Inspired by Wimbledon, Helen Leake, a personal adviser at Jobcentre Plus, has some tips to help you get back into the game and win the job you want.
Do something you love
Thinking about what you enjoy doing is often a good place to start looking for work. You will feel far more motivated if you are doing something you enjoy. For example, if you enjoy sport, have you considered working in a gym or a sports store, or if you are into gardening perhaps a job at a garden centre? If planning and organising is more your thing, you could aim for a job as an events organiser.
Start the ball rolling
If you need some extra support to get you back to work, a chat with a Jobcentre Plus adviser could be just what you need. For example, if you’ve been away from work because of illness, your adviser could help you think how your skills and interests might be applied to different sorts of jobs you may not have considered.
Courting success Once you’ve found a job you want to apply for, it’s important to keep your eye on the ball to ensure you are well prepared for the interview. Practise answering interview questions with friends and family beforehand. If you do get a tough question try not to panic: instead take a deep breath and think for a moment before replying honestly. Here are some tips on handling popular tricky questions:
‘Tell me about yourself…’ – pick out one or two personal qualities and achievements that show you’re the right person for the job. If the interviewer mentions something negative that happened in a previous job, talk about what you learned from it. ‘Do you have any questions?’ – prepare one or two questions to show the interviewer you are interested. e.g. what they think is the most challenging part of the job. Asking questions will also help you work out if the job is right for you.
Be a Smash at the Interview
Make sure you know who you are meeting, where you have to get to and what time you need to arrive – and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Before you go into the interview turn off your mobile. Wear the right kit – dress appropriately for the role you’re applying for. Ask your Jobcentre Plus adviser for advice on this if you need to. Think about your body language: maintain good eye contact and stand tall with your head held high so you appear confident and interested. Remember: the fact that you have been invited for an interview means the company thinks you’re in with a good chance. So, think positively and you’ll come across more as more confident during the interview.
Game, set and match! To find out how to get a job you’ll love, visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk - its ‘Getting Job Ready’ section has a new Job Kit packed with CV and interview tips. Alternatively, call 0845 60 60 234 (textphone 0845 6055 255) to find out about current vacancies. Lines are open weekdays 8am to 6pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.