I know this is really, really, really obvious...but obviously not to everyone!!
Is your transport to interview reliable?
If you have an interview, plan how you are going to get there - here's a little advice - rather than sitting down and thinking 'yeah, about an hour and a half should do it', why don't you have a look around a day or so before? Get in the car, walk, take a plane, train, tube, bus, camel, donkey, whatever method you are going to use, and make the journey at exactly the time you are planning on going to the interview.
That way, you will a) know where you are going b) know how long it should take you to get to your interview at that time of day and c) be able to check how to find reception / get into the building itself.
That way, you should arrive on the day on time, unflustered, without being over-stressed and should perform much better at interview. Turning up late is also a real killer from an employer's perspective, and unless you have a very good reason for it happening (major RTA, wildcat train strike, unexpected tornado over Slough High Street) then you will not be successful. Oh, and by the way, if you are going to be late, it would be really nice if you actually let someone know.
Turning up late without good reason, is a brilliant way to annoy your recruiter, you know, the person who, good or bad, has set up a meeting at which you might advance your career and / or earn lots of money. It shows all concerned that frankly you couldn't give a toss, and puts the client / agency relationship under additional strain that we, as consultants, could do without. If you've done this and wonder why that recruiter doesn't return your calls any more, well hopefully you do now.
Just thinking about this aspect of candidate preparation, and the number of potential fees that are lost over the years is not a pleasant thought!
And yes, this post is 'inspired' by a recent assignment fallout. Ah well. I didn't really want the £2k commission that would have followed. I didn't really blame the candidate. The client was fine about it, no they really were (fyi if you've not read this blog before, I am on some occasions a little sarcastic).
Anyway, next time you are going to an interview, if you haven't meticulously thought through and worked out how you are going to get there on time, you might as well leave the rest of your interview preparation to chance!
