I had my first interview on Monday and just heard back that I didn’t get the job. One of the points of feedback they gave me was that my interview technique could be improved. I realised at the time I was nervous and didn’t make as much eye contact as I should have, and they gave a couple of other points for improvement.

So I’m disappointed about that – I’d have been very happy with that job. But all is not lost! Since that interview, another company I’ve applied to contacted me to say they want to interview me for a job I’ve applied for with them. Unlike the first job, it’s in the media which is where I’d really like to be working, and it looks really interesting and I’d really, really love to get it. So hopefully I’ll be able to learn from my first attempt and go in and dazzle the panel on the second.

Here’s some of the advice I was given:

• Make eye contact – fairly obvious basic of communication, really
• Be concise – a bit tricky to judge how long an answer is expected. I didn’t think I was being too waffly most of the time, but I’ll try and keep it snappy.
• Be focused on the job in hand – or, don’t mention that you’re applying for other stuff.

This last one was because I’d said in response to the question “Would you take the job if offered?” something like “Yes, almost definitely, unless perhaps something else surprisingly came up suddenly. I wouldn’t not take it out of the hope that something better might come along later”. So perhaps a bit waffly, but I was trying to be as positive as I could be, but also be honest. Well, live and learn, and with the next job, I can honestly say I definitely wouldn’t hesitate a moment before accepting.