CV and Interview Tips

[Tami]

In the long run, how you perform and what you achieve in the workplace is what will make you a 'climber' in you r newly chosen career. However, none of this will ever happen if you don't get your foot in the door in the first place.
To this end it is essential that your CV and Interview techniques are honed to perfection. You must do absolutely everything within your power to get the interviewer to give you the opportunity to prove yourself… and I mean everything!
Get the job. Nothing else matters at this stage.

Let's begin with the basics of preparing a CV, as what you write in your CV and how you write it will determine whether or not your get that interview.

Don't view putting a CV together as a chore. It is your shop window. It is your chance to present to a potential employer everything that would make you a valuable commodity to their organisation. You may have as little as 10 seconds to sell yourself to the person reading it. After that they will either put it down for the next one or read on. Don't allow yourself to be the kind of person that can be dismissed in 10 seconds. Grab their attention, and keep it. Remember, nothing else matters, you need that interview.

Here is the basic structure for a CV:

Personal
Name, address, contact phone numbers and date of birth.

Education
Dates at school and college.

Number of GCSEs / 'O' Levels, 'A' Levels, Degree - with the level.

Skills
The equipment you have used, programming skills, foreign languages etc. Keep it relevant.

Work History
Start with your current job and work backwards.

Include the dates you started and left each job, company name and your job title.

Write a summary of the company and a brief outline of your responsibilities including your main achievements.

Hobbies and interests
Include them but make it brief - a one liner would do. This is a good area to try and think about what the employer would want his employee to have an outside interest in. Add whatever will present a good case, but don't get caught out. You may have to defend your claim in the interview.

Do

Keep your CV to 1-3 pages
Keep it concise, neat and easy to read
Make sure there are no date gaps
Check your spelling
Where possible include a small demonstration of your work

Do Not

Waffle. Keep it relevant and to the point
Put your current salary. Let them worry about that, why give them a starting block?

If you are sending your CV to an Agency then make sure that you include a covering letter that clearly states:

What role you are applying for.
Your current salary details.
Your preferred locations and if you would relocate.
Why you want to change jobs.

THE INTERVIEW
If you have followed the guidelines above, and if you have what the employer is looking for, either in terms of experience, skills or sheer determination, then chances are you will get an interview. This is it. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

Be on time.
Not too early, or you will look like a real plonker sat around on your own.
If you are late… well, you might as well forget it. You've blown it already.

If you are delayed, call, maybe someone will be able to go in ahead of you. At least this shows awareness and good manners. Plus, it's the only chance you've got of still being seen.

Dress appropriately.
Think about what the job requires and dress in line with the position you are seeking, but never dress down. Remember first impressions count, show respect, show that you value the opportunity. Look confident.

Be clean and well groomed.
If you are messy then chances are your work will be too. Unless you have a hell of a reputation, do not try the laid back, "I'll do what I want" approach to interviewing. Also, have a shower or bath. I haven't yet offered as job to someone with body odour.

Take a copy of your CV with you.
Then if it is referred to, you have it in front of you. Or if there is more than one interviewer, you can show your efficiency by handing extra copies to the other interviewers. A very good way to make an impression and take early control of the room.

Take examples of your work.
Essential. If it is your first job then prepare something at home. People like to see some tangible evidence of ability. This will win every time over empty claims.
If you are applying for a writer job, you should already have text you have written for fanzines, local papers, websites etc. If you are going for an artist's job take examples of your work in a portfolio or on disc. Same for programmers.
For sales, take some examples of what you have sold in the past, and the figures achieved. Or, if you have not worked in sales before, make sure you have a good knowledge of the product, industry, its rivals and the people you will be dealing with - also, look bloody smart!

Plan some questions to ask.
Oh yes. They will at some point ask you if you have anything to ask. Have something poignant and positive to enquire about, or something topical you have read in the relevant press etc. Don't just sit there in awkward silence, or look keen and rash by instantly saying "Nope, I think you've covered everything", as 95% of the other interviewees will.

If you have something negative to say, say it in a positive way!
No-one wants some Smart Alec dissing their company or organisation in an interview. But they also don't want doormats. If you have a valid comment or opinion to offer, put a positive angle on it. Always offers answers not problems. That is, after all, what employers are looking for.

Be enthusiastic.
YOU REALLY WANT THIS JOB!

Other considerations:

Know the Company; dig up background info, play their games, now their direction.
Know the Job; sounds simple but come up with a clear and concise vision and delivery for the position.
Show honesty, commitment and enthusiasm
Consider your body language of and that of the interviewer.
Maintain good eye contact.
Be ready to give a firm handshake.
Dress right and be on time.

Some questions you might want to look out for…

"Tell me about yourself."
This is a loosener but it is a common question so your response can stay the same. Write a script and rehearse it so it sounds impromptu. Spend a maximum of 4 minutes describing your qualifications, career history and your range of skills, emphasising those skills relevant to the job on offer.

"Why do you want to leave your current job?"
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 rarely will it be appropriate to cite salary as the primary motivator.

"What do you know about the company/position on offer?"
If you don't have an answer to this one you are dead. Make sure you have done your homework, know some history and have some positive feedback to give. After all, you want a job here, so you must think a) That it is great and <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... shades.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'B)\' /> That you can offer something to make it even better.

Test yourself with these popular interview questions, most of which are designed to catch you out if you haven't prepared thoroughly:
"How does your current job compare to this one?"

"Have you worked under pressure?" Give examples.

"How do you cope with criticism?"

"What can you bring to this company?"

"Why should I give this job to you rather than the other candidates on the shortlist?"

"Do you prefer to work alone or as a team?"

"How do you feel about working long hours and at weekends?"

"What areas of your skills do you want to improve?" (Try to relate the answer to the job vacancy)

"Why do you want this role?"

"Where would you like to be in five years?"

"What do you do in your spare time?"

"What three adjectives would best describe you, both in and out of work?"

If you are well prepared, and have not applied for a job that is clearly beyond you, then an interview need not be a situation to be feared. In fact it can be fun. After all, you are one step closer to realising your dream. You just have to make everybody else in the room realise what a good idea it would be to have you on board.
With this is mind, make it a pleasant experience for everyone and you will leave a good impression.

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