Have you got the X Factor?

Love it or hate it, the X Factor has returned to our screens and we've already had a corker of an audition fiasco in the shape of Welsh brothers - Ant and Seb.

I also spent a bit of time watching re-runs of Dragons’ Den, something I've never really been into. The whole thing put me in mind of job interviews - just watching how some people came across. You can tell the ones who are going to do well from the second they get on camera - they are the ones who are quietly confident and go about proving themselves. The ones who you just know will make you cringe are the ones who come in completely over the top and over-sell themselves from the outset. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating judging people on first appearances, I'm talking about seeing through the hype.

PR is one of those industries where people often mistakenly think that the more outgoing you appear to be, the more people will believe you are good at your job. Of course the job does require a certain amount of willingness to get out there and talk to and meet new people, not to mention a thick skin, but more than this - it requires the ability to stop, think and take a considered approach to any task.

When meeting prospective employers, colleagues and clients it is important to sell yourself and your skills but you have to be able to translate that in a real way.