Helpful Hints for Interviews and C.V. Content
Because interviews take place in a variety of different styles, they can be nerve-racking.
Ensuring that you are well prepared for your interview and practicing beforehand with a family member or
friend will increase your chances of performing well. Find out as much as you can about the company - i.e.
culture, the reason the position is open, other business in addition to core business -also about the position
for which you have applied. Your consultant will give you a full job description. Request the address for the
firm’s website and do some homework. All companies have policies and procedures for interviewing potential
candidates. Some may require a 2nd interview with department heads or senior management as well as skill
testing or personality profiling. These are normal and they may require more of your time to complete.
Please be prepared to take the necessary time. Your Alter Ego counselor will tell you exactly what the
procedure will be. Remember we will only send you to interviews for positions for which we feel you are
qualified and at which you can succeed. The more you prepare; the calmer you will be; the better you will
perform in the interview.
What Influences the Interviewer?
The more you know about the interview process and expectations, the more you can prepare. By priority, a recent survey of recruiters determined the qualities which influenced them were:
- Personality - how you conduct and sell yourself during the interview
- Experience – what you can offer the firm
- Qualifications - what strengths you bring to the position
- Educational background and references
- Enthusiasm – the interest you demonstrate towards the organisation and the job
In brief the 3 major concerns are:
- Can this person do the job?
- Will this person stay at the job?
- Will this person fit in?
Types of Interview
Interviews can take place in a variety of formats. Make sure you know what kind of interview you will be having.
For a telephone interview make sure you have your CV at hand, you are free from distractions, you have a pen and paper handy to take notes for any possible questions you may have when the occasion to ask them will present itself.
A panel interview will involve being interviewed by several people. Address your answers to the chairperson unless you are asked a question by another member of the panel.
An interview can involve a wide range of tests and exercises - group exercises, psychometric tests for example. The interviewer will be looking for personality traits and how you relate to others.
Presentation - Do's & Don'ts. Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression.
- It is imperative that clothes be clean and odour free.
- Dress suitably for the position – generally this means corporate and conservative a suit being standard interview wear.
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
- Being well prepared ensures that you will be confident.
- Speak clearly and audibly.
- To avoid getting flustered or panicky, stay calm and answer questions honestly.
- If the interviewer questions your answers, they are simply asking you to elaborate to better understand your motivation.
- Never lie - this will always come back to haunt you.
Frequently Asked Interview Questions
Now that you have more information on interviews, consider the following interview questions and prepare answers for them.
- Tell me about yourself
- Tell me about your current / most recent position
- Why are you looking for this change?
- What functions and tasks do you enjoy the most?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your plans for the future?
- What was your last manager like?
- What is the hardest job you have ever had?
- How would your colleagues describe you?
- If you had to use five adjectives to describe yourself, what would they be?
REMEMBER: CVs and resumes, if done well, do exactly the same as job application forms - they get you the interview.
If done badly, it's GAME OVER!
Good CVs
- At first glance, they are easy on the eye
- They are simple to read and understand and flow nicely
- They are relevant to the advertised job
- They are the right length (3 pages maximum)
- They are free from grammar and spelling mistakes
Header Section
- Email Addresses - It is completely normal to include your e-mail address along with your normal postal address. Make sure it sounds professional and is one which you check regularly.
- Addresses - Use your complete street address including an apartment number if applicable. Don't forget to include your postal code
- Phone Numbers - Along with your residential telephone number, include your cellular telephone only if it's a reliable point of contact.
Content
- Start with your current or most recent employer and provide details of your position - job title, length of time (Month-Year to Month-Year or if currently employed, put down start date to presently) in current role, responsibilities, notable achievements and the skills used.
- If you are applying for a specific position, tailor your CV and highlight the skills and experience that suit the employer’s needs.
- Unless previous positions are relevant to the job for which you are applying then keep the details as brief as possible.
Education Section
- Degree - Do not abbreviate the type of degree.
- Training vs. Education - Separate any training programs (seminars, workshops, etc.) which are not part of a structured educational system.
- Order - List academic credentials and formal degrees in order of relevance or reverse chronological order.
- Degree Type - Include the type of degree, school and year of graduation as well as major/minor studies.
- Incomplete - If you have not successfully completed a program, it should be noted with an expected completion date marked in brackets.
- Do not state that you have completed a program or course when in fact it has not been finished