CV & Interview Preparation
CV & Interview Preparation
The purpose of this presentation is to;
Gain
an understanding into job hunting in this competitive environment.
Gain useful and practical advice on how job seekers can market themselves
successfully as the ideal candidate to potential employers.
Upon completion of the presentation;
Know
how to make an immediate impact with your CV
Know
key format and content for your CV and Cover Letter
Know
how to prepare for interview
Uncover
essential interview tips and techniques
CV & Interview Preparation
Todays Job Market
Competitive
Added Value
Unique Selling Point
Job Searching Methods
Transferable Skills
Adaptable
Strong References
CV & Interview Preparation
Jobsearch & Job Seekers
Know
Job Seeking Process;
Job Application to Job Offer Stage
Advert CV & Letter, Application Form, Online, Telephone Interview, Aptitude or
Dexterity Test, 1st Interview, 2nd Interview, Medical, Garda Clearance, Job Offer.
(Can take minimum 2 – 10 weeks)
Job Function & Tasks; Transferable Skills.
Be able to speak about your duties in a past job. Be specific.
Demonstrate
S.T.A.R.
Use
Skills/Abilities
Situation
Task
Action
Result
Networking Opportunities
CV & Interview Preparation
How People Find Jobs…
(From HSE WNO 2010)
CV & Interview Preparation
Job Hunters
Employers
(In order of preference in job seeking)
(In order of preference in recruitment)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
CV
Advertisement
Agencies
Colleagues
Referrals
Contacts
Drop Ins
Inside the Company
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Look inside Company
Colleagues
Referrals
Drop Ins
Contacts
Agencies
Adds
CV
CV & Interview Preparation
Job Seeking Process
Curriculum Vitae
Generate interest in you and your skills, which will
lead to interview, allowing opportunity to sell
yourself.
Passport
to a Job.
Record of all Education, Work History, Skills.
Most Important Document a Job Seeker can
produce.
CV & Interview Preparation
CV Should be;
Personal;
Marketing Tool, Sells your skills/abilities to
future employers.
Comprehensive;
Present Full Potential, have solid
examples to back up each item listed.
Concise;
Have a good balance of information, may need
a few drafts. Opportunity to expand further at interview.
Attractive;
Must appeal to the reader, identify unique
selling points and include them in profile
CV & Interview Preparation
CV Content
Personal Details;
Essential; Name, Contact Phone Numbers, Email Contact.
Optional: Address, DOB.
Profile
Highlight History e.g. Over 3 year experience in Retail Sales.
Transferable Skills e.g. Good Organisational, Numeracy and I.T. Skills.
Personal Qualities e.g. Reliable, Hardworking, Friendly Individual.
Education/Training
Dates, College Name, Course Title/Qualification (Level)
List Subjects from Course.
Work History/Employment History
Dates, Employer Name, Job Title; Function/Tasks of Job.
(Work Placement)
CV & Interview Preparation
CV Content contd./
Additional Information
e.g. Holder of Driving License/Safe Pass Card.
Voluntary Work
e.g. Volunteer Youth Assistant
Assisted with Summer Camp Activities for kids aged 10-14yrs.
Hobbies/Interests
Show a balance of group and individual activities.
References
Name, Title, Company Name, Phone, Email Contact.
Signed & Date
Shows ownership of CV & CV is up to date.
CV & Interview Preparation
Types of CV
Functional

CV; Focuses on Skills
Combination CV; Skills and Jobs
Chronological
reverse order
CV; Job History in
CV & Interview Preparation
CV Layout Presentation
KISS
(Keep it Short & Simple) 2 Pages.
Use Action Words
Use Phrases not sentences
Make it easy for interviewer to Find you.
Minimise Personal data
Keep it Clear and Clean
Design C.V so that it is easy on the eye.
Check Spelling and Typing.
Writing from Present to Past.
Avoid Gaps.
Tell the Truth.
Keep your C.V Up to Date.
Put your name on Every Page.
CV & Interview Preparation
Sample CV….
CV & Interview Preparation
Sample CV….
CV & Interview Preparation
Cover Letters
Why?
Provides opportunity to highlight how your specific skills
match job requirements.
The Letter….
Good Appearance
Make it Perfect
Use a Business Correspondence Format
Write to a specific person
CV & Interview Preparation
Writing Cover Letters

Use a grabber first sentence.

Why you are attracted to position.

Highlight experience, skills relevant to job.

Include information about training, personal traits.

State your next step.

Thank person for time/consideration.
CV & Interview Preparation
CV Mistakes.…..
A great lover of languages, I speak intermediate German, high-level Russian, and fluent Spinach.
My duties included greeting laundrette customers, removing their clothes, and washing them.
I have never been backwards when it comes to coming forwards.
This document outlines my experience, skills, and qualifications, which I trust you will carefully overlook.
“Career break in 1999 to renovate my horse”
"Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting."
"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."
“I am anxious to use my exiting skills.”
CV & Interview Preparation
Interview Purpose


Business meeting with both parties
having an agenda.
Two-way conversation when both
parties are evaluating each other.
CV & Interview Preparation
Interview Purpose…..
Suitability for Job
Personality
Trustworthy
Confident
Information from CV
Character
Opinion
Reliable
Responsible
Appearance
CV & Interview Preparation
Interview Preparation
Believe
Do
in yourself & shine
your homework
Make
a good first impression
Body
Language
Sounding
The
Positive
Interview is a 2 way process
CV & Interview Preparation
Types of Interview
One to One Interview
Panel Interview
Telephone Interview
Group Interview
Video Interview
CV & Interview Preparation
Interview Stages
Welcome
The
Stage
Acquiring Information Stage
Supplying
of Information Stage
Parting/Closure
Stage
CV & Interview Preparation
Types of Interview Format
Competency Based Interview
(Probing for information to understand candidate)
Chronological Interview
(Takes lead from CV/Application Form)
Case Study Interview
(Present case study, what action to take,/work out solution)
Technical Interview
(Questions about technical work; final year projects/research etc)
CV & Interview Preparation
What types of questions are asked at interviews?
Introductory Questions
Tell me about yourself ?
Why do you want this job?
Why you left your last job?
What is your understanding…?
Qualifications
Situation – Scenario
Previous Experience
Why should we hire you?
Skills / Strengths
Weaknesses
Hobbies / Interests
Future plans
References
Do you have any questions?
CV & Interview Preparation
Interview Questions
Categories
Self
Education/Training
Work
The Job
All emphasis your Skills (Personal, Practical)
Knowledge, Experience & Personal Traits
CV & Interview Preparation
Group Exercise

Think Like an Employer

What Skills are Required?

What interview Questions to Ask?
CV & Interview Preparation
Useful Websites
www.irishjobs.ie
www.monster.ie
www.bestjobs.ie
www.employireland.ie
www.jobs.ie
www.computerjobs.ie
Networking websites;
www.linkedin.com
www.facebook.com
www.myspace.com
www.recruitireland.ie
www.worky.ie
www.loadzajobs.ie
www.gumtree.ie
www.munsterjobs.ie
www.fas.ie