First impressions count. It’s important to make a positive impact in your interview that will increase your chances of being selected for the post. Interviewers form an opinion of a candidate within 30 seconds so let yours be one that they remember and for all the right reasons.
Have read of these tips to help you prepare for your next interview and good luck:
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Ensure your CV is no longer than two pages unless you are applying for a senior or boardroom level post. Keep it simple and concise and avoid wordiness. Stick to a modern font such as Calibri or Helvetica as opposed to something too ornate or in italics. A brief review of a CV should be all that is required to gain initial interest from a prospective employer.
DON’T LEAVE GAPS
Employers are suspicious of any gaps in a CV so do not leave any. Include all forms of employment including self-employment/freelance/contracting and if there are any changes, explain why. It is also really important that you include both months and years of employment on your CV. It’s not the end of the world if you have had movement on your CV. Of course, it will need to be explained but remember good recruiters are in short supply and the client is just looking for reassurance that if they hire you will be looking to stay with them long term. Clients appreciate that relocation, changes in circumstances, office closures and other issues can all result in completely justifiable reasons for leaving a previous role.
TAILOR YOUR CV TO THE SPECIFIC JOB YOU ARE APPLYING FOR.
Don’t send a generic CV out en masse. A CV which is tailored to the specific role you are applying for demonstrates that you have taken the time to read the spec and are interested in that particular role. It also allows you to highlight the areas of your experience which make you a strong candidate for the role. Your CV is the first point of contact the client has from you. They need to quickly assess your suitability and this is much easier for them to do if the key components of their role match the detail on your CV.
INCLUDE KEY INFORMATION
Check that all your information including contact details – ame, address, telephone numbers (both home and mobile) and email address – is correct and up to date. This includes the URL to your LinkedIn profile page and any social media platforms you use. These must be factually correct and appropriate.
SPELL CHECK
It’s crucial that you both spellcheck and reread your CV at least twice. It needs to ‘flow’ and errors could be viewed as rushed work or a lack of attention to detail. We would always recommend you ask someone else to proofread your CV. A second opinion is never a bad thing!
EMPHASISE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY
On a personal level, any academic or sporting achievements will impress an employer as they demonstrate your competitive spirit and potential leadership ability. Professionally it’s important to list your successes including the following: targets exceeded, your best month/year of billings, your highest fee, league tables, competitions won, a major client converted or even a speedy promotion.
These are just a few examples of the many things that could potentially make your CV stand out from those of other applicants. If you need advice about preparing for your interview, call 01606 800190.
