Interview Tips
You’ve just seen your dream job, and it’s beautiful. You absolutely must get that interview, so you’ll need to make a good first impression with your paperwork. Follow the Careers Guru's tips on how to make your CV and covering letter stand out and you’ll soon land that date with an employer!
10 things to keep in mind
1. Your paperwork is your marketing brochure and should be a mirror of your excellent self. Stimulate interest!
2. The ‘one-size fits all’ CV and covering letter combo does not exist. Different professions have different expectations – find out how they differ, then personalise every application to the specified requirements.
3. Research the job and company on the internet to find out what types of skills are valued.
4. Don’t be afraid to submit a speculative application to an employer you want to work for, but always find out to whom it should be addressed.
5. All paperwork submitted must be professional, immaculate and eye-catching.
6. Eliminate the slightest hint of error in your paperwork – ask a friend to check it over, too.
7. Ensure you meet the application deadline and enclose all requested paperwork. Keep a copy to refer to later before an interview.
8. Once your application has been received, it is common practice to receive an acknowledgement. If no word is heard, a polite email enquiry or phone call would be suitable.
9. Always seek feedback, whether successful or not.
10. Finally and most importantly, to avoid instant dismissal, don’t be tempted to lie or exaggerate qualifications and talents.
Do's
Make a splash with clean, professional paperwork.
Style. The whole application should have a consistent and professional impact, with appropriate content and style for the profession/company concerned.
Paper. Oozing quality! A4, cream/light pastel colour with matching envelope.
Design. Eye-catching for the correct reasons: typed paperwork; clear paragraphing/sections; 10-12 font size; crisp sans serif font (Arial or Helvetica); black ink; sparing use of bold type or bullets. (Hint: hidden table cells allow accurately aligned columns.)
Content. Should be accurate, relevant, maturely written, selective, persuasive and punchy.
Don't's
Shabby paperwork says you will be shabby, too.
Style. Don’t: mix and match paper; use too many different fonts; send an incomplete application.
Paper. Stay away from: cheap, lined, flimsy, perfumed, gaudy or grim white printer paper. Never use envelopes and paper smaller than A4.
Design. Avoid: clichéd CV templates; childish (Comic Sans) or unexciting (Times New Roman) fonts; wild layout, cramped text, box lines; clip art and photographs; using ‘Curriculum Vitae’ as title; excessive blank space; sending photocopy of original
Content. Banish: massive chunks of confessional, autobiographical, irrelevant, or repetitive text; inappropriate email addresses (e.g. knifeslasher@... or greatestloverboy@...); text language; missing references or contact details.
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