Taking on board the lifelong interview and its importance in today’s world of jobs, can you honestly say you give your best to every day? If the answer is no, then this is where you start. Do not forget that your image is at stake and, as we have seen, this plays a crucial part in any success you will have when it comes to applying for jobs.
Your performance
Needless to say, the standard of your work has much to do with how others view you. If you are good at your job, this will go a long way towards creating a successful image. Where some high performers fall down, however, is by failing to give 100 per cent all of the time. The message? Do not have off days. If you do, it will earn you the reputation of being someone whose commitment is up and down. This will serve to put a dent in the image that you are trying to create.
How you get on with others
The ability to work in or manage teams is such a major issue in selection that how you handle your relationships with others will always be an item for scrutiny. You must be mindful that your lifelong interview has a 360¡ã orientation. Bosses, peers and subordinates all hold opinions about you and the fact that you are good to work with has got to come across to everyone.
Two particular points to bear in mind are:
- Don’t blame others when it is your fault
- Do not run down your colleagues behind their backs (keep your opinions about people to yourself)
Your character
Everyone has flaws, but the trick is not to advertise them and this is not always easy with people you are in contact with daily. In practice it means:
- Not getting too close to colleagues (learning to be friendly without being familiar)
- Keeping a firm control on any messages you send out about yourself
Your appearance
Your image has much to do with your appearance and, while most people understand about looking smart when they go for interviews, they pay far less attention to the impact they make every day.
Turning over a new leaf
Finally, with regard to giving your image a face-lift, remember that it is never too late to turn over a new leaf. You may feel that you have blotted your copy book irretrievably and, yes, the old skeletons can still come rattling out of the cupboard to haunt you (that is all part of the lifelong interview). However, as the grey areas in your track record recede further and further into the past, they pale increasingly into insignificance.
About Author
Jake is a freelance CV Writer who helps graduates to write their first CV. Recently he got a chance to review a website which shares reviews on UK’s leading CV Writing Services.