Communications for Business Lecture 12: CV Writing and Interview Techniques NCC Education - Title Master

Learning Objectives Appreciate how to construct a winning CV Appreciate how to prepare for an interview Understand how to succeed at an interview

Introduction There are some simple tricks to finding the appropriate job to use your skills and develop your career A good CV will get you an interview … A good interview might get you the job

How Organisations Find Employees

Identifying Employment Opportunities Staying abreast of business and financial news Using the web to research companies Recruitment websites Networking – e.g. Linkedin

Fallacies and Facts About CVs The purpose of a CV is to list all your skills and abilities The purpose of a CV is to generate interest and an interview A good CV will get you the job you want All a good CV can do is to get you an interview Your CV will be read through carefully and thoroughly In most cases your CV needs to impress in 30-45 seconds The more information you present about yourself, the better Recruiters don’t need masses of information at the screening stage If you want a really good CV have it prepared by a CV service You have the skills to prepare an effective CV - so do it yourself

Qualities Employers are Seeking That candidates: Think in terms of results Know how to get things done Are well rounded Can demonstrate career progression Have personal standards of excellence Are flexible and willing to try new things Communicate effectively

Planning Your CV Analyse your purpose and audience Gather specific information – dates, duties, accomplishments, qualifications Select the best medium – Word document, online form, etc. Keep it honest – do not include false information Bear in mind the terminology of the hiring organisation Use a simple and direct style

Avoid Weak Statements Weak Statements Active Statements Responsible for developing a new filing system Developed a new filing system that reduced paperwork by 50% I was in charge of customer complaints Handled all customer complaints and reduced follow-up complaints by 75% I was involved in developing a new product idea I contributed to the development of a new product that increased company sales by 40%

CV Contents – 1 Personal details Name Physical address Email address Phone number(s) URL of your personal webpage (if applicable)

CV Contents – 2 Work Experience and Skills Focus on overall theme (what are they looking for) List jobs in reverse order (latest first) Include name and location of current employer Clearly state functional title Quantify accomplishments in numerical terms if possible

CV Contents – 3 Education List names of schools and colleges (most recent first) Major and minor fields of study Skills and abilities developed Degrees or certificates gained Other qualifications

Avoid Common Problems Too long or too short Hard to read Too slick Amateurish Poorly produced Spelling and grammar mistakes Boastful Too generic

Proofread the CV Ensure there are NO mistakes Ask 3 or 4 people to read it Ensure that it works in every format Update it continuously

Class Activity Work in groups of about 5 Why is it important to customise a CV for each particular job application? 10 minutes Feedback to the class 5 minutes

Interviews – 1 Interviews test talking and listening skills Also test your ability to think on your feet Interviewer can also see what you look, dress and act like First impressions are crucial!

Interviews – 2 Prepare carefully in advance Try to think what questions you might be asked - and prepare answers What qualities are they looking for? How and where have you used this quality in the past, etc.

Interviews – 3 On the day of the interview: Arrive early Dress professionally Remember the interview starts as soon as you enter the premises – often long before the “actual” interview! So behave professionally at all times

Interviews – 4 During the interview: Listen carefully Check you have understood the question Answer clearly and succinctly Observe body language and think before speaking!

Interviews – 5 After the interview: Remember you are still on show until you leave the organisation If unsuccessful – seek feedback Learn from experience so you can perform better next time

Lifelong Learning Getting the job is just the beginning Successful career management builds on this over time Be alert to learning and development opportunities Develop your career objectives and life objectives

Class Activity Work in groups of about 5 Why is it important to get feedback after an interview if you have not been successful? 10 minutes Feedback to the class 5 minutes

Conclusions Plan the writing of your CV carefully – include all essential information Proofread the CV and ensure that you avoid common problems Prepare well for an interview Conduct yourself professionally at all times Seek feedback – and remember learning is a lifelong experience

References Payne & Whittaker “Developing Essential Study Skills”, 2nd Edition, FT Prentice Hall, ISBN: 978-1405840873 Cottrell “The Study Skills Handbook”, 3rd Edition, Pallgrave Macmillan, ISBN: 978-0230573055 Price & Maier “Effective Study Skills: Essential Skills for Academic and Career Success”, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 978-1405840736 Cameron “The Business Students Handbook: Skills for Study and Employment”, 5th Edition, FT Prentice Hall, ISBN: 978-0273730712

Lecture 12 – CV Writing and Interview Techniques Any Questions? NCC Education - End Slide Master