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Tips for Presenting Yourself in 30 secondsby Peter Espiefs 

Your infomercial is your “TV ad”, your “brochure”, your introduction of your best employment-related qualities. It is your pitch. The 30 Second version is for a quick introduction and shouldbegin by introducing yourself. The 2 Minute version is for interviews and discussions. It answers

the query so often posed by prospective employers, interviewers, and anybody who might be in aposition to assist you in your job search. The statement I am referring to is, of course, “So tell meabout yourself.”

Your cover letter could serve as a beginning step toward developing your infomercial. Be awareof the person to whom you are “pitching”, what interests that person, what type of person mightbe competing with you, and what you have to offer that your competition does not. Avoid tellingyour life’s story. Tell only what is relevant in a clear, concise, and conversational manner. Beenthusiastic about meeting the person and/or about the position you are interviewing for. Do notexpect the person to understand how your background might fit in with their needs. Do not expector allow the person, hiring team, or networking contact to draw their own conclusions about apoint that you are making. If there is a conclusion to be made, tell the person(s) what it is.

Your infomercial should include statements about your credentials, your experience, your personal and professional strengths, your knowledge, and your skills. It should be tailored, or adapted, to the person(s) to whom you are speaking. It should relate your accomplishments andstrong points to their agenda and needs. As mentioned above, it should flow in an enthusiastic,confident, and conversational style.

Remember that this is your introduction to a potential employer. As such, your pitch should berehearsed but not sound rehearsed. Therefore, write out a 30 second and a 2 minute version of your infomercial. Practice both versions in front of a mirror and time them. Practice them in frontof friends and/or family members. Ask them what they think, especially about how you look andsound. Would they want to find out more about you, or hire you, based on your presentation?

Lastly, try to keep in mind that you are not selling: you are marketing your credentials. The idea

is to position yourself as an attractive candidate for employment.

Good luck! 

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How good is your CV? A CV is probably one of the hardest things you will ever have to write. Thisis because it is about you and most people find it hard to sell themselves in an attractive way.How effective is your CV at opening doors for you? Jobsite's career guru Sarah Berry offers someexpert advice.

Most candidates are out of touch will what the present market requires. Sure they have a roughidea of how to present themselves, what to include but they are not aware of how to presentthemselves in modern and competitive terms to win over the employer.

CVs have evolved over time. There is no written law on CV writing, it is something which is verypersonal and of course subject to the current employment market and needs of employers. Thirtyor forty years ago, all that was required of you was to write a brief letter, including relevant detailsabout yourself and why you thought you could do the job on offer. This changed and the trendbecame to put everything down on paper - from graphic personal details including operations that

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you may have had, to every course that you have ever attended - even if it is irrelevant. But thistrend has changed and has now proven ineffective in today's market.

Listed below are a few ways that a CV expert can help you improve your chances of achievingyour next career move.

1. Show you how to take control of your job hunt.

Your CV needs to be targeted towards your chosen profession. You can't get away with an allround, general purpose CV. You need to show that you have depth and understanding of your field of work. You need to make the employer feel comfortable and assured that you are anexpert in your field of work.

2. Point out the weakness of your current CV.

If you know where your current CV is letting you down, you can do something about it. What is itabout your current CV that is putting employer's off? Which sections of your CV need to beimproved? It there enough sell in your CV? Have you conveyed your personality and how youoperate within the business world? Have you convinced the reader how you will add value? Get

the information you need to transform your CV.

3. Show you how to present yourself in the best possible light.

Every candidate has a hurdle to overcome. For some it is an illness, a career break, or not havingthe necessary qualifications. How are you going to tackle this? You need to make your 'hurdle'work in your favour and to make you look even stronger on paper.

4. Highlight the most successful format.

Some CV formats and writing styles are not as appealing as others. You want to give yourself thebest possible reception. Have you gone on about yourself and risked turning the reader off? Do

you need to make some changes in this area?

5. Inform you of how to sell yourself and make yourself look a winner.

The biggest mistake that most candidates make is to assume that the reader knows what valueyou they have to offer. Employers are looking for certain key qualities and your CV needs tocover these off.

6. Show you how to write about your work experience and education in a interestingway.

Most CVs are dull and boring. They tire the reader rather than inspire the reader. Have you falleninto this trap? Do you need to know what you have to do to change this emphasis?

7. Reveal that the CV is a crucial aspect of your job hunt.

While it may be easier to blame the market or things outside of your control, sometimes it is worthgetting an expert opinion of your CV.

8. Help you to recognise that you are capable of so much more.

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Are you waiting for your employer to tell you how brilliant and capable you are? What is stoppingyou from moving forward? Are you too comfortable with where you are and what you are doing?Do you need 'to see' yourself in a different light?

9. Do you know what should be included in the CV and what needs to go in the coveringletter?

Each document has a very different and distinct role to play in your job application? Make sureyou are aware of what these are and what essential information you need to include in both.

10. Can you be bothered to make the necessary changes?

Are you willing to change? Do you recognise that your CV might not be right for this competitivemarket? Are you in tune with what employer's are looking for when selecting electronicallysubmitted CVs?

Sarah Berry, best-selling author of 'Write a Perfect CV in a weekend', and career guru at Jobsitecan help you with your CV. CLICK HERE for further information.

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So, you've been laid off. You were a high-flying executive in a technology companytwo years ago and now you are grounded.

The good news is: you're not alone - there are thousands of other people out therein the same position. The bad news is: you're not alone - there are thousands of 

people out there in the same position, and you will have to find a way to set yourself apart from them as you look for a new position.

To move yourself forward through what will likely be an intensive search is difficult,but essential, and the operative words are "moving forward." If you merely present

your past accomplishments to prospective new employers, you will remain planted in

your past. Instead, you need to use your past experience to convince employers thatyou have the knowledge and skills of their company and their industry to help move

them forward. If you can do that, you will propel yourself into a new position and

challenge.

The reality is that companies want people who know how to win. Here's how to

present yourself as a winner and come out on the winning end of a new job, perhapsin a new industry.

1. Learn How to Market Yourself.Keeping an upbeat attitude may be the most difficult task of all. At a time when you

may be feeling down and out, you must nonetheless remain positive and upbeat.Don't let yourself get disillusioned or sidetracked and never give up faith in yourself 

and your abilities. Most people hate acting as their own direct marketer, but that iswhat searching for a job is all about. People are not lucky - - they create their own

luck. It starts with marketing the best product that you have - - you.

a. Create a focused plan. Research which industries and areas of the country arehot right now and identify companies within those industries and geographic areas

that you want to approach. Don't assume that you must limit your search to the

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industry in which you last worked. If possible within the constraints of your personallife, look at companies in new areas of the country (or world). Once you have

decided the industries and geographic areas in which you would like to search,network constantly and aggressively, but with focus. Direct your networking to

where there are real opportunities. This also involves extensive research: you mustlearn who the contact people are in the companies, associations and cities in which

you are searching and seek out those specific people.

b. Create the right pitch. In order to land an interview, you first must get past the

"gatekeeper" - e.g., the secretary or administrative assistant who controls access tothe person with hiring authority. This isn't easy and requires you to develop a pitch

that sets you apart from other job seekers. The worst thing you can say is, "I'd liketo speak with Bob Jones about employment opportunities." You will be dead in the

water with that one. Instead, craft a pitch that demonstrates your knowledge of thecompany, its products, its markets or its industry. You are much more likely to reach

Bob Jones if you tell his assistant that, "I have research on how the datawarehousing industry can increase sales and would like to present my findings to Mr.

Jones."

c. In the interview, sell yourself through your own questions. Most

interviewers remember more of what they have said during an interview than whatthe applicant has said. To get beyond this, and to set yourself apart from others, you

should impress the interviewer with your own knowledge of the company and itsindustry. The best way to do this is by asking concise, focused questions that allow

you to demonstrate that you've done significant research about the industry, aboutthe company itself - including its products, its market and its competitors. And last

but not least, you need to demonstrate that, as a result of your past experience, you

can help move the company forward.

2. Be willing to take a step backward.If it appears that you may have to accept a position at a lower level on the executive

ladder than your previous one, don't assume that you are losing opportunities tomove forward. In a hot company, or a hot industry, you may move ahead faster than

if you seek higher positions in companies or industries that are contracting.

3. Approach lots of companies.

In this economy, it is unrealistic to expect that you can successfully land a new jobby talking to only a handful of companies. You should plan to approach a minimum

of 50 companies, and contacting 100 companies is not out of the question. Fromthis, if you have followed all the other steps outlined above, you should have a good

chance of landing five to seven interviews.

Searching for a new job following a layoff can be one of the most difficult, draining

and demoralizing processes that people have to endure. Or, it can become one of themost uplifting, eye-opening experiences that can change your life for the better. Justgive yourself time, don't lose your self-confidence and follow a well-crafted plan.

Most important, never forget that employers are looking for people who can

demonstrate energy, intelligence, aggressiveness and persistence. And persistencewill pay off.

 Jeffrey Christian is the President and CEO of Christian & Timbers, the Cleveland-based executive search firm he founded in 1979, which now ranks among the top 12

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such firms in the country. Mr. Christian was recently named to the Forbes Midas List which ranked him as one of the top 50 most influential deal makers in technology. 

Editor's note: This column first appeared on CIN  , an internet.com site for IT 

executives.

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Automotive Management 16/10/90Like it or not, and despite the protestations of many in the field, recruitment is an imprecise art. True, thereare many developments that allow us to be more scientific but still the face-to-face interview is the mostimportant part of the process. The problem for the candidate is securing that interview, and a properlyprepared CV is essential.

It is tempting to think that your carefully prepared life story will be studied at leisure by a highly trainedmanager with an intimate knowledge of your industry. In most cases, nothing could be further from the truth,and if your CV is not instantly able to do its job when it arrives with 300 others, the right person may never even get to see it. It will end up in some secretary's bin!Never forget that preparing a shortlist is a negative job."Always work on the basis that you have 30 seconds to make an impact" Employers will often screen out

those they don't want to see before arriving at a hard core of more or less suitable applicants to meet. Themore reasons to give them to reject you, the more often it will happen.Keep in mind the aim of any CV - initially to secure that vital interview and thereafter to act as a quickreference document for the interviewer. You can say everything you need in a maximum of two pages - if you go beyond this you are saying too much or your layout is wrong. Avoid double spacing and capitalletters to try to pad it out, for it is difficult on the eye. Just stick to sensible, well laid out typing.You need to say why you are different to everyone else but meet the criteria. In a previous article Idiscussed how to sell yourself and here it is crucial. Concisely and clearly state what you have achievedusing, where possible, objective yard-sticks. Avoid trivia, making judgements that cannot be backed by fact,and above all avoid the job descriptions, give only responsibilities that are quantifiable in terms of staff,turnover or profit, do not fist duties, except if they are relevant and unusual for the position.Always work on the basis that you have 30 seconds to make an impact. If someone reading it for the firsttime takes longer to work out who you are, where you live, how well educated and qualified you are, whoyou work for and in what capacity, then throw it away and start again. Discarding it is just what a hardpushed recruiter may do, so make sure all this information is on the front page.

In terms of personal data, your full name and address should appear on both pages in case, any getdetached, and the following data is also necessary: home phone number; date of birth; marital status andnumber of children; driving licence; languages; professional qualifications.Positively avoid information such as height and weight - they are irrelevant and can only work against you if you happen to be taller, shorter, fatter or thinner that a particularly conscious employer!Education deserves its own section, but not a large one. Detail briefly your secondary school with number of CSE, 0 levels and A levels if applicable. Higher education and degree, diploma or certificate subjects shouldbe given with your grade or class. Nothing more should be necessary unless you hold a particular position of responsibility, such as head of school.Finally, your employment history should give greatest prominence to your most recent position, which shouldcone first, working back through previous jobs. Each section should be titled clearly with the relevant dates,the company name and your most senior position. Previous moves within the ompany, responsibilities thatcan he measured and tangible achievements should also be detailed within the text. Mention any trainingcourses you attended or awards you gained.As you go back through the years, the less you will need to devote to each position, for it becomes lessrelevant to your present situation. Check finally that there are no glaring gaps in the record that needexplaining and get someone else to check your spelling. (Please note that CV stands for Curriculum Vitae,note its spelling if you are going to use it).As a final thought, some of my pet hates in applications received are:* Documents over four pages long - my record is 27 pages which I still have not had time to read.* Whole pages taken up with 11+, 0 and A Level passes and grades - a complete waste of time.* Plastic folders or binders, which make it difficult to file or photocopy the documents. They generally getdiscarded, leaving ugly punched holes.* I cynically feel that the more colourful the paper, the less colourful the candidate - stick to white.* A front page that contains a name, address and an "in depth profile?' of the candidate. I have not read one

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into writing, and email them to you? Am I supposed to go through my

contact list and give you a bunch of names so that you can ask them the

same questions you're asking me? Am I supposed to offer whatever

additional help I can to advance your art career?

Assuming I am supposed to do any or all of these things, what's in it for

me? Am I supposed to do it for free? You don't say anything about how

you intend to compensate me for my time.

Not to belabor the point, but let's say I look at your art for free and

email you my thoughts. Would that mean anything? You're getting

them for nothing. You'll read the email, save it if you like it, and delete

it if you don't. If you really like it, and you're not familiar with

copyright laws, you might even publish it or use it to sell your artwithout asking my permission.

But enough about what you want for you without making clear what

you'll do for me in return. Convincing someone to show and sell your

art involves more than asking them to look at it on a computer screen

and give you feedback. No one is going to visit your website, see your

art, and become so taken with it that they decide to represent you right

then and there. They have no idea who you are, how you are to work

with, what your capabilities are, or anything else about you. You're atotal stranger approaching them from out of nowhere.

For the sake of argument, however, let's suppose someone does like

your art enough to email you back. Can you demonstrate that your art

is salable or explain what about it or what about you will make it sell?

Can you provide information about art you've sold, where it's sold, for

how much, and under what circumstances? Can you present yourself in

such a way as to convince this person to represent you or give you a

show at their gallery? Would you know what to say if they called youon the phone, or met with you in person?

Do you know anything about them or their business or how they are to

work with? Have you visited their gallery or office? Are you sure

they're reputable? Have you spoken with other artists who they

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represent? Are those artists satisfied with how they've been

represented?

If you're feeling a tad queasy at this point, then we're right back where

we started. Get professional help and pay for it or trade art for it ormake clear in some other way that you are prepared to compensate

those who help you. An experienced art consultant or any other art

 business professional can show you how to present your art effectively,

maximize your chances for results, minimize problems, and enter intomutually beneficial business relationships. And here's the good news:

You don't have to compromise your artistic integrity or change the look

of your art in the process; you learn how to present yourself in ways

and in places that are more likely to result in sales of your art.

Art galleries, agents, and artist reps sell art for a living. If they can't

make their livings selling art, then they have to get real jobs like the restof us. In order to avoid such a fate, they carefully evaluate every artist

who presents them with art, and decide to work only with those who

demonstrate, one way or another, that their art is not only salable, but

that it will sell. Before you can get representation or a show, you have to

understand how people who sell art for a living think, what they need,

and how you can give it to them.

 Just so you don't think you're getting dumped on here, it's not all your

fault. Art school does not teach you how to how to sell your art in thereal world. You may learn how to put together a portfolio, but that's not

selling art. At worst, you graduate thinking that all you have to do is get

yourself a studio and start cranking out art like you're printing money.

That's not the way it works.

Oops. I got a little off the subject. Anyway, you've got to pick up a little

art business expertise somewhere along the way in order to know whatto do with your art once it's ready to leave your studio, and how to

present your portfolio once it's together. As for paying to learn how to

do this, you've already paid tens of thousands of dollars to go to art

school; now pay another couple hundred bucks for a quick dose of 

reality.

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Get some basic training about what makes people buy art. Learn how to

present, show, and explain your art in ways that whoever's listening

will find compelling. And learn how, at some point during your

presentation, to convince them your art will sell. Only then will you be

ready to continue your art marketing adventures.

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Expert Advice

Deal with the big questions first, and new career ideas will start to flow.

This month, columnist and life coach Jo Miller answers some knotty questions about layoffs andgetting work in tough times.QUESTION: "I am in a field that was in huge demand last year. Now there is a glut of professionals with my skills and I am having a very hard time finding a new job. I never considered myself as anything but an IT professional, but lately I have considered changingfields. What steps should I take to explore this process?"JO MILLER: The first step in considering a career transition is to make sure you can cover your basic living expenses like rent and bills. Even though you are in lesser demand than last year, I'msure if you think creatively you will see a way to cover your basic expenses while you exploreother options. You may need to downsize your lifestyle in the short term as you consider moving

into a new career.IT is a great field for offering you the flexibility to explore other areas. You could try working on apart-time or consulting basis, say 4 days per week, while using your free time to brainstorm andtry out new options. Buy a book on careers to work through. Ask yourself some big picturequestions, like: What is fulfilling enough that it would be worthy of my time? What do I want tolearn? What do I want the rest of my life to be about? If money was not an issue, what would Imost love to be doing with my time? Deal with the big questions first, and new career ideas willstart to flow.QUESTION: "I have several years of experience in as a manager, project manager and creativedirector. Ironically, I have a lot of difficulty presenting myself on interviews as well as in publicpresentations. I tend to freeze up, stammer and project nervousness or even incompetence.unprepared ness. The standard public speaking exercises seem to work really well for me. Thatis, until I get in the ACTUAL public setting and then it’s like I forgot everything I learned. How can

I improve my interviewing/presentation skills?"JO MILLER: Practice, practice, practice. Keep up the public speaking exercises, as I can assureyou they are not a waste. It sounds like you need more time and practice before speakingconfidently becomes an automatic response in any challenging situation. You are probablygetting very close to the breakthrough you want. I also suggest practicing in an actual interviewsituation. There are two ways to do this. Do you have a friend who is in HR or recruiting who canrun some mocks with you? Or try applying for jobs you're not that interested in, where the stakesare not high and nothing depends on your performance.

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Finally, I suggest you break the ice at the start of an interview by acknowledging that you getnervous. They will do more to ensure you feel comfortable, and often speaking about anautomatic emotional response like nervousness can take away the power it has over you.QUESTION: "For the past two years I worked for the same company in a role that I believed wasintegral to the company’s growth. I always received excellent performance reviews, earnedbonuses and accolades and was considered part of the "in" group at the company. Imagine mysurprise when I was RIF’d in the first round of layoffs the company had ever endured. Though allmy supervisors assured me that it had nothing to do with performance, I still couldn’t believe it. Ithas been almost a year since then and while I have done intermittent contract I have not gotten afull time job. Friends tell me I have not gotten past being laid off. What can I do?"JO MILLER: Listen to your friends! It is time to move past this, and until you do, you will find ithard to project the kind of positive, enthusiastic energy that potential employers are attracted to. Ican promise you this: you were a great asset to your ex-employer, and you were integral to their growth. But sometimes that is not enough. Ask 15,000 Lucent employees who were let go thisweek. Believe your supervisors when they said it's not about you! If you can't take their word for it, look to your performance reviews, your bonuses and accolades as proof that you are a greatasset to the company. That should be all the hard evidence you require. Call your old boss if ithelps.Get our your calendar. Schedule one more week of dwelling in the doldrums. You may wish tokeep a daily journal of thoughts. List every piece of evidence you have that you were great at

your job. Catch yourself in the act of looking on the downside instead of the upside. Interruptthose negative thoughts by reminding yourself of your accomplishments. Make a commitment toyourself to have moved on by this time next week, and start from ground zero with a newapproach to your job search.

 You may have all the qualifications for a job and lose it to someoneelse who knows more about presenting himself or herself than you do. That would be a shame. We've included some information here on howto present yourself in an interview to keep that from happening. Anddon't forget to check out what interviewers notice in the first tenseconds.

Show up for an interview, or to apply for a job, looking like you're ready to work.

If the worksite is an office, wear office clothing. That generallymeans a jacket and tie for men, even if it's 100 degrees in theshade. For women, it generally means a dress and stockings, even if you don't feel that comfortable in them. And if you're applying for a job at a construction site, it's steel-toed boots and work gloves. Butkeep in mind that many workplaces are becoming more casual--youmight want to call ahead and find out what the dress code is at thatparticular company.

Prepare your interview outfit in advance. If you spend the daybefore the interview racing around the mall, you may not end upwith the look you want. Shop your closet in advance and make sureyour outfit, including shoes and accessories, are in good conditionand stain- and wrinkle-free. When you've got all the pieces together,try everything on in a dress rehearsal.

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Look alert, well-groomed, and clean.

Even at the dirtiest construction site, where you want to wearclothes you aren't afraid to get dirty, make sure they're clean whenyou first get there. Get to bed early the night before you apply for a

 job or have an interview. Get a good night's sleep (yeah, we knowyou're nervous.) Get up in time to shave, shower, and groomyourself. Shine your shoes. Sharpen up your image--it's important,and interviewers notice details like scuffed shoes or chipped nailpolish.

Look the interviewer in the eye and smile.

Nod when the employer says something that you're sure (s)hewants you to understand or agree with.

Looks matter...and so does talking.

How you speak and listen is critical in making a good impression.When you speak, use the words of the trade or industry. If you're ina machine shop, talk about calipers, micrometers, and machinetools (and make sure you know what they actually are!) In anaccounting office, talk about spreadsheets, Microsoft Excel, andother tools of that trade. (Again, make sure you know what you'retalking about.)

The other half of the communications equation is listening.

If the employer requires you to have a certain kind of skill or values,you will hear it. Just pay attention and concentrate. Let theemployer know you're paying attention by rephrasing somethingyou just heard, in your own words. The point is to let the interviewerknow you know the job's qualifications.

All this is packaging.

Before advertising, we didn't need to market ourselves. Now, in theadvertising age, you do need to do it. It's not hard, and it can be

fun. And it's very important. You'll find if you follow this simpleguide, you'll stand a little taller and feel like the professional you'rebecoming.

The following is a list of 50 frequently asked questions in the MBA qualifying interviews. The student

is well advised to prepare complete and convincing answers to these questions before proceeding to

the interview.

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1. What are your long-range and short-range goals and objectives, when and why did you establish

these goals, and how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?

2. What specific goals, other than those related to your occupation, have you established for

yourself for the next 10 years?

3. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?

4. What do you really want to do in life?

5. What are your long-range career objectives?

6. How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

7. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career?

8. Which specialization would you like to take in MBA? Why?

9. Why did you choose the career for which you are preparing?

10. Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?

11. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

12. How would you describe yourself?

13. How do you think a friend or a professor who knows you well would describe you?

14. What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

15. How has your education prepared you for a career?

16. What are your reading habits? Favorite book? Favorite author?

17. What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful?

18. How do you determine or evaluate success?

19. What have you learned from your hobbies?

20. In what ways do you think you can make a contribution to our institute?

21. What qualities should a successful manager possess?

22. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and subordinates.

23. What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction? Why?

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24. Describe your most rewarding college experience?

25. If you were the interviewer, what qualities would you look for?

26. Why did you select your college or university?

27. What led you to choose your field of major study?

28. What academic subjects did you like best? Least?

29. Do you enjoy doing independent research?

30. If you could do so, would you plan your academic study differently?

31. What changes would you make in your college or university?

32. Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement?

33. What have you learned from participation in extracurricular activities?

34. Do you have plans for continued study?

35. In what kind of an educational environment are you most comfortable?

36. How do you work under pressure?

37. In what part-time or summer jobs have you been most interested? Why?

38. How would you describe the ideal job for you following post-graduation?

39. What are the three major characteristics that you bring to the job market?

40. What do you know about our Institute?

41. What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

42. Are you seeking employment in a company of a certain size? Why?

43. What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?

44. Why did you choose _____ Institute of Management to conduct your higher education?

45. What have you done in the past year to improve yourself?

46. Why should we take you rather than another candidate?

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47. Give an example of something you have done in the past that demonstrates your initiative and

willingness to work?

48. Who are your role models? Why?

49. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?

50. What have you learned from your mistakes?

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Questions for the Interviewer 

 Try to ask your interviewer some relevant and interesting questions.Do not waste time by asking questions with publicly available answers.

Ask questions that will help you make a decision on whether youwould like to work for that company.

What would a normal working day be like?

Is it possible to move between departments?

How much contact is there with management?

Is this position more analytical or people-oriented?

How soon could I expect to be advanced to the next level in the career path?

How much travel is normally expected?

Will I be expected to meet certain deadlines? How frequent are they?

How often are performance reviews given?

How much decision-making authority is given after one year?

Does the company provide any educational benefits?

Have any new product lines/services/curricula been announced recently?

Automotive Management 16/10/90

Like it or not, and despite the protestations of many in the field, recruitment is an

imprecise art. True, there are many developments that allow us to be more scientific butstill the face-to-face interview is the most important part of the process. The problem for 

the candidate is securing that interview, and a properly prepared CV is essential.

It is tempting to think that your carefully prepared life story will be studied at leisure by a

highly trained manager with an intimate knowledge of your industry. In most cases,

nothing could be further from the truth, and if your CV is not instantly able to do its jobwhen it arrives with 300 others, the right person may never even get to see it. It will end

up in some secretary's bin!

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 Never forget that preparing a shortlist is a negative job.

"Always work on the basis that you have 30 seconds to make an impact" Employers will

often screen out those they don't want to see before arriving at a hard core of more or lesssuitable applicants to meet. The more reasons to give them to reject you, the more often it

will happen.

Keep in mind the aim of any CV - initially to secure that vital interview and thereafter toact as a quick reference document for the interviewer. You can say everything you need

in a maximum of two pages - if you go beyond this you are saying too much or your 

layout is wrong. Avoid double spacing and capital letters to try to pad it out, for it isdifficult on the eye. Just stick to sensible, well laid out typing.

You need to say why you are different to everyone else but meet the criteria. In a

 previous article I discussed how to sell yourself and here it is crucial. Concisely and

clearly state what you have achieved using, where possible, objective yard-sticks. Avoidtrivia, making judgements that cannot be backed by fact, and above all avoid the job

descriptions, give only responsibilities that are quantifiable in terms of staff, turnover or 

 profit, do not fist duties, except if they are relevant and unusual for the position.

Always work on the basis that you have 30 seconds to make an impact. If someonereading it for the first time takes longer to work out who you are, where you live, how

well educated and qualified you are, who you work for and in what capacity, then throwit away and start again. Discarding it is just what a hard pushed recruiter may do, so make

sure all this information is on the front page.

In terms of personal data, your full name and address should appear on both pages in

case, any get detached, and the following data is also necessary: home phone number;date of birth; marital status and number of children; driving licence; languages;

 professional qualifications.

Positively avoid information such as height and weight - they are irrelevant and can onlywork against you if you happen to be taller, shorter, fatter or thinner that a particularly

conscious employer!

Education deserves its own section, but not a large one. Detail briefly your secondaryschool with number of CSE, 0 levels and A levels if applicable. Higher education and

degree, diploma or certificate subjects should be given with your grade or class. Nothing

more should be necessary unless you hold a particular position of responsibility, such ashead of school.

Finally, your employment history should give greatest prominence to your most recent

 position, which should cone first, working back through previous jobs. Each section

should be titled clearly with the relevant dates, the company name and your most senior  position. Previous moves within the ompany, responsibilities that can he measured and

tangible achievements should also be detailed within the text. Mention any training

courses you attended or awards you gained.As you go back through the years, the less you will need to devote to each position, for it

 becomes less relevant to your present situation. Check finally that there are no glaring

gaps in the record that need explaining and get someone else to check your spelling.(Please note that CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, note its spelling if you are going to use

it).

As a final thought, some of my pet hates in applications received are:

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* Documents over four pages long - my record is 27 pages which I still have not had time

to read.

* Whole pages taken up with 11+, 0 and A Level passes and grades - a complete waste of time.

* Plastic folders or binders, which make it difficult to file or photocopy the documents.

They generally get discarded, leaving ugly punched holes.* I cynically feel that the more colourful the paper, the less colourful the candidate - stick 

to white.

* A front page that contains a name, address and an "in depth profile?' of the candidate. Ihave not read one yet that impresses or persuades me that I must meet the person. It

irritates me to have to turn to the second or third page before finding what I consider to

he relevant.

* No dates at all, especially no date of birth. The assumption will be that this fails outsidethe period 1900-1980.

A properly prepared CV ready does stand out, at least 85% of the ones received here fall

down in more than one aspect. Keep it simple, concise and intelligible and you will he

well ahead of your rivals - you will make my life easier as well.


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