Most people get itchy feet in their jobs around the new year. Maybe it’s the “new year, new you” mentality that drives people to start looking for other jobs. But who wants to be trudging around looking for new jobs in the deepest depths of winter? Really, you should be setting your sights on summer for your prime job hunting time.
When the days are longer and the sky is bright and sunny, you’re far more likely to stay motivated. So if you’re ready to start your search for a job in events industry read on to find out how you can set yourself up for success.
Get your wardrobe in order
Hunting for jobs in the summer mean that you’re more likely to be heading to an interview in hot weather. Make sure you have an interview outfit prepared that will allow you to show up looking professional, calm and collected. There’s nothing worse than wearing a suit and being too afraid to take your jacket off because of the fear of having sweat marks under your arms.
Women can opt for a professional sleeveless dress and heels. While men can reach for a suit in a linen blend, or better yet, simply take their suit jacket off before they arrive at the interview. Avoid any synthetic materials that might make you sweat in the heat.
Focus on your first impression
When you’re interviewing in the summer, you don’t want to arrive looking hot and flustered. Focus on creating the right first impression by getting there a few minutes before you need to be there. This will allow you to cool down, have a sip of water and collect yourself before you announce your arrival to reception.
When you first meet the person doing the interview, make sure you smile, shake their hand and also confirm their name. There’s nothing worse than failing to send a follow-up email because you can’t remember the name of the person who interviewed you.
Do your research
Hiring managers love to see that you have done your research. It shows that you are switched on and engaged with the application process. It also shows that you are interested in working with that specific company and not just any company.
Search Google for recent news and company information. Search LinkedIn for people you may know who already work there. And search Glassdoor for information about the recruitment process. Make sure you take the research that you have done and use it to formulate questions to ask at the end of the interview.
Think about your body language
You already have so much to think about in an interview, it almost seems unfair to ask you to think about your body language, too. You have to remember that a lot of human communication is non-verbal, and the interviewer will be making lots of assumptions about you based on your body language.
If you have nervous habits like playing with your hair, try to keep them under control. Being aware that you are doing it is the first step, so make sure you are present and mindful of your behaviour during the interview. Other things like slouching in your chair can make you seem like you aren’t interested in the role, so make sure you sit up straight.
Use the STAR method
Most interview questions will start with the opening “can you tell me a situation where…” These can be challenging to answer, as your head will suddenly be awash with examples. Don’t reel off lots of examples. Instead, think of one example and use the STAR method to explain it.
The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action and Results. Briefly explain the situation, tell them what you were doing and why, then explain the action you took and finally, share the results. The STAR method can be applied to positive and negative outcomes, depending on the type of question. In all situations, make sure you explain what you learnt from it.
Remember you are interviewing them
A lot of people forget that interviews are two-way streets. You are also trying to find out if you would be happy working for this company and if this role would be fulfilling. Ask questions about the role and the working culture. If flexible working is important to you, find out if they offer it. If being in a sociable work environment is important to you, find out if they organise any fun activities for employees outside of work time.
Don’t be afraid of silence
If you have finished answering a question and you are faced with silence as the interviewer writes notes, don’t be afraid of this silence. You can ruin a perfectly good answer by chatting away just to fill the silence.
When you think you have finished answering, simply ask “would you like me to elaborate?” In most cases, the interviewer will confirm you have said everything they need to hear and would like to finish their notes. If you haven’t said enough, you can continue without worrying that you are simply filling the silence.
Be prepared to wait longer to hear back
In the middle of summer, a lot of key people in the company are more likely to be away on annual leave. This can make decision making a slow process. This can also work to your advantage as some companies might be desperate for someone to start the new role quickly to help pick up the slack.
If you are applying for a role and already have a holiday booked, you should only mention this after you have been given a job offer. If they really like you, they might be more willing to work around your pre-existing plans. If you mention it too early in the interview process, this can simply give them an excuse to rule you out. If they ask about any planned holidays straight away, then you can save yourself the time and let them know if your pre-existing plans are non-negotiable.