{"id":6701,"date":"2020-04-09T12:49:15","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T11:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/careers\/?p=6701"},"modified":"2020-04-22T11:43:05","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T10:43:05","slug":"unprecedented-encouragement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/careers\/unprecedented-encouragement\/","title":{"rendered":"UNPRECEDENTED: Interview (Encouragement)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this series \u2018UNPRECEDENTED\u2019<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 we\u2019re going to be hearing from a range of people who have different experiences of this pandemic, so you can have a read, a think, and hopefully find some encouragement, inspiration or just community in knowing you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re are aware of someone who\u2019d like to remain anonymous, but who has an interview story we thought you may be interested to know, and may provide some encouragement in this uncertain time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was in isolation before the lockdown. I was due to have an interview, and wasn\u2019t quite sure whether to try and go, but I knew I wasn\u2019t well and wanted to take the government advice seriously. I rang and explained my situation, and they completely understood, and offered to do a Skype call instead. I woke up on the day, and put my suit on. I\u2019d read that you should dress for the part even if you\u2019re at home as it helps to get you in the right mindset. They\u2019d emailed me to let me know that their office had just closed too, so they were doing all interviews remotely. Each of the interviewers sat in their own home. They rang me at the allotted time, and set me a task: I had 20 minutes to prepare a presentation. I got straight onto my laptop, and made some notes. After 20 minutes, they rang me back. I did a phone call presentation and then the interview. Their Skype wasn\u2019t working so I couldn\u2019t see them which felt really odd, but I did the best I could over the phone. Not seeing them in one sense gave me a bit more confidence, and made me less nervous to begin with, but it\u2019s really hard not getting that smile or nod of feedback so that you know how you\u2019re doing. I had no idea, but you just have to continue as normal, and try to not be put off by the silence on the other end of the phone \u2013 they\u2019re probably just making notes. Afterwards I laughed because I\u2019d sat so smartly dressed, despite never seeing anyone! But I definitely think it does change how you think and act when you\u2019re dressed for work. I then had the wait to hear back from them\u2026 it always feels so long when you\u2019re waiting for an interview result, but because I was isolated, it felt even longer and I was sat by the phone waiting for it to ring!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few days went past, then the phone rang\u2026 they offered me the job! I didn\u2019t even know it was possible to be offered a job without being seen in person, but clearly the world is changing now, and I\u2019m delighted. They even told my in my feedback how well I\u2019d come across. At the time, you feel like it\u2019s going to be really hard to get to know them over the phone to make a good impression, but it is possible! I could tell they were really nice people too, and I\u2019m just waiting for the contract.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d really encourage anyone worrying about the job market at the moment to not get complacent and keep looking. There are some great opportunities out there. I\u2019m looking forward to e-meeting my new team until I can do in person, and getting started remotely.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you still maximising opportunities to prepare yourself for work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you prepared for an interview?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you had a go at our online Interview Simulator on the Careers and Enterprise Hub? If not, look here – Access the Interview Simulator.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to hear your stories! Tell us about your experience of working from home, any interviews or processes you\u2019re going through\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can get in touch by emailing careers@canterbury.ac.uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Getting further support from The Careers and Enterprise Team at CCCU<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can get ongoing careers support via the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n