TODAY’S job market is getting increasingly competitive.
But what do you need to get ahead?
Creating a good CV is the first step in marketing yourself to potential employers, and it is vital that yours stands out from the rest.
A good CV should state clearly who you are, what you are about and what you have to offer a potential employer.
Contact details should include your name, address, age, phone number and email and should be well set out and easy to read.
Your CV should:
First impressions are crucial. An interview may last for 30 minutes or more but studies have shown that someone forms judgements about you within four minutes of meeting you and that these judgments affect their subsequent impressions. So it’s important to impress from the off.
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the position for which you are being interviewed.
Some companies have a more relaxed approach to dress than others but, if in doubt, wear a suit.
When getting ready for the interview avoid using overpowering deodorants, aftershave or perfume.
Your hair should be neat and tidy and your shoes and clothes clean.
Dress appropriately. It is important that you look smart for your interview but equally important that you feel comfortable.
Make sure that your interview outfit is ready the night before, get a good night’s sleep and set off in good time.
During the interview sit reasonably upright because slouching or leaning too far back in your chair can give the impression that you are too casual about the whole thing.
If you tend to flap your hands around a lot when you speak, try to hold them together. But don’t cross your arms as it can make you appear defensive. Moderate hand movements are perfectly acceptable and can enliven the conversation.
Good eye contact is essential and is an excellent way of conveying your interest in the job.
Looking downwards or at anything other than the interviewer can make you appear disinterested and insincere. Maintaining good eye contact can also help you gauge the interviewer’s reaction to what you are saying (to see whether you should be expanding on your answers).
With panel interviews, the best advice is to look at and answer the person asking the questions, with a glance from time to time at the other interviewers.
Try not to talk too fast and keep your tone moderate.
This can be difficult when you are nervous but take a deep breath before you start to answer a question and work on keeping your answers concise.
Don’t use slang and watch out for too many ‘ers’ and ‘ums’. Practising beforehand, especially in front of someone else, can help you identify any bad habits.
And try to relax.
An interview is also about deciding if you will fit into the organisation so try to smile and establish a rapport with your interviewer.
Good luck.
But what do you need to get ahead?
Creating a good CV is the first step in marketing yourself to potential employers, and it is vital that yours stands out from the rest.
A good CV should state clearly who you are, what you are about and what you have to offer a potential employer.
Contact details should include your name, address, age, phone number and email and should be well set out and easy to read.
Your CV should:
- be word processed and on good quality paper
- be concise - aim for no more than two A4 pages, laid out neatly
- present education and work experience in reverse chronological order
- emphasise relevant skills, achievements and experience
- be truthful - do not be tempted to lie because you could get caught out during the interview
- use descriptive language – do not make lists
- use power words such as “achieved”, “established” and “implemented”
- be checked for accuracy, including spelling, grammatical and typing errors
First impressions are crucial. An interview may last for 30 minutes or more but studies have shown that someone forms judgements about you within four minutes of meeting you and that these judgments affect their subsequent impressions. So it’s important to impress from the off.
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the position for which you are being interviewed.
Some companies have a more relaxed approach to dress than others but, if in doubt, wear a suit.
When getting ready for the interview avoid using overpowering deodorants, aftershave or perfume.
Your hair should be neat and tidy and your shoes and clothes clean.
Dress appropriately. It is important that you look smart for your interview but equally important that you feel comfortable.
Make sure that your interview outfit is ready the night before, get a good night’s sleep and set off in good time.
During the interview sit reasonably upright because slouching or leaning too far back in your chair can give the impression that you are too casual about the whole thing.
If you tend to flap your hands around a lot when you speak, try to hold them together. But don’t cross your arms as it can make you appear defensive. Moderate hand movements are perfectly acceptable and can enliven the conversation.
Good eye contact is essential and is an excellent way of conveying your interest in the job.
Looking downwards or at anything other than the interviewer can make you appear disinterested and insincere. Maintaining good eye contact can also help you gauge the interviewer’s reaction to what you are saying (to see whether you should be expanding on your answers).
With panel interviews, the best advice is to look at and answer the person asking the questions, with a glance from time to time at the other interviewers.
Try not to talk too fast and keep your tone moderate.
This can be difficult when you are nervous but take a deep breath before you start to answer a question and work on keeping your answers concise.
Don’t use slang and watch out for too many ‘ers’ and ‘ums’. Practising beforehand, especially in front of someone else, can help you identify any bad habits.
And try to relax.
An interview is also about deciding if you will fit into the organisation so try to smile and establish a rapport with your interviewer.
Good luck.