Category Archives: Job hunting

Going Global – researching employers outside the UK

Careers resources Job hunting No Comments

going-global

One of my colleagues recently gave a short demo on a resource we’ve had at the Careers Service for a while.  It’s called Going Global and it provides a way of finding out about living and working in different parts of the world.  I was amazed at all the different things you can use the resource for so I thought I’d mention some of them here.

  • It has career and employment information for over 30 countries.
  • Has detailed information on the USA where it covers 50 cities.
  • Use the employer directory to search for employers in a specific industry sector in a particular country
  • Find out which websites are good for finding advertised jobs, again in a particular country
  • Good section on working in non-profit and voluntary organisations in different countries
  • Gives details of professional bodies or business organisations which can be a useful source of information and provide networking opportunities
  • Advice on what’s expected in a CV or resume for that country

There’s lots more of interest on there but I’d suggest you explore if you are interested in working outside the UK, or indeed if you’re already located outside the UK.  If you want to get the best out of Going Global I suggest you watch the training video which you can access from the left hand menu when you’re in the resource.

And how do you access Going Global?  You’ll find it under ‘Careers Service Resources‘ on MyEd.

Interview Simulator

Interviews Job hunting No Comments

An invitation to a job interview can bring a mix of emotions. An initial rush of excitement can also be accompanied by feelings of concern; especially if you haven’t had an interview for some time. One of the resources you may find helpful is called Interview Simulator.  I referred to this in our recent post about video interviewing but this resource can have wider benefits.  My colleague, Jane Challinor, explains how Interview Simulator works below:  

As a University of Edinburgh student you’re able to access Interview Simulator, an online interview preparation module we subscribe to for your benefit. Find it in the Resources tab of MyCareerHub.

When you’re in Interview Simulator, a short video gives you an overview of how to use it.

Simulator

Watch the video – but here’s an outline to give you a quick impression of what Interview Simulator can do for you.

You have two main options – to go straight into the “Mock Interview” option, or to browse through a list of questions. These questions are grouped into categories and for each question you’re given a written explanation of why the employer might ask it, and what they’re hoping to hear in response. You can also choose to hear an employer outlining the purpose of the question, and their expectations.

In the Mock Interview section you can choose a pre-built version, or custom-build one by selecting questions yourself. It’s a good idea to set the timer, so you experience genuine time pressure! If you want, you can record your answers, or type them on screen. At the end, view the explanations given by employers – as seen in the “browse questions” section – and assess for yourself how close you’ve come to meeting their expectations. You’re not being given personal, 1:1 feedback on your performance but you are getting a good idea of the sorts of things to say – and not to say – to increase your chances of success. So why not see what you can learn from it?

For more advice on interview technique see http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/careers/using-careers-service/cvs-apps-interviews/interviews/overview

 

Increasing your confidence at interviews

Interviews Job hunting No Comments

You’re certainly not alone if you feel a bit nervous and under-confident before an interview. Your nervous energy can be a real asset when channelled positively by giving that adrenaline boost which helps you to make a great impression. But this is not always the case!

So, if this applies to you, what can you do to turn this situation around? Preparation is the key to interview success but there are also a number of techniques which can help you feel more relaxed on the day. A recent article in the Guardian newspaper “Seven ways to boost confidence at a job interview” offers some great tips:

  • Aim to connect with interviewers, not impress them
  • Use breathing techniques to boost confidence
  • Be kind to yourself before the interview
  • Use power poses and relaxation exercises to curb anxiety
  • Imagine yourself succeeding
  • Prepare and rehearse your answers out loud
  • Make friends with your anxiety, and smile

With all this in mind let’s come back to that all important interview preparation. Allowing enough time to prepare thoroughly for an interview will make huge difference to your confidence. Ensure that you gain a really good insight into the job you are being interviewed for and the organisation you are applying to. You also want to be absolutely clear about your motivation for applying for this particular role and what you will bring to the organisation.

Anticipating the sorts of questions you are likely to be asked and preparing how you’ll answer them will help you to feel in control on the day. You can expect questions asked to focus on the requirements highlighted in the vacancy details but it’s good to reflect on what else you know about the role and organisational culture. Don’t worry about formulating word perfect answers at this stage. What you need is a clear idea of the skills, experience, knowledge and personal qualities you possess which are relevant to this role … and to identify specific examples of when you have developed and used these. Having these examples in the forefront of your mind will help you provide convincing evidence of your suitability at the interview.

You’ll find more information on interviews, what to expect and how to prepare, on the Careers Service website.

Good luck with your next interview!