Now you've been shortlisted

Author's site

Amazing People Career counselling, career coaching, guidance and advice with a chartered occupational psychologist www.amazingpeople.co.uk

Jacket text for Now you've been shortlisted

This book is for anyone that has received a 'you've been shortlisted' letter and wants to feel more confident and prepared for their forthcoming interview.

It covers the different types of psychometric testing companies use, the various forms of interviews they employ, from first interview to panel interview to competency-based interview, as well as all aspects of performing well at assessment centres.

The book finishes with advice on questions to ask at the end of the interview, different ways to follow up and what to expect at the start of your new job.

Chapter headings for Now you've been shortlisted

About the Author
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction

Preparation 1
Chapter 1. The employer perspective
Chapter 2. Preparing for success

Psychometric Testing
Chapter 3. Introducing psychometric tests
Chapter 4. Verbal reasoning and critical-thinking tests
Chapter 5. Numerical tests
Chapter 6. Abstract reasoning and other tests
Chapter 7. Personality questionnaires

Assessment Centres
Chapter 8. Assessment centres - an introduction
Chapter 9. Group exercises
Chapter 10. Written exercises
Chapter 11. In-tray exercises
Chapter 12. Presentations
Chapter 13. Role-plays
Chapter 14. Other exercises

Interviews
Chapter 15. The interview - preparation
Chapter 16. Getting ready to answer questions
Chapter 17. Over to you - questions to ask at the end of the interview

On the Day and Following Up
Chapter 18. Appearance and body language
Chapter 19. On the day
Chapter 20. Afterwards

Success
Chapter 21. You've got the job!

A Final Word
Answers to Psychometric Tests

About Denise Taylor

Winner of two National Career Awards, 2009 for her Job Search Support Programme and in 2007 for The Gold Career Programme. Denise Taylor is an award-winning chartered psychologist and registered guidance practitioner who has been helping people find out who they are, what they want to do and be successful in their job search for more than 20 years. She is the founder of Amazing People (www.amazingpeople.co.uk) and noted as one of the top career coaches in the UK with clients from all over Great Britain, Europe and beyond. Denise was the featured careers coach on ITV's 'Tonight' programme - How Safe is your Job? (November 2008), is regularly featured on radio shows to discuss career related issues. She is a sought-after consultant, advising companies as diverse as the Civil Service, charities and energy companies in making effective recruitment decisions.

More about Denise Taylor

Reviews for Now you've been shortlisted

" 'Now You've Been Shortlisted' is an impressive resource that enables the reader to view recruitment and selection processes in a truly positive light. The author helps demystify the complexities associated with psychometric testing and assessment and offers excellent practical strategies for coping successfully with transitions into the workplace."
- Dr Deirdre Hughes, President, Institute of Career Guidance

"Denise is a true expert in her field, dedicated to her profession. This extensive guide full of practical tips and advice has helped me to prepare for interviews for positions that I would have normally avoided because I was too fearful of the process. The wide variety of exercises and invaluable information has enabled me to feel confident and knowledgeable. I have aimed higher and broadened my horizons. Now educated and properly prepared on how to get through an interview professionally, it has now brought me more opportunity and I now realise that the only person stopping me from getting the job I really want is me! Thank you Denise for all the hard work you have put into this guide and most importantly for sharing it with others."
- Sylvana Hamaida, Financial Services, London

"With extensive experience of helping people with their careers over many years, Denise gives valuable advice on how to perform well through the whole interview and assessment process. She includes advice on interview technique, assessment centres, personality and ability testing and many other key issues, right up to starting in the new role. The very detailed and comprehensive professional advice, contained all in this one book, will greatly enhance the individual's chances of success in competitive selection situations. An excellent book, both for job seekers, career changes, those seeking promotion and also for career practitioners advising people on their careers."
- Tony Charles of corporate career management consultancy, Tony Charles Associates Limited

"There is one significant difference between those who get a job and those who don't after being shortlisted. Successful candidates invest in research and understand the nuts and bolts of the recruiting process. They are prepared for each step: they know what to expect from an assessment centre and how to stand out in the interview. They are not surprised by the format of the psychometric tests and by the test's questions. They researched potential employers and their targeted industries and impress interviewers through their use of a common language. If you try to be successful without help from an expert, you will probably make many mistakes and fail to achieve your goal.

This book is exactly what you need to acquire these critical skills and to avoid mistakes. You will be competing with candidates who put in the time and effort to be prepared. Job search is a unique type of competition: there are no second and third places, only one person will reach the finish line. The comprehensive advice in this book will help you understand the process and perform to your best whether you are due to attend an interview or a full scale assessment centre. You are then far more likely to be the one who wins the job."
- Alon Karmiel, founder, ZoomInterview.com

This is an essential practical guide for anyone who has received the ‘you’ve been shortlisted’ news and wants to get the ‘you’re hired’ letter. Readers are taken on the journey from preparing for the interview through to the success of being hired.


Denise’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the field makes the reader feel like they have insider information into the world of the recruiter. Seeing the view from the other side may give you the edge required to successfully sail through to the job offer stage.

"During these cut-throat times, when jobs are few and candidates are many, the importance of being fully prepared cannot be over emphasised. Critical interview techniques, including what questions you could ask at the end and the tricky salary question, are explained using examples, hints and tips. Psychometric testing and assessment centres are decoded through practical examples and exercises, giving you the confidence to walk through the recruitment process with confidence. 'Now you've been shortlisted' makes the process of getting hired, dare I say, fun."
- Kerry Henning, client