cv & interview preparation 4 th march 2011

Breda Whelan Giudance Counsellor 2014

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CV & Interview PreparationCV & Interview Preparation

44thth March 2011 March 2011


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CV & Interview Preparation Breda Whelan CV & Interview Preparation Breda Whelan 2014 2014

The purpose of this workshop is to;The purpose of this workshop is to;

Gain an understanding into job hunting in this competitive Gain an understanding into job hunting in this competitive environment. environment. Gain useful and practical advice on how job seekers can market Gain useful and practical advice on how job seekers can market themselves successfully as the ideal candidate to potential themselves successfully as the ideal candidate to potential employers. employers.

Upon completion of the workshop;Upon completion of the workshop;

Know how to make an immediate impact with your CVKnow how to make an immediate impact with your CV

Know key format and content for your CV and Cover LetterKnow key format and content for your CV and Cover Letter

Know how to prepare for interviewKnow how to prepare for interview

Uncover essential interview tips and techniquesUncover essential interview tips and techniques


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CV & Interview Preparation CV & Interview Preparation

Todays Job MarketTodays Job Market

CompetitiveCompetitive

Added ValueAdded Value

Unique Selling PointUnique Selling Point

Job Searching Methods Job Searching Methods

Transferable SkillsTransferable Skills

AdaptableAdaptable

Strong ReferencesStrong References


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Jobsearch & Job SeekersJobsearch & Job Seekers

Know Job Seeking Process;Know Job Seeking Process; Job Application to Job Offer Stage Job Application to Job Offer Stage Add, CV & Letter, Application Form, Online, Telephone Interview, Aptitude or Add, CV & Letter, Application Form, Online, Telephone Interview, Aptitude or Dexterity Test, 1st Interview, 2Dexterity Test, 1st Interview, 2ndnd Interview, Medical, Garda Clearance, Job Interview, Medical, Garda Clearance, Job Offer. Offer. (Can take minimum 2 – 10 weeks)(Can take minimum 2 – 10 weeks)

Job Function & Tasks; Transferable Skills.Job Function & Tasks; Transferable Skills.Demonstrate Skills/AbilitiesDemonstrate Skills/AbilitiesS.T.A.R. S.T.A.R. SituationSituation

TaskTaskActionActionResultResult

Use Networking OpportunitiesUse Networking Opportunities


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How People Find Jobs…How People Find Jobs…

(From HSE WNO 2010)(From HSE WNO 2010)

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CV & InterviewCV & Interview PreparationPreparation

Job Hunters Job Hunters (In order of preference in job seeking)(In order of preference in job seeking)

1.1. CVCV2.2. AdvertisementAdvertisement3.3. AgenciesAgencies4.4. ColleaguesColleagues5.5. ReferralsReferrals6.6. ContactsContacts7.7. Drop InsDrop Ins8.8. Inside the CompanyInside the Company

EmployersEmployers(In order of preference in (In order of preference in

recruitment)recruitment)

1.1. Look inside CompanyLook inside Company2.2. ColleaguesColleagues3.3. ReferralsReferrals4.4. Drop InsDrop Ins5.5. ContactsContacts6.6. AgenciesAgencies7.7. AddsAdds8.8. CVCV


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CV & Interview Preparation IGC CV & Interview Preparation IGC Conference 2011Conference 2011

Job Seeking ProcessJob Seeking Process

Curriculum VitaeCurriculum Vitae

Generate interest in you and your skills, Generate interest in you and your skills, which will lead to interview, allowing which will lead to interview, allowing opportunity to sell yourself.opportunity to sell yourself.

Passport to a Job.Passport to a Job.Record of all Education, Work History, Record of all Education, Work History, Skills.Skills.Most Important Document a Job Seeker Most Important Document a Job Seeker can produce.can produce.


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CV Should be;CV Should be;Personal;Personal; Marketing Tool, Sells your skills/abilities Marketing Tool, Sells your skills/abilities

to future employers.to future employers.

Comprehensive;Comprehensive; Present Full Potential, have Present Full Potential, have solid examples to back up each item listed.solid examples to back up each item listed.

Concise;Concise; Have a good balance of information, Have a good balance of information, may need a few drafts. Opportunity to expand may need a few drafts. Opportunity to expand

further at interview.further at interview.

Attractive;Attractive; Must appeal to the reader, identify Must appeal to the reader, identify unique selling points and include them in profile unique selling points and include them in profile


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CV ContentCV ContentPersonal Details;Personal Details; Essential; Name, Contact Phone Numbers, Email Contact.Essential; Name, Contact Phone Numbers, Email Contact.Optional: Address, DOB.Optional: Address, DOB.

ProfileProfileHighlight History e.g. Over 3 year experience in Retail Sales.Highlight History e.g. Over 3 year experience in Retail Sales.Transferable Skills e.g. Good Organisational, Numeracy and I.T. Transferable Skills e.g. Good Organisational, Numeracy and I.T. Skills. Skills. Personal Qualities e.g. Reliable, Hardworking, Friendly Individual.Personal Qualities e.g. Reliable, Hardworking, Friendly Individual.

Education/TrainingEducation/TrainingDates, College Name, Course Title/Qualification (Level)Dates, College Name, Course Title/Qualification (Level)List Subjects from Course.List Subjects from Course.

Work History/Employment HistoryWork History/Employment HistoryDates, Employer Name, Job Title; Function/Tasks of Job. Dates, Employer Name, Job Title; Function/Tasks of Job. (Work Placement) (Work Placement)


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CV Content contd./CV Content contd./Additional InformationAdditional Informatione.g. Holder of Driving License/Safe Pass Card.e.g. Holder of Driving License/Safe Pass Card.

Voluntary Work Voluntary Work e.g. Volunteer Youth Assistant e.g. Volunteer Youth Assistant Assisted with Summer Camp Activities for kids aged 10-Assisted with Summer Camp Activities for kids aged 10-14yrs. 14yrs.

Hobbies/InterestsHobbies/InterestsShow a balance of group and individual activities.Show a balance of group and individual activities.

ReferencesReferencesName, Title, Company Name, Phone, Email Contact.Name, Title, Company Name, Phone, Email Contact.

Signed & DateSigned & DateShows ownership of CV & CV is up to date.Shows ownership of CV & CV is up to date.


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Types of CVTypes of CV

Functional CV;Functional CV; Focuses on Skills Focuses on Skills

Combination CVCombination CV; Skills and Jobs; Skills and Jobs

Chronological CVChronological CV; Job History in ; Job History in

reverse orderreverse order


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CV Layout PresentationCV Layout Presentation

KISS (Keep it Short & Simple) 2 Pages.KISS (Keep it Short & Simple) 2 Pages.Use Action WordsUse Action WordsUse Use PhrasesPhrases not sentences not sentences

Make it easy for interviewer to Make it easy for interviewer to Find youFind you. . MinimiseMinimise Personal data Personal data

Keep it Keep it Clear Clear and and CleanCleanDesign C.V so that it is Design C.V so that it is easy on the eyeeasy on the eye..Check Check SpellingSpelling and and Typing. Typing.

Writing from Writing from Present to PastPresent to Past..Avoid Avoid Gaps.Gaps.

Tell the Tell the Truth.Truth.Keep your C.V Keep your C.V Up to DateUp to Date..Put your name on Put your name on Every PageEvery Page..


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Sample CV….Sample CV….


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Sample CV….Sample CV….


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Cover LettersCover Letters

Why?Why?

Provides opportunity to highlight how your specific Provides opportunity to highlight how your specific skills match job requirements.skills match job requirements.

The Letter….The Letter….Good AppearanceGood AppearanceMake it PerfectMake it PerfectUse a Business Correspondence FormatUse a Business Correspondence FormatWrite to a specific personWrite to a specific person


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Writing Cover LettersWriting 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 Include information about training, personal traits.traits.

State your next step.State your next step.

Thank person for time/consideration.Thank person for time/consideration.


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CV Mistakes.…..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."


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Interview PurposeInterview Purpose

Business meeting with Business meeting with both parties both parties having an agenda.having an agenda.

Two-way conversation when both Two-way conversation when both parties are parties are evaluating each other.evaluating each other.


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Interview Purpose…..Interview Purpose…..

Suitability for JobSuitability for Job PersonalityPersonality

TrustworthyTrustworthy ConfidentConfident

Information from CVInformation from CV

CharacterCharacter OpinionOpinion ResponsibleResponsible

ReliableReliable AppearanceAppearance


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Interview PreparationInterview Preparation

Believe in yourself & shineBelieve in yourself & shine

Do your homeworkDo your homework

Make a good first impressionMake a good first impression

Body LanguageBody Language

Sounding PositiveSounding Positive

The Interview is a 2 way processThe Interview is a 2 way process


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Types of InterviewTypes of Interview

One to One InterviewOne to One Interview

Panel InterviewPanel Interview

Telephone InterviewTelephone Interview

Group Interview Group Interview

Video InterviewVideo Interview


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Interview StagesInterview Stages

Welcome StageWelcome Stage

The Acquiring Information StageThe Acquiring Information Stage

Supplying of Information StageSupplying of Information Stage

Parting/Closure StageParting/Closure Stage


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Types of Interview FormatTypes of Interview Format

Competency Based InterviewCompetency Based Interview(Probing for information to understand candidate)(Probing for information to understand candidate)

Chronological InterviewChronological Interview(Takes lead from CV/Application Form)(Takes lead from CV/Application Form)

Case Study InterviewCase Study Interview(Present case study, what action to take,/work out solution)(Present case study, what action to take,/work out solution)

Technical InterviewTechnical Interview(Questions about technical work; final year projects/research etc)(Questions about technical work; final year projects/research etc)


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What types of questions are asked at interviews?What types of questions are asked at interviews?

Introductory QuestionsIntroductory Questions

Tell me about yourself ?Tell me about yourself ? Why do you want this Why do you want this job?job?

Why you left your last job?Why you left your last job? What is your What is your understanding…?understanding…?

QualificationsQualifications Situation – ScenarioSituation – Scenario

Previous Experience Previous Experience Why should we hire you?Why should we hire you?

Skills / StrengthsSkills / Strengths WeaknessesWeaknesses

Hobbies / InterestsHobbies / Interests Future plansFuture plans

References References Do you have any questions?Do you have any questions?


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Interview QuestionsInterview Questions

CategoriesCategoriesSelfSelfEducation/TrainingEducation/TrainingWorkWorkThe JobThe Job

All emphasis your Skills (Personal, Practical)All emphasis your Skills (Personal, Practical)Knowledge, Experience & Personal TraitsKnowledge, Experience & Personal Traits

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Group ExerciseGroup Exercise

Think Like an EmployerThink Like an Employer

What Skills are Required?What Skills are Required?

What interview Questions to Ask?What interview Questions to Ask?


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Useful WebsitesUseful Websites

www.irishjobs.iewww.irishjobs.ie www.recruitireland.iewww.recruitireland.iewww.monster.iewww.monster.ie www.worky.iewww.worky.iewww.bestjobs.iewww.bestjobs.ie www.loadzajobs.iewww.loadzajobs.iewww.employireland.iewww.employireland.ie www.gumtree.iewww.gumtree.iewww.jobs.iewww.jobs.ie www.munsterjobs.iewww.munsterjobs.iewww.computerjobs.iewww.computerjobs.ie www.fas.iewww.fas.ie

Networking websites;Networking websites;www.linkedin.comwww.linkedin.comwww.facebook.comwww.facebook.comwww.myspace.comwww.myspace.com

cv & interview preparation 4 th march 2011

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