When I was leaving school, more years ago than I’m prepared to admit, most girls were expected to find work in four areas — as a nurse, secretary, hairdresser or shop assistant.
Thank goodness we live in a more enlightened age, where there are no limitations to what a girl can achieve — I was delighted recently to see that one of the Red Arrows’ pilots is a woman.
That said, whether you’re a man or woman, finding either a university place or a job isn’t a given. You can be a remarkable student with top grades and still not be offered a place at Oxford, as happened to Amelia Al Qazzaz last week.Whether or not you consider exam standards to be slipping, this is still astonishing.
The reason Amelia was given for failing to win a place at Oxford was “she did not score highly enough in a test and did not interview well”. There, I’m afraid, is the rub.
Whether you are looking for a university place or a new job, the ability to be able to put across your ‘brand’ to your interview panel in a clear, warm, likeable and interesting way is absolutely crucial to your success.
People buy people they like and who they believe will be able to fit in, as well as do their job. If you are unable to build rapport with your interviewers, there will be others who can.
Softer skills can be a challenge for entry-level employees or undergraduates.The Facebook’s generation can interface well online, but will often have no idea about how to put themselves across when face to face. As ‘old-fashioned’ family life disappears, the softer skills must be learned if they don’t come naturally.
Here are some pointers to be aware of:
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Don’t be ‘afloat on a sea of sameness’. Mark out your differentiation – dress appropriately with respect for the situation, do your research on the company you want to join and prepare some well thought out questions of your own to ask.
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Tell the interviewer(s) why they should offer you a place or hire you. Articulate the qualities you bring and why they would be all the poorer without you.
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Don’t forget your body language. Offer a firm handshake with direct and respectful, eye contact, sit well back in the chair with both feet firmly on the ground (crossed legs can look arrogant), but lean forward slightly to show your interest, and smile when appropriate (but don’t overdo it).
