Career Advice

City Recruitmemnt International, recruitment agency - Tips for putting your best foot forward on looking for that job.

Writing Your CV

                                                   Your curriculum vitae (CV), or resume, is one of your first selling tools. Keep it short, simple and to the point.

                                                   A CV should contain the following:

                                                   (1) Personal Details -

• Full name.
• Address.
• Phone.
• Fax.
• email.
• Date of Birth.

                                                   (2) Qualifications - Name of course, level achieved and when it took place, eg September 1995 - June 1996 Diploma in Business Studies. Name of institution, eg University of Limerick. With Junior and Leaving Cert results don't list all your subjects. Give a brief summary highlighting impressive results or subjects relevant to the job in question, eg 7 x hons [including Enlgish (hons) A2]. Include part-time or ongoing study.

                                                   (3) Work Experience - Starting with most recent/most relevant first include: Job title, start and finish dates, eg June 2000 to present Accountant, Company, City Recruitment International Brief description of various duties in order of importance. List these in point format, only elaborating if necessary. Be specific,

                                                   (4) Skills - Highlight specific skills, knowledge or attributes starting with most impressive/most relevant to the particular job application. Include others that may not be directly related to illustrate a range of abilities. Include things like computer skills listing the particular software/hardware packages, languages, typing skills, training courses not highlighted in the qualifications section (include when and where the training took place).

                                                   (5) Achievements - This is where you can include activities over and above job experience and study which shows constructive use of your spare time. Include things like positions held on committees, charity work, public speaking, competitions etc.

                                                   (6) Hobbies and Interests - Use this section to show that you have interests outside the job, an ability to function within a team or other interests that may tie in with the job application in question. Don't just list them, give a brief description, eg Reading [what exactly? ie 20th century fiction], Sport [which sports? ie tennis, badminton and squash].

                                                   (7) Referees and References - Referees are considered more important these days than letters of reference, although it is good to have both. Always ask for a reference after having worked for someone, even if it is only a few days or in a voluntary capacity. Referees should be people who have been involved in some form of supervisory or management situation with you in a previous workplace or relevant situation. Employers are keen to know work specific details, such as whether you are reliable, can work under pressure or have good communication skills with the general public. Don't give a referee's name without asking them first. If you haven't been in the workforce for a while, then include references and referees from people who have observed you in a role of responsibility. Tailor referees and references to the job where possible. It is best to write Referees available on request. When the company rings for the referee name, you can get in touch with the referee and alert them to the kind of job you are seeking.

Writing that cover letter

                                                   A cover letter is a vital part of your job application. Many employers make their first selection on this basis. It should be a clear, comprehensive and concise account, proving why you are the best person for the job. Use it well to complement your CV. Spelling mistakes, messy writing, vagueness, or a lack of understanding of the job will bring an abrupt end to your application even before reaching the interview stage. Therefore, ALWAYS have someone else check your spelling. Don't just rely on a computer - it doesn't necessarily pick up a wrongly chosen word spelt correctly, or a mis-spelt name.

Things to remember:

                                                   Your cover letter should be laid out like a business letter, starting with the date, your contact details, then the company's contact details. Address your letter to the name or title on the advertisement. If there isn't one, then start with Dear Sir/Madam. Never presume the gender of the person. State the position you are applying for, including where you saw the job advertised and the publication date. Explain who you are and what you feel you can offer the position. Be very clear about the job. Include details about any relevant qualifications for the job. If the advertisement outlines specific skills and qualities, make sure you mention that you have those qualities or describe past achievements that highlight how you have developed those qualities in previous positions. Refer to your attached CV. Conclude by stating you believe you are suitable for the job and would be interested in an interview to discuss the job further. Sign off with Yours faithfully if you started with Dear Sir/Madam and Yours sincerely if you started with the person's name. Sign your name and print it under the signature.

Sell Yourself!

How to sell yourself in an interview

                                                   Sell yourself! Learn as much as possible about the position, the company, and the interviewers themselves. The more detailed information you have about the company and the position, the better prepared and more interested you look. Go to the library and visit the company's web site.
Employers want someone who wants to work for them. Demonstrate this by:

1. PREPARING QUESTIONS. No matter how thorough the employer is in the interview, you must ask questions. This demonstrates interest and thinking ability.
2. ASKING, "WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?" Tell the employer you were intrigued prior to the interview and are now even more.
3. EMPHASIZING AREAS OF YOUR BACKGROUND. Think of specific examples that demonstrate this. Sell yourself and your abilities through play back

Interview Questions

Commonly Asked Questions

                                                   Below is a list of commonly asked questions in an interview. Consider carefully how you would answer:

1. Why are you willing to leave your current employer?
2. What do you know about this position and company? Why are you interested?
3. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
4. How do you feel about your current supervisor?
5. What are your strengths?
6. What are your weaknesses?
7. What are you currently looking for in salary? Why?
8. What information is important to you in making a decision about this job change?
9. What questions do you plan to ask the employer either about the job, company, or other things?
10. Who have you learned the most from? What was it? Why was it important?
11. What could be improved in your boss?
12. What do you like about your current boss?
13. When are you available to start?
14. What would you change here?