Being convincing to an employer in England

Member since 30 May 2013

PriscillaViP20 March 2019 08:33:42

42358

Hello everyone,

Finding a job in England is no easy feat. From applying for a job all the way to job interviews, the etiquette can be different abroad. Specially job interviews, that can already be pretty daunting, can feel even worse when set in a whole new country. If youve gone through a job interview in England before, how about giving a few tips to someone who might be preparing for one?

Do interviews usually take place in a formal or casual setting in England? Do you have any pointers for job interviews that take place over a lunch or dinner?

From application all the way to the job interview, what is essential to make an candidate stand out?

Culturally speaking, are there specific dos and donts? What is the general take on bringing a parent on the job interview or a gift to the interviewer?

Can you tell us a little about your experience? What worked and what did not work for you?

How important is it to have a solid professional network prior to a job interview?

Please share your experience,

Priscilla

Practical-hedonist Member

Member since 16 March 2019

Practical-hedonistMember21 March 2019 16:49:25

Hi Priscilla,

I've started to work in the UK one year ago. Originally I'm from Hungary. I applied online to a waitress job in a family resort on the seaside in Somerset. I've got an email the next day about an invitation for a skype interview. The date was ok for me, so we arranged it.

What my workplace was most curious about is my personality, my attitude and how I handle work in general. If I know anything about the resort (I've already known a lot). It was a "friendly" interview.

I have a live-in accommodation here in the resort (so as about 500 others from different countries). What I (and my friends) have experienced here, that the attitude was the most important to them. If they find that you want to be good, that it is quite easy to get a chance.

But of course, this doesn't mean, that it is like here everywhere.

danicali Member

Member since 22 April 2019

danicaliMember22 April 2019 17:17:56

Why it is "no easy feat" interviewing here? I actually found American based interviews more difficult and some American interviewers quite rude. If you have the right to work in the UK, you should be fine.

There is no shortage of work here. As long as you are willing to accept low paying jobs.

Getting the very first job can be hard, although I got my first job here within two weeks - but again, it was low paying.

If you come to an interview and are friendly, and well spoken, and you listen when they speak, and you seem likable, and you tell them what they want to hear, you'll get the job. If you're awkward, or too nervous, or ramble on, or whatever, you won't. x