Category: CV & Interview tips

There are many reasons why someone may take a break from working. Whatever the reason, knowing how to address these career breaks on a CV can be difficult.

Recruitment experts Reed have a short guide full of advice. 

Maggi Porter from Gateshead Jobcentre Plus tells you how not to get caught out by the ‘wicked which’. 

The first impression you make on an employer is often your CV and I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that you only get one chance to make a good impression!

It may seem really basic, but It’s so easy to mess up a good CV by not doing a proper spell check, especially when using some common words that sound the same but mean something else. Do you know ‘which witch’ is the wicked ‘Witch’ or whether the weather is good today? It’s all too easy to mix up some common words or rely on your computer to highlight your mistakes, but not all of these errors are picked up whilst typing. Sometimes the computer spell check lets these slip through. Generally, the computer will underline the word in red if the spelling is incorrect, but sometimes you may find it allows a word to be used even though it’s not grammatically correct. If you are unsure, never assume the spell check is right, always look it up to avoid your CV hitting the   reject pile. Other common words that often get misused are ‘there, their and  they’re’ or ‘where, wear and we’re’. So as you can see, using the correct   spelling on your CV could make the difference between rejection and interview.

When applying for a job, each job application needs a CV and cover letter. Sarah Cannon, a work coach from West Derby Jobcentre, explains why it’s important to tailor the content to the job you are applying for:

Your cover letter is your introduction and as such requires research into the job in question and the key skills that the job requires. Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV but complement it by highlighting the most relevant aspects relating to the job. For example, if the job requires “teamwork” and you have some previous examples in your work history, use your cover letter to show them off. It’s advisable to create a draft and have someone proof read it for you, such as friends and family or your Work Coach.

Cover letter checklist

Make sure:

• It’s tailored to the job
• It’s headed with the job title, reference number and your name
• It’s on one page
• It’s addressed to a specific person
• It genuinely enhances your CV
• You’ve had it proof read

Written by Sarah Cannon, DWP Work Coach Liverpool West Derby

Work Coach Damien Drury from Wakefield Jobcentre gives us his top interview tips.

A Job interview can be a daunting experience. Someone once told me they would rather go to the dentist! No matter how confident you are nerves can get the better of anyone once they’re in the interview room.

To give yourself the best possible chance make sure you’re as well prepared as you can be. Try saying your answers out loud to a friend or family member, or even in front of a mirror. You may feel silly, but it can really help you get over your nerves.

It can also help you become more aware of your body language which interviewers will pay close attention to. Imagine going for a job in retail or hospitality, which are sociable in nature, and coming across as being timid or withdrawn.

Remember, an interview is a two way street. You should feel free to ask the recruiter questions if there’s something about the role or organisation that you want to know. If you don’t understand a question you’ve been asked, there’s nothing wrong with asking your interviewer to repeat or rephrase it.

Pause for a beat to think about your answer rather than launching straight into it. When you’ve got lots of things you want to say, it can be tempting to rush the words out before you forget anything, but it can end up sounding garbled. Take a breath, slow down and make each point clearly.

Even if you’re not offered the job, interview experience is rarely wasted, especially if you ask for feedback. You might find there are just a few small things you can work on to land that job next time.

Joanne Pickering, a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD (Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development) has experience of recruitment in a range of sectors. Here, she shares with us her advice from writing an effective CV to impressing at interview.

Your CV is your personal ‘sales pitch’

• Your CV is your opportunity to sell yourself so make sure it really works for you. Keep it clear, concise and easy to read. Bullet points can help with this. Employers won’t generally have long to look at each CV they’re sent, so aim for no more than two pages in length.
• List your experience in chronological order with the most recent first. Show the dates you were employed in each role, for example, Feb 2014 to present.
• It’s good practice to provide a covering letter telling the employer why you are the ‘right fit’ for the role. This can also help the interviewer when it comes to short listing candidates for interview.
• Above all, proof read! Make sure there are no spelling mistakes or ‘text speak’ in your covering letter or CV.

Don’t be afraid to make speculative applications

• If there’s somewhere you’d really like to work, you could make a speculative application by approaching the employer to ask about opportunities that have not been advertised.  You never know, they may have just the role for you:
• Start with a bit of research on the company. If you feel they have roles which you think you could fill, based on your skills, knowledge and experience, why not send them your CV with a covering letter explaining your reason for writing to them? While they may not have any vacancies right now, they could keep your details on file for future vacancies.

Attitude matters as much as experience

• While experience does count, a willing and ‘can do’ attitude can give someone a distinct advantage over another applicant.
• The CIPD, for instance, encourage HR (Human Resource) professionals to ‘recruit for willingness, train for skill’. This is something a lot of recruiters will have in mind during the interview process. A prospective applicant, who shows a willingness to learn and develop, can often be trained in the skills required for the role.

Gain a competitive edge

• If you get an interview and it comes down to a choice between you and another candidate, there are a number of factors employers will consider when deciding who to offer the job to.
• You can gain a competitive edge by making sure you present yourself well, both in terms of looking smart, and having positive body language and the right attitude.
• You’ll usually be asked at the end of an interview if you have any questions. It’s a good idea to prepare questions about the company or the role in advance. Perhaps do some research about the employer so you can ask questions that show you’re serious about wanting to work for them.

Joanne has spent the last 16 years working in the legal sector as the Director of HR, Training & Quality for Forbes Solicitors, a large regional law firm with offices across the North of England.

There are many different types of job application forms but often employers will use a ‘competency based’ form to help them find the right person. Linda Durbin from Trowbridge Jobcentre shares her tips on how to tackle this type of application.

Competency based application forms commonly ask you to write 250-300 words on various different ‘competencies’ – for example, decision making, problem solving or team working.

This can be daunting, but it’s also a great opportunity to really sell yourself to a prospective employer. Here are my tips on how to tackle this kind of form:

• Competency based applications often have lots of different sections and can take quite some time to complete – by this I mean several days, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time.
• Create a word document to draft each answer before transferring it to the application form. You can use this as a place to put down all your ideas before shaping them into a response.
• Don’t go over the word limit for each section. You may have lots of great examples, but the word limit is also there to see if you can write in a clear and concise way. At the same time, make sure you write enough to show you have the skills required!
• For each competency, you should draw on any personal achievements that demonstrate you have the necessary skills. As a rule of thumb, outline the scenario, describe the specific actions you took, and say what the outcome was.
• It’s good practice to keep referring back to the job description when drafting your responses. This can help you to keep your answers relevant and to the point.
• Always check your spelling and grammar before submitting your application. Ask someone you trust to proof read it for you. They might be able to tell you if your responses are convincing and flow well, or even suggest small changes to help sharpen them up.

Competency based applications forms can be time consuming, but it’s well worth putting in the effort. One you’ve done one you’ll have a template for others. But never simply recycle an application without tailoring it to a specific job. One size definitely doesn’t fit all. Good luck!

 

 

Bethan Evans, Work Coach from Aberdare Jobcentre, shares her favourite tips for that all important interview.

So, you’ve wooed the employer with a cracking CV, or a fantastic application form – great! Give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back!

Now, let’s talk about the interview:

How will you get there? How long will it take to get there? What will you wear? What paperwork should you take with you? Can you use your notes? These are all things you need to think about in advance.

When planning your travel always leave extra time, to allow for any unexpected delays. It’s also a good idea to have the interviewer’s contact number with you, just in case you need to call them.

Clothes: think smart, clean and professional, which means no jeans, no track suits and no trainers. It’s also advisable to keep jewellery and perfume minimal too. You want to be remembered for the right reasons.

Forms: it’s always a good idea to take a spare CV and application form with you. An interviewer may refer to your CV or application form and ask you more about it – they will expect you to have a copy to hand. This shows you’re prepared and have put a lot of thought and effort into the interview.

Don’t forget to take any other documents the employer may have asked you to bring with you, such as your passport or National Insurance Number.

Notes: glorious notes! Make them, revise them, and use them. Once you have been invited to interview, you should spend some time researching the company. Going into an interview, with a good knowledge of the company gives you confidence, and tells the employer that you are serious and passionate about a career with them. It will help you make your interview answers more relevant to the employer and should give you something appropriate to ask them at the end. Pay particular attention to the company’s history, what they do, any particular achievements they’re proud of, any current news or campaigns, and who their competitors are (if relevant). It’s best to make a short bulleted list that you can quickly glance at if you get stuck, rather than pages of scribbles!

While we’re talking about interview questions, why not try and find out what they’re likely to ask you? A quick internet search can bring up forums and discussion boards relating to other people’s interview experiences with the company. Getting an idea of what could be asked, can help calm those pre-interview nerves.

Practice makes perfect: so practice, practice, and practice! Ask your Work Coach for a mock interview, or simply rehearse your answers to common interview questions. This will prevent you from drawing a blank mid-interview. If you do find yourself a bit stuck for words, say something to the effect of ‘that’s a really interesting question, may I take a moment to think about that?’ This will give you some time to calm yourself and think about the answer.

Once you’ve done all this preparation just remember to be polite, friendly, smile and be yourself!
Good Luck!