"Life is not a problem
to be solved,
but a mystery
to be lived."
Thomas Merton

The pressure is on. Life has come along and said: "Let's see what you're made of." You're going to be on show. You are going to be judged.

And then you're told you've got to blow your own trumpet. But... Not your style?

You've got to talk about 'achievements'. Expecting that glazed look across the desk?

You've got to be enthusiastic. Are you sure that this is what you want?

....You've got to do this. You've got to do that.

Playing the ideal candidate, you forget that it's no compliment to say: "he's got an answer to everything", yet you can't afford to miss any opportunity.

The pressure is indeed on.

There are two completely different skills

It takes one skill to do a job well. It takes a very different one to be able to talk about yourself in a way that satisfies a demanding audience. Without guidance it is hard to know how you, personally, should prepare, what areas you, personally, need to work on.

So many people believe they are well prepared, but are nowhere near doing themselves justice. You may well have worked hard at getting ready, but without a real grasp of what you need to do, you can miss out. A good interviewer may help you, but so often you will be interviewed by someone who is not particularly skilled.

Richard Dening is probably one of the most experienced coaches in interview technique in the UK. He has proved his effectiveness through a remarkable track record of helping all kinds of people into demanding, sometimes very high profile jobs. He has received numerous unsolicited letters from appreciative clients. And now some are sending their children to him, when they leave university.

He coaches people on all types of interview - panel, one to one meetings, well planned competency based interviews, "friendly chats", and the presentations requested as part of the interview process

Before you meet, you will have sent him your CV and job application and probably discussed any particular issues you have.

If you agree, he will videotape or DVD the two hour session and give you the tape/DVD and a handout at the end, for later reflection. You may want to come back again, but most people find that one session does the trick.