How to win that job
Looking for some help in putting your resume together and how to go about the job interview? Great, then read on.
Putting your resume together
Writing a top resume
Putting together a resume is very serious business. Often it is the first impression you will make on a prospective employer. Hopefully, after looking over your resume, the employer will grant you the opportunity to make a second impression.
Make a first draft
Write down your current job title and list down all the things you do and are responsible for on a day to day basis. Re-read what you've written and try to prioritise your responsibilities. Think about what skills you need to do what you do. What have you done in your current role that has made you most proud? Asking yourself these questions will not only get you in a CV/resume frame of mind, it will provide you with all the information you need.
Choose a format
Now you've got the knowledge you need - it's time to decide how to package it. There are three standard types of CV/resume, and each has its uses.
The Chronological CV/resume - This is almost an industry standard. Use it if your work history is stable and each move has seen you climb steadily up the career ladder. Not for frequent job changes or those who have had a case of the responsibility hiccups.
The Functional CV/resume - For those who have experienced spates of unemployment or sporadic job jumps. This CV/resume does not list employment dates or company names, preferring skills and responsibilities.
The Prioritised CV/resume - A format for those about to undertake a career change, or whose current skills are not directly relevant to the job applied for. This CV/resume is written prioritising the work experience which is most relevant to the job you want.
Don't make it too long
Work to the maximum length of two-pages. No-one reads long CV/resumes; they just reach the waste bin first.
Or too clever
Choose your content and your words carefully. Treat your CV/resume as an outline sketch of your job history - highlight your strengths and abilities to problem solve using active verbs such as "responsible" and "achieved", which have universal appeal.
Type it, don't write it
Handwriting analysis may be a great fairground attraction - but potential employers will not take time to interpret your scrawl. Type your CV/resume, no fancy fonts or flourishes - this is a case of emphasising substance over style.
Spelling
Your skills may win you the battle - but bad typing and grammatical mistakes will lose you the war. Run the spell checker, read your CV or resume more than once or better still enrol a friend as a second pair of eyes.
Alert your referees
Check your referees before you use their name. It's a courtesy, and a good fail safe - they may have moved.
Read the information package
Make sure you read the instructions and other information contained within the information package, if there is one. It may give you salary information, details on how to apply for the position and may even detail a closing date for applications.
Some applications require you to address the selection criteria specifically. If the job you are applying for is one of these, your application will be binned immediately if you don’t.
Also, you may be required to fill in an application form. If so, make sure you do.
The Job Interview
A job interview is your chance to show an employer what kind of employee he or she will get if you're hired. That is why it is essential to be well prepared for the job interview. Preparing means knowing about the industry, the employer, and yourself. It means paying attention to details like personal appearance, punctuality, and demeanour.
Right place, right time
Confirm the time and venue for your interview 24 hours beforehand, and don't leave your journey to chance. Make sure you've up-to-date timetables for public transport or if you're travelling by car, leave time for parking and other hold-ups.
Sharp suit or outfit, nice smile
Although dress down policies are becoming the norm, it's still best to stick to a smart suit or outfit. You'll be judged on your attitude as well as your appearance, so greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, make eye contact and flash them a winning smile.
Fact find, feel fine
Ask your consultant for a job description and make sure you understand what the job entails. Then find out what form the interview will take - is it a one-on-one or panel interview? Do you need to bring examples of your work? Will there be a test to assess your skills? And finally, make sure you know about the company. Ask the firm for some promotional literature; find out where it stands in the marketplace and which companies are its main competitors, better still talk to someone who works there. “Google” the organisation – it’s amazing how much you will find out via the internet.
Anticipate questions, prepare answers
Interview questions normally fall into four categories: You as a person; your work history, skills and experience; the company; the job. Through these questions the interviewer is looking for an insight into your personality. Why are you leaving your current job? What do you know about their company and do you have the skills to fulfil the job specification? Put yourself in their shoes. What would you ask? Brainstorm your answers with a friend.
Don't be shy, sell your skills
An interviewer will often see many candidates in a day. The one he or she remembers is the one who had something interesting to say. So write down what you consider to be your skills, strengths, achievements, and the areas where there's room for improvement. If you have spent time considering what you have to offer you'll feel more comfortable presenting these strengths to your prospective employer.
Be prepared, they may want more
Make sure you can expand on all of your answers. Your CV/resume may well provide them with all the info they need - but the interviewer needs to check out your communications skills. However, make sure the additions to your answers add value, don't be long winded for the sake of it.
Need to present? Practice what you're preaching
If you're asked to make a presentation keep the content short and simple. If you have been asked to present for 15 minutes, make sure you have not completed it in five, or that you're still talking after half an hour. Run through your talk a few times in front of the mirror - this will help you get your timing right.
Ask them questions, consider their answers
There comes a point in every interview when you'll be asked: 'Have you got any questions?' The worst answer you can give is no. Think hard about what aspects of the job are important to you. Are there training opportunities for example? What are the opportunities for career progression? But be careful not to bombard the interviewer with a long list - they may have a tight interview schedule to stick to. Before you go to the interview write your questions down in a note book and take that into the interview – it looks impressive and the interviewer will be impressed that you’ve thought about the position prior to interview.
Exit gracefully, then follow up
Leave the interview in a polite and assured fashion, meet the interviewer's eye, give them a firm handshake and smile. If you are interested in the job follow up with a letter. On your way home write a recap of the interview when it's fresh in your mind. Compose a follow-up letter or email and post it or sent it within 24 hours. This shows you're enthusiastic and organised and may set you apart from other applicants in the interviewer's mind.