11/10/2023
Improve your Employability
and Stand Out from the Crowd
It is a well-known fact that securing a job offer is becoming increasingly difficult, making standing out from the sea of other applicants vital.
As the CEO an online retailer I understand the difficulties in recruiting the right staff for my business. Over the years I have interviewed a lot of people, and have come to learn what differentiates a good interview from a bad one, and how to spot when a candidate has really gone the extra mile.
Research
You should always research the company inside and out before an interview.
The more an interviewee knows about the business prior to working for us, the more I can envisage them becoming part of the team. Remember, knowledge is power, so be sure to showcase everything that you understand about the organisation.
The candidates who stand out are the ones who go above and beyond right from the first interview. I always take notice of the ones who have come up with ideas. Don’t be afraid to go to the interview with ideas you have come up with from your initial research. The interviews that often don’t go very well are the ones where candidates have come in stating things that they don’t like about your website, for example, which is perfectly fine, but it is extremely easy pick faults in things - always be sure to offer a solution.
However, most importantly, go to the interview knowing how the hiring company differs from their competition.
Who are they?
What sets them apart?
I think it’s important that candidates know who our customers potentially are. For example, a key area for my business is the gift market, so if in an interview I asked somebody what they knew about Pen Heaven and they replied: “I think you must be in the gift market”, then that shows they’ve done their research and picked up something very important to us.
Be Proactive – Use your Initiative
When in an interview for a job at a small business, the most important thing to realise is t
