If at first you don't succeed ...

Just yesterday proved once again that jobs can be won the second time around.
A client, rejected after an interview procedure which failed to make an appointment clinched the high-powered executive position on a national professional body after successful coaching by one of our Focus for Change counsellors http://www.focus4change.co.uk/.

It's not uncommon for organisations to review an interview process which has failed to produce a successful candidate, advertise the post again to make a final selection. Again it's usual for unsuccessful candidates, having undertaken grooming for the interview, submit their application again - and win the job.

It's astonishing in this time of change with so many redundancies taking place organisations of all descriptions are unable to fill crucial posts - particularly at middle-management level.

Recognising the potential of existing staff and the importance of retaining them they can prefer to promote internally. But despite a good track record and confidence in the excellent job they're doing existing staff often lose out - because they fail to market themselves at interview.

This prompts an increase in our one-to-one grooming and mentoring services, preparing staff not only to move up but to recognise the need for forward thinking should they achieve the new post.

Preparation for interview is vital.The secret is in the correct planning. Having put so much energy into the application many candidates still fail the final fence. If the appointment is to an internal post it's vital to know the corporate plan for that department or subsidiary. If applying from outside it's necessary to research the organisation thoroughly. In either case interviewers must be clear on what the candidate feels he or she can bring to the post, with a vision of its future.

Image and body-language speak volumes in the first moments of an interview. So is careful speech and a confident manner in this final and crucial bid to achieve the goal of another post; a good career move.

Preparation pays - what's your tip for success? Share it with us.