s an advert for a software developer role, you might be required to know python.

These keywords will optimise your application for Applicant Tracking Systems, which reject up to 75% of CVs before they even get a chance to reach a human! Finding and noting keywords used in the job overview will help you to beat the bots.

5. Keep your accomplishments fresh

When you get comfortable in a job, it can be easy to forget what you’ve achieved on a day-to-day basis. However, this will be essential in making your application stand out and proving that you don’t just sit back in your day job.

Make a running list of any accomplishments at work, so that you have them ready for when you need to make an application.

6. Use the STAR approach

You might come across applications which require you to fill out competency questions. Competency questions are designed to test you on your real-life experiences and how these have prepared you for the role you’ve applied to.

These can often make up a large part of an application, so it’s vital you get your answers right. However, these questions can be tricky as you’re required to remember a lot of information.

To avoid forgetting important information, employers recommend using the ‘STAR’ technique. STAR stands for:

• Situation - describe the background and context
• Task - describe the task or challenge you were faced with
• Action – explain the action you took and how and why you did it
• Result – ideally, the result will be a positive one and ideally one that can be measured. If it’s not positive, highlight what you learned from it. Always relate the skill or ability you demonstrated back to the role you’re applying to!

7. Save it as a PDF

Candidates forget that employers’ devices may not support the format of their CV.

As such, the recruiter or hiring manager will be faced with a jumbled mess when they go to open your application. They won’t bother getting in contact to ask you to send it again, and your CV will be cast aside.

To avoid the worry of this, simply attach your CV as a PDF! Simple.

Get your application noticed!

Your application will get noticed - Focus on making it the best it can possibly be and only apply to jobs you’re really passionate about. With the help of our useful tips, your application will be noticed by more employers. Start applying for jobs on the ASC Jobs Portal today!

ASC Connections has once again been awarded with REC Audited Status from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). The REC are the largest professional body representing the UK's recruitment and staffing industry.

The REC audited scheme is the recognised gold standard for recruitment businesses.

For a business to achieve the standard, they are validated against compliance with industry legislation and best practice.

In short, it is a comprehensive audit that requires agencies to demonstrate a high level within areas such as; customer service, staff development, diversity, client management, data protection and much more. It also includes an on-site visit where a REC audited expert sits with employees to work through processes and best practice. As a business you can only hold the status for 2 years. After this time, a company must go through the validation process again in order to up-hold REC Audited Status.

For ASC to achieve the gold standard in recruitment for a second time shows how we have maintained the highest level of service within the recruitment industry. Moreover, our clients and candidates can feel confident they are working with an accredited supplier that is accountable to a professional body.

There are only a small number of companies that have REC Audited Status. It puts ASC in the top 10% of agencies with REC membership that have successfully achieved this award. This demonstrates our professionalism, we will go the extra mile and want to change the misconceptions of the recruitment industry.

Jane Storer, Operations Director of ASC Connections, said

I am very proud that we have gained REC Audited Status. It is evidence that we have the right processes in place and they are actively demonstrated by the team here on a day to day basis.

Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive added “Congratulations to ASC Connections for achieving REC Audited status. In doing so they join an elite group of recruitment agencies across the UK that have achieved this high standard. This accreditation recognises that we have rigorously audited ASC Connections and found that it is performing to the highest professional standards and represents best practice in our sector.”

In addition, the company has been awarded with the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2019 for their outstanding customer service levels. Jane Storer added “this really endorses the ethos and culture that everyone at ASC believes in”.

If you’re looking for a new job or a new employee, please get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to chat through your requirements.

'Customer Service is important to our business'

Earlier this year, ASC Connections won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award. An independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering outstanding customer service, as rated by real clients and candidates.

Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded only to those businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine reviews and insights. To receive the award, businesses are required to meet a high standard. This is based on the number of reviews they have collected, and their average rating. A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique, as it is based purely on the interactions with real clients and candidates. As all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of a business’s commitment to outstanding service.

ASC Connections exceeded the criteria of collecting at least 50 reviews between January 1^st 2018 and December 31^st 2018, with a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 5.0.

The recruitment industry’s reputation can sometimes be perceived in the wrong light. ASC Connections felt utilising the Feefo platform offered a credible way to showcase their customer service offering and improve it. In the long term they hope more recruitment agencies opt for Feefo to help build a better industry reputation overall.

ASC Connections has also recently undergone a re-brand which customer service was at the heart of. The reviews and insights collected through the Feefo platform have supported ASC ensure their new brand is delivering on the service they wanted set out to achieve.

Jane Storer, Operations Director, ASC Connections commented: “We’re thrilled to receive this award from Feefo. It recognises how hard we’ve been working to give great experiences to all our clients and candidates. Feefo enabled us to consistently improve throughout 2018 and now we’re looking forward to another successful year ahead.”

Congratulating ASC Connections on winning this year’s award, Matt West, CEO at Feefo, commented: “The Trusted Service award has always been about recognising those companies that excel beyond the norm. This year we’ve seen many remarkable businesses leveraging the full potential of Feefo to provide outstanding levels of experience for their customers – and rightly being awarded our most prestigious accreditation. I’m looking forward to the continual success of the businesses that work in partnership with us throughout 2019.”

Feefo is a technology company that provides businesses with the tools to collect real reviews and insights. Working with over 3,500 clients, Feefo ensures that all feedback is authentic. This helps increase consumer confidence and enables businesses to make smarter business decisions.

If you’re looking for a new job or a new employee, please get in touch with a member of the ASC team who will be happy to chat through your requirements.

Why is personal branding important and how will it help my career?

Did you know, since the year 2000 attention spans have decreased by 25%? This means gaining the attention of potential employers is even harder for jobseekers. This is why personal branding is important as it can really give your career a boost.  It allows employers to see the real you which builds trust, credibility and confidence in your ability.

Find out what personal branding is and the reasons why it’s important below.

What is personal branding?

When you think about branding, I bet your first thought is that a brand is a company and what you associate with that company? You're not wrong however in recent years the same theories behind company brands can be applied to people.

Personal branding has shaped how we think about celebrities, politicians and has even helped ordinary people rise to fame as branding influencers.

How?

Just like companies, branding helps shape people’s perceptions of you through your opinions, ambitions, the way you look, how you communicate, act and treat others. It’s packaging your best bits and telling it as a story to differentiate yourself from others.

Now you may think that your CV is enough to cover the points made above but your personal brand is online as well as offline. Yes it includes your CV but also your social media accounts, how you respond to emails, talk on the phone and when you meet people face to face at networking events or interviews for example. It encompasses everything you do.

In a nutshell you can form the way you want people to see you.

So why is personal branding important?

Builds trust and credibility

Trust is built on getting to know the real you. Your personal brand will showcase your motivations, ambitions and what you believe in. If potential employers understand this, they will get a clearer picture about who you are and if you are someone they’d like to hire.

Credibility demonstrates your expertise and willingness to self-develop. It can be built through the actions you have taken to achieve your goals, mentoring others and making a difference. Shouting about this online, on your CV and when you speak to employers will help build credibility.

Develops your network and opens doors

The more employers see and hear about you, the more you are likely to be offered:

1. Interviews
2. Jobs that may never have been advertised or you may never have heard about
3. Jobs that could be created just for you
4. A promotion
5. Opportunities to use your expertise to help others (which will further build your credibility and network)

Furthermore, it’s not just about developing your offline network. Did you know 56% of employers won’t consider you for roles without an online presence? By using online platforms to your advantage, you can show employers more than just your image and online work history.

It shows the authentic you

The one thing you can’t do with personal branding is fake it and you definitely can’t buy it! But this is a good thing, it means you can’t be anything other than authentic, it comes from the heart and is driven by the things you are passionate about such as your goals, morals and values. It could emphasise the type of company you want to work for.

Imagine if an employer had loads of great CVs, including yours but had to shortlist them. If your personal brand was showcased elsewhere other than your CV, the employer could see you’re being authentic and is more likely to ask you in for an interview.

Example of personal branding

In 2010, Leonard Kim was homeless and unknown online. Now he is recognised as one of the top digital youth marketers by Forbes and has over 500,000 followers on Twitter.

Leonard didn’t achieve success by just showcasing what he does, he got there by telling his story. As a result of sharing his experience and what he learnt on the way, it made him stand out. The thing that made him stand out the most was, he talked about the mistakes he had made rather than what he did well.

He was being honest, this meant people could relate to him which built trust and credibility. He made people realise, it’s OK to discuss your downfalls online if you can learn from them.

By sharing his story and building a network of people he’d never met, people then approached him to write for their magazine, speak at conferences and work at their company.

How can you build your personal brand?

To develop your personal brand you need to take steps to understand what story you want to share with people.

1. Understand what your key strengths are by assessing your skills, experiences and qualities
2. What are your goals (i.e where do you see yourself in 1 years’ time, 5 years’ time etc. or what sort of company do you want to work for)
3. What are you passionate about (do you want things to change in your industry, do you want business as a whole to work together to save the environment)

Most importantly, rememberOnce you have a good idea about who you are and what you’re trying to achieve you can start to shout about it.

Ways to promote your personal brand

• Like, share and comment on posts from your social media account about things related to your goals and passions
• Create your own posts (including video posts) voicing your own opinions and sharing your own knowledge
• Attend networking events
• Write posts about the topics you’re passionate about or the industry you’re in
• Offer to attend schools, colleges and universities to share your career experiences
• Attend industry events or become involved in action groups related to your passion

Hopefully that has given you an introduction to personal branding and how it can help you. Watch out for a more in depth post about how to build your personal brand. If you want to hear about this first, make sure you subscribe at the bottom of the screen.

If you’re looking for a new job, pop over to our jobs page and don’t forget to register your details.

We’ve had a good think about the types of posts you’d like to read about and hope our new content is informative, entertaining and what you are looking for in a recruitment blog.

What can you expect?

• News Round Ups for each of our industry sectors
• Sector insights, updates and hot topics
• Career advice
• Hints and tips for different careers
• Working at ASC stories
• Case studies
• Reviews
• Company updates
• A day in the life…..
• Polls, quizzes and puzzles just for fun

We would also love to hear from you! Is there a topic you’d like us to post about? Would you like to write a guest post? Do you have any feedback? If so, get in touch with our Marketing Executive, Rebecca Crowther: Rebecca.crowther@asc-connections.com 0121 236 1662 We hope you enjoy our new posts. Don’t forget to sign up to our blog to get the latest news straight to your inbox.

ASC's Managing Director, Neil McNally tells us what it takes to manage a recruitment business. Neil started the company with Financial Director, Mike Smith in 1991. The company has gone from strength to strength, working through some tough economic times to develop into the successful business it is today. A business with four UK offices, over 40 employees and a culture that strays away from the stereotypical recruitment business. From starting his business at 22 years old to meeting 3 of the 1966 England World Cup players, Neil talks through his journey and experiences of managing a recruitment business over the last 28 years and what he sees for the future of the company.

What inspired you to set up ASC Connections?

Being a Director / Owner of a business was something I wanted to do from a very early age so when the opportunity arose, I jumped at it. Every job I had prior to getting into recruitment, I used to think, could I set up a business like this and run it? What are the prospects? I even had a car cleaning round when I was 12 or 13. It started  with just me but I soon scaled it up by involving 2 other friends.

Where did you start your recruitment career before ASC and what made you decide to go into recruitment?

I started my recruitment career at a company called Eurotec which was a subsidiary business of The Bertram Group. I worked as an IT Recruiter which continued to be my chosen sector for a number of years. Like many people, recruitment was suggested to me by a Recruitment Consultant who was interviewing me for a sales job. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced over the years at ASC?

Too many to mention, however, getting through 2 recessions springs to mind. This involved re-shaping the business by unfortunately having to make some redundancies but also changing the direction of what some of the remaining staff were focused on. Also, one of the biggest challenges when managing a recruitment business over the last few years has been identifying and attracting new staff.

Now tell us what your biggest highlight is to date?

Every time we've created something new such as opening a new office or putting a new team together, I see that as another main highlight. I do believe change is good.

What changes have you seen in recruitment over the years and how has the company adapted to these changes?

Over 28 years, the industry has undergone significant change. Technological changes have re-shaped how we operate more than anything else. How we access data, how we communicate with one another have changed dramatically. Emailing, texting and the internet were largely unknown entities within recruitment when we started. The business has always adapted to technological change in a very positive way and generally kept up or stayed ahead of the competition. The first job boards weren't created until 3 years after we were formed. I sound like a proper dinosaur now!

How would you like to see the company grow in the next 5 years?

We obviously need more headcount to grow the business but it's more important to work with the people already within the business.  Supporting everyone to maximise their own potential first is crucial. It will help form a much stronger foundation to bring new people in. The key areas of Engineering & Manufacturing, IT and Supply Chain & Procurement is where the focus will be including the Business Support disciplines and Executive level roles within those industries.

How do you feel your career developed you for your ASC venture?

I was only just 22 when we formed the business so my career was quite short up to that point. However, I did experience a lot of diversity in respect to the types of companies I worked for, the people I worked with and the varying management styles I was exposed to. This variation and diversity helped me develop a business far more than any training course could. On top of this, recognising and learning how to communicate with people effectively before starting a business venture is crucial

Describe a typical week at ASC?

The great thing about managing a recruitment business is the variety. Every week is different, different office every day, different challenge every day.

What do you feel is the key to maintaining a great company culture?

Part of my job as Managing Director of ASC is to make sure employees have the tools they need to do their job and to create an environment they are comfortable in. Also, being accessible to everyone goes a long way in creating a strong culture. My door is always open for everyone.

What do you feel is the key to managing a successful recruitment business?

There is nothing unique about what we do, it's just about how well we do it.  Managing a recruitment business successfully, requires you to create a team that want to be there and have all the core attributes that it takes to be a good recruiter. I believe you have to treat people well, identify their strengths and weaknesses and give them the relevant training and direction that's necessary.

How do you relax after a hard week?

Who said I relax? Not really, spending time with family and friends over good food is the best way to relax.

Where has been your favourite place you have travelled to and why?

I don't have one specific favourite place but I have been fortunate to have visited lots of different places with a lot of diversity including Hong Kong, New York, California, Thailand, North Africa and much of Europe. I like to experience different cultures.

Have you met any famous people?

I've met famous actors, musicians and sportsmen but I think meeting 3 of the 1966 World Cup winning team, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks on 3 separate occasions is up there.

If you could go back to your younger self and give yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?

Managing a recruitment business requires time to plan and prepare to ensure you meet your goals- Winging it doesn't always work!

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about setting up on their own?

Whatever type of business you're looking to set up, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. If you think it's a quick route to making lots of money then you'll probably be mistaken. If it's about the status of being a Director or Business Owner, this feeling will wear out. First and foremost, you should have a passion for what you do. Your business is more likely to have longevity if you enjoy what you do. Spend time planning and preparing and take advice from people that have set up similar ventures. Remember, working for yourself, even if you have staff working for you, can be a very lonely place, however, it can also be the most rewarding thing you'll ever do. Does Neil sound like the type of Director you'd like to work for?  Send Neil your CV as he's always on the lookout for new talent. If you're looking for advise about setting up on your own, send him an email. 

So you’ve got an interview coming up… it’s not easy to stand out from the crowd in today’s busy job market but you’ve done it! Now it's time to prepare but don't worry we have put together a 4 step guide on how to succeed at interview. Before you do anything else you need to recognise that being invited for an interview is an achievement and realise that, even if your application doesn’t go any further this time, you’ve clearly got a strong selling point. Being properly prepared is going to pay off massively!

4 Step Guide: How to Succeed At Interview

1 - The Interview Process

Get yourself in the right frame of mind by becoming comfortable with what to expect from the interview. This is straightforward information but if you forget to think about it you could come unstuck. Do you know where the interview is and who it’s with? Have you got a route planned and do you know how long it takes to get there? What format is the interview going to be; may there be aptitude or technical tests?

2 – Understand the Job

You need to be confident that you understand exactly what they’re looking for so you can demonstrate how you’re a good match. It’s a mistake to assume you know this based on a job title or a description so take some time to study the job description properly. Have a few thoughtful questions to ask about the job such as where it may take you within the company.

3 – Research the Company

How do you feel when someone pays interest in you? Good, right? Do the same in your interview. Companies want to hire people that they believe really want to work with them and will therefore stick with them. Find out as much as you can about their business and have a few good questions to ask. Maybe found out a little about the manager too – it won’t hurt.

4 – Be Yourself

This one probably sounds a bit odd. Surely you know yourself? Well let’s hope so! But step outside the box and think about how you look to someone else. Are there gaps on your CV that you need to explain? Are you going to be asked to talk about something you only mentioned as an aside? It will be really embarrassing for you if you can’t answer a question about yourself! Trust us on this advice! You will interview very rarely throughout your career but as recruitment professionals we interview candidates and receive feedback from hiring managers every day so, with that in mind, here are a few other things we’d suggest:

• Arrive a little early – yes, you’ll be seen as punctual but there’s another benefit in that you’ll give yourself more time to relax and get in the right frame of mind.
• If you have a question you can’t find the answer to then just ask them. They really will appreciate your interest.
• Maintain positive body language throughout your interview and start by greeting your interview with a handshake and a smile! You’ll also want to remember that managers often ask colleagues what their impressions were of you too so be polite and friendly to anyone else you speak to starting with the receptionist!
• Lastly, make sure to follow up the next day with a simple email thanking them for their time and reaffirming your interest in the role.

Hopefully you have found the how to succeed at interview guide useful and it brings you success at interview. If you're looking for an answer to a question that will help you advance your career? Why not contact us and talk to one of our team who will be happy to discuss your needs. You can also register your details to recieve the latest jobs, news and careers advice relevent to you, straight to your inbox.

Can you write a good CV?

When you apply for a job, the first and maybe only thing that a hiring manager or recruitment professional is going to see from you is your CV.  Therefore, this is your chance to tell them who you are, what you’ve done before and what you can do for them – so the question is can you write a good CV? Did you know that the average amount of time spent reviewing a CV is less than 10 seconds? It makes sense to maximise on this document and here’s a really simple way to do just that! Write out your CV as you would anyway, then take what you have and put it into three distinct sections: About you, your work history and your education and skills. To find out if you can write a good CV follow our simple CV structure below and we're sure the answer will be yes!

About you:

• Have you put your name and not ‘CV’ as the title of your CV?
• Are all your contact details clear?
• Have you written a short personal statement?
• Does it use keywords about your skills and experience?

Your work history:

• Have you put it in reverse chronological order?
• Is the job title clear?
• Did you make it obvious exactly how long you worked there? Include the month!
• Describing your responsibilities is great but have you listed your achievements?

Your education and skills:

• Is your education listed in the order of highest award first?
• Have you grouped together school-level qualifications? (But specify English, Maths and Science!)
• Have you included non-academic qualifications or skills? Languages? First aid?
• If they show genuine achievements or responsibilities have you included hobbies/interests?

Finally, if you can make sure you’ve done all these things then you’ll have a CV that’s ready to be put in front of even the most experienced eyes. When you’re ready to go, follow these extra top tips:

• Get someone else to read it and ask for their opinion!
• Spell check won’t show you when the word is spelled correctly but not the right word (in/inn, of/off or to/too)
• Have you thought about the appearance? Use bullet points and spacing to highlight what’s important!
• Use one, professional font in one size throughout – and not comic sans!

Don't forget to search through our jobs and send us your CV so we can contact you with the latest job opportunities that match what you are looking for.