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3. Interview Advice
4. News - Mixed picture for region’s jobs,



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3. Interview Advice
Making the most of interviews It’s almost impossible to receive a job offer without first attending an interview, but then who would want to take a job without first meeting their new boss? The secret of a successful interview lies in preparation, so it’s worth spending a little time doing your homework. Good employers understand the pitfalls of interviewing, such as the tendency of managers to recruit in their own image, but the process is slowly becoming more structured, sophisticated and fair. In some sectors the interview has become increasingly demanding with candidates not only being asked to answer questions, but to take part in role-plays and complete written tasks or tests. If you stick to a few guidelines, you can breeze through your next job interview. Before the interview Sound preparation is essential. It may sound like common sense but many people, especially first-jobbers, make the fatal mistake of not doing their homework before walking into an interview. Research the organisation – look at its website and read its latest annual report. Research the sector – take a look at industry association websites and magazines to get a feel for the latest developments. Prepare answers to the standard questions that form the basis of most interviews . Be ready with a few questions for the interviewer. This shows you’re keen and on the ball. Check the format of the interview and find out who will be interviewing you – it could throw you if you unexpectedly have to face an interview panel of six people. Make sure you dress appropriately. Re-read your CV and application letter and take additional copies. Plan your journey and check for any potential delays. At the interview You must make a good impression in the crucial first few moments, so be sure not to damage your chances before you begin: Get to your interview at least five minutes early. If you are going to be unavoidably delayed, make sure you let your interviewer know. Always switch off your mobile phone before you enter the recruiter’s building. Some interviewers try to provoke a reaction, often drawing candidates into an argument, or simply turning them into the proverbial rabbit in the headlights. Expect interviewers to throw a few trick questions your way. Some common ones include: What are your weaknesses? What would your colleagues say are your weaknesses? Describe a situation when your work was criticised. Remember, success here depends more on not getting flustered and thinking on your feet than having the right answer. Above all, be honest – and give reasons for your past behaviour or responses. Companies want to hire humans, not robots. The style of interviews varies dramatically, but here are a few key points to remember: Be friendly and courteous to everyone you meet from the receptionist onwards – you never know who might have a say in your appointment. Use positive body language. When answering questions, relate parts of the job description to relevant experience on your CV. Make the most of your research and quote it where appropriate. If you face a panel interview, make sure you talk to everyone rather than directing your answers at one person. Find out as much as you can about the job. For example, who would the employee report to; why is the situation vacant; and what are the promotion prospects? Never mention salary unless prompted to do so – and even then try not to agree to specific numbers without being given time to think. Always let the interviewer finish speaking before giving your response. When the interview is over, remember to ask when you can expect to hear back and what the next stage will entail. After the interview Take stock of your overall interview performance, learn from the experience and prepare for the next step. Try to remember the questions and how you answered them to see if you could improve in future. If you feel it’s appropriate, email the interviewer to say thank you for the interview, but be careful not to be too pushy for a response. Remember to use any criticism constructively to improve your chances next time. Useful links Read more information on interview techniques here.

4. News - Mixed picture for region’s jobs,
The region’s drive to develop tourism is paying off in new jobs, according to research from Durham Business School. The School, which monitors job and business creations, expansions, closures and contractions on a quarterly basis, reports that an extra 400 jobs were created in the sector in the period October to December 2004. The survey comes in the wake of a new regional strategy by One NorthEast to bring two million more visitors to the region and further bolster the North East economy.. While the School’s researchers noted four main new business start-ups within tourism, the majority of jobs (250+) came from just one new venture - the development of a new casino within The Gate leisure complex in Newcastle.. Durham Business School’s survey also highlights good news for the Tees Valley area, which outperformed the other sub-regions in terms of job creation. . Tees Valley was responsible for nearly half of the total jobs recorded within the wider region. In total, the area benefited from the creation of 1,300 new jobs. Many came from the expansion of existing businesses, including 200 new jobs at PD Ports and 100 at Taylor Woodrow. . In part, the area’s success this quarter has been achieved against a sharp deterioration in job creation in Tyne & Wear. Here, the total number of new jobs created was substantially lower than in previous quarters, and for the first time in two years, Tyne & Wear experienced a net loss of jobs (-230), following a number of major closures and contractions. . Tyne & Wear’s experiences in the final three months of 2004 were reflected in the overall figures, with the region witnessing a downturn in the overall number of jobs created. In total just 700 new jobs* were recorded, against more than 4000 across each of the last two quarters.. The Durham Business School research highlights that the somewhat subdued performance of the local economy is seen in modest growth in the usually dynamic retail (+250) and call centres (+200) sectors. Both have typically contributed a net gain of around 1,000 jobs in previous quarters. Of the gains made within the call centre sector, 150 new jobs were recorded at Garlands in Hartlepool.. The region’s manufacturing sector followed the national trends highlighted in recent CBI reports, losing in the order of 600 jobs. . Commenting on the survey findings, Professor Ian Stone of Durham Business School said: “The boost to jobs in the tourism sector is excellent news for the region and, given the ambitious plans for its development over the coming years, we would hope to see this growth replicated in future surveys. “The overall fall in new jobs created and business expansions does, however, suggest a slight reduction in business confidence in the region. At this stage it is too early to say whether there might be a longer-term downturn in the regional economy. The next quarter’s figures will give us a better indication of where we are heading. . “Looking back over the past two years we can see that a similar dip occurred in early 2003 but this righted itself quite quickly. "Nationally the picture is positive and that should give us cause for optimism. The economy remains relatively buoyant and there are clear opportunities to reduce interest rates, which would further benefit business. As we are also in an election year, one would expect the government to keep the pressure on to ensure the economy keeps moving and growing.”. The quarterly study is compiled by Durham Business School on behalf of regional development agency, One NorthEast. Commenting on the research findings,Alan Clarke One NorthEast Chief Executive said: “This survey brings yet more encouragement to the region's tourism industry in a week when the North East led the national news agenda playing host to the Labour Party's Spring Conference at the Sage, Gateshead, and following on from the launch of a major new tourism plan with £20m worth of One NorthEast funding behind it over the next three years. "The recent announcement of 200 new jobs at Nissan to work on its new P32L model and 700 additional posts to be created at Asda's new Washington distribution centre will go some way to boosting next quarter's job creation figures, but this backdrop of good news does notmean taht we can becpme complacement in any way about the region's economic future and the challenges it faces". Durham Business School's research is based on its NEWSBase system, which monitors local media announcements and other regional intelligence. It is unique in the UK and covers expansions, contractions, openings and closures in the region. . NEWSBase was designed by Durham Business School to provide regional policy-makers and practitioners with up-to-date information on changes within the various industrial sectors, enabling the region to tackle potential problems early on.. Issued on behalf of Durham Business School by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations. For press enquiries, contact Clare Maxwell on 0191 281 8833 or email claremaxwell@bradleyomahoney.co.uk Note to editors: * The figure of 700 new jobs across the region is the net figure created – i.e. by taking away jobs lost through business closures and contractions from the overall number of jobs created through new businesses and expansions in existing businesses. Recent figures from One NorthEast estimate that there are currently 47,000 jobs which are directly supported by tourism and a further 52,000 indirectly. (Will get this double checked by RDA!) More news items