Helpful Hints and Tips

CV
Your CV is the most important document that you will have to put together; a good solid CV could make the difference to help you get the dream job you have always wanted. A CV is a record of your personal profile, past education and relevant key skills, present / previous employment. CV’s speak volumes to any potential employers, as they will be an indicator to how you would perform in a professional role.

Key Factors to a successful CV

• Do not go over 2 pages, 3 at a push if it is relevant.
• Cover all gaps for your previous employment, make sure your start and finish dates run consecutively
• Make sure you decide on one format / text and keep this consistent throughout
• Make sure the whole document is spell checked as one error could result in you not being selected
• Avoid bright colours, keep it simple and clear to read and understand
• Highlight any key achievements or job duties by using bullet points

What not to include

• Don’t over explain your previous job duties, keep it minimal and relevant to the role for which you are applying, highlighting your key tasks and duties, don’t waffle!
• Don’t over emphasize your role, as this will come out in interviews and will not work in your favour
• Avoid using technical jargon that relates to each specific company as the person reading your CV will not understand

To help you on your way, click here to download our OSR template CV which you can use and adapt to suit you.

Interview tips
1. Plan ahead – do your homework! Research the company and the position if possible, as well as the people you will meet at the interview. Review your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the companies needs. Have your facts ready!

2. Be on time! Practice getting to the venue to see how long it will take. Public transport may be useless, traffic may have been heavy. Always remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

3. Write down and answer possible questions! Practicing them with someone will make it easier to remember when you get to interview. Use the third person when talking about the job. Avoid sounding as though you assume the job is yours.

4. You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
SMILE! Dress professionally in simple business attire e.g. just because you are going to work in a ski resort does not mean you should wear sunglasses and a fleece to your interview. And don’t forget that firm handshake and to maintain eye contact with your interviewer without glaring.

5. Listen and adapt. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer. Pay attention to those details of dress, office furniture, and general décor which will afford helpful clues to assist you in tailoring your presentation.

6. Be Honest! There really is no point lying about your background and/or skills. If you get found out, you can be sure that you won’t be around for long! Job interviews are about matching needs – if there isn’t a good match, then chances are that the job won’t work out. Be positive, in particular avoid negative comments about past employers.

7. Relate! Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position. Interviewers like to know how you felt about a particular success. Some will ask for examples of things you’ve done that you’re particularly proud of; how you solved problems – learned – and improved from difficult situations. Don’t talk too much!! Communication is a two-way thing so give them a chance.
Questions you may be asked by the interviewer

1. Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)
2. What do you know about our company?
3. Why should we hire you?
4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
5. What do you look for in a job?
6. What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?
7. How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
8. How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
9. Describe your management style.
10. What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?
11. Why are you looking for a new career?
12. How would your colleagues describe you?
13. How would your boss describe you?
14. How would you describe yourself?
15. What do you think of your present or past boss?
16. What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignment?
17. What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?
18. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
19. How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
20. Why do you want to work for us?
21. What other positions are you considering?
22. Have you kept up in your field with additional training?
23. What are your career goals?
24. What are your strong points?
25. What are your weak points?
26. How did you do in school?
27. What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?
28. If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?
29. What was wrong with your current or last position?
30. What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?
31. Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don't give it out unless it is asked for).
32. Can you explain your salary history?
33. What questions didn't I ask that you expected?
34. Do you have any questions for me? (See Questions for the Interviewer that you might want to ask below).


Questions you may want to ask the interviewer

1. Why is this position open?
2. How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
3. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
4. What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
5. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months.
6. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
7. What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
8. How do you think these could best be handled?
9. What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
10. What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
11. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
12. In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
13. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
14. How is one evaluated in this position?
15. What accounts for success within the company?
16. These questions are presented only as interviewing guidelines. They are meant to help you prepare for the interview. Some questions may or may not be appropriate for your interviewing situation.
17. By practicing your responses to some of these questions, hopefully you will not be taken off guard if asked one of them. Most importantly, relax, go with the flow, and before you know it, you'll be in your next job.

And finally, Don't give up!

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