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

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

3. 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

4. How Organisations Find Employees

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

6. 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 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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%

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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!

17. 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.

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

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