1. CV & Interview Preparation

2. The purpose of this presentation is to; Gain an understanding into job hunting in this competitive environment. Gain an understanding into job hunting in this competitive environment. Gain useful and practical advice on how job seekers can market themselves successfully as the ideal candidate to potential employers. Gain useful and practical advice on how job seekers can market themselves successfully as the ideal candidate to potential employers. Upon completion of the presentation; Know how to make an immediate impact with your CV Know how to make an immediate impact with your CV Know key format and content for your CV and Cover Letter Know key format and content for your CV and Cover Letter Know how to prepare for interview Know how to prepare for interview Uncover essential interview tips and techniques Uncover essential interview tips and techniques

3. CV & Interview Preparation Todays Job Market Competitive Added Value Unique Selling Point Job Searching Methods Transferable Skills Adaptable Strong References

4. CV & Interview Preparation Jobsearch & Job Seekers Know Job Seeking Process; Know Job Seeking Process; Job Application to Job Offer Stage Advert CV & Letter, Application Form, Online, Telephone Interview, Aptitude or Dexterity Test, 1st Interview, 2 nd Interview, Medical, Garda Clearance, Job Offer. (Can take minimum 2 – 10 weeks) Job Function & Tasks; Transferable Skills. Job Function & Tasks; Transferable Skills. Be able to speak about your duties in a past job. Be specific. Demonstrate Skills/Abilities Demonstrate Skills/Abilities S.T.A.R. Situation S.T.A.R. SituationTaskActionResult Use Networking Opportunities Use Networking Opportunities

5. CV & Interview Preparation How People Find Jobs… (From HSE WNO 2010)

6. CV & Interview Preparation Job Hunters (In order of preference in job seeking) 1. CV 2. Advertisement 3. Agencies 4. Colleagues 5. Referrals 6. Contacts 7. Drop Ins 8. Inside the Company Employers (In order of preference in recruitment) 1. Look inside Company 2. Colleagues 3. Referrals 4. Drop Ins 5. Contacts 6. Agencies 7. Adds 8. CV

7. CV & Interview Preparation Job Seeking Process Curriculum Vitae Generate interest in you and your skills, which will lead to interview, allowing opportunity to sell yourself. Passport to a Job. Passport to a Job. Record of all Education, Work History, Skills. Record of all Education, Work History, Skills. Most Important Document a Job Seeker can produce. Most Important Document a Job Seeker can produce.

8. CV & Interview Preparation CV Should be; Personal; Marketing Tool, Sells your skills/abilities to future employers. Personal; Marketing Tool, Sells your skills/abilities to future employers. Comprehensive; Present Full Potential, have solid examples to back up each item listed. Comprehensive; Present Full Potential, have solid examples to back up each item listed. Concise; Have a good balance of information, may need a few drafts. Opportunity to expand further at interview. Concise; Have a good balance of information, may need a few drafts. Opportunity to expand further at interview. Attractive; Must appeal to the reader, identify unique selling points and include them in profile Attractive; Must appeal to the reader, identify unique selling points and include them in profile

9. CV & Interview Preparation CV Content Personal Details; Essential; Name, Contact Phone Numbers, Email Contact. Optional: Address, DOB. Profile Highlight History e.g. Over 3 year experience in Retail Sales. Transferable Skills e.g. Good Organisational, Numeracy and I.T. Skills. Personal Qualities e.g. Reliable, Hardworking, Friendly Individual. Education/Training Dates, College Name, Course Title/Qualification (Level) List Subjects from Course. Work History/Employment History Dates, Employer Name, Job Title; Function/Tasks of Job. (Work Placement)

10. CV & Interview Preparation CV Content contd./ Additional Information e.g. Holder of Driving License/Safe Pass Card. Voluntary Work e.g. Volunteer Youth Assistant Assisted with Summer Camp Activities for kids aged 10-14yrs. Hobbies/Interests Show a balance of group and individual activities. References Name, Title, Company Name, Phone, Email Contact. Signed & Date Shows ownership of CV & CV is up to date.

11. CV & Interview Preparation Types of CV Functional CV; Focuses on Skills Functional CV; Focuses on Skills Combination CV; Skills and Jobs Combination CV; Skills and Jobs Chronological CV; Job History in Chronological CV; Job History in reverse order reverse order

12. CV & Interview Preparation CV Layout Presentation KISS (Keep it Short & Simple) 2 Pages. KISS (Keep it Short & Simple) 2 Pages. Use Action Words Use Action Words Use Phrases not sentences Use Phrases not sentences Make it easy for interviewer to Find you. Make it easy for interviewer to Find you. Minimise Personal data Minimise Personal data Keep it Clear and Clean Keep it Clear and Clean Design C.V so that it is easy on the eye. Design C.V so that it is easy on the eye. Check Spelling and Typing. Check Spelling and Typing. Writing from Present to Past. Writing from Present to Past. Avoid Gaps. Avoid Gaps. Tell the Truth. Tell the Truth. Keep your C.V Up to Date. Keep your C.V Up to Date. Put your name on Every Page. Put your name on Every Page.

13. CV & Interview Preparation Sample CV….

14. CV & Interview Preparation Sample CV….

15. CV & Interview Preparation Cover Letters Why? Provides opportunity to highlight how your specific skills match job requirements. The Letter…. Good Appearance Good Appearance Make it Perfect Make it Perfect Use a Business Correspondence Format Use a Business Correspondence Format Write to a specific person Write to a specific person

16. CV & Interview Preparation Writing Cover Letters Use a grabber first sentence. Use a grabber first sentence. Why you are attracted to position. Why you are attracted to position. Highlight experience, skills relevant to job. Highlight experience, skills relevant to job. Include information about training, personal traits. Include information about training, personal traits. State your next step. State your next step. Thank person for time/consideration. Thank person for time/consideration.

17. CV & Interview Preparation CV Mistakes.….. I have never been backwards when it comes to coming forwards. My duties included greeting laundrette customers, removing their clothes, and washing them. A great lover of languages, I speak intermediate German, high-level Russian, and fluent Spinach. This document outlines my experience, skills, and qualifications, which I trust you will carefully overlook. “Career break in 1999 to renovate my horse” “I am anxious to use my exiting skills.” "Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting." "Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."

18. CV & Interview Preparation Interview Purpose Business meeting with both parties having an agenda. Business meeting with both parties having an agenda. Two-way conversation when both parties are evaluating each other. Two-way conversation when both parties are evaluating each other.

19. CV & Interview Preparation Interview Purpose….. Suitability for JobPersonality TrustworthyConfident Information from CV CharacterOpinionResponsible ReliableAppearance

20. CV & Interview Preparation Interview Preparation Believe in yourself & shine Believe in yourself & shine Do your homework Do your homework Make a good first impression Make a good first impression Body Language Body Language Sounding Positive Sounding Positive The Interview is a 2 way process The Interview is a 2 way process

21. CV & Interview Preparation Types of Interview One to One Interview Panel Interview Telephone Interview Group Interview Video Interview

22. CV & Interview Preparation Interview Stages Welcome Stage Welcome Stage The Acquiring Information Stage The Acquiring Information Stage Supplying of Information Stage Supplying of Information Stage Parting/Closure Stage Parting/Closure Stage

23. CV & Interview Preparation Types of Interview Format Competency Based Interview (Probing for information to understand candidate) Chronological Interview (Takes lead from CV/Application Form) Case Study Interview (Present case study, what action to take,/work out solution) Technical Interview (Questions about technical work; final year projects/research etc)

24. CV & Interview Preparation What types of questions are asked at interviews? Introductory Questions Tell me about yourself ?Why do you want this job? Why you left your last job?What is your understanding…? QualificationsSituation – Scenario Previous Experience Why should we hire you? Skills / StrengthsWeaknesses Hobbies / InterestsFuture plans References Do you have any questions?

25. CV & Interview Preparation Interview Questions Categories Self Self Education/Training Education/Training Work Work The Job The Job All emphasis your Skills (Personal, Practical) Knowledge, Experience & Personal Traits

26. CV & Interview Preparation Group Exercise Think Like an Employer Think Like an Employer What Skills are Required? What Skills are Required? What interview Questions to Ask? What interview Questions to Ask?

27. CV & Interview Preparation Useful Websites www.irishjobs.iewww.recruitireland.ie www.irishjobs.iewww.recruitireland.ie www.monster.iewww.worky.ie www.monster.iewww.worky.ie www.bestjobs.iewww.loadzajobs.ie www.bestjobs.iewww.loadzajobs.ie www.employireland.iewww.gumtree.ie www.employireland.iewww.gumtree.ie www.jobs.iewww.munsterjobs.ie www.jobs.iewww.munsterjobs.ie www.computerjobs.iewww.fas.ie www.computerjobs.iewww.fas.ie Networking websites; www.linkedin.com www.linkedin.com www.linkedin.com www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.myspace.com www.myspace.com www.myspace.com