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The following pages have been developed to offer our candidates the best advise we can offer on a variety of frequently asked questions. If there are any topics we haven't covered then please feel free to contact us. How do I write a cv ?There are 11 Simple Steps to writing the perfect CV 1. LAYOUT Make your layout simple and easy to follow, avoid templates as they tend to depersonalise. Avoid to much colour, black and white is easy to read, and stay clear of graphics and flashing text, Text boxes can cause problems as they don’t always retain their format. 2. Write it in the first person This is a document that is written by you, about you, so use the letter 'I'. Employers look for people who can be accountable for their actions. 3. Sell yourself and be positive Your CV is the first thing that an employer has to judge you on, so be positive. Put your name in the centre, at the top. If you are a graduate put your qualifications after your name e.g. John Smith BA (Hons). 4. Essential information This should include your postal address and contact details, driving license, state your nationality and if you have / require a work permit. 5. PROFILE Try and “sell” yourself include only professional information – who are you? what have you done? what next? Keep this brief and to the point, three or four lines is enough, you need to tell them quickly that it is worth them reading on. 6. Education or employment first?
List you qualifications first – descending order and include the dates they were achieved, you do not need to include the address of schools. Follow this with your employment details, again working in descending order ensuring that your dates run from one position to the next. If you have a break in your employment then include this indicating the reason, i.e. seeking employment due to redundancy / further education.
7. INCLUDE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CORE SKILLS. An employer is looking for the best person possible, someone who will make a difference to the company. Convey this by indicating what you have achieved for previous companies.
8. Make it interesting What ever the reason you have for seeking new employment you need to sound positive at all times, this will make your CV interesting to the reader, and not depressing and heavy. 9. REFEREE'S Do not include the names of referees, by putting "References available upon request" at the end of your CV, you are informing the employer that these will not be a problem. Details will be requested when appropriate.
10. KEEP IT SHORT Two or three pages is enough, a short, interesting CV which includes all the relevant information is more important than trying to fill paper space, a well written and concise document will sell you far better than one that is padded out with irrelevant information. 11. SPELLING Always check your spelling, don't just rely on your spell checker, read through it yourself, or better still ask someone else to read it for you. Checklist... When you have written your CV, check the following points:
Your CV is a marketing tool for you. Be sure to communicate exactly what you've got to offer and what your extra skills and experience can bring to employers. And lastly, never be afraid to ask for help, if you need any advise on how to prepare and write your CV contact us !!!.
Back to TopHow do I prepare an interview pack ?We always advise that you make an interview pack when you start looking for employment, this will eliminate any last minute panics. This may include :-
How do I prepare for an interview. ?Analyse The CompanyIt is almost certain that you will be asked some questions about the company you are applying to. Do some basic research beforehand. Consider the following:
Information about a company can be found on their website. Annual reports prove particularly useful in summarising key company information Analyse The Job Role You will also be asked questions about the role you are applying for. Questions you may be asked include:
Consider these topics, and prepare your personal expectations and opinions before your interview: Make First Impressions Count The first five minutes of your interview are the most important, the interviewers are already fully aware of your paper qualifications and experience so the moment you walk into the room they will be looking to see if you match the details they have read about you. 3 Simply rules
Your ArrivalPlan which route you will take, and where you can park easily, allow plenty of time for the journey, it is better to arrive early and allow time to walk in calmly than to run in flustered, (if you have any problems during your journey, then contact us we can then notify the company you are running late). Back to TopHow do I get through the interview. ?A job interview is one of the most stressful short periods of time most people spend in their lives. This can be overcome if you are well prepared for what’s ahead. With a job interview this is basically having some form of answer to each question. No one likes to experience the intrepid silence that follows when an interviewer poses a question to you that you do not have an answer for. Most importantly, don't be too nervous. A great deal of emphasis is placed on body language by professional interviewers, and although most people expect you to be slightly nervous in an interview situation, they also expect you to be confident when discussing your particular field, something you should be able to do with ease. Treat it as a conversation where both sides are finding out things about each other and sharing information, this will help you come across as relaxed and confident. From the interviewers point of viewThere are basically three fundamental questions that an interviewer sets out to answer over the course of his/her time spent with you, these are as follows:
At the end of the day the interviewer has asked you to see him/her to find out more about you. When answering these questions make sure that you are well prepared with positive answers to them, don’t worry about your bad qualities concentrate on your good ones. The Candidate SHOW CONFIDENCE A lot of people don’t know how to do this, and it is very simple. 3 things to remember: Smile, nod when they are talking to you, ask them questions TAKE YOUR TIME Rushing
to give answers will make you sound nervous and will increase the
likelihood of you making massive mistakes. Always give yourself time
to think. Pause after the question, clarify it if necessary and then
answer.
Never answer with just Yes or No - always try to expand Don't be afraid to ask questions during the interview, this will show that you are as interested in them as you hope they are in you !. DON'T EXAGGERATE Don't lie about your abilities but stress your willingness to learn new things. Before the interview decide what your strengths and weaknesses are and have a mental idea of how to give the best response when asked for these. YOUR FINISHING QUESTION You will be asked if you have anything that you would like to know about the position, which may not have already been covered. Remember interviewers are looking for people who ask them sensible questions, try to ask possibly one question try "Could you explain to me how I will be assessed ?, or Will the company provide opportunity for professional qualifications." even if these have been discussed you can always ask for them to reassure a point for you. DO’S AND DON’TS WHEN CLOSING THE INTERVIEW Do – Exit the room in the same manner you entered it – A firm and positive hand shake, smile, and politely thank them for their time. Do – Remain professional and composed until you have left the building – Don’t display excitement or disappointment, remain calm and polite. Don’t – Indulge in post-interview small talk if you can help it. If you have conducted a good interview, the interviewer will be trying to catch you ‘Off Guard’ to see if you really are as good as you seem. If an interviewer starts making conversation with you, politely thank them for their time, make your excuses and leave. Finally, even if you don’t get the job as long as you have given it 100% you will come away feeling positive and good about yourself and this will help you along way with the next interview you attend. Back to TopHow do I answer those frequently asked questions. ?
Some questions just floor you. No matter how much preparation you've done, there are interview questions which will turn your well-modulated voice into a gibbering babble. Asking a question about the question will give you time to think. There will always be questions that have the potential to leave you gaping and blank. But it helps to keep in mind that the motivation for all questions boils down to three basic tenets: can you do the job, will you do the job and will you fit in here? Some favourite tough questions: 1.
Why do you want to work here?
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How do I know what to do after the interview... ?
As we have already mentioned, at the end of your interview shake the interviewers hand, smile, and politely thank them for their time, remaining professional and composed leave the building – Don’t display excitement or disappointment, remain calm and polite. We ask all candidates to contact us as soon as they can after the interview, this is so we can hear your impressions on how you felt it went, and if you are interested in pursuing the vacancy further. We usually give companies a few hours, or over night, before contacting them on your behalf, we will keep you informed of all feedback we receive.
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How do I get through it again at a second interview... ?For most companies the first interview is a getting to know the basic facts about you this is often done by the HR department and perhaps the head of the department you will be working with. The second interview is a more in-depth affair. You will often meet more senior personnel, and almost certainly be shown round and introduced to the people you will be working along side. Remember to be polite and friendly at all times, shake hands with a firm and positive grip and SMILE, you are demonstrating that you can communicate well with all people at all levels, this is crucial to ALL positions. The second interview may also include a test, we will do our utmost to find out as much as we can about these and will pass all information through so you can be prepared. But the most important thing is to remain calm, and unflustered, take a deep breath and answer all questions to the best of your ability. LAST PIECE OF ADVISE !!. Remember that although the company are showing an interest in you, it DOES NOT mean that the job is yours for the taking. You will be meeting new people and will have to impress them as much if not more. Treat this interview as you first, follow the guide lines already laid out for the first interview, and remain calm, polite, enthusiastic. As before - contact us as soon as possible afterwards. Back to Top |