Laurence Reyman gives a few tips on nailing that next job interview.
The Caribbean season is in full swing as I am writing this piece, yet not long from now it will be Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival time again; As we all know, both these events mark the beginning of the Mediterranean yachting season. Is it perhaps time to look for that next job? Time to brush up on your interview techniques in order to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few pointers to help you on the way. Be likeable and affable from the moment you arrive, to the deckhand at the passerelle or the yacht owner's PA or receptionist; The interviewer will probably ask their opinion about you! We all know it, first impression counts. Be likeable during the interview, make good eye contact and smile. Don't over-do it with extreme politeness, just be the best of who you are, it's show time! We all prefer to work with people we like.
Impressions count
Make an impression: The reality is the interviewer is likely to meet a few candidates on the same morning or afternoon and after a while, facts will become blurry and the interviewer will forget quite a bit of what you have said. He might later refer about you as the guy who ran the London marathon or the engineer who was qualified so young or the chef who grew up sailing around the world, basically, something which is memorable. What are you memorable for? Work on this and make it your unique selling point. Ask questions which will really help you to ensure the job is right for you: who will you work with and how to long have they been in the team? What is the team's strong point, what is missing in the team in terms of skills and know how and how could you contribute?, what is really expected of you? If you're going to share a cabin, who are you sharing with and could you meet this crew member? The idea is not that you control the interview, but that you build as good a picture as possible of the job. Don't be negative about your previous job even if it was an unpleasant experience. Be "to the point', explain that it was not the best situation but that you have come away wiser and that you have learned XYZ… because you have, we all learn from our mistakes.
Keep motivated
Ask for the job. By the end of the interview you will most likely know if you want the job (if not, ask more questions) and if so, ask for it. However incredible it sounds, most people don't dare and miss on an incredible opportunity. Faced with four candidates at more or less equal skill levels who have all made a good impression, who will the interviewer offer the job to? To the only candidate who was enthusiastic and motivated enough to ask for it, because it just makes sense!
Bonne Chance — Here's to a great Mediterranean season!
For more details contact laurence@ypicrew.com or visit www.ypicrew.com
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