One Step Ahead: CVs and Job Applications
The building blocks of the job hunt
Successful job applications are built using four 'building blocks': Research,
Target, Prepare, and Communicate. These four blocks are
the load, aim, and fire sequence which will land you the job you want.
Research covers the work you need to do to find out about yourself,
the job, and the company.
Target means focusing your CV or job application to suit the demands
of the job or conversely finding a company which best suits the skills, knowledge,
and experience you have.
Prepare involves checking your CV or your application; practising
for the interview.
Communicate covers writing your CV, application form, and covering
letter, and giving a good interview.
Online applications: The golden rules
Focus an electronic application in the same way as a paper application.
Take your time: it is too easy to be tempted to send your application
before you've focused and checked it.
Read through on-screen applications and prepare additional information
before starting to complete them.
Follow the instructions and tips on website career pages to get your
application in the right format.
Use your email as your covering letter.
Keep attachments short and simple.
Interview questions
What precise questions you are asked at interview will depend on the job you
are applying for. You can roughly guess and prepare for what will be asked by
considering what things are likely to crop up.
About the job
Why do you want the job?
What makes you the right person for the job?
How would you start this job?
Break answers to questions of this sort down into sections:
your personal interest: how the job matches your career intentions and what appeals to you personally about it;
corresponding experience: the parallels with experience gained from previous and current jobs;
skills you have already which are needed for the job.
By giving your answer this structure, you can check that you are covering all the points that are important, and give your interviewer a format to follow.
29/01/2004
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