A new book on interviewing skills, which highlights the challenges faced by job seekers, has just been released.
“Interviewing Skills for Life” is the brainchild of local man Seán Connaughton, a part time lecturer in communications and HR, it came about following a five-week focus group of 12 unemployed people in Galway.
Within 30 days, most of the group got jobs as a result of working on the tips and techniques. The results were then creatively captured in the book designed to help the wider community.
Mr Connaughton believes there are jobs available but people must be equipped to find them. “You have to fish for them and have the correct tackle to land the interview.”
Edited by Jo Lavelle and designed by Dermot Kelly, the book helps prepare job seekers for interviews.
“It helps the reader to build up their confidence, focus on their key selling attributes, raise their self-belief, as well as understanding the requirements expected from them,” explains Mr Connaughton. “One senior executive, who had been made redundant, found the book to be invaluable. ‘I was recently interviewed and was quite disappointed in myself. I didn’t give specific answers, I failed to show I was relaxed and I used my hands too much. ‘Interviewing Skills for Life’ has really helped me correct all this; I love the way the book draws you in with the motivational pictures and the guidance absolutely keep you on track. I expect that my next interview will be a lot more successful after reading the book and following its advice.” The publication, which features inspirational photography from Africa, where Sean spent time working with isolated communities and vulnerable children in Zambia, aims to help the poor in Africa as well as those hit hard by the recession at home.
The release of the book is currently taking place nationwide with the Mobile Book Trolley, designed by James Percy of Dynasigns, making its way around the country. The proceeds will go to Tracy Piggott’s www.playingforlife.ie and Alan Kerins Educating for Life on www.AlanKerins.ie The book is available from both charities and on amazon.co.uk
