Many talented school leavers and graduates will fail to get jobs, despite their good grades, because they fall at the final hurdle – the job interview.
Now, a web-based interview training programme has been launched to make sure as many young people as possible can turn their years of hard work into full time employment.
Developed by a team headed by leading business psychologist Professor Cary Cooper, and brought to life by broadcast professionals, the programme (www.interviewguru.co.uk) sets out the strategies for success in any employment and higher education interview environment.
Said Professor Cooper: “The job market is now tougher than it has ever been, and just because someone has the right pieces of paper to his or her name, it doesn’t follow that they are going to shine in front of a difficult interview panel. It is a great shame when a really good candidate fails to secure a position, simply because they failed to prepare properly for the interview”.
Interview Guru is unique in its relevance to anyone about to go through the process of a selection interview for work or university admission. Central to the resource is an engaging four-step e-learning programme, in which users follow two candidates – Hannah and Zak – on their interview journeys. Using a proven learning format, each step contains a high-quality video, a set of background notes and a quiz.
Added Prof Cooper; “We also provide additional videos in which experts from sectors including human resources, corporate management, law, medicine, psychology, hospitality and publishing and discuss the many aspects of interview performance - and what they expect from the candidates.
“There are mock interviews too, where you can watch our candidates take both the right and the wrong approach - with expert advice on how to get it right.”
Elsewhere on the website, human resources experts have compiled a database of frequently-used interview questions, with explanations on what they mean and detailed advice on what candidates might consider including in their answers.
The site also exploits the power of social networking, giving users the opportunity to share their own interview experiences and to pass on relevant advice to others. There are tips on creating a great CV, how to feed your brain as well as your body on interview day, and how to deal with the inevitable stress that goes with the interview process.
Expert input to interviewguru.co.uk comes from:
- Tom Riall, chief executive of Serco
- Andy Perrin, chief executive of Hotelplan Ltd, owners of travel firms Inghams, Esprit and Ski Total
- Dami Patel, human resources manager for publishers Taylor and Francis
- Former HR director Rukhsana Amin
- London chef Henry Harris, patron of Racine in Knightsbridge
- British Dental Health Foundation chief executive Nigel Carter
- Barrister James Bell
- Otto Marples, managing director of fst The Group
The resource is being sold initially via annual site licences to schools, universities and any interested organisation. Start-up site licences start as low as £365 for up to 100 users. Individual purchase options will be available very shortly at a price of £24.50 including VAT.
Cary Cooper concludes: “Interview Guru is a top quality, professional programme at an amazing price. With so many people competing for job vacancies and university places, it’s so important to understand the process of being memorable for the right reasons. Interview Guru is all about helping people to be themselves and to show them how to recognise the opportunities and pitfalls they are sure to find in the world of recruitment and selection.
For a free seven-day trial of Interview Guru, please send an email to info@interviewguru.co.uk or call 0845 163 1553.
