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The jobs market is a very competitive place, and the need to market yourself has never been more important. The purpose of your CV is not to get you the job, its purpose is to get you an interview, and after the meeting to remind the person you met about you. Remember, you are not writing the CV for yourself you are writing it for a prospective employer.
* How you describe, present and sell yourself will decide the outcome of the application.
* Prospective employers are looking for evidence to allay their fears that you can’t do the job. They will be judging your; skills, experience, track record and personality, against many other applicants. There are two main opportunities to make an impact, the CV and the interview.
Contents of CV
* If you cannot produce a professional document about yourself, an employer may feel that you lack the competence to fill a role that requires any degree of professionalism.
* Be positive - don't be too modest and don't lie about your experience.
* Don’t make false/exaggerated claims: honesty is always the best policy. If the interviewer spots inconsistencies in your CV you won’t be successful.
* Don’t enclose a picture.
* Tailor your CV and covering letter to each job application, highlighting skills and experience that show your qualifications for the job and show why you should be considered for the role.
* Generally the document should not exceed two pages.
* Achievements should be short, bullet pointed statements. Try to give the reader a feel for when you instigated, were responsible for and assisted on tasks and projects.
* Make sure your CV has a clear structure - include career overview, skills overview, qualifications (education/professional) and employment history.
* Make sure dates and grades etc. are correct. If the interviewer or the personnel department spots inconsistencies in your CV you won’t be successful.
The Interview
* Look committed and find out as much as possible about the company. Try looking on their website and obtain an annual report (usually by calling the offices.).
* Obtain clear directions and plan your journey. Arrive on time.
* Review your CV and the job description thinking of ways your experience would be relevant to the role and of benefit to the company.
* Have examples from your previous roles to demonstrate your ability to do this job.
* Be confident and maintain poise. The ability to handle your nerves during the interview will come across as confidence in your ability to handle the job.
* Ask about career progression, but do not allow your enthusiasm for future roles to cast a shadow over your commitment to the role on offer.
* If you have reservations DO NOT show them. This can put doubts in the interviewers mind.
* DO NOT say unfavourable things about previous employers.
* Prepare the questions that you want answered, and ask them (See 'Your Questions' section below).
* Anticipate questions you are likely to be asked and have answers prepared in advance. Uncertainty and disorganisation show the interviewer that you are unprepared and unclear what your goals are (See 'Interviewers Questions' section below).
* Have a good feeling of your strengths and weaknesses.
After the Interview, if you are unsuccessful ensure that you gain feedback about the interview. Even if you don't agree with the impression the company formed of you, something in the interview gave them that impression and its up to you to amend your approach.
Your Questions
The interview is a two-way process. It is your responsibility to interview the company to find out if the company and the position are right for you. Prepare the questions that you want answered and ask them. If you ask open questions, e.g. those beginning 'What?', 'How?', 'Where?', 'Who?' or 'Will?' it will encourage your interviewer to talk and provide you with additional information.
Possible Questions Are:
Where will my manager fit into the structure?
How has the position become vacant?
What assessment procedures do you use to ascertain my performance?
How does the role fit into the structure of the department?
How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
Who will I report to and are there persons reporting to me?
What encouragement is given to undertake further training?
Who are your customers?
Where is the company going? Expansion plans?
Where is the specific location of the position?
Will the position entail travelling?
How soon will you decide on the appointment?
What is the next step?
What will my responsibilities be?
Interviewers Questions (and sample answers)
When you're asked open-ended questions, always try and make your answers positive.
Q: Tell me about yourself. (The interviewer is really saying "I want to hear you talk").
A: This is a loosener but is a common question so your response can be standardised. Write a script, rehearse it so it sounds impromptu. Spend a maximum of four minutes to describe your qualifications, career history and your range of skills. Emphasise those skills that are relevant to the job on offer.
Q: What have been your achievements to date? (The interviewer is saying, "Are you an achiever?").
A: Again this is a common question so be prepared. Select an achievement that is experience related and fairly recent. Identify skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit.
Q: Are you happy with your career to date? (The interview is really asking about your self-esteem and self-confidence, your career aspirations and whether you are a happy, positive person).
A: The answer must be 'yes' but if you have hit a career plateau or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify the answer.
Q: What do you like about your present job? (The interviewer is really trying to find out whether you will enjoy the things the job has to offer).
A: This is a straightforward question. All you have to make sure is that your 'likes' correspond to the skills etc. required for the job on offer. Be positive, describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it, after all, you are leaving!
Q: Tell me the most difficult situation you have had to face and how you tackled it? (The interviewer is really trying to find out your definition of 'difficult' and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving using your initiative).
A: This can be a trap! To avoid it, select a difficult work situation that was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.
Q: What do you dislike about your current role? (The interviewer is trying to find out whether the job on offer has responsibilities you will dislike or which will make you unsuitable).
A: Be careful with this one! Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses, which will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company such as its size - its slow decision making etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job!
Q: What are your strengths? (The interviewer wants a straightforward answer as to what you are good at and how it is going to add value).
A: This is one question that you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four explanations of how they could benefit the employer. Strengths to consider include technical proficiency; ability to learn quickly; determination to succeed; positive attitude; your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared.
Q: What are your greatest weaknesses? (The interviewer is asking about your self-perception and self-awareness).
A: This is another standard question for which you can be well prepared. Don't say you have none - this will ensure further problems. You have two options - use a professional weakness such as a lack of experience (not ability) on your part in one area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered a strength and the steps that you have taken to combat it. An example would be, "I know my team think I'm too demanding at times - I tend to drive them pretty hard but I'm getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick.". Do not select a personal weakness such as "I'm not a morning person - I'm much better as the day goes on.".
Q: What kind of decision do you find most difficult? (The interviewer is really saying, "I need someone who is strong and decisive but who has a human side.").
A: Your answer must not display weakness. Try to focus on decisions that have to be made without sufficient information. This will show your positive side. For example, "I like to make decisions based on sufficient information and having alternatives. When you have to make quick decisions you have to rely on 'gut feeling' and experience.".
Q: Why do you want to leave your current employer? (The interviewer is trying to understand and evaluate your motives for moving).
A: This should be straightforward. State how you are looking for more challenge, responsibility, experience and a change of environment. NEVER be negative in your reasons for leaving and it will rarely be appropriate to state salary as the primary motivator.
Other Interviewers' questions to consider
Remember the interviewer will ask open questions, e.g. those beginning 'What?', 'How?', 'Where?', 'Who?' or 'Will?' to encourage you to talk and provide them with additional information about yourself.
Consider some of the following:
How does your job fit into your department and company? (Gives an idea of level of responsibility).
What do you enjoy about the industry?
How do you respond to working under pressure? (Meaning - can you?). Give examples.
What kinds of people do you like working with?
How have you coped when your work has been criticised? (Give an example including the outcome).
What is the worst situation you have faced outside work? (Give an example including the outcome).
How have you coped when you have felt anger at work? (Give an example and show how you were still able to perform a good job).
What kind of people do you find difficult to work with? (Take care! You won't know everything about the staff at the company at which you're being interviewed).
How have you coped when you have had to face a conflict of interest at work? (Testing interpersonal skills, team and leadership opportunities).
Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.
Where have you been unable to get on with others? (Give an example).
What are your preferred working conditions, working alone or in a group and why?
How do you think you are going to fit in here especially as this organisation is very different to your current employer? (You may not be able to answer until you have established what he/she perceives as the differences).
What are you looking for in a company?
How do you measure your own performance?
What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
Are you a self-starter? Give me examples to demonstrate this.
What is the biggest problem you have faced recently and how you resolved it?
What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
What example can you give me of when you have been out of your depth?
What have you failed to achieve to date?
What can you bring to this organisation?
What area of your skills do you want to improve? (Try to relate this to the role on offer).
Which part of this role is least attractive to you?
Why do you think you would like this role?
Where would you like to be in five years?
How would your colleagues describe you?
What would your referees say about you?
Why should I give this position to you instead of the other people on the shortlist? (Strengths).
What reservations should I have about you as an employee? (Weaknesses).
What do you do in your spare time?
What five adjectives would you use that best describe you? (Both in and out of the workplace).