Category: Interview Tips & Preparation

If there was only one interview tip I could ever share, it’s the Pratfall Effect interview tip

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve heard “I’m just no good at interviews”. Apparently it doesn’t matter a jot what career experience or achievements that person has proudly achieved over their lifetime, or how many interview tips they consume, the interview can feel like an entirely different animal. And because it only crops up from time to time, that animal can feel frustratingly big, angry and ready to make a light meal of you in a heartbeat. Sound familar? Well, let me tell you something I share with my clients which I know can really help about with that imposter syndrome, the Pratfall Effect interview tip.

The research says you’re not on your own

A quick mooch around the research throws up some eye watering stats.  One study found a whopping 93% of us experience anxiety before a job interview. This can manifest is all sorts of unhelpful ways including feelings of inadequacy, nervousness, and difficulty expressing oneself clearly (which can naturally trip us up when we really need to be on top form).

Oh…ok.. so not just you then? 

Look, I know there are far too many ways in which your interview could take a downward tumble. Aside from the deal breakers.. turning up late, being rude, not turning up at all, bad interviews often start with a small  mistake. Slip ups like getting your words muddled up, forgetting someone’s name, tripping up a step. Before you know it you’re spiralling into a messy, awkward interview 🤡

These small errors can feel like a catastrophe when you’re in the moment, being judged and on show to serve up the very best version of yourself. 

But… hold on.. there is a silver lining 💫

What if I told you that making a little mistake or two can actually be a good thing?That it could actually ramp up the warm and fuzzy feeling your interviewer gets from you?

According to research the ‘Pratfall Effect’ (yes it’s a thing, go check it out) is a surprising psychological phenomenon that suggests making a minor blunder, or showing a flaw can actually make you seem more likeable and relatable, not less. (*Mind blown 🤯)

And this forms the basis of the Pratfall Effect interview tip. Think about it.. perfect people can feel intimidating and unapproachable. But when someone trips, fumbles their words, or admits a small mistake, it can humanise them and it tells us, “Hey, they’re just like me!”

This ‘vulnerability’ goes a long way to encourage real connection and create trust, helping you to show your authentic and endearing side. Who actually knew…?! 🤷‍♀️

What can you do with the Pratfall Effect interview tip

So, in light of this savvy little nugget of information, here’s my interview advice;

1. It seems it’s a complete waste of time worrying about coming across as ‘perfect’ at your interview, so relax a little, don’t be afraid of making the odd mistake – because it does not need to be the start of the unravelling. Actually, the exact opposite – it could be a blessing.

2. Your candidate competition has not prepared better/got it together any more than you. Remind yourself that at least 93% of candidates suffer from interview jitters just as much as you, the playing field is much more level than you think (and who exactly are the weird creatures that make up the other 7% anyway..?) 

3. Next time you make a little slip up in your interview, let it happen, own it and secretly do a tiny happy dance in your head, just remember the Pratfall! 

Wishing you the best of luck with your job search! 

I’m Zoe, Master Career Coach and Interview Specialist at WorkClever Careers, and Ex Recruitment Agency Owner. I coach to create success in the job search space, and I love to teach people how to interview really well, so they can get offers for the jobs they really want. I share knowledge and guidance through coaching and digital courses, and lots of freebie tips & hacks, all designed to give you real-world, transformative support so you can get the job you deserve. 

Want to know the 3 deal breakers which could mess up your interview?

👇 GET MY latest FREE MINI VIDEO GUIDE now

It’s time to reveal something special I’ve been working on for the last year or so. I’ve poured my heart and every drop of my knowledge and experience into this project, so naturally I am very excited to launch this brand new digital course ‘Learn How To Interview Attract A Job Offer’ Is an on-demand, self-paced online course enabling you to learn savvy and proven insider tips, tricks and hacks to prepare for an upcoming interview, and gain the right know-how and head space to show up to your interview ready and able to attract the job offer. 

Delivering help where it’s needed

People come to WorkClever Career Coaching needing to solve a variety of career dilemmas. However, lots of our wonderful clients arrive because they have an interview coming up, and do not feel good and ready to deliver their best shot. This might be because they’ve had a bad experience or two, or feel totally fed up with getting rejections after interview. Or, sometimes it can simply be they haven’t had an interview for a long time, and the interview game has changed. 

Breaking down interview barriers to the job you deserve

Honestly, it’s a lifelong irk of mine because I’ve seen so many great people get rejection after rejection from interviews, and not because they haven’t got the right experience or skillset to be brilliant in that role, but because they don’t seem to ‘interview well’. It doesn’t seem to matter how much preparing for, practicing questions, researching the organisation they do, it just didn’t seem to work. I’ve witnessed the impact interview rejection can have on someone’s life and wellbeing, it can be serious stuff. It’s very frustrating as it often boils down to how good you can play the ‘game of interviewing’.

There is a solution..

After helping many people to interview much better and go on to secure great jobs, I knew I needed to share this knowledge to help others. I created the digital course to peel back the lid on the realities of the interview landscape and reveal what actually works, not just the standard ‘preparing for interview tips’ you get from Google/AI. The course is entirely aimed at educating you to understand and overcome those (often invisible) barriers we can often encounter at interview.

This signature course takes WorkClever Career Coaching into the digital age and offers the perfect platform to help more people to discover proven, impactful and transformative approaches to preparing for and showing up to interview. Every lesson is geared up to help you boost your interview abilities and line you up to attract offers for the jobs you want and deserve. Delivered on your terms, in your own time.

To learn more and take sneak peek at some of the insight from the course, watch my free mini video guide

Let me tell you about Cheryl, an amazing individual who came to career coaching seeking guidance and Career Change. She had enjoyed a long, fulfilling career in horticulture, spanning an impressive 30 years. Cheryl had worked for various organisations, including prestigious employers like the Royal Masonic and the Governor of Gibraltar. Talk about some extraordinary experiences!

Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR: Women nuturing and watering her plants and career

But as time went on, Cheryl found the physical demands of the job becoming more challenging. Along with some difficult personal circumstances, she began to question if it was time for a change. She knew deep down that she wanted to explore something new, but the path ahead seemed unclear.

A brand new career

Enter career coaching! Together, Cheryl and her WorkClever career coach started exploring what her ideal career could look like. She considered the impact she wanted to have through her work, the kind of environment and people she’d enjoy working with, and how she could leverage her skills and experiences. It became clear that Cheryl had a strong desire to help people and was open to acquiring new skills to make that happen.

Through the coaching process, Cheryl gained clarity on her strengths and recognised her own value. With this newfound confidence, she began researching different career options that aligned with her passions. She delved into the areas that interested her the most, sparking some exciting ideas about the type of work she felt drawn to. To supplement her research, Cheryl took online courses to fill any knowledge gaps and boost her skills (Excellent move, Cheryl!).

And guess what? Cheryl discovered her passion for social care, specifically in rehabilitation and support work. She had found her calling. But the question remained: how to make this career change happen? With the career coaching support, Cheryl developed a solid plan and took action to uncover deeper insights and experiences in the field.

Connect for success

Driven by her determination and motivation, Cheryl tapped into her network and reached out to contacts who could provide valuable insight and connections. During this phase, she stumbled upon an opportunity to volunteer with an organisation in the field she was passionate about. Cheryl was thrilled, but self-doubt began to rear its head. Thanks to her coaching sessions, she was able to work through her worries and found a new, more positive perspective. Empowered and confident, Cheryl accepted the offer to volunteer with a rehabilitation organisation to help support individuals on their journey to overcome substance misuse. Incredible, right?

And that’s not all! Cheryl’s stars aligned perfectly when she found herself in the right place at the right time. She was offered a training opportunity funded by the organisation, allowing her to qualify as a substance misuse support worker. Talk about seizing the moment!

Career coaching wins

Cheryl couldn’t be happier with the new career horizon that opened up for her. She expressed her gratitude and told us, “I am so grateful for the help you have given me. If it weren’t for career coaching, I’d still be sitting here wondering what to do next with my career” (You go, Cheryl!).

Zoe Hendricks, Cheryl’s career coach responds, “Cheryl’s journey was filled with determination, commitment, resilience, positivity, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone. These qualities enabled her to create a meaningful and impactful career change. I am immensely proud of all that Cheryl has achieved”.

So, if you ever find yourself at a crossroads in your career, remember Cheryl’s story. An open mind, small steps, and a little support can lead to a mighty change! With the right guidance, determination, and a willingness to explore new possibilities, you too can find a career path that brings you joy and fulfilment.

Home based, Remote working, Flexible to suit

We are looking for a qualified career coach to work with adults to deliver career coaching/IAG/employability support on a one-to-one basis over the telephone. Our clients are private sector organisations that engage us to support their workforce. 

This opportunity might suit if you are looking for a top up to your existing work, or you may already be a self employed coach and wish to take on more clients. Right now, we are currently looking for someone to support overflow client work, which will be ad-hoc initially, with the potential to take on more clients, dependent on upcoming contract demand.  

Ideally, you will be a career coach who has an accredited career development qualification at level 6 or higher, but also open to level 4 or aspiring level 6’s and associated with, or willing to be associated with a professional body that enables you to work to a code of ethics and undertake regular CPD. If you are registered with the Career Development Institute, all the better.

You will join us as a Career Coach Associate on a self-employed basis, and will be working with clients remotely over telephone, so it doesn’t matter where in the UK you are located. You can choose to work when it suits you, as our client sessions can be delivered throughout the daytime, evenings or weekends. As you will be working at home or in a location of your choice, it is essential that you have your own PC or laptop, internet access, telephone and a space which is suitable to have confidential coaching discussions over the phone or video. 

Interested? To find out more email Zoe at: 

zoe.hendricks@workclevercareers.co.uk  

Do you really want to quit? Or could you love your job again?

Career coaching Services: It’s not just for career change

It’s probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of career coaching; that you only need a career coach when you want help to change your career. And yes, absolutely, it can help you do that successfully. However, I work with many clients who often come to coaching because they are simply feeling unhappy at work and just want to fix it.  

Unhappy at work?

Clients may come to career coaching with a variety of problems. These work dilemmas could be caused by all sorts of factors. Sometimes it’s to do with people at work, sometimes it’s about work culture or fitting in, and in some cases it’s about tasks or responsibilities. Perhaps the way they feel they are being treated or responded to in the workplace is causing a problem, or quite often, individuals may not be able to quite put their finger on what is causing their unrest. 

This is where career coaching can help

Having a safe, confidential and impartial space to talk about what you are going through with a professional can help ease the burden tremendously. Through the coaching process you are able to unpack the issues and work through them. This means you can explore new approaches to tackle the problems. You can then discover and try out new ways forward to navigate through your challenges. 

Start to love your job again

Many times I see clients who have been thinking very seriously about leaving their job. Through career coaching they start to feel more in control, settled and happier at work. And ultimately they may discover they did not want to leave their job at all.

Of course, some individuals, given the appropriate time and space to explore their work challenges – in a balanced and objective manner, may decide it is time to move on. On the other hand, I see so many clients who have told me they are starting to love their job again after resolving their work dilemma through career coaching. 

I guess what I really wanted to explain here is that career coaching is not just about career change or getting a new role. It can definitely support you through difficult times at work. The aim is to help you find a new way forward to a happier work life, and yes, perhaps you too could start to love your job again!

If you would like to find out more about how career coaching services can help you, we’d love to hear from you.

Author: Zoe Hendricks (MA CEd & C, RCDP MCDI)  

Founder & Lead Coach at WorkClever Careers

Things appear to be looking rather rosy if you’re wanting to get qualified or retrain since the government launched qualifications you can do for free as part of the new Lifetime Skills Guarantee. 

But I’ll be honest, ever since the government announced they were putting together an offer to pay for adults in England to retrain, I did secretly wonder if there might be too many hoops to jump through or a list of eligibility criteria so complicated that most people would fall short of benefitting from it. However, having looked at what’s on offer, I have to say I’m feeling quite optimistic about the possibilities opening up for people of any age who are ready to retrain, career change or boost their job prospects, and all without the financial burden of the cost of qualification. What’s not to like?.. Here’s the low down on the new Lifetime Skills Guarantee qualification offer.. 

So, what’s the offer?

Until now, free college level study has only been available to the under 19’s (and in some cases under 25’s). The government has now opened up the free to study offer to all ages, so if you missed the boat the first time around, now’s the time to grab it back. You can study a full, accredited, level 3 qualification that’s fully funded by the government. 

What’s the catch?

There is no catch, but to be eligible for the funding you can’t have already completed a full level 3 qualification – not sure if you have a level 3 qualification? check here. There may be other eligibility requirements to get on a free course depending on what you want to study, but it looks like there are no means testing or benefits driven requirements to access the courses.   

What can I study?

A generous range of Level 3 courses have initially been launched from a credible selection of awarding bodies including AQA, AAT, NCFE, OCR, Pearson and many others, and over time more courses are likely to become available. Currently, there are over 400 free courses across England, covering different subjects, which include:

• accounting and finance
• agriculture
• building and construction
• business management
• childcare and early years
• digital
• engineering
• environmental conservation
• health and social care
• horticulture and forestry
• manufacturing technologies
• mathematics and statistics
• medicine and dentistry
• public services
• science
• teaching and lecturing
• transportation operations and maintenance
• warehousing and distribution

Will I need to go to college full-time?

Whilst many of the courses are likely to require attending a local college or training provider, according to the GOV website, some of the courses can be completed online or part-time, so it’s definitely worth checking out, even if you think a full-time course might be tricky for you.

How will I benefit from doing one of the courses?

The courses listed are included because the government has identified demands in the labour market that need to be filled and the qualifications on offer are selected to tie in with this, so are very much relevant. Of course, gaining a qualification is only part of the career progression jigsaw, but whether you’re after a new career or feel it’s time to progress at work, completing a level 3 accredited qualification can certainly help you on your way to achieving this. 

How do I find out more?

Have a look at the GOV website to find out more about what’s on offer and how to apply. Having looked through the list of training providers across England, the qualifications are being delivered by local colleges and training providers across the main regions of; East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, so it’s likely there’s access to a training provider for most. 

My advice.. if you are ready to study and haven’t already completed a full level 3 accredited qualification, it’s certainly worth checking out what courses are available in your area. Good luck! 

Author: Zoe Hendricks (MA CEd & C, RCDP MCDI)

Just so you know, this is not an advert and I’m (unfortunately) not on any commission! I just want to share something with you that I’ve noticed is making a big impact for my clients, so here it is.. 

OK, I know you’re stuck in lockdown, maybe furloughed, out of work, or just plain fed up in  your job. Maybe you daydream about doing something completely different, imagining a career you think you could have done.. should have done.. if only you could turn back the clock.. Afterall, it would cost you too much to start learning new skills now, right?…. Wrong.

It costs nothing and you can start right away

I’m still surprised by the number of people I see who are in the dark about one of the most potent ways to supercharge your CV or gear up for a long awaited career change – and it costs absolutely nothing and you can start right away. 

I’m talking about the explosion of brilliant free courses available now online, often offered up by credible global organisations and universities. Upskilling, learning and education has never been easier, and done from the comfort of your sofa.

As a career coach, I often encourage clients to explore free online courses that might help them and I have noticed those who do take advantage often significantly improve their prospects through a boost to their knowledge, skills and confidence.

So exactly what can you study for free?

In terms of what you can learn, it’s pretty mind blowing. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, many of which are highly relevant to today’s job market, or could simply meet your needs for personal development, creativity or knowledge. 

I’ve been taking a look at some of the free courses being offered and there really are far too many to mention. However, to give you a flavour of what you can study for free, subjects include social care, psychology, health and education, or HR, marketing and business. Or maybe choose to skill up on languages, nature, history or the arts. Fancy studying science, maths, technology or perhaps society, politics and law. 

Maybe you’re interested in learning something specific such as Counselling Skills, Holistic Therapy, Engineering, Cyber Security or Artificial Intelligence, or want to boost your Leadership or People Management skills, or perhaps help young people in education, or better support those with mental health challenges. There’s Food and Nutrition, Financial Markets, Project Management courses.. and the list really does go on..

Are free courses good for career development?

There are some careers that demand specific, accredited qualifications, that’s a given. However, many of these free courses are designed to help you upskill, build your awareness or knowledge, or teach you new competencies that are in line with current demands in industry. Any course you decide to undertake not only builds your knowledge, but is a great addition to your CV or LinkedIn profile. It can demonstrate to a potential employer that you are interested and committed to developing your skills and knowledge in that area.

Let me ask you this, if you were responsible for interviewing someone for a job, and they’d just completed a course relevant to the job or the business, would you see this as a benefit? Of course you would!

It is also worth bearing in mind that some free courses offer a similar version to the paid for ‘accredited’ qualification, so you learn the same content. It is often the accreditation process that costs training providers, which you can end up paying for in the price of the course. 

Use free courses to explore career change

Another fantastic use for free courses is when you are exploring a career change, you can find out so much more about different careers or jobs you think may interest you. You might take a course and realise that particular career choice isn’t really for you.. Or perhaps you love what you are learning, which ignites that spark of inspiration and motivation you need to take the next steps.

Where do I find free online courses?

Feeling fired up to get started on learning something new? I’ve taken the hard work away for you and explored some of the current top course providers offering free courses right now, You can thank me later..

OpenLearn (Free learning from the Open University) www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

Reed (Jobs and online UK courses) www.reed.co.uk/courses/free

Future Learn (University and Industry expert courses) www.futurelearn.com/

Edx (Founded by Harvard University) www.edx.org

Alison (Free online courses from world leading experts www.alison.com 

Coursera (Courses from universities and businesses) www.coursera.org 

UK Learns, Pearson (Leading educational organisation) uklearns.pearson.com

Oxford Home study (Home learning provider) www.oxfordhomestudy.com/free-online-courses-with-certificates

*A little tip: Some providers offer both free and paid for courses, but just search ‘free courses’ in the website search box to uncover all the free stuff.

Hope this has inspired you to have a go at a course, and don’t forget to add it to your CV, on your job applications, mention it in your next appraisal! It really is never too late to learn.  

It’s a tough time for HR. Every day we hear of more companies forced by the Coronavirus pandemic to reduce their workforce, make redundancies or furlough staff. HR professionals are often at the coal face of difficult organisational change, rolling out challenging HR procedures and facilitating tricky, but necessary conversations with colleagues. This is the tough side to the profession, delivering bad news to those on the receiving end of redundancy or job change can be difficult to manage positively. A gloomy outlook on the current labour market can leave those affected uncertain of finding alternative employment.

To tackle this, career development experts at WorkClever Careers have launched a remote Employee Career Support Triage service in partnership with organisations, to pick up the critical personal support for employees at the point where the company has to leave.

A one-to-one video call with a qualified career coach, provides a friendly, professional ear and a qualified helping hand to offer timely and effective careers advice, guidance and information to affected individuals. Using a solution focused approach, Employee Career Support Triage helps employees to positively manage change to their personal work situation and is tailored to each individual to provides practical advice and guidance around coping with change and finding new work.   

An employee facing redundancy explains, “I was feeling quite down about losing my job, so this couldn’t have come at a better time – the session really helped me get things off my chest, put things into perspective and I do feel a lot more hopeful now. I found the job searching and CV advice very useful, as it’s been a while since I have had to look for another job”

Founder and Lead Coach at WorkClever Careers, Zoe Hendricks comments, “Helping employees on the way out can enable HR professionals to truly offer independent and professional support to those that need it. Businesses who support employees at this most vulnerable time can positively manage organisational workforce change and protect their valuable employer brand”.

Discover more about the Employee Career Support Triage service or contact info@workclever.co.uk 

WorkClever Careers provide expert careers advice, information, guidance and coaching for individuals who need to solve a career dilemma. If you are an individual who needs some careers support, find out more about how we can help you or get in touch now.

In response to the Covid-19 crisis, WorkClever Career Coaching have launched a career support service to help organisations positively manage unplanned career changes for their employees. 

It is, without doubt, an unsettling time for us all right now. Many people across the UK face job loss, work or financial uncertainty. Organisations at the coal face of this epidemic have been catapulted into sudden and unwanted situations, which left very little time to prepare. Many businesses have had little choice than to adapt very quickly to design and deliver workforce change, roll out redundancy initiatives or deal with the strange, twilight-zone-world of ‘furlough’.

Confused, uncertain and worried employees

People within these organisations are dealing with unexpected change to their work situation through furlough, redundancy or illness. Vulnerable employees in self isolation have no choice but to cut off from the safety of their colleagues and usual work environments. Many individuals are feeling confused, uncertain and worried about what lies ahead.

A friendly, listening ear and helping hand

To support these organisations and the people affected, WorkClever Careers are providing a career support service to enable businesses to offer an extra tier of support to employees facing change, uncertainty or redundancy.

The support service connects individuals through video or telephone with a professional career coach offering a friendly listening ear and helping hand, to provide a wellbeing check and careers information, advice, and guidance to address obstacles employees may encounter during periods of change at work. 

Organisations who offer this service can protect their employer brand, boost morale and support positive organisational change, whilst truly supporting employees who are left to cope with job change, redundancy or uncertainty.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help your organisation, contact us at:

careers@workclever.co.uk 

As a mum of two boys – one at secondary school and the other at college, I understand how tough making decisions around what to do after they leave school can be for them. As luck would have it.. I’m a qualified careers adviser, so my two are particularly fortunate in that sense. However, if I didn’t do this job, I know I would have felt very unsure how to truly help them to understand all of their options and make well informed decisions. So, where do you start to support your kids with the right career advice? Here’s a link to a blog I wrote recently for Ideas4Careers, a fantastic organisation I am associated to in my work at secondary schools. Here, I suggest where you might want to start if you are keen to help your own children make good career decisions Read it now .

If you or your child are feeling a little unsure or stuck with leaving school, sixth form or college, or career and study choices, I do offer private careers advice and guidance sessions for your child or you (or both of you together).

In the session I help your child to:

• Understand all of the education and career opportunities open to them and what they mean for their future career
• Think about what to study and careers that may suit them based on their preferences, skills and interests
• Know how to take effective next steps in applications to college, sixth form, apprenticeships or university
• Make well considered, personalised and well-informed decisions about their career and education after leaving school (and as a parent, you feel confident that they can do this for themselves!)

Click here for more..