CV and Interview Tips

CV - Curriculum Vitae

Your CV is not just a summary of your work experience and education, it is part of your personal brand and tells the story of why you are right for the job you are applying for. That’s why it’s so important that you tailor your CV to the jobs you are applying for.

Our top five tips for a successful CV are:

  • Tailor your CV to the job and company you are applying to – one size does not fit all.

  • Look for key words and phrases in the job description and match your experience to these core attributes.

  • Don’t waste words or use overly descriptive language– keep your CV short, relevant and factual.
  • Check and double check your CV for spelling, grammar and accuracy.

  • Make sure your CV is well laid out, clear and easy to read.  

Interviews

The secret to a good interview is to Prepare, Practice and Perform. Preparation is the key to a successful interview, you need to have well prepared answers to commonly asked interviewer’s questions to be able to demonstrate how you are the best candidate for the job. Most interviews will include standard questions that you can prepare and practice, we can help you to do this through our interview skills coaching and mock interviews.

Top tips for your interview:

  • Do your homework – research the company beforehand – look at their website and social media pages.

  • Remember to make a good first impression – make sure to be well groomed, give a firm handshake and make eye contact with your interviewer(s) and smile!

  • Practice your answers – there are standard questions that will come up every time (tell me about yourself, strengths, weaknesses, job history, etc.) – make sure to prepare and practice your answers.
  • For some positions it will be necessary to prepare examples from previous jobs that help illustrate your answers to competency based questions such as ‘tell me about a time you dealt with a challenging situation’ use the STAR method to formulate your answers.

  • Be positive – always speak well of past employers, colleagues and jobs. 

  • Ask questions – make sure to prepare some questions to ask at the end of your interview, it shows genuine interest.
Mid-West Local Area Employment Service
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