So you've lost your job - what now?

What do you do now? As the economic downturn continues more and more people are finding themselves in a position many have not been in for many years, if ever, and it is imperative to brush up on interview and presentation skills, to stand any chance of securing a new job.

After getting past the emotional shock of losing your job, you will need to look closely at your ability to present to an interviewer or a panel of interviewers.

You will need to not only to think of what your appearance is saying, but also what awkward questions you may be asked and how you are going to deal with them.

Something to bear in mind, your Curriculum Vitea is to get you in front of a company and does not need to be your complete life story! Keep your C.V. to 2 or 3 pages and no more. I have seen C.V.s of over 15 pages long. Be concise, clear and honest.

So once you have secured an invitation to attend an interview, make sure you are prepared for it. . For many this maybe the first interview for a considerable time and for those who have been on the other side of the interview table don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Research the company, their website, blogs and history of the company, what are their USP´s, and company ethos not only their products. Make sure you know where you going, who you are seeing and emergency contact numbers if you are running late. Arrive early, never late. 10 minutes early is optimum. Check your self before you go in. Hair, shoulders, lipstick for ladies, it will be too late by the time you go in. Make sure that you are clean and your clothes are ironed. I once interviewed a young lady for a sales managers job, she had an un-ironed top on. I could not get over the thought that this was someone trying to impress me, it was very distracting as the interviewer and raised questions in my mind about what she would be like after 10 months!!! So pay attention to detail and clean your shoes. Have some well thought out question, a copy of your C.V. ready and in your hand before you go into the interview. Its not cool rummaging for your paper work in front of a panel of interviewers. Above and beyond all else, be your self, relax smile. Interviewers are often nervous themselves.

Expect tough questions, why should we employ you above others, what will you bring to this job that others cannot, for example. For those that have been on a very high salary and applying for a lower job, you will need to prepare to overcome objections such as, how you are going to met your family /own living expenses on a lower wage? If you are not asked then bring this subject up as it will be considered when you are not there and you could miss out on being short-listed. Crossing the minds of the future employer, who is looking to employ a high flyer in a reduced role will be the thought, that when the market changes they will be off to at the first opportunity. If not asked, again bring the subject up as it will be crossing their minds. Well thought out answers to this and questions like this are imperative to get pasted that first and second stage interview.

Smile and relax and don’t rush or panic, even if late, it makes things a lot worse. Have one bag, prepare your paperwork before you go in and above all else be yourself. If you would like my free guide to preparing for an interview then please email me at caroline@redrecruit.com. We also undertake redundancy counselling and professional CV writing.