David White
The vacancy appears to be the job of your dreams, the pay is right, the prospects are good. But competition for the best posts is the fiercest.
So which qualities do employers look for? What can you do to convince them that you, and not the 300 other applicants, are the right person for the job?
Your first line of attack is your curriculum vitae (CV). Various books have lots to say about this.
Peppering the history of your working life with “action verbs” is widely recommended; you “accomplished” this and “reorganised” that. Always give examples and be prepared to quote them at interviews.
Record that compulsory nightmare weekend rock-climbing with colleagues as a “leadership and team-building course” which provided a tremendous boost to your self- confidence and ability to do your job.
List all qualifications even if they date back more years than you care to remember. A certificate or diploma, regardless of subject, may prove to be your unique selling point, which puts you ahead of other candidates.
Mention leisure activities as they can be an indicator of a healthy body (which should house a healthy mind) or team working.
Concern for the community, caring for old folk and the like, also deserve recording because customer care is the new mantra of corporate life.
Careful study of the job ad is suggested, so that a CV can, while keeping within the bounds of truth, be customised carefully to fit specific requirements.
But the last word the do-it-yourself books have to say on CVs is usually: “Keep them brief” – no more than two sides of a word-processed A4 page.
Theory has it that personnel officers receive so many applications for each job they cannot spare the time to read anything longer than two pages.
If your CV impressed your prospective employers sufficiently, they will call you for an interview. And there is plenty of book-based advice on clearing this face-to-face hurdle. One theory purports that interviews are won or lost in the first 45 seconds, so first impressions may be vital.
Wearing appropriate clothes is strongly advised. Denim might be suitable at an advertising agency or graphic design studio, but could count against you for work in a bank.
Research the company. It enables you to decide whether you really want to be part of the organisation and impresses the prospective employer.
Rehearse answers to frequently asked questions such as “why do you want to work for us?”, “why did you leave your last job?” or “what are your strengths and weaknesses?”
Opinions differ on how to answer the weakness question. While it would be arrogant and unbelievable to deny shortcomings, it might be unwise to admit a failing in some key quality required for the job.
Rather acknowledge a past flaw which has now been addressed: “I used to become angry with staff for failing to meet my demanding standards, but after attending a skill- with-people course, I find that a quiet word offering advice and extra training works wonders.”
Meeting strangers face to face for a job interview and having to answer a string of questions, both personal and professional, is never easy. How-to-do-it books stress the importance of projecting a positive image.
Look the recruiter in the eye and listen carefully to questions. Do not be afraid to ask for clarification.
Enthusiasm for future challenges is suggested, tinged only by hard-headed realism over the need to work within budget.
Jokes or amusing remarks have their place, but should be used sparingly. Resist the temptation to criticise past or present bosses even in jest.
For the final interview question, “do you have any questions for us?”, the best response is: “None at all – you’ve given me a clear picture of the job and it is one I would enjoy doing.”
And remember, queries about pay and whether the month-long holiday booked for later in the year will be honoured are best negotiated after a job offer has been made.