1. CV Writing
2. Interview Preparation
   

CV Writing

Your CV should emphasise the qualities suitable for the particular type of job. It should be a brief description of who you are and what you have done. Keep it short and to the point, if called to the interview you can go into detail then. Use positive words and keep your sentences short and clear.

Emphasise the particular skills and experience that are applicable to the job for which you are applying. More time should be spent on recent experience than what you did five or more years ago.

1. Personal Details
   Start with the Personal details. This should be short and should include

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address.

1. Opening Paragraph
   Start with an exceptional summary of yourself and make the employer want to read on. It should include your skills and availability.
   
   
2. Educational and Academic Qualifications
   Keep this short and in one format.
   
   
3. Career Details
   The career details should be in reverse chronological order. The current job comes first. Describe what you did and include your major achievements so people know what you did above and beyond your job description. When possible, achievements should be conveyed through facts and figures. Use headings, be brief and consistent and use short sentences.
   

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Interview Preparation

Preparation is the first essential step towards conducting a successful interview. Employers are ever amazed at the number of candidates who do not prepare themselves for interview, possessing little or no information about the company for which they are being interviewed.

Before the Interview

• The exact time and location of the interview, route, parking etc and how long it will take to get there.
• The interviewer's correct title and pronunciation of his or her full name, for example, Mr. Murphy.
• Specific facts about the company e.g. company's mission, market in which it operates, competitors, plant, office or store locations, products or services, recent business growth, growth potential for the future.
• Perhaps check out the company website, books and/or brochures.
• Facts and figures about your present or former employer. Refresh your memory on this as you will be expected to know a lot about a company for which you have previously worked.

 

Questions to ask the interviewer

Remember that an interview is a two way thing. The interviewer will try to determine through questioning whether you are the right person for a specific job. Likewise, you must determine through questioning whether this potential employer will provide the opportunity for career development that you seek.
Besides this, the interviewer will be impressed by your interest in the company and by your articulation of intelligent questions.

 

 

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