HELP & TIPS
Job hunting can be a daunting prospect for those unfamiliar with it's procedures and conventions. Many find themselves discouraged by the simple prospect of writing a CV or the possibility of having to attend a real-life interview. Others find themselves overwhelmed by the bewildering array of choices which the jobseeker may, or may not, choose to follow. One wrong turn or one wrongly ticked box may lead to an unnecessary litany of knockbacks and disappointments. A badly written CV can lead to a disheartening series of cul de sacs and rejections. Unfortunate choices such as turning up for an interview at your High Street bank in a pair of ripped jeans and a Rolling Stones T-shirt may not herald the beginning of a long and fruitful career.
So, enough of the portents of doom. By applying a few simple and road-tested rules to your foray into the jobs market, the chances of landing that dream job or extending your career path may increase exponentially. The jobs market need not be a scary place. For both veterans of the search, or nervous novices, adherence to a few simple rules can help you to find your way through the maze. The signposts are there - so don't ignore them!
CV Tips
Employers or HR executives are generally busy people dealing with high volumes of job applications. Long-winded excursions into your life, loves, and undying devotion to your local football club will see your CV hit the office waste basket faster than a speeding bullet.
This can be a laborious and time-consuming task, but if you have researched the company you are applying to, and studied the job requirements properly, it’s worth using that time to modify your CV to fit in more closely with a company’s ethos and requirements. No two jobs are the same. Every CV you send to an employer should be “bespoke” rather than “off the peg”.
From your own selective viewpoint, your CV may seem like one of the great works of english literature, a must-have bedside read for HR Executives across the land. Right up there with Shakespeare, Dickens and Rowling. But while you’re waiting for the Nobel Prize notification to drop through your letter box, it might be a good idea to run it across a few other, less subjective eyes. Whether it’s your mum or dad, your Great Uncle Curmudgeon or your neighbours dog, the more objective opinions you can get, the better. Others less invested may see your CV in a totally different light, and offer some useful observations.
INTERVIEW Tips
The importance of preparation can never be overstated when applied to an interview situation. Turning up for your interview in jeans and t-shirt with scant knowledge of the company you are hoping to work for is unlikely to lead to a positive result for either of the parties involved.
You’ve probably read or heard yourself, the profusion of stories about interviews failed before the unfortunate applicant even takes his or her seat. First impressions are vital and dress and demeanor can often speak more eloqently than the most impressive CV.
The correct attire for an interview does not necessarily mean the smartest clobber in your wardrobe. While some professions require strict adherence to dress codes, others take a less formal approach and do not require the starched collars and business suits that many companies expect when entering the workplace. The level of formality can be an important consideration before attending an interview. A suit and tie may be standard attire when interviewing for a respectable law office, but the same does not necessarily hold true if your hoping to bag a job in your local High Street gymn.
Few situations are more frustrating or off-putting for an interviewer than the slowly dawning realisation that the person he or she is interviewing knows little or nothing about the company they are being interviewed for. Taking an interest in a potential employer is generally regarded as a minimum requirement when applying for a position. Nowadays most companies boast not only their own website, but also social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The information is out there so when you enter that interview room, endeavour to do so armed to the teeth with as much information as possible.
A little proactivity and forward thinking can be important tools for the prospective employee. It would, of course, be impossible to anticipate every question you may be asked during an interview, but there are certain “favourites” which crop up on a regular basis, and the proactive interviewee should have a ready and rehearsed response if suddenly faced with one or more of these questions Old chestnuts such as “Why should we hire you?” or “What are your long term goals?” are staples in many an interviewer’s arsenal. It would not harm your cause to have a prompt, confident and well-rehearsed response to these potential banana skins.
Information does not have to flow in one direction during an interview, and entering the meeting armed with your own well-aimed set of questions is a good way of impressing an interviewer. Whilst inquiries about pay and holidays should be avoided until after you’ve secured the job, questions about your day to day resposibilities or the company’s working culture help to demonstrate your interest and initiative.
Most interviewers appreciate a certain level of confidence from their applicants. Your demeanour and your responses should imply that your are capable and ready to take on the position being offered. Hesitancy, indecisiveness and slumped shoulders will not inspire a prospective employer to snap you up. But be warned – it can be a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Swaggering into the interview room shouting “Yo Bro, Whassup?” may have an even worse effect than the slumped shoulders. As mentioned earlier, good research and preparation can only bolster your confidence. The more prepared you are for whatever they may throw at you, the more confidence you can carry into that room with you.
You may feel self-conscious explaining to your best mate why you would be such a great asset to his or her hypothetical company, but mock interviews are a good way of rehearsing different interview scenarios. They may expose a few obvious flaws in your performance, such as posture, delivery and poor eye contact. And they may even unsettle you with a few unexpected questions you hadn’t prepared a response to.
