My experiences.. Job Applications and Interviews

Recently I sought the hints tips and suggestions of SLT's and SLT2B's about job applications and interviews, and have had some great responses to the things mentioned and have heard some fab stories about the process of job hunting in the SLT world. 

 

However, I am not here to talk about other peoples hints tips and suggestions anymore, instead I want to reflect on my recent experience in the job hunting world.  I applied for my first Band 5 job in April this year and was lucky enough to get an invite to interview for the post following my submission of a personal statement.  Unfortunately I did not get the job, but found the whole process a great learning experience - even in learning how to handle waiting for the phone to ring, and taking in feedback and points to develop (of which any student SLT on placement knows can be difficult at times, especially if you may not fully agree with the comments posed).  So this post is to say that, even if you do get knocked back, every knock back is a learning experience and will only endeavour to make you better in the future.  So here are tips from my recent experience:

 

Job Application:

• Be concise in your personal statement.
 
• Make it focused on the service you are applying to.
 
• If you have had experience within the service you are applying to, mention it! Drop names even!
 
• Follow the person specification in your personal statement, ensure you cover all essential and some desirable!

Interview:

• Be calm and confident, you've already made it so far!
 
• Give yourself time to settle down, you're only human!
 
• If you don't understand a question or can't remember it all, apologise and ask for repetition.
 
• Seek clarification if you are unsure of the question - one way is to paraphase "do you mean..".
 
• Sell yourself, if you are asked to "add anything else", make sure that you use that opportunity to shout about your skills and why they should hire you.
 
• Prepare answers to scenarios, and questions prior to the interview.  Try to consider all your placement/work experience and the strengths, challenges and points to develop of these before you go into the interview.
 
• Ensure you thank them for the opportunity at the end of the interview, manners go a long way!

Post-interview call back:

• Make sure you answer the call when you have time to talk, and are in a suitable environment without lots of noise.
 
• Even if it is a call of rejection, thank them for everything.
 
• Seek feedback, or if offered, accept feedback.
 
• Discuss with them honestly how you felt it went, or give them more detail about why you felt that question was difficult.
 
• Write down the feedback they give you, including tips for future interviews.
 
• Consider the positives of the feedback, or where they do not offer positives, ask for positive feedback.

Most of all, it is necessary you remember that every interview is different and that every interviewer is different. And, like I said before, every knock back is a learning curve to take a leap forward with. I know that I am grateful for the opportunity to interview, it showed me strengths in my personal statement, and showed me that I did have what it takes to be considered for a Band 5 post.  I am also glad that I have learnt so much from the interview experience and the feedback given and I hope that future interviews to come will also support me in developing and learning.  Then one day, I am positive, an interview will end in my dream SLT job! *Fingers crossed*. Good luck to all #SLT2B's out there!