STAND OUT FOR THAT NEW ROLE

Let’s face it a job interview can be a nerve-racking and stressful experience. At Jardine Motors Group though, we want to see the best of people at interviews. Whether face-to-face, via video application or over the phone, it is your opportunity to bring your experience to life and sell yourself.

Getting to this point requires focus on three areas: careful and planned research in preparation for the position you are applying for, being clear about your main selling points/strengths and, finally, understanding how you need to make a positive impact during the interview.

We’ve created some simple do’s and don’ts that can be easily adapted no matter what role you are applying for. Our helpful hints are designed to help you get the job you want.

Preparation:

• Ahead of the interview, start by asking yourself a single question – ‘why would I be the best person for this job?’ Carefully consider your personal strengths, and the experience and skills that are relevant for the position, and which can make you stand out against others applying for the role. Don’t just restrict yourself to work experience, if you do charity or volunteering work then use examples from this.
• Invest in the time to research about Jardine Motors Group and the role on offer. Confidently answering questions about our organisation will impress the interviewer and demonstrate that you are keen and committed. Also use this research when asking questions at the end of the interview.

The Interview:

• Arrive on time and suitably dressed. Dressing for the role you want is important, for instance if you are applying for a customer facing role, think about how you would like the person to look if you were the customer.
• Be aware of your body language – so no slouching or fidgeting etc. But do not be overly aggressive or too self-confident. Remember the person on the other side of the table is assessing you all the time and forming judgements. So sit up, look attentive, make eye contact, smile and engage in a ‘conversation’. You have one chance to make a first impression.
• Remember you cannot just rely upon your CV to convince an employer to give you the job. It may provide the initial interview opportunity, but you have to back it up by also selling yourself on the day.
• Be prepared to expand your answers where necessary as interviewers often ask leading questions to try to get you to talk more, get to know you a little better and see how you think on your feet and under pressure. This is a common interviewing tactic.
• If you have prepared properly and thought through what the job and organisation is seeking, the interview should be a positive and enjoyable experience, and one that enables you to highlight what you could bring to the role.
• Always follow up with an e-mail to thank the interviewer for their time and reinforce your interest in the role.

Following some simple guidelines around preparation and undertaking the interview will put you in the best position to make the most of the interview opportunity.

Remember, your ultimate goal is to set yourself apart from the competition in the eyes of the interviewer and make a persuasive argument that you are the right person to be on the receiving end of the offer letter.

To find further information about the wide range of career opportunities available at Jardine Motors Group, visit: /careers/