Vamp up your interview skills  

Posted on 25 October 2024 • Interviews and assessments

Do interviews keep you awake at night, turn your face pale or make your blood run cold? Have no fear, the OU’s Careers and Employability Services is here to help you to get your teeth into opportunities and vamp up your skills so you nail your next interview and secure the job you really want.

 

Be ready to pounce on opportunities

Hungry for a different future? Try our 3-minute careers check-in to clarify your personal and career goals and find the next step for you on our dedicated careers website OpportunityHub where over 180 opportunities are added each week.

 

Ensure you reflect your skills

Vampires may have no refection when they look in the mirror, but self-reflection is a key skill for career success. Undertake our employability skills audit and analyse your existing skills and qualities to identify your true self and what you can offer.

 

Expose yourself to new experiences

Vampires hide in the shadows, but if you’re putting yourself in the job market you need to be seen and try new experiences. Volunteering and work experience can be great ways to build confidence, learn new skills and gain insight into different sectors and job roles.

 

Get your teeth into applications

Get your teeth into writing better applications by reading our understanding application forms webpage so you know what to expect when applying for a role. Understanding how to present your skills within an application form is also vital to ensure you make a great first impression.

 

Vamp up your interview skills

Interviews may seem scary but if you’re prepared and you’ve done your research, they are a great opportunity for you to showcase your skills and show your enthusiasm. Practise your answers and get feedback to help you improve your performance with our Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered tool Interview360. Build your interview confidence with one of our regular live webinars, curb your interview nerves.

 

Find your own style

it’s been fun to talk about vampires at this time of year, but horror stories aren’t for everyone. Find your own style of interview preparation and technique, what works for you. Your Career Planning Guide can help you.

 

By vamping up your skills you can stand out in interviews and take the next steps to achieving your career goals. Good luck!

 

Annabel Bennett is a Development Coordinator in the OU’s Careers and Employability Services. She supports careers-related activity both within the service and across the University, helping students to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential. Explore the rest of our blog for more articles from your careers team.