Expert advice on top CVs and job interviews
Your Looking Recruiters Are Be Those Called Job Is The Tend 7 Your Cv Interview For To At Spend To You're Be Seconds Of For A Likely Cv Applying Sure Fleeting To Seeking A Relevant That Just To Role, 6 2%
Job interviews can be tough. But getting called for one can be even tougher. According to copious studies carried out over the past decade, recruiters tend to spend a fleeting 6 to 7 seconds perusing a CV. Of those applying for a role, a mere 2% are likely to be called for interview.
It’s wild out there in the jobs market. But recruitment bosses know their way around and savvy job seekers abide by their wisdom, knowing it can propel them to success.
On the topic of CV writing, Denis Casey, chief operating officer at AA Euro Group recommends including a profile. “I always recommend that candidates firstly put together a brief profile of their education and career to date,” he says. “This can be one to two brief paragraphs or in bullet point form."
When listing the career history, he suggests starting with the most recent position, clearly outlining the date of employment with each employer and outlining in bullet point form the core duties entailed.
“It is essential to ensure that the dates outlined are correct, as these will be checked.”
Starting with the basics, Donal O'Donoghue, managing director of Sanderson Recruitment Ireland, says: “When providing your contact information, include your name, phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile URL.”
As for the format to be used on the CV, he says there should be no excessive formatting and no photograph. “It should be black and white, with a plain font in Times or Arial,” he says.
Advising that a professional summary should be included, he says this should include “a brief summary of qualifications and career goals.”
As for education and training, Denis Casey recommends including a clear outline of educational and training history.
Donal O’Donoghue reminds jobseekers to: “Include your degrees, the institutions where you studied and the dates of graduation.”
As for listing skills, he says: “Be sure to include those that are relevant to the job being applied for.”
On the topic of references, he recommends the use of the wording ‘references available upon request’. There’s wisdom in this, of course. It allows candidates to prepare referees for a call, so they can refresh their memories in preparation.
As for skills, he advises listing those that are relevant to the job being applied for.
Another tip he has in relation to CV content, is that candidates showcase their initiative.
“Highlight instances where you’ve gone above and beyond in your previous roles,” he says. “This could include times when you’ve taken on additional responsibilities, spearheaded a project, or implemented a successful idea.”
Emphasising the importance of veracity when compiling a CV, Denis Casey has these wise words: “Your CV is reflection of who you are,” he says. “Be truthful.”
Assuming then that you’ve sent off the best possible version of your CV and it’s got you an interview. The next task is preparing for this. Again, Donal O’Donoghue has sound pieces of advice; the first being to do your research.
“Understand the company’s mission, values, and culture,” he says. “When it was founded, how many offices, who the key leaders are.
“See if they have been in the news recently with new product launches etc. Familiarise yourself with the job role and responsibilities. When answering questions, you should make subtle references to what you’ve learned about the company while preparing. A candidate who clearly researched the company and prepared well has a significant advantage in a competitive process.”
Denis Casey, is equally adamant on this topic: “When preparing for an interview it is essential to undertake research and to be familiar with the type of business activities undertaken by the company that you are meeting. One of the first questions typically posed to candidates is: ‘What do you know about the business that you are hoping to work with?’”
While emphasising the value of pre-interview rehearing, Donal O’Donoghue shares this advice: “Practise answering competency-based questions by using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result),” he says.
“Practice for biographical questions by talking through your CV in three minutes, describing your career highlights and career path. The key to interview prep is to practise aloud with someone who will give you feedback on your answers. Your career path is a story, identifying why you made various career choices.” What to wear can be a vexing question.
Advising that dress code is “very important,” Denis Casey says: “When agreeing an interview time and date, always ask: What is the dress code? Arriving at interview with inappropriate clothing is unacceptable.”
Dress appropriately, says Donal O’Donoghue: “Your attire should reflect the company’s dress code. When in doubt, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.”
On the importance of punctuality, he says: “Arrive early to show respect for the interviewer’s time and to avoid unnecessary stress.”
Arriving on time doesn’t mean you can drop your guard, however. As Denis Casey says: “Your behaviour once you enter the building is important. It’s important even before you meet your interviewers. When announcing your arrival, always show courtesy to all staff. I have heard on many occasions that the behaviour of the interviewee prior to being called into interview is queried. Respect everyone once you are in the building always.”
Body language is important and an area that for many, might require concentration throughout the interview process.
Of this, he says: “Maintain eye contact, use open body language, and remember to smile.” “Never bring a phone into the interview room,” says Denis Casey. “If you bring one with you, turn it off before you enter the building.”
Given how competitive the interview process can be, Donal O’Donooghue advises doing more than expected: “Try the company’s product or service to gain firsthand experience,” he suggests. “You could even conduct a mystery shopper exercise to understand the customer journey better. This will not only give you a deeper understanding of the company but also show your initiative and motivation.
“Even if you’re not asked to, prepare a few slides, which you can print and bring with you. Showcasing your ideas can be a great way to stand out. It demonstrates your ability to take initiative and your interest and commitment to the role.”
Sharing then, what he believes to be a ‘critical’ piece of advice. Denis Casey says: “If you don’t know the answer to a question, just admit it. The worst thing that you can do is try to bluff an answer to a question. This can always be spotted.”
It’s understandable that job candidates may endeavour at interview to be everything the recruiters are looking for. But the wisdom in that is superseded by Denis Casey’s sage advice to job seekers: “I find that many people for one reason or another feel they need to act in a certain way to get a job, he says.
“I disagree, as it is impossible to “act” a certain way if it is not who you are. Be yourself,” he cautions. “As everyone else is taken.”
Lest any jobseeker underestimate the potential consequences of shipping off numerous applications to recruitment agencies, without paying sufficient attention to the finer details associated with the roles, this cautionary tale of Denis Casey’s is worth remembering: “The worst story I ever heard was about a person who agreed to do an interview at short notice, having submitted their CV without having fully looked at who the employer was.
“When the interview started, her current boss appeared on screen. She had applied to her current company. Needless to say, she didn’t stay long at the company after that.”