Tag Archive for: Interview

Facing an upcoming interview for a new job? While there is much time to prepare before a job interview; there is little time at the interview to create a great first impression and show that you are the best person for the job.

Preparation is important to help you deliver an effective interview. Acquiring knowledge of the job and company and understanding of how your skills match the job criteria will provide a leading edge, and greater chance for success on securing the job. Most companies offer the points for discussion that will be covered in the interview ahead of time, usually in writing.

10 Simple Tips for a Successful Interview

  1. Research the company including the company’s background
  2. Know the interviewers name and the location of the interview, i.e. where the office is based
  3. Develop answers ahead of the interview, i.e. around competency. Develop examples of your ability to do the job and the way you act on the task
  4. Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview
  5. Re-read your resume and the job spec one hour before the interview
  6. Practice with family or a friend – to listen to the tone of your voice which will help to boost confidence
  7. Arrive early, leaving enough time for traffic jams and to get a parking ticket
  8. At the interview, create a great first impression – give a firm handshake, speak clearly and maintain good eye contact
  9. Strong communication is important – listen carefully and ask interviewers to repeat or rephrase the question if you are unsure
  10. Demonstrate your unique selling point and why you are interested in this job

Preparation is vital and will ensure that you deliver a top-notch interview. “I will prepare and someday my chance will come” by Abraham Lincoln. Strong signs of a good interview include the conversation flowed naturally, the interview time was longer than advised, positive body language of the interviewers and you were provided with more information on the job role. There may have been hiccups on a few answers but don’t let this get you down. Focus on the positives. If it felt genuine and you experienced a lighter note on the conversation this is usually a good sign.

Need help on your job interview with us? Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email sales@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

Are you unsure of what to put in your CV, or how to structure it? Knowing what details to add can give you a strong lead on being called for an interview! Recruitment agencies and employers look for items that stand out at a glance. These can vary for different jobs. Recruiters are adept at seeking any gaps or discrepancies. The presentation of the CV needs to be considered. The structure to the layout should be clear and easy to read – providing a succinct story, from start to finish. Cover letters are similar to windows of a house. They provide a preview of the CV. It is similar to a sales pitch. Include relevant elements here from your CV, and information that relates to your experience and the job spec.

Some main elements to consider putting into your CV:

  • Previous roles and responsibilities of previous employment, or volunteer work
  • Experience to date – a brief overview
  • Skill-set, including hard and soft skills
  • Results and achievements in previous roles, include any that relate to the job spec
  • Education achieved to date, including course work currently being undertaken or planned up-skilling courses in the pipeline. Evidence of continuous learning is more desirable in an application
  • Keep bullet-points concise
  • Ensure that content is consistent
  • Including a profile headshot provides a personal connection
  • References provide strength to the application, particularly if the recruiter would like to follow up on more information with a third party
  • Including a LinkedIn link can provide additional pertinent information

Remember the CV must be clear in its presentation, easily scanned, and provide the relevant information for the role, including significant keywords. Ensure that dates are accurate and proofread for any typos. Structure the layout so that it’s visually easy to read. HR personnel should be able to review your CV in less than one minute. “Structure is more important than content in the transmission of information” – Abbie Hoffman.

A good cover letter should provide a brief synopsis of the CV and why the candidate is interested in the company, and the role being applied for. Knowing your CV details, and dates, ahead of the interview will provide you with consistency during the interview. Getting these steps right always provides a great first impression.

Three Q News

New Year, New You – Is part of your New Year resolution to find a new job or advance into a more managerial role in your career? Then you are going to need to prepare for interviews.

Interviews can be daunting, we always want to put our best foot forward, but sometimes our nerves can get the better of us. Interviews can prove even more difficult for those who have only recently graduated and have never interviewed before, or those who have been in their current job a long period of time and haven’t had an interview for several years.

We can’t control our emotions or nerves but what we can do is prepare, after all, knowledge is power!

As someone who has personally struggled trying to control my nerves and anxiety before an interview, I have found some tips which have helped me in the past:

  1. Know the company/ organisation you are interviewing for – A common question employers ask is “Why do you want to work here?”, so ensure you know plenty about your possible future employer.
  2. Fully understand the job description – Outline your own experience and skills which match that of the job description, you can use this to show you are a perfect match for the role.
  3. Prepare and rehearse common questions and answers – You can easily look online for a list of popular question which are asked at interview. As a recruiter I always provide my candidates with a list of questions & topics to research and do interview preparation where we go over these mock style questions.
  4. Prepare questions for the interviewer – Employers will always ask if you have any questions at the end of an interview, this is your opportunity to show that you have thought in depth about the role and company and genuinely want to work there.
  5. Plan your travel – Ensure you arrive to interview early and aren’t rushing; I always advise to be at least 15 minutes early to interview. This gives you time to sit down, compose your thoughts, and even go over some interview prep.
  6. Remember to breathe! – This may seem like such a simple and obvious thing, but as someone who has almost found myself hyperventilating before an interview, I find it helps to sit and take some deep breaths before interview to bring your heart rate down and calm those nerves.
  7. Speak confidently and clearly –I have found that I can speak a million miles an hour which can make it hard for the employer to fully grasp everything you are saying. I make sure to take a few seconds before answering a question and speak clearly and confidently. 
  8. Use the S.T.A.R (Situation, Task, Action & Result) approach when answering questions – This will help give your answers structure and ensure you don’t end up rambling so that your answers are relevant to the question.
  9. Remember to ask questions at the end of interview – Even if for some reason the employer does not ask you if you have any questions, remember to ask those all-important questions you prepared earlier.
  10. Leave a good impression – At the end of an interview, always make sure to smile and thank the employer for the opportunity & tell them how interested you are in the role and how you look forward to hearing any updates about the outcome of the interview.

If you are looking for a new Nursing, Healthcare or Hospitality job and would like some help finding that prefect job or to spruce up your CV & arrange some interview preparation, then you can call me on 01-878-3335 or visit our website for a full list of current jobs –

Charissa Mulholland

Nursing & Healthcare recruitment professional

Three Q Perms & Temps