After a scenic bus journey, with Blackpool tower in the distance, I arrived for my interview. Greeted by an elegant French lady, instantly forgetting her name, I am then informed by another chipper crusader about the coffee selection; powder and instant (so just instant then?).
Sitting down at the funky breakout area, a number of fresh faced creative’s smile me down and I’m quizzed on my back story, my future, and which biscuits I prefer. I won’t go in to the uproar that my grain-free diet caused – imagine telling a French person that! Needless to say it was a real conversation starter; definitely one of my more interesting interviews.
You may think meeting the whole company the moment you walk through the door would be daunting but, teamed with their pleasant natures, you actually appreciate it; no unexpected surprises on your first day, plus they play fair, I got to quiz them back equally. And grill ‘em I did.
Later in the comfort and privacy of Karen’s office I presented my digital marketing proposal and, after a fairly extensive review, I said my goodbyes and, boarding the bus in the bitter Blackpool cold, I began on home.
This was just before Christmas (yes they are troopers!) and, days after celebrating my birthday, I find out they’d like me to start.
Considering the successful outcome and as a seasoned interviewer, do I have any constructive advice?
Bill Hicks: “It’s just a ride”: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1RQmnSJoRg[/youtube]
Interviewers love to play the role of psychoanalyst and will often use the opportunity to ask a few probing questions. Favourites are: ‘what are your weaknesses’ (bad handwriting, empathy or verbosity are good ones)?
If they’ve seen the usual queue of potentials, they will undoubtedly need cheering up or at least waking up so get creative; ask them what a day in your role is like; ask them how procedures run; these questions are always quite revealing, whether just to help decipher the personality and procedures of the office but also because many places flow quite differently from one another. You also get an idea for how well your role is defined and whether there is elbow room for some creativity.
Further, relax; especially if you really want the job. Too often friends have said they ‘don’t care if (they) get the job’ – and then they go and get it; as is fate. And It’s probably better to refocus your options and not be too restrictive with where you would like to go. And anyway, a few interviews under your belt is good practice, regardless of your capabilities.
Personally, I used it as another opportunity to do a self assessment and open myself up to other interests. That you ‘really, really want it’ only serves to tempt Lady Fate who can be a cruel overseer, and staring down the universe won’t get you very far.
Another top tip which I’ve found invaluable is to know your CV back to front. After all it is essentially a record of your life thus far so it shouldn’t be so hard to recall! With some enthusiasm. The narrative is a quite the reflection of your attitude towards life.
One trick is to compose it in your head like a story with interconnecting issues which relate to or ‘carry over’ from your next role. How each step ‘continued to refine those skills’ learnt elsewhere and was more of an opportunity to reinforce and hone what you already knew, giving you the confidence to spring board to your next adventure.
This is a well known trick for jogging the memory tying it together like a story with all its defined characters and plot twists and it’s embedded emotionally. This is preferable to listing skills from reams of roles lacking a coherent narrative.
Bearing in mind even the most adept manager will struggle to see your potential from a few pop phrases, even if your CV is impressive, they’re going to struggle imaging how you work.
I’ve had more than my fair share of sinkhole moments, from speaking in tongues to being late, questioning former managers or by proxy insulting the interviewer; it happens. Perseverance and practice are key. A sense of humour and honesty, if encouraged, can cover a multitude of sins.
Then again, my outlook, like my diet, is quite refined and isn’t for everybody. But the interview tips still stand. And for anyone considering options not normally presented, who want to take chances and open themselves up to opportunity, this isn’t such bad guidance.
What is most interesting is how naturally I was welcomed into the office and how considerate of my opinions and interested in my ideas they were. Happy is totally go-lucky and views the world through differing and diverse cultural lenses. One realisation I’ve had in the last couple of years is that this, coupled with passion, leads to extremely inventive results.
I find myself in a dream opportunity with Happy Creative, a collective that certainly fosters the individual in you and the overall experience has been almost magical.
And that was how I started my first week.
Share your experiences with us in the comments or have a chat with us over on our social media!”
Chad Seabrook is a Creative Thinker and Happy Digital Marketing Executive at Happy Creative, a full service marketing agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk or follow us @happy_creative.
