Tips & Tips
The TQ team are experts in knowing what an employer looks for in a candidate. To help you make the best first impression, we’ve compiled a few hints and tips on securing that position; from compiling an attention grabbing CV, through to presenting yourself in an interview.
Interviewing Techniques
The interview process has its own rules and techniques, which must be mastered if you are to secure an exciting new job.
Preparation
- Preparing well beforehand can mean the difference between success and failure.
- Make sure you know exactly what is written in your CV so that you can talk about it in detail.
- Find out directions well before the interview and leave plenty of time for the interview.
- Check who you will be reporting to at reception and who will conduct the interview. It is not unusual to be introduced to other staff members during or after the interview.
- Try to establish the structure of the interview in advance.
Carry out some research into the company. Remind yourself of the job specification and the required skills. - Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. These should be based on the company, the job, training and career opportunities.
Dress Code
Dress smartly and conservatively - a suit is best.
Creating a great CV
As the first contact between job applicant and potential employers, it is vital that CVs supply the information needed to take the application further. The information is best set out in clearly labelled sections, generally in the following order.
Personal Details
Full name, address and telephone numbers (daytime and evening).
Education
Some discretion can be exercised as to how much detail to supply. Except at graduate entry level, it is normally sufficient to give only brief details of education from age 16 to 18, with more details of higher education and particularly of diplomas, certificates and degree, including the university attended and the class of degree. Lists of GCSEs or O levels should be avoided and A level details included only if they really add useful information.
Professional Qualifications
It may be worthwhile specifying not only the qualification and the awarding institution, but also how it was obtained.
Current or last employment
It is the most recent job history which is of primary interest to a prospective employer. It may therefore be helpful to highlight this in a section of its own and to give more details than for earlier jobs. If the job advertisement asks for salary information, give the current or final salary and also the job's salary range if this shows a higher grade maximum. Do not inflate salary details, although average bonuses or performance payments can be given. Remember that when the employer seeks references, the salary data may be checked.
Previous employment history
Jobs should be listed with dates (any gap in chronology is likely to be questioned) but with a diminishing amount of information for the earlier job history. Do not waste space by detailing early and irrelevant jobs.
Training and Development
It is not advisable to give a long list of training courses attended, but some relevant training and development information may be helpful. Management training courses of a week or more should normally be listed, together with any training in relevant specialists skills.
Personal interests/activities
It is not essential to include this section. However, if there are aspects, which provide evidence of relevant knowledge, skills or personality then these are worth listing. Examples might include being a school governor, running a computer club or various forms of voluntary work, which demonstrate organisational and management skills. An unusual hobby can be worth mentioning, as it will give your CV an interesting feature that the reader remembers.
And finally
Avoid being too verbose. Don't use conversational tone in the CV - use a third party tense rather than "I". Don't state your reasons for leaving explicitly. These matters are best discussed at interview. Avoid leaving career gaps unanswered.
