ADVICE
ON CVÂ’S
v
Keep it short but informative. Two pages, three at the very
most, so that potential employers can easily select relevant information.
v
If you use paragraphs, keep them to 3 or 4 lines, too much
text is tiring to the eye and the reader will get bored. Use bullet
points to summarise details.
v
State achievements, accomplishments and results.
v
Use positive and direct action words such as: led, organised,
managed etc.
v
Start your career history with your most recent position or
if that is not relevant to the job then prioritise by the most relevant
skills / experiences you have.
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The best order to follow is:
| 1.
Contact Details
2.
Personal Profile
3.
Career History
4.
Education
5.
Interests |
|
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Remember
to thoroughly check for spelling or grammatical errors. You would be
amazed at the number of clients who refuse to see a candidate because
their C.V. contains mistakes – they see it as a lack of attention to
detail! So ask at least 2 other people to read it through before allowing
it to represent you!
v
Finally,
when submitting your C.V. always forward it with a professionally laid
out and typed (where possible) letter explaining what position you are
interested in and why you feel you should be considered.
We
hope you found this useful and good luck!
A GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS
As we all know interviews are not the most pleasurable experience,
but never the less they are probably one of the most important events
in determining your future and destiny.
That is why preparation is so very important. As the saying goes if you fail to prepare you must be prepared to
fail. I can not stress enough how a little bit of time, care and attention
now could assist you in changing your life, well certainly your career
life. So invest just a little time, here are some more helpful hints
to assist you in a successful outcome.
PREPARING
FOR THE INTERVIEW
v
Ensure you
know exactly the time and the place of the interview, the interviewerÂ’s
full name, the correct pronunciation, and the interviewers title. If
you have been delayed and it is likely you will be late, even by a few
minutes, call the company to let them know.
v
Be well informed.
Do some research on the company. It
will be useful to know how old the company is, what itÂ’s products or
service are, where itÂ’s factories, offices or stores are located, what
its growth has been and what its growth potential is for the future,
who are their major clients and competitors.
The companyÂ’s web site is the most reliable source of information.
In addition there are a number of publications, which provide information
about prospective employers. Most
of them can be found in any college or public library.
Companies House, in London may also be able to supply you with
the pertinent information.
v
Prepare the
questions you will be asking during the interview. Remember that the interview is a two-way street.
The employer will try to determine through questioning if you
have the qualifications necessary to do the job.
You must determine through questioning whether the company will
give you the opportunity for the growth and development you seek.
v
Some probing
questions you might ask:
§
Is there a detailed description of the position?
§
Reason the position is available?
§
Anticipated induction and training programme?
§
Advanced training programmes available for those who demonstrate
outstanding ability?
§
Earnings of successful people in their third to fifth year?
§
Department or Company growth plans?
§
The next step in the recruitment process?
v
First impressions
really do influence a recruiter, it is therefore extremely important
that you take great care in your personal appearance for an interview.
Ensure you have clean shoes, neat haircut and a smart appearance.
A business suit is always advisable but at the very least an outfit
that is tailored and conservative in style.
THE INTERVIEW
You are being interviewed because the employer wants to recruit
someone – not because he wants to trip you up or embarrass you. Throughout the interaction which will take
place during the interview the employer will be searching out your strong
and weak points, evaluating you on your qualifications, skills and intellectual
qualities, and the employer will probably probe deeply to determine
your attitudes, aptitudes, stability, motivation and maturity.
Some Points
to remember:
v
Plan to arrive
on time or a few minutes early. Late
arrival for a job interview is never excusable.
v
If the employer
presents you with an application form to complete, fill it out neatly
and completely. Employers may
judge this as your attention to detail.
v
Greet the
employer by his surname if you are sure of the pronunciation. If you are not, ask him to repeat his name.
Give the appearance of energy as you walk. Smile! Shake his hand firmly. Be genuinely glad to meet him and the chances
are that youÂ’ll find him an interesting person too.
v
Wait until
you are offered a chair before sitting.
Sit upright in your chair. Look
alert and interested at all times.
Be a good listener as well as a good talker.
Smile!
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DonÂ’t smoke
even if the employer smokes and offers you a cigarette. DonÂ’t chew gum.
v
Always look
a prospective employer in the eye while you talk to him.
v
Do not answer
questions with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Be informative and explain or give examples, in detail, of any
relevant experiences. Make sure that you get your good point across
to the interviewer in a factual, logical, sincere manner.
Stress achievements and give examples of savings achieved, systems
installed, processes developed etc.
v
Answer questions
truthfully, frankly and as ‘to the point’ as possible.
v
Try not to
make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.
v
It is usually
best not to enquire at the first interview about salary, holiday, bonuses,
retirement etc., unless you
are positive the employer is interested in recruiting you. If the interviewer asks what salary you want,
indicate what youÂ’ve earned but that you are more interested in the
opportunities than a specific salary amount at present.
v
Project the
image that you want to get ahead. DonÂ’t be afraid to show ambition.
