the stepstone guide to job applications · an original cv is probably not appropriate for a job in...

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The StepStone Guide to Job Applications

•Whattoincludeinyouronlineande-mailapplications

•HowtocreateaCV•Theimportanceofacoverletterandhowtowriteit

•Tipsforyourjobinterview

THE ART OF APPLYING FOR A JOB

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

ONLINE AND E-MAIL APPLICATIONS 4Applyingbye-mailorthroughajobsite..................................................................................5Applyingviaanonlineform....................................................................................................5

YOUR CV 6TipsforaneffectiveCV.........................................................................................................7HowtogiveyourCVthatlittleextra........................................................................................9ThatfatalmistakeonyourCVyouwishyouhadn’tmade......................................................... 10Don’tgetcaughtinalie...................................................................................................... 12Tipsforaperfectlayout...................................................................................................... 13Includeaphotoornot?....................................................................................................... 15PutyourCVonline.............................................................................................................. 16There’snothinglikeagoodexample..................................................................................... 17Puttingyouronlinereputationtowork................................................................................... 18

YOUR COVER LETTER 20Whyshouldyouincludeacoverletter?.................................................................................. 21Getstartedwithyourletter.................................................................................................. 22Checklistforaneffectivecoverletter..................................................................................... 23Providetargetedexpertise................................................................................................... 25Themostcommonmistakesweseeincoverletters................................................................ 29Formatofyourcoverletter.................................................................................................. 31Coverletterexample........................................................................................................... 32

JOB INTERVIEW 33Beforetheface-to-facewiththeemployer,thetelephoneinterview........................................... 34Preparingforyourjobinterview:ultimatetipsandtricks......................................................... 36Howtomakeanunforgettableimpressionatyourjobinterview................................................ 37Howtocopewiththetoughestinterviewquestions................................................................. 39Themostembarrassingcandidateslip-ups............................................................................. 41Tipsfortheidealinterviewoutfit.......................................................................................... 43Howtohandlethesalaryissueforyournewjob..................................................................... 44Evaluateyourjobinterviewandprepareforthenextone......................................................... 45Theartoffollowinguponajobinterview.............................................................................. 47

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?INTRODUCTION

You’re within an inch of becoming the most desirable candidate! Competitioninthejobmarketistough.Havingtherightqualificationswon’tbeenoughtomakeyoustandoutasyouwon’tbetheonlypersonwiththoseattributes.

Toswaytheoddsinyourfavour,it’sworthlearningtheinsandoutsoftheapplicationprocess.StepStone’sapplicationexpertswillhelpyoumakethecasethatYOUaretheidealcandidateforthejob.

Thisguideisdividedintofoursections:

• whattoincludeinyouronlineande-mailapplications• howtocreateaCV• theimportanceofacoverletterandhowtowriteit• tipsforyourjobinterview

There’snoneedtogothroughthewholeguide.Eachsectionworksinonitsown,sojustpickthetopicsyouhaven’tyetmastered.

Butofcourse,simplyreadingthisguidewon’tgetyouwhereyouwanttobe.Thatwilldependonyouputtingouradviceintopracticeandtailoringittoyourprofileandneeds.

Sharethisguidewithpeopleyoucareabout,itcouldreallydothemafavour!

In need of a fulfilling new job? Well,soaremanyotherpeoplearoundyou.

Then why should you believe you stand a chance? BecauseStepStonehasreceivedalotoffeedbackfromrecruitersaboutjobapplicantsovertheyearsandwe’vedecidedtoshareitwithyou!

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Employerspreferonlinejobapplications.ThisfactwasrevealedbyaStepStonesurvey1thatshowedthatmorethan80%ofemployersannouncetheirvacanciesonline.TheymostlydosoontheirownwebsitesorthroughjobsiteslikeStepStone.Nearly70%ofrecruitersindicateapreferenceforreceivingjobapplicationsbye-mail,with20%askingapplicantstocompleteanonlineapplicationform.

ONLINE AND E-MAIL APPLICATIONS1

Applying by e-mail or through a job site

Applying via an online form

1StepStonesurveyofemployersandjobapplicants,onrecruitmentandapplicationpracticein2010-2011,undertakenineightEuropeancountries

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Whenyouapplyforajobbye-mail,it’simportantthatallyourcommunicationsareasprofessionalastheywouldbeifyouweresendingaprintedCVandcoverletter.

Somecompaniespreferyoutoapplyviathejobsite,wheretheyaskyoutoanswerafewintroductoryquestionsandattachanyapplicationdocuments.

Thesearetheitemsyoushouldincludewiththistypeofapplication:

• Acover letter—tailoritasfaraspossibletothejobyou’reapplyingfor.Anyoneusingastandardletterrunstheriskofbeingseenasuninterestedorunmotivated.

• ACV,withorwithoutaphoto—werecommendyouadaptyourCVtothejobyou’reapplyingfor.

• Copies of diplomas or certificates—just18%ofapplicantsincludecopiesofthesewiththeirapplications,butabout40%ofrecruitersfindthemuseful.Sowesuggestyoutry,wheneverpossible,toincludethemwithyourapplication.

Youmightbeaskedtofillinanonlineapplicationform.

InthesecasesyoumightnotneedtosendyourCVandcoverletter,astheircontentmaybeincludedintheformyousubmitonline.Somecompaniesfinditmoreconvenienttousethistypeofapplicationtomakeiteasiertorecordallthecandidates’data.

Themaindifferencehereliesinthefactthatyouwillhavetosticktotheoptionsofferedtoyoubythesystem.Forexample,ifyoudon’tfindthenameofyourdegreeinthepre-definedlistofqualifications,youshouldselecttheoptionthatistheclosest.Alternatively,youcouldselect“Other”ifitisoffered,butyouthenruntheriskofnotbeingincludedinanautomaticselection.

Applying by e-mail or through a job site

Applying via an online form

1. ONLINE AND E-MAIL APPLICATIONS

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TheidealCVdoesnotexist.SomepeoplestarttheirCVwiththeireducationandtraining,otherswiththeirexperience,andothersamixtureofboth.

ThechronologicalCVisthemostclassicapproach,listingeducationandprofessionalexperienceinreversechronologicalorder.Thispresentationisthebestifyourworkexperienceandyourmostrecenteducationandtrainingarethemostrelevanttothepositionforwhichyouareapplying.

Butifyouwantacareerchange,youmaydecidetodrawmoreattentiontoyourknowledgeandskills.Thisway,candidateswhohavenoexperienceintheareainwhichtheywanttoworkcandemonstratethattheyarestillsuitableforthejob.BeginyourCVwithspecificknowledgeorprojectsonwhichyouhaveworked.Freelancerscan,forexample,usethisformofresumétoemphasisetheirmostrelevantprojects.Peoplewhohave‘holes’intheirCVoftenoptforthisapproachaswell.

CheckthissectionfortipsonhowtowriteyourCVandwhattoincludeinitinordertodrawtherecruiter’sattention.

2 YOUR CV

Tips for an effective CV

How to give your CV that little extra

That fatal mistake on your CV you wish you hadn’t made

Don’t get caught in a lie

Tips for a perfect layout

Include a photo or not?

Put your CV online

There’s nothing like a good example

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Onceyou’vedecidedwhichtypeofCVyouwanttowrite,makesureyousticktoafewguidelines,listedbelow.Theymightseemobviousatfirstsightbutaresoeasytoforgetthatit’sworthtakingalookthroughthem.

No missing information RecruitershopetofindanswerstoalloftheirquestionswhilebrowsingyourCV.Soit’suptoyoutoputforwardallthekeyattributesrelatingtoyouandthejobroleinquestion.Experience,education,leisureinterests,...specifyanythingthatwillconvincerecruitersofyourqualities.Youcanofcoursementiontheareainwhichyouwanttowork.

A clear structureItshouldbeeasyforrecruiterstofindtheinformationthey’relookingfor.SothestructureofyourCVisasimportantasitscontent.Ifrecruiterscan’tgettheinformationtheywantataglance,yourchancesofgettingapositiveresponsewillreduce.Souseaclearstructurewithparagraphsandrelevanttitles.

An attractive layoutTrytouseapleasantlayoutwhichencouragesreading.Thismaytakealittlelonger,butitisimportantifyouwantyourCVtostandout.LaterintheguidewewillgiveyousometipsonhowtoimproveyourCVlayout.

Important information at the top of your CVTheexpression“savethebestforlast”doesn’tapplytoaCV!Yourworkexperience,qualificationsandotherrelevanttrainingshouldcatchtheeye.Don’tburythemattheendofyourCV:specifythemclearlyatthestart.Whenitcomestoyourexperience,itisusefultogiveanoverviewofthetasksyouperformed(whichpreferablyhaverelatetothejobforwhichyouareapplying).

Include relevant information onlyWhenarecruiterbrowsesyourCV,theiraimisofcoursetogettoknowyou,buttheydon’tneedtoknoweverything.Ifyouhavetakenalargenumberofcourses,there’snopointlistingthemall.Justincludethemostrelevantonesforthejobroleyouseek.Itisalsonotnecessarytomentionyourschool.

In an unsolicited application, indicate the type of job you’re looking for clearlyDoyouknowexactlywhatyouwant?Sayit!IndicateinyourCVthetypeofworkyouarelookingfor.Recruiterswillthentakethisintoaccount.Thisappliesespeciallywhenyoumakeanunsolicitedapplicationorwhenyouapplyforapositionyouhaveneverworkedinbefore.


2. YOUR CV

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Visible contact informationAsyoucertainlywanttobeinvitedassoonaspossibleforaninterview,makeyourcontactdataclearlyvisibleatthetopofyourCV,sothatrecruiterscanfinditquickly.Youcanevenputthemintheheadersothattheyautomaticallyappearonallpages.

Language skillsDonotforgettomentionyourlanguageskillsastheabilitytospeakanotherlanguagemaybearequirementofsomejobs.

Concise but completeRecruitersgenerallyhavelittletime,solimityourselftotwopages,nomore.It’sunlikelyamuchlongerCVwouldbereadinfull.Avoidleavinggapsinyouremploymenthistorybecausetherewilldoubtlessbesomequestionslater.Youwereunemployedatsomepoint?Justsayso.

A proper name for your CV fileMakesureyoudon’tgiveyourCVanincomprehensiblefilename,suchas:FG74PLNT_30002_KJ.pdf—trytouseafilenamealongtheselines:CurriculumVitae_VanessaHall.pdf.Thiswillbemuchclearertorecruiterswhenthey’resavingandopeningyourfiles.Andifyoudecidetoincludethenameofthecompanyinthefilename,justmakesureit’stherightone.


2. YOUR CV

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We’veseenthebasicrulesforwritingaCV.Ifyoufollowthem,yourCVwillbecompleteandofgoodquality.Butit’snotalwayswisetoapplythesameruleseverytime.SohowcanyougiveyourCVthatlittleextrathattheothersdonothave?

Hereareafewideas,buttrygivingfreereintoyourownimagination.

Give your CV an original look AnoriginalCVisprobablynotappropriateforajobinfinance,butcanbeanassetwhenyouapplyforacreativejob.There’sthestoryofaguywhosentthecompanyhewantedtoworkforashoewithanoteattachedthatsaid:“togetmyfootinthedoor.”ThiskindoforiginalCVcanworkreallywellasitstandsoutfromtherestofthebatch.

Howeverthisdoesnotmeanyoushouldoverdoit—sometimesit’sbettertostaymorefactual.FirstthinkofaconceptforyourCVandusethisasabasetoshapeit.Andchoosesomethingthatsuitsyou:yourCVmayreflectapartofyourpersonality.Trytofindabalanceandmakesureallofthecontentisreadable.

Use an appropriate structureItissometimesusefultoslightlymodifythestructureofyourCV.Forinstance,ifyouhaveworkedformanyyearsbuthaveheldseveralpositionsindifferentsectorsyoucanclassifyyourexperiencebyfunction.Imagineyouhavesomeexperienceintheareasofadministrationandsales,andalsoasamarketingmanager.Ifyouareapplyingforasalesposition,thenit’syourexperienceinsaleswhichwillbethemostrelevant.Soitwouldmakesensetogroupallyoursalesexperiencesothatyouremployercanimmediatelyseeyourexperienceinthisarea.

Content — a key factorEvenifyougivefreereintoyourcreativitywithregardstothelayoutandstructureofyourCV,yourCVmusthoweverstillbeclearandreadable.Youwillnotsucceedifyouusecomplexsentenceconstructionsorunnecessarilyformalwords.Soavoidusingsentencessuchas“from2007tothepresentday,IhavebeenanemployeeatCompanyXinBrussels.”Thephrase“from2007tothepresentday”canbereplacedby“since2007”“andinsteadof“beinganemployee”youjust“work”foracompanyinBrussels.ItisdifficulttoavoidalljargonwhenwritingaCV,buttrynottouseittoomuch.Ifyourlastjobwasforexample“corporatecommunication,marketingandpressofficerBenelux”,citebrieflytheresponsibilitiesthatyouwereassigned.

Give a personal touch to your CVEvenifyou’renotadesigner,youcangiveyourCVapersonaltouch.Donotyoujustlistyourskills—forexample,avoid“knowledgeofMSOffice”and“flexible”butrathersaythatyouareanenthusiasticpersonwhoenjoysworkingwithinateamandwhodoesn’tgiveupeasilyunderstressfulsituations.Ifyouarepassionateaboutwine,sports,movies,books,etc,donothesitatetomentionitinyourCV.Butonlyifsuchinformationisrelevantinthecontextoftheroleorifyourhobbiestelltherecruitersomethingaboutyourpersonality.YoucanalsoaddaphototoyourCV.Laterinthisguide,you’llfindsometipsonwhatkindofpictureyoushouldinclude.

How to give your CV that little extra

2. YOUR CV

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Areyouonlyrarelyinvitedtoaninterviewandwonderwhy?Itcouldsimplybebecauseyou’vemadeoneofthefollowingmistakesinyourapplication.SoitmaybetimetoexamineyourCVcloselytoensureyouhaven’tmadethesortofmistakesthatcanbeyourdownfall.Herearesomeofthethingstoavoid.

Jokey e-mail [email protected][email protected]’treadwellinyourcontactdetails.YoushouldalsoavoidsendingyourCVfromthistypeofe-mailaddress.Inanycase,thereisagoodchancethatyoure-mailwouldgetblockedbytherecipient’sspamfilter.

Irrelevant informationAvoidgivinginformationthatisoflittleornointerest.Youcanmentionyourhobbieswithoutgoingintodetail,so,ifyouarepassionateaboutmovies,don’tstartlistingyourfavouritedirectors.Dittoregardingyourworkexperience.Yoursummerjobatthebakeryisnotveryimportantifyouareapplyingforapositionasanengineer.Andthereisnoneedtomentionyourexamresultsunlessyouareapplyingforajobasascientificcollaboratorandhavegraduatedwithhonoursintherelevantbranchrelatedtothefunction.

Friends as referencesIfyoumentionreferences,relyonsomeoneyouknowinaprofessionalcontext—andaskthatpersonfirstifyoucanincludethemonyourCV.

Your reason for leavingThequestionaboutwhyyouleft(orwanttoleave)yourpreviousemployerwillprobablyariseduringyourinterview.ItisnotnecessarytoincludethisinformationinyourCV.Butdoprepareyourselftoanswerthisquestionandmakesureyouhaveabetterreasonthan“mycompanycarwasnotbigenough”.

Strange fonts or symbolsACVisnottherightplacetotryunusualfontsororiginalsymbols.ItwilloftenbeperceivedasalackofmaturityanditispossiblethattherecipientwillnotevenmanagetoreadyourCViftheircomputercan’trecognisethefontyouuse.Keepitsimpleunlessyouareapplyingforacreativejobforwhichyoumuststandout.Whateverhappens,itisimportantthatyourCVisalwaysclear.

Overly complicated wordsHRpeoplemightnotbeawareofthetechnicaljargonrelatedtoyourjob:limitingyouruseofitwillmakeyourCVamuchmoreenjoyableread.


2. YOUR CV


LiesNeverlieinyourCV.Thetruthwillalwayscomeout.RecruitersareexpertswhocandetermineattheinterviewifyouhaveliedinyourCV.There’smoreonthisinthenextsection.

DisorderNotoneHRmanagerwillmaketheefforttoconsultaCVaslongasyourarmthatdoesn’thaveachronologicalorotherlogicalorder.Besuretohaveastructure,keepitbrief,andlimityourselftotheinformationthatwillbedecisiveinthefirstphase.

Holiday photoYoucanincludeaphotoofyourself,butitgoeswithoutsayingthatitshouldn’tbeapictureofyouwearingyourmostalluringbeachattire!


2. YOUR CV


Manyapplicantsthinkit’soktoexaggerateintheirapplication.Lyingaboutsoftskillsorareasofresponsibilityinpreviousjobsis,infact,prettypopular.

Whocouldcheckit?Theprobabilityofbeingcaughtlyingisquitelow.However,whenforeignlanguageskills,userskills,andstaysabroadareexaggerated,theriskoftheliebeingexposedisprettyhigh.Languageskillscanbecheckedduringajobinterview,forexample.

HRprofessionalsalsohaveatrainedeyeforfibbers.Peoplewithnervousfacialexpressionsanduncertaingesturesatajobinterviewdecreasetheirchancesofgettingthejob.Andmissingexperienceorinadequateknowledgewillbeexposedintheworkplaceanyway.

Foremployers,lyingintheCVisfarfromatrivialoffence.Ifyourlieisexposed,youcouldbedismissed—evenyearsafteryouwerehired.

It’sespeciallyprecariouswhenhighereducationorworkcertificatesareforged.Theveracityofsuchcertificatescanusuallybecheckedbyphone.Youareliabletoprosecutionwhenforgingdocuments.

Don’twanttobecaughtinalie?Thenouradviceisnevertotellalie.Liesarealwaysfoundoutintheend.

Don’t get caught in a lie

2. YOUR CV


YoushouldknowbynowwhattoincludeinyourCV.Andifyoustillhavedoubts,justgobackovertheprevioussections.

Inadditiontothecontent,theformatofyourCVisalsoimportant.AclearlayoutwillappealtoemployersandmakethemwanttoreadyourCVandwillalsomakeiteasyforthemtofindtheinformationthey’relookingfor.Herearethe10 golden rules for a perfect CV layout:

Keep to two pages maximumYourCVshouldn’tbelongerthantwopages,otherwisetherecruiterwillneverreaditthroughtotheend.Ifyoudonothavemuchexperience,don’ttrytomakeyourCVlongerbyaddinguselessinformation.Youhavemanythingstomention?Thentrytoselectthemostimportantinformation.

Use clear headingsPutyourheadingsandsub-headingsinboldorinabiggerfont.ThiswillhelprecruitersquicklyunderstandthestructureofyourCVandfindthespecificinformationtheyarelookingfor.Youcanalsoputsomekeywordsinboldinsidethetextsothattheystandoutbetter.Howeverdonotoverdoit.

Use indents and bulletsForabetterstructureyoucanalsouseindentsandbullets—theywillmakeyourCVlighterandclearerbutagain,don’toverdoit.

Choose a legible font ThecontentofyourCVisessentialandyoumustdoeverythingsothattherecruitercanreaditwithoutdifficulty.So,usethesamefontinyourCVandcoverlettertostaycoherent.Preferablychoosefontsize12forthetext(headlinescanbelarger):thisistheperfectsizeandalsothemostcommonlyused.AndchooseastandardfontavailableonallcomputersotherwisetherecruitermayliterallybeunabletoreadyourCV.

Make your contact details visiblePutyournameandaddressintheheaderatthetopofthepagesothattheyareimmediatelynoticeableandaredisplayedautomaticallyonallpages.Therecruiterwillbeabletocontactyoumoreeasilyforafirstinterview.

Keep a sober designDonotusetoomanydifferentcoloursinyourtext—preferablysticktoblack.Applyingforacreativefunction?Thenyoucandaretousecoloursandanoriginaldesign.


2. YOUR CV

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Print on white paperIfforanyreasonyouneedtoprintyourCVuseordinarywhitepaper.Applyingforajobisaseriousmatter,socolouredpaperisnotrecommended.

Use wide marginsSetwidemarginsandusethesamemarginsoneachpage.ButdonotoverdoitastoomuchemptyspaceonyourCVwillshowtheinterviewerthatthereisnotmuchcontent.

Be consistentThekeyistobeconsistent,bothintermsofthecontentandtheformatofyourCV.PrintyourCVbeforesendingit,andcheckthatyouhaveusedthesamestructure,titlesandfontthroughout.

Do not exaggerateThisisthegoldenruletoapplytoeachofthesetips.Donotexaggeratebyusingtoomanybulletpoints,toomanyboldwords,toomanyupper-caseletters...UsecommonsenseandmakesurethatyourCVisniceandneat,andthattherecruitercanfindallthekeyinformation,suchasyoureducationandexperience.


2. YOUR CV

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“Isitreallynecessary?”That’sthefirstquestionyoushouldaskyourselfwhenyouthinkaboutattachingaphototoyourCV.Whilesomejoboffersdemanditexplicitly,othersleaveituptoyou.

AStepStonesurveyrevealedthatabout45%ofrecruitersdon’tthinkthere’sanyneedforaphotoonaCV.Ifyoudochoosetosendonehowever—tomakeyourCVstandout,forexample—hereareourfivegoldenrulestohelpyouchoosetherightpicture.

Don’t use a holiday or other informal photoAphotoofyouonthebeachinyourbestswimmingcostumewillperhapsmaketherecruitersmile,butisnotreallythebestwaytomakeagoodimpression.Rememberthatyouaretryingtofindajob,andyourfutureemployerislookingforsomeoneprofessional.It’sbettertouseapassport-stylephoto,takenagainstaneutralbackground.

Prefer a neutral photoTheimpactofincludingaphotoonyourCVcanbehuge,evenifitisonlyanIDpicture.Thepersonwhoseesitwillautomaticallyformanopinionofyou.Yourhair,clothes,jewelleryandevenyourglassescanunintentionallyrevealinformationaboutyourpersonality,andatbestcangiveafalseimpression.Youshouldthereforeoptforaneutralpicture,avoidingextravagantoreccentricclothingandjewellery.

Look professional Yourphotomustshowtherecruiterthatyouareprofessional,thesamewayyouwouldattheface-to-faceinterview.Makesureyoulookthesameonthepictureandattheinterview.Ifyou’regoingtowearasuitattheinterview,useaphotoofyouinasuit,oratleastasmartshirt.

Dare to smileAneutralphotoandprofessionallookdonotmeanyouhavetoseemboringandoverlyserious.It’srecommendedthatyousmileattheinterview,andthesameappliestoyourCVpicture.Thelogicissimple:withaspontaneoussmile,youshowyourbestside.You’lllookmuchnicerandtherecruiterwillseeinyousomeonewarmandhuman.

Do not forget your profile pictures on the internetRememberthatemployersoftenbrowsetheinternettofindadditionalinfoaboutcandidates.SopaycarefulattentiontothephotosyouputonsocialnetworkssuchasFacebookandTwitter—andespeciallyonLinkedIn,whichisseenprimarilyasatoolforprofessionalnetworking.Ifyoupostaphotoonyourprofile,followthesamerulesasforthephotoonyourCV.RemembertoothatsomerecruiterswilltakealookatyourFacebookprofile,evenifyouusethisplatformonlyforprivatepurposes.Youmaywanttochecktheprivacysettingsofyouraccount...andwatchoutforsillypictures!

Wehopetheabovetipswillhelpyouchoosetherightphoto.Inanycase,photoornot,it’sthecontentofyourCVthatprevails.

Include a photo or not?

2. YOUR CV


Why should you create an online CV?Whatisthebestwaytofindthejobofyourdreamsintheshortesttimepossible?Searcheveryjobsiteandvisiteveryrecruitmentagencyeveryday?Itisobviouslyimportanttoknowwhat’shappeninginthejobmarketbutdonotforgetthere’sahiddensidethatshouldn’tbeunderestimated:companiesthemselvesarelookingfornewemployees.

Andnotalljobsarepublishedupfrontbeforeacompanystartsearching—someprefertostayanonymousforexample.

Tofindtheonepersoninamillionemployersdon’tjustwaituntiltheyreceiveapplications.TheysearchCVdatabases.

Foryoutobeconsidered,theserecruitersmustbeabletofindyou.SoputyourCVonlineandnevermissajobopportunity!StepStoneoffersyouthispossibility.

Put your CV online

2. YOUR CV

Here are some tips for creating your online CV at StepStone

• Firstcreateanaccountonthesiteandfillinyourpersonaldatacorrectly,makingsuretherearenomistakes.Specifyane-mailaddressthatyoucheckregularly.

• GiveyourCVaname.ThisisthefirstpieceofinformationrecruiterswillseewhenbrowsingtheCVdatabase.

• Describeyourselfinonelinetospecifywhatyouwantandattracttheattentionofrecruiters.Areyoulookingforasalesmanagerfunction?Hereisanexampleofaone-linedescription:‘results-orientedsalesmanager’.

• Beasspecificaspossibleaboutyourworkpreferencesinordertoavoidbeingcontactedforjobsthatdonotinterestyou.

• RecruiterslookingforcandidatesinourCVdatabasecanalsoorienttheirsearchbasedonknowledgegrids.Youdonothavetomentionallyourskillsbut,bydoingso,youincreaseyourchancesofbeingfound.

• Youcurrentlyworkforacompanyorwouldliketopreventaspecificcompanybeingawareofyourjobsearch?YoucaneasilypreventthemfromseeingyourCVonStepStone.SimplyexcludethemandyoucanputyourCVonlinewithoutfear!

• Giveenoughinformationaboutyourworkexperience.Andifyouhavealotofexperienceunderyourbelt,givemoreattentiontothemostrelevantskillsforthetypeofjobyouarelookingfortoday.

• Onelastpieceofadvice.UpdateyourCVregularly.Informrecruitersaboutthelatestsoftwareyouhavediscovered,theskillyou’veacquiredmostrecently,oreventhelatesttrainingcoursethathasenrichedyourknowledge.UpdatingyourCVregularlyisagoodidea,asthemostrecentlyupdatedCVsautomaticallyappearatthetopofthelistwhenrecruiterssearchourdatabase.


NowthatyouhavealltheinformationyouneedtocreateacompellingCV,it’stimetobringittolife.Here’sanexamplethatmighthelpyou.ItisaclassicCVthatusesthechronologicalwayofpresentinginformation.Donothesitatetoshowalittlemorecreativityifrelevantfortheposition.

There’s nothing like a good example

2. YOUR CV


2. YOUR CV

HaveyoueverGoogledyourselftoseewhatresultscomeup?

Agoodonlinereputationisbecomingmoreandmoreimportantasemployersincreasinglyuseinternetsearchesaspartofthehiringprocess.Thesesearchesletthemgatherinformationaboutcandidatesthatmightnotcomeoutduringthejobinterview,forexample.Soit’smoreimportantthanevertotakecontrolofhowyou’reperceivedonline,andavoidjeopardisingyourchancesofbeinghired.

StepStonehasputtogethersometipsonmanagingyouronlinereputationthatwillhelpyouprotectyourdigitalidentity—andgetitworkingforyou.

Check on a regular basis what’s being said about youDon’tforgettoalsochecktheimagesthatcomeupwhenyoutypeyournameintoGoogle.You’llbeabletoseewho’staggedyouonFacebookwithanopenprofile,forexample.Andifyoudon’twanttomissanythingthatgetsreferencedonGoogle,youcansetupGoogleAlertsforfree.

Be careful what you say on social mediaUsegoodjudgmentandcommonsensewhenmanagingyoursocialmediaprofiles.Ifyoujustcan’thelppostingcertaintypeofphotosorcomments,makesurethey’revisibletoaprivateaudienceonly.Anddon’tsayanythingonlinethatyouwouldn’tsayfacetoface.

Beef up your privacy settingsIfyoumentionreferences,relyonsomeoneyouknowinaprofessionalcontext—andaskthatpersonfirstifyoucanincludethemonyourCV.

Protect access to your accountUseasafepasswordanddon’tshareitwithanyone.Andbeforeacceptingacontactrequest,makesureit’sfromsomeoneyouknow.

Register your nameToprotectyourname,startbyregisteringwiththemainsocialnetworks.Thiswillpreventanyoneelseusingyourpersonaldetailsinaninappropriateway.

Make the most of your social media profiles and activityUsethesocialmediaplatformsyou’reregisteredontoshowcaseyourskillsandachievements,shareyourprofessionalinterests,andwritearticles.Forexample,youcouldcreateaninfographicCV,uploadavideoCVtoYouTube,orevenpostyourlatestvideoworkonVimeo.

Putting your online reputation to work

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2. YOUR CV

Clean up your online reputationIfyoudiscoversomeinformationaboutyourselfthatyouwanttoremove,checkwhetheryoucandeleteityourself.Otherwise,askthepersonresponsibleforittountagyou,orcontacttheownerofthewebsite.Ifyoudon’tgetaresponse,oryourrequestisrefused,trysettingupsomemoresocialmediaaccounts,togetthemhigherupintheGooglerankingthantheunwantedinformation.Therearealsospecialistagencies—ereputationcleaners—thatcanbeusefultocallonifyoucan’tdoyourownclean-upontheweb.

Set up your own website or blogCreatingyourownwebsiteorblogisanotherwayofburying“thebad”bypromoting“thegood”.Ontopofthat,withyourownwebsiteorblog,you’llhavetheidealplatformonwhichtohighlightyourskillsandtalent,andcomeacrossasevenmoreprofessional.

Putting your online reputation to work

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Fewerandfewerpeoplelookingforanewjobattachacoverlettertotheirapplication,andmanypeopleaskusifthisletterisstillrequired.Theanswerisindisputable:OFCOURSE!

Inthissectionyouwillfindsomeverygoodreasonsforandadviceaboutcoverletters.

3 YOUR COVER LETTER

Why should you include a cover letter?

Get started with your letter

Checklist for an effective cover letter

Provide targeted expertise

The most common mistakes we see in cover letters

Format of your cover letter

Cover letter example


Whenwespeakofcoverletter,wegenerallymeantheletteryousendbye-mail,notbypost,whichisnolongercommon.

Werecommendthatyouputthecontentofthatletterdirectlyinthebodyofyoure-mailsothattherecruiterdoesn’tneedtoopenanextrafile.Whenapplyingviaanapplicationformhowever,youmightnothavethechoicebuttoattachyourcoverlettertoyourapplication.

Agoodcoverletteristhekeytosuccess.Generally,companiesstruggletofindnewemployeeswhomeettheirrequirements—eventhesedays.Thisistheperfectopportunitytosetyourselfapartfromothercandidatesandincreaseyourchancesoffindingthejobofyourdreams!

• Yourcoverletterallowsyoutoputyourselfforward,todifferentiateyourselffromothercandidateswhoseCViscomparabletoyoursandwhoapplyforthesamejob.YoucanincorporateargumentsthatshowwhatmakesYOUtheidealcandidateforthejob.OnaCVyoucan’tgointodetails,youhavetosticktothefacts—butyourcoverletterletsyouexplainwhythecompanyshouldhireyou.

• Yourlettercanincludemoreinformationaboutyourexperience,educationandpersonality,andwhyyouarethebestcandidateforthejob.AnalyseyourCVwithacriticaleyeandaskyourselfifeverythingisclear.Afewdoubts?Thengointomoredetailonthosepointsinyourletter.

• Youcanalsotaketheopportunitytopiquetheinterestoftherecruiter.Ifyoucanmaketherecruitercuriousaboutyou,thenit’sbecauseyouwrotetheletterwell.Thatdoesn’tmeanyoushouldbemysterious,butstating,forexample,thatyouhavesomeideasyouwouldliketoputintopracticewheninthejobmightarouserecruiters’curiosityandmakethemkeentoseewhatyouhavetooffertothecompany.

• Andlastbutnotleast...companiesreallyexpectyoutosendthemacoverletter!Theywanttolearnmoreaboutthecandidatesandfindoutwhethertheyarerightforthejob.AndifarecruiterishesitantafterreadingyourCV,yourcoverlettermightconvincethemtoinviteyouforaninterview.

Sotakethetimetowriteacoverletter—itreallyisworththeeffort!

Why should you include a cover letter?

3. YOUR COVER LETTER


Themostdifficulttaskistostartyourletter.Butthefirstparagraphisalsothemostimportantoneasitsroleistoencouragetherecruitertoreadon.That’swhywe’vededicatedasectiontohowtostartyourletterinthemostefficientway.

“Iaminterestedtoseethatyouarelookingforamanagementassistant.Istartedmytraininginofficecommunication,andsubsequentlycompletedasecretarialcollegedegreewiththeemphasison(...)”

Candidateswhoapplyforajoboftenstarttheirletterinasimilarway.Althoughitisaconcreteanddirectintroduction,itisn’treallycatchy.Rememberthatarecruiteroftenreceivesdozensorevenhundredsofcoverletters.Standingoutinyourfirstparagraphisthereforeessential!

Hereareafewideasforyoutostartyourletter:

Describe what you thought when reading the job offerThejobofferalwaysmakesyouthinkoratleastarousesyourinterest,otherwiseyouwouldn’tapply.Thinkcarefullyaboutwhatyouthoughtwhenyousawtheadforthefirsttimeandmentionitinyouropeningsentence:“WhenIreadyourdescriptionofthejobonofferatStepStone,myfirstthoughtwas:hereistheidealjobforme.I’lltrytoexplainwhyinthisletter.”

Choose an introductory sentence in connection with the businessConsiderthecompanyforwhichyouareapplying.Isitacreativeadvertisingagency?Oramoreformalfirm?Startyourletterwithasentencethatmatchesthevaluesofthecompany.

Becareful:yourobjectiveistobetakenseriouslywithoutseemingtobepresumptuous.Thinkabouthowyouwouldreacttoyourintroductorysentenceifyouwereintherecruiter’sshoes.

Highlight your interests and abilities straight awayIntheopeningsentenceofyourletter,mentionyourstrengthsandhowtheymatchwiththecompany.Forexample:“SinceIstartedlawschool,Ihavealwayswantedtoadvisecompaniesonlegalmatters.Ajobasalawyerinyourcompanywouldthereforematchmyprofileperfectly.”

Talk about current eventsRelevantnewsisimportantforallbusinesses.Thinkofatopicalissueoracurrentthemeinrelationtothepositionforwhichyouareapplying.Forexample:“Childrenareincreasinglyaffectedbyobesity.Asadietician,Iwouldliketocontributetothefightagainstthisscourge.ThatiswhyIamveryinterestedinthepostofChildren’sDieticianatyourorganisation.”

Nowthatyou’vemadeagoodstarttoyourcoverletter,takealookatournextchapterthatgivesachecklistforaneffectiveletter.

Get started with your letter



Younowhavethefirstparagraphofyourcoverletter.Nowit’stimetowritetherestofit.

Wehopethischecklistwillhelpyouavoidleavingoutanyimportantinformation.

Your CVTheCVisasummaryoffacts:youreducation,experienceandotherelementsimportanttoyourcareer.YoucanmentioncertainelementsfromyourCVinyourcoverletterbutyoushouldthentaketheopportunitytodevelopthemalittle.Youcanforexampleexplainyourthesisorthetasksthatyouwereinchargeofinagivencompany.Butdonotdosoiftheseexplanationsarenotrelevanttothejobinquestion.

Write down what the company wants to readSticktofactsthatareimportanttothereader.Asalreadymentionedabove,donotmentioninyourletterexperienceoreducationthatarenotrelevanttothepositionforwhichyouareapplying.Forexample,ifyouareapplyingforapositionthatrequiresathoroughknowledgeofEnglish,donotdescribeyourgreatcommandofDutchinstead.ButdomentionallthelanguagesyouknowinyourCV.

Give good argumentsMentionclearlyinyourcoverletterthepositionforwhichyouareapplyingandexplainwhyyouwouldliketohavethejob.Ifyouare,forexample,particularlyinterestedinthebusinessofthecompany,donothesitatetomentionit.Youhavesomeexperienceinasimilarjoborhavegainedrelevantknowledgethankstoatraineeship?Theseareallargumentsthatcanplayinyourfavour.

Give examplesExamplesarealwaysveryeffective.Someexperienceintheorganisingeventsisrequiredforthejob?Thengiveanexampleofaneventthatyouhelpedorganiseinthepast,possiblybrieflyexplainingthetasksthatyouwereassigned,thenumberofparticipantsandsoon.

Show who you areYourletterisanopportunitytosayalittlemoreaboutyourself.Ifyouareapplyingforacommercialjob,forexample,youcanwritethatyouareveryfocusedonachievingsalesresultsandwanttocontributetothedevelopmentofthecompany.Trytoshowwhatdifferentiatesyoufromothercandidateswhohavethesamequalificationsasyou.




Use a proper name for your fileSameruleasforyourCV.Ifyou’regoingtoattachyourcoverlettertoyourapplication,avoidgivingyourletteranamethat’simpossibletounderstand.Instead,nameitCoverLetter_ChrisLutonforexample.Andifyoudecidetomentionthenameofthecompanyinthename,makesureit’stherightone.

Inthenextchaptersyou’llfindactualexamplesofcoverlettercontenttohelpyouunderstandtheaboveprinciples.




Inthecoverletter,itisimportanttoconveyyourstrengthsandtodeliberatelyarouseinterestinordertomakeittotheinterview.Herearesomeexamplesofthehurdlesyouhavetoovercome.

Hurdle1:theintroduction

Wehaveseeninanearlierchapterhowtogetstartedwithyourletter.Itisthehardestpartofyourletterandmanypeoplebegintheircoverletterwithindisputablefacts.Inordertoputyourselfforwardasanapplicantimmediately,youcouldinsteadstartwithyourmostimportantpersonalcharacteristicsforexample.Thecoverletteristhekeytoyourapplication:it’syouropportunitytoquicklyconvincetherecruiterofyoursuitabilityandmarketyourselfasbestyoucan.

Youshouldtrytobeginyourletterinadifferentwayasalistofyour(former)occupationsisalreadyavailableinyourCVandit’snotnecessarytorepeatthemhere.It’sbettertostarttheletterimmediatelywithyourstrengths.Useyourcurrenttasksandcompetenciesasabasis:

Thissentencebringsinmanyqualities:leadership,projectmanagement,interdisciplinarytasks,organisationalskills,andaresponsibleandstructuredwayofworking.



“Dear Sir or Madam,

I’m interested to see that you are looking for a software engineer. I started my training in office communication, and subsequently completed a computer college degree with the emphasis on (...)”

Avoid

“Dear Mr. Smith,

As a senior development engineer, I am in charge of developing software components for electronic systems, from requirements gathering through to building prototypes.”

Recommended


Hurdle2:referencetospecificresponsibilities

Let‘sassumethatyou’rewritingthenextparagraphoftheabove-mentionedapplicationbyasoftwareengineer.Trytoavoidstatementsthataretoogeneralthatcouldalsoworkforacompletedifferentposition.

Insteadtrytoincludespecificstatementsaboutyoursoftskills:

Donotlettherecruiterdecidewhatisimportantintherole.Doyouwanttocontinuetoworkmainlyindependently?Thenstatethisclearlyinyourletter.Ifteamworkisparticularlyimportanttoyou,thensayso.Don’tforgetwhatisexpectedinthejobandwhatyouconsidertobeparticularlyimportantinthisposition.



“I have proved my organisational skills as well as my talent for structured multi-tasking, many times over.”

Avoid

“I am used to carrying out tasks independently, but also enjoy working within a team.”

Avoid

“I was quickly given overall responsibility for the architecture, implementation, design and server maintenance.”

Recommended


Alsoavoidphrasesthatprettymuchapplytoalloccupationalgroups.Applicantsoftentrytoincludemanysoftskillsinthecoverletterandlistthemwithoutathought.

It’sessentialtoincludethesoftskillsthejobrequiresbutyouneedtobackthemupwithfacts:

Hurdle3:inappropriatemodesty

Avoidusingconditionalphraseswhereverpossiblebecausetheyconveyuncertainty.Youwanttoachieveaprofessionalgoalandyouhavetobecredible.Itisbettertomentionconcreteexamplesofprofessionalsuccess.



“My personal strengths include flexibility, as well as teamworking skills and rapid take-up of new tasks.”

Avoid

“I would like to reinforce your team.” “I could clearly imagine that I’d fill the vacant position well.”

Avoid

“When I had to suddenly take over the portfolio of a colleague who retired, I was able to quickly become familiar with the new field of activity and managed to expand the existing customer base with new customers within a short space of time.”

Recommended


Youwillbeespeciallycredibleifyoucancomeupwithreferencestoconfirmyourstatements:

Hurdle4:referencetothecompany

Ineachcoverletteryoushouldrefertothehiringcompany.Ofcourse,itisimportantfortherecruitertofindoutwhyyouwanttoworkatthiscompany.Thestatementsbelowarecommonexamplesofhowcandidatestrytosneakinareferencetotheorganisation.Butneitherphraseisreallymeaningful.Evenifyouwritemanyapplications,youshouldtakethetimetoobtaininformationabouteachcompany.Howaretheyorganised,whatisthecurrentmarketsituationlike,etc.?

It’sbettertoaskyourselfwhythiscompanyinparticularinterestsyouandtrytoprovideaspecificstatement.



“My former boss, Mr. XX, who was budget director at XX, can testify how I won back a long-lost customer through persistence and creative ideas. You can call him on xxx for confirmation.”

Recommended

“Because I can imagine a career in the finance industry and because you are currently the largest bank in Germany, I’m sending my application to you.”

“I very much like the international image of your company.”

Avoid

“I have read that you’re planning to focus more on the younger audience by increasing your card portfolio. I have worked in the finance industry for many years and am particularly interested in how younger people manage their budgets. I had the chance to be involved in a programme about credit issues for young people and have always hoped to be able to work with that audience again.”

Recommended


Anerrorinacoverlettercanbefatal.Asimplespellingmistakecannegativelyinfluencetherecruiterandmeanyoudon’tgetinvitedforaninterview.Youshouldthereforemakeeveryefforttosendanerror-freecoverletter.Youwillfindbelowanoverviewofothercommonmistakesandsometipsonhowtoavoidthem.

Addressing a female recruiter using ‘Mr.’ or vice versaItmayseemlikeanobviouserrortoavoidbutitdefinitelydoesoccur.Itisthereforebettertoaddressthecontactpersonbynameinsteadofstartingaletterore-mailwith“DearSir”or“DearMadam.”However,ifyoucannottellfromthenamewhetherit’samanorawoman,thendonottakearisk:useageneralformulainstead.

Failing to mention the position for which you are applyingCompaniesoftenhaveasinglee-mailaddressforalltheirvacancies,andrecruitersusuallyhavetodealwithcandidatesapplyingfordifferentpositions,soyoushouldindicateclearlyinyourcoverlettertheroleforwhichyouareapplying—andputitinthee-mailsubjectlineaswell.Ifyoudonotdothis,therecruiterwillhavetofindthisinformationthemselveswhichwillcreateconfusion.

Failing to sell yourself in your cover letterYourCVshouldgiveanoverviewofyourcareerandeducationwhileyourletterwillexplainwhyyouarethebestcandidatefortheposition.Ifyoudon’tuseyourletterinthiswayandsimplyrepeattheinformationcontainedinyourCV,thenyouwillmissagreatopportunity.RefertojustafewelementsofyourCVinyourcoverletterandindicatewhytheymakeyoutheidealcandidate.Donotforgettohighlightyourmotivation.

Failing to include your contact information in the letterIfarecruiterfindsyourCVinteresting,theymustbeabletocontactyouimmediately.Itisthereforeimportanttoincludeyourcontactinformationclearlyinyourcoverlettersothattherecruiterdoesnothavetostruggletofindit.Youcanalsospecifythebesttimestoreachyou.

Failing to read the job description properlyIfyourefertothecontentofthejobinyourletter,makesureyouhavereadthedescriptioncorrectlyandhaven’tmisinterpretedit.Donotwrite,forexample,thatyouaretheidealcandidatebecauseyouenjoyteamworkifthere’snoreferenceatalltoteamworkinthejoboffer.Itmaybethecasethatyouwon’tneedtoworkinateamatall,whichwillmeanyourargumentisnotreallyconvincing.

Lying about your knowledge or experienceOfcourseyouwanttomakethebestpossibleimpressionontherecruiter,butdonotbetemptedtolie!Ifyoudonothaveaskillorqualitythat’simportantforthejob,itisbetternottomentionitinyourcoverletterratherthatlieaboutit.Lieswilleventuallybediscoveredanyway.




And finally: leaving spelling mistakes in your cover letterDonotsimplyreadyourletterthroughonceortwice—readittentimesifnecessary.Spellingmistakesleaveaverybadimpression—somethingyou’llwanttoavoidatallcosts!Useyourword-processingsoftware’sautomaticspellingcheckerbutrememberthiscan’tdetectallmistakes—asksomeoneelsetoproofreadyourletteraswell.



Things not to do in your cover letter

• Donotcopyanotherperson’sletter.Customiseyourletteraccordingtothecompanyandthejobyouwant.

• Donotlie.• DonotsimplyrepeateachelementofyourCV,butdescribetherelevantones.• Donotleaveanyspellingmistakes.• Avoidvaguedescriptionsaboutyourselfortheworkyouarelookingfor.Recruitersmightmisinterpretyourmessage.Itisbettertoexplainsimplyandclearlyinyourlettertheroleyouarelookingforandwhatyouaregoodat.

• Becarefulnottoexaggerateorappeararrogant,butdon’tundersellyourselfeither:sayhonestlyinyourletterwhatyouaregoodat.


Format of your cover letter


Ifthecontentofyourletteriscritical,itsformatisalsoimportant.

Yourapplicatione-mailisyourfirstcontactwiththecompany,andasyouknow,thefirstimpressionisthemostimportant.Sotoincreaseyourchancesofgettingthejob,itiscrucialtoe-mailanice-lookingcoverletter.

So:

Choose the right fontAcoverlettermustbeprofessional,soselectaplainandlegiblefont.Donotuseafontthat’stoobig;anddonotputtheentiree-mailinboldorincolour.Emboldenorcoloursomewordsinyourcoverlettertohighlightthem,butdocertainlynotoverdoit.

Use a clear structureUseparagraphsandstructureyoure-mailsothatitiseasytoread.Writeyoure-mailasyouwouldwritea‘real’letter.

Include a clear subject lineUseaclearsubjectlineforyoure-mailthatspecifiesthepositionyouareapplyingfor.Recruiterswillthenfinditeasytoputyourapplicationintherightfolderoftheirmailboxorstoreitintheirapplicationmanagementsystem.

Always clearly indicate your contact informationAsalreadymentioned,thehiringcompanymustbeabletocontactyoueasilyiftheywanttoinviteyouforanintervieworaskyouquestions.Somakeyourcontactdetailsvisible,bothinyourCVandinyourcoverletter.Makesuretherecruiterwon’thavetohuntforyourphonenumberiftheywanttocontactyou.

Mention your attachments in the letterReferinyourlettertotheattachmentsyou’resendingalongwithyoure-mail.Thatway,ifthere’saproblemwiththesendingofthee-mail,therecruiterwillknowthatyouhadattachedaCVandcanaskyoutoresendit.Ofcourseyoumustdoeverythingtomakesuretheattachmentsgettotherecruiter.Souseaformatthatcanbeopenedonanycomputer,andtrytoavoidfileslargerthan2MBastheymightneverreachtherecipient.

Followingthesetipswillhelpyoucreateaclearandlegiblecoverletter,increasingyourchancesofbeinginvitedforafirstinterview.


Cover letter example


Nowyouknowallthetricksforcreatingagoodcoverletter.

We’vealsoincludedanexamplebelowsoyouseehowtoapplyouradviceinconcreteterms.Butremember,donotsimplycopytheexample.Youshouldtrytotailoryourlettertothecompanyandjobyou’reapplyingfor.


You’vemadeittotheinterviewstage,thisisgreatnews.

However,yournotdoneyet.Youstillhavetoconvincetherecruiterthatyouarethebestcandidate.

Thereareseveralthingsyoucandoinpreparationforaninterviewthatwillallowyourskillsandexperiencetoshinethroughandmaximizeyourchancesofgettingthejob.

Inthissectionwegiveyoumanygreattipsandadvicetomakeyourjobinterviewsuccessful.

4 JOB INTERVIEW

Before the face-to-face with the employer, the telephone interview

Preparing for your job interview: ultimate tips and tricks

How to make an unforgettable impression at your job interview

How to cope with the toughest interview questions

The most embarrassing candidate slip-ups

Tips for the ideal interview outfit

How to handle the salary issue for your new job

Evaluate your job interview and prepare for the next one

The art of following up on a job interview


Wheneveryousubmitajobapplication,youneedtobepreparedforacallfromtheemployer.Asarulecompaniesusedtocalltomakeanappointmentforaninterview,butafulltelephoneinterviewismoreandmorecommon.Forsomeapplicants,theunannouncedtelephoneinterviewisanightmare.Weexplainhowtooptimisepreparationforatelephoneinterview,andwhyacallfromtheprospectiveemployerisaverygoodsign.

The purpose of a phone interview todayThetelephoneinterviewisaminiinterview.Moreandmorecompaniesconsideritakeypartoftheapplicationprocess.Theadvantagesoftelephoneinterviewsareobvious:itsavestime,effortandcosttobothyouandtheemployer.Foremployersthepreliminarytelephoneinterviewisasimplesolutiontoclearupimportantquestionsinstantly.Theywillaskyouwhyyouwanttoworkfortheircompany;theymightalsoaskformoreinformationaboutagaponyourCV,oryoursalaryrequirements.

How to prepare for a phone interviewThefirstthingyoushouldrealiseisthataphoneinterviewisagoodsign—yourapplicationhasbeenfavourablyreceivedandtheemployerisinterestedinyou.

Thesecondimportantfact:atelephoneinterviewcanhappenatanytime.Somakesurethatforeveryoneofyourapplications,youkeepbasicinformationaboutthecompanyandthemostimportantelementsofthejobdescriptionatthetopofyourmind.

Andthethirdfactisthebasicprinciple:atelephoneinterviewisaminijobinterview,sopreparecarefully!Ifyoucomepreparedwithtwoorthreemeaningfulquestions,youcomeacrossasamotivatedandinterestedcandidatebeforethefirstface-to-facemeeting.

Incidentally,ifthejobdescriptionrequiresagoodknowledgeof,say,English,youcancertainlyexpectthatthecallwillbeconductedpartlyinthatlanguage!Youshouldalsokeepsomeinformationtohandsuchasyoursalaryexpectationsandearliestpossiblestartingdate.

Absolute no-gos in a phone interviewYoucanmakeapoorfirstimpressionifyouaredifficulttoreachorhaveajokeymessageonyourvoicemail.Theworstisifyouarerudeordismissive,orinterruptthecaller.Youshouldalsoavoidaskingwhatthejobisaboutorsayingyoudon’trememberhavingappliedbecauseyou’vesubmittedsomanyapplications.


4. JOB INTERVIEW


What if the employer’s call comes at a bad time?Iftheemployercallswhenyouareatthesupermarketcheckout,itwillbeawkwardtoengageinalengthyconversation.Thesameistrueifyoudon’trememberthejobdescriptionordon’tfeelreadyfortheinterview.Inthesecases,simplyaskforthenameofthecompanyandsuggestanewtimetospeak.HRmanagersunderstandwhenyouproposealaterdatefortheinterview.Thismakesyoulookprofessionalandconfident.


4. JOB INTERVIEW

To avoid unpleasant situations in your current workplace, ask for discretion during the application process and indicate the times of day when you are most easily reachable in your application.

Extra Tip


Preparing for your job interview: ultimate tips and tricks

4. JOB INTERVIEW

Forweeksonendyou’vebeentrawlingjobsitesonthehuntforvacancies,butyou’restillgettingnoresponsetotheapplicationlettersyou’vebeensendingout.Until,oneday,youexperiencedeliveranceintheformofaphonecall:“We’dliketoinviteyoutoajobinterview.”Butdon’tgetcarriedawaythinkingthejob’sinthebag.You’reprobablynottheonlycandidatewho’sbeeninvitedforaninterview.There’sonlyonethingyoucandotohelpwiththenextstage:prepareforyourjobinterview.

Re-read the advert for the job you applied forIfyou’reactivelylookingforjobs,youmayfindyougetthevariousvacanciesconfusedwitheachother.Thatiswhyit’simportanttokeepanoteofallthevacancyads,soyoucancheckthemoveragainifyou’reinvitedforaninterview.Thatwayyou’llknowwhatsortofexperiencewillcount,theskillsyourpotentialnewemployerexpectsyoutohave,andwhetherthey’relookingforaparticularpersonalitytype.

Know the business of the company you’re applying toPreparingforajobinterviewalsoinvolvesseekingoutinformationaboutthehiringcompany’sbusiness.Attheveryleast,youshouldcheckouttheirwebsitetofindoutexactlywhatthecompanydoes,howit’sorganised,whotheCEOisandhowthebusinessoperates.Pressarticlescanalsoprovideyouwithalotofrelevantinformation.You’llcomeoverasbeingfarmoremotivatedatyourinterviewifyoucanshowthatyou’rereallyinterestedinthecompany’sactivities.

Check who will be conducting the job interviewGenerally,you’llbetoldinadvancewhoisgoingtobeatyourinterview.Itcanbetoyouradvantageifyoucheckuponwhattheinterviewerdoeswithinthecompany,alongwithanyoneelseyouknowwillbethereattheinterview.YoucanfindoutmoreaboutwhotheyareandwhattheydoviaGoogleorLinkedIn.

Questions you might expectLaterintheguideyouwillseeacompilationofthetoughestinterviewquestions.Recruitersoftenopenaninterviewbyaskingyouto“Tellussomethingaboutyourself”forexample.Soworkoutinadvancewhatyouwanttosayduringtheinterview,howyouwanttostructurewhatyouhavetosayandthepointsyouwanttoemphasise.It’salsobestifyou’repreparedinadvanceforanyquestionsaboutyourqualitiesandweaknesses,anygapsinyourCVandyourshort-termandlong-termambitions.

Prepare questions that you can ask during the interviewYouoftengetthechancetoaskquestionsattheendofaninterview.Usethisopportunitytofindoutmoreaboutthejobitself,thecompanyculture,andthepeoplewhomightbeyournewcolleaguesoryournewboss.

Check where the interview is to be heldYou’llavoidalotofstressifyou’recompletelyclearaboutwhereyouhavetogettoforthejobinterview.Alsoworkoutwhenyou’llhavetosetouttobesureofgettingthereontime.Tocoveralltheangles,jotdownthetelephonenumberforyourcontactsothatyoucanwarnthemifyou’redelayedenroutetotheinterview.



4. JOB INTERVIEW

Themomentyou’vebeenlookingforwardtosoeagerlyhasarrived.Finally,youcansetaboutpresentingyourselfatajobinterview.Takethesetipsonboard,toensurethatyoumakeagoodjobofitandmakeanunforgettableimpression.

Take care over your appearanceForyourjobinterview,youshouldwearclothesyoufeelcomfortablein,butbearinmindthecompany’sdresscodewhenyou’redecidingwhattowear.There’sasectionlaterinthisguideaboutwhattowearatinterviewasthewayyou’redressedreflectsyourpersonality,andisthereforeaveryimportantfactorinhelpingyougetthejob.

Everybody is watching youEvenbeforethestartoftheactualjobinterview,you’llbecomingintocontactwithotheremployeesatthecompany,suchasthereceptionist,anassistantorotherfuturecolleagues.Andtheimpressionyoumakeonthemisequallyimportant.Theinterviewerwilloftenaskthesepeoplefortheirfirstimpressionsofyou,soberespectfultoeveryoneyoumeet.

Think about your body languageTherecruiterwon’tjustbelisteningtowhatyousayattheinterview;they’llalsobenotingyourbodylanguage.Fromthistheycantellwhetheryou’renervousoruncertain,aswellaswhetheryou’rebeinghonestaboutspecificthings.Soshakehandsconfidentlywiththeinterviewer,smileregularlyandlookthemintheeye.You’llcomeacrossascalm,sympatheticandself-assured.Takecarenottofidgetinyourseatorwaveyourarmsaroundduringtheinterview.Trytoadoptarelaxedbutcontrolledattitude.

Show a positive mentalityItgoeswithoutsayingthatit’sbestforyoutotalkpositivelyaboutyourself,butit’salsosmarttoadoptasimilarattitudetowardsyourcurrentandformeremployers.Ofcourseyoucanbehonestaboutyourreasonsforleaving,buttrytoremainpositive.Beingnegativeaboutpreviousemployerswon’tcomeacrossasprofessional,andanegativeattitudewillleaveapooroverallimpressionwithyourinterviewer.

Be honest and factualHonestyisamustateverystageofthejobapplicationprocess,butit’sduringthejobinterview—morethananyothertime—thatyouruntheriskoftrippingyourselfupifyou’renotbeingfrank.Thismeansthatallofyouranswerstoquestionshavetobephrasedhonestlyandfactually.Anddon’twanderoffthetopic,buttelltherecruiterwhattheywanttoknow.


Finish things off nicelyYou’reoftengivenachance,towardstheendoftheinterview,toaskafewquestionsyourself.Takeadvantageofthisopportunitytoaskformoreinformationaboutthejob,thenextstagesintheapplicationprocess,thecompanyoryourpotentialcolleagues.Andrememberthatthejobinterviewisn’toveruntilyou’veleftthebuilding,sostaypoliteandbusiness-likewhiletherecruitershowsyoutothedoor.


4. JOB INTERVIEW



4. JOB INTERVIEW

Nervousnessduringtheinterviewcanruinyourchancesofgettingthejobyouwant.Don’tgetdestabilisedbytrickyquestions.Someofthemostdifficultquestionsaresocommonthatitispossibletoprepare‘irresistible’answersinadvance.

We’vegatheredalistofthemostcommonyettoughestinterviewquestions.

Tell us a little about yourselfTheonlythingtheinterviewerisinterestedinishowwellyoufittheadvertisedposition.Youhavetosellyourselfwiththatinmind,sotrytoformulateacompellingandfocusedresponsebeforetheinterview.Don’tworryifitsoundsalittleawkwardbecauseyou’veprepareditinadvance.It’sbetterthanforgettingtosaysomethingimportant.Buttrytorelaxsoitdoesn’tsoundlikeyou’velearnedyourtextbyheart.

What is your dream job like?Answerconciselyandsimply.Trytoreturnthequestionbyaskingtheinterviewertotellyoumoreaboutthevacancytheyareseekingtofill.

What can you bring to the company?Makesureyoumentionthatyoubringinexpertiserelatedtothecompany’skeybusinessobjectives.Trytoidentifyinadvancewhatisstrategicallyimportanttothecompany,perhapsbyreadingtheirannualreport,andhowyoucansupporttheminreachingthoseobjectives.

What is your expertise?Whenyouanswerthisquestion,itisenoughtoshowthatwhatyouhavelearntcanbeappliedtosolvethepracticalproblemswithwhichyoumaybeconfrontedinthejob.Ifyouknowwhatthejobrequires,youshouldbeabletoimaginewhatkindofproblemsyoumightencounter.Trytofindasimilarproblemyouhavesolvedelsewhereandbepreparedtopresentit.Ithelpstheinterviewertoseeyouasacompetentemployee.

Do your grades give a good indication of your performance in school?Donotbefooledandtrytoexcusethefactthatyouflunkedbiology.Talkaboutyourtopscoresandsaywhyyouweresogoodatthosesubjects.Ifyourgradeswereaverage,besuretomentionotheractivitiesthatyouparticipatedinduringuniversitytime.

What is the biggest mistake you ever made?Toadmityourmistakeswillgivetheinterviewapersonaltouch.Justmakesureyouconcentrateonwhatyouhavelearntfrommistakesratherthanonwhyyoumadethem.


What is your greatest weakness?“Iworktoomuch”mayhavebeentheclassicresponseintheeighties,buttoday’semployersarelookingforpersonalqualities.Talkabout“learningopportunities”suchasagapintechnicalknowledge.Trytochooseadeficiencythatcanberelateddirectlytothejobandexplainwhatyouhavedonetoovercometheproblem.Honestself-criticismwithatouchofhowyoutacklealearningopportunityshowaflexiblepersonality.

Can you work under pressure?Inanintervieweveryonewillsay“yes”tothatquestion,soifyouwanttomakearealimpression,youshouldaddsomethingextra.Onewayistogiveanexampleofhowwellorganisedyouareandpointoutthatitmakesyoulessvulnerabletostress.

Where do you see yourself in five years?Thisisyourchancetoshowambitioncombinedwithrealismandconfidence.Agoodanswermightbe:“IhopeIhaveachallengingjobthatallowsmetodevelopasaperson.”Ifquestionsareclichés,donotbeafraidtoanswerwithclichés,butdon’toverdoit.

What are your salary requirements?Thebestanswertothatquestionistosaythatyouexpectasalaryequivalenttowhatyoubringtothejob.Youshouldalsotrytomakeitclearthatyouareinterestedintheopportunitiesthejoboffers,ratherthanahighsalary.Negotiatingsalaryshouldbedoneinalaterstageoftherecruitmentprocess,notinthefirststages.

Do you have any questions?Nowisyourchancetoaskaboutthejobandthecompany.Youcantakeittoamorepersonallevelandasktheinterviewerwhytheyenjoyworkingforthecompany.Agoodwaytoendtheinterviewistoaskfortheinterviewer’sbusinesscardandsaythatyouprobablywillhaveafewfollow-upquestions.Alsoasktheinterviewerwhenyouwillnexthearfromhim.

Laterintheguide,youwillfindouthowtofollowuponaninterviewtoreaffirmyourinterestinthejob.


4. JOB INTERVIEW



4. JOB INTERVIEW

Bymanagingtogetajobinterviewyouhavealreadyovercomethebiggesthurdleoftheapplicationprocess.Nowyouonlyhavetoconvincetherecruiterthatyouaretheidealcandidateforthejob.Manyqualifiedcandidatescreatetheirdocumentsconscientiouslyandpreparethemselvesforthejobinterview.Butunfortunately,recruitersoftenmeetcandidateswhohavebarelypreparedthemselves.Hereareafewexamplesthatkeephappeningduringtheapplicationprocess.

The name of my interviewer? I have no ideaHowembarrassing:thecandidatedoesnotknowthenameoftheinterviewer,sothereceptionisthastocalleveryoneintheHRdepartmenttofindtherightperson.Thiscanbeavoidedveryeasilybytakingtheinvitationletterwithyouandhavingaquicklookatitbeforeyouenterthebuilding.

I am sorry, I don’t know what your company does Recruitersoftenaskquestionslike“Whatdoyoualreadyknowaboutthecompany?”Duringajobinterviewwiththemarketleaderinconsultancysoftwareonecandidateanswered:“YoudothesameasthecompanyX,buttheyarebetterthanyou.”Youshouldalsothinkaboutthejobyouapplyfor,andmakesureyouhaveanideaofwhatthetasksareandwhyyouaretheidealcandidateforthisjob.

I think you did a bad job thereRecruitersoftenwanttoknowyourideasandyourfeedbackandit’sfinetocriticisethecompanybutpayattentiontothewayyoudoitnottooffendyourinterviewer.Thesekindofcommentsshouldbeavoided.

“Well,Iwouldcreatethesalesdocumentsinacompletelydifferentway,andyourcompanylogoisreallyugly.Ihavealsohadalookatyourcompanypresentationonthewebanditlookslikeyouhavekeptthesamedesignasyouusedinthe80s.”

Did I put that in my CV?Ifyourinterviewerwantsyoutoexplainwhatyoulearnedonyourcomputercourse,itprobablymeansyoumentionedaparticulartrainingcourseonyourCV.Makesureyouknowrightawaywhat’sbeingreferredtoanddon’task:“Wheredidyoureadthat?”

I don’t remember the answer I read in my application manualManycandidatespreparethemselvesveryconscientiouslyforthejobinterviewbynotonlyreadingapplicationguidebooksbutliterallylearningthembyheart.Rememberthattheycanonlybeaguidelineandinterviewsarenotanexactscience.Don’tforceyourselftomentionthesestatementsinthejobinterviewonlybecausetheyaresaidtobeverybeneficial.Youshouldstandoutfromthecrowdandgiveaninterestingandoriginalpresentationaboutyourself,notastandardone.


My current boss is really annoyingWhenbeingasked“Whydidyouapplyforajobatourcompany?”or“Whatattractedyoutothevacancy?”manycandidatesstartbybeingimpoliteabouttheircurrentcompany.It’soktosaythatyouhaveissueswithyourbossorcolleaguesbuttrytoexplainwhy.Itisnotalwayseasytoexplainthereasonswhyyoudon’tlikeyourjoborwhyyouleftacompany—afterallyouwouldnotapplyforthejobifyouwere100%happywithyourcurrentjob.Trytotalkasmuchaspossibleaboutthefuture,thiswillhelpyoufindtherightwords.

My strengths? I don’t really know…Youhavetoknowverywellwhoyouareandwhatyouwanttobeabletoconvincearecruiterof.Someonewhocan’tcomeupwithanswerstoquestionsaboutprofessionalsuccesses,personalstrengthsandweaknessesormotivationwillnotonlycomeacrossasbadlypreparedbutalsoasunqualified.Youhavetobeabletopresentyourcareerfluentlyandinawellstructuredway—butthisdoesnotmeanonlylistthefacts!Prepareanswerstothemostcurrentquestionsandpracticeinfrontofyourfriendsorfamilyifyoufeelyouneedit.

I don’t have any questions, I will find everything out when I start working hereCandidatesshowinterestwhentheyaskquestionsaboutthecompany.Generallytheywillbeencouragedtodosoattheendoftheinterview.Unfortunatelymostpeoplecannotthinkofanyquestionsbythattime.Preparequestionsbutdonotfocustoomuchonthem.Itshowsyourabilitytolistenwellifyouaskquestionsaboutthingsthatcameupduringtheinterview.Yourquestionsshouldalsoberelevanttothejob.Someonewhoonlywantstoknowwhetherthereisacanteenorifovertimeisafrequentrequirementwilldefinitelynotleaveagoodimpression.


4. JOB INTERVIEW


Tips for the ideal interview outfit

4. JOB INTERVIEW

Whatshouldyouwearatajobinterview?Forwomen,asmartsuit,orsomethingsimpler?Andmen,shouldtheyoptforajacketandtie?Thereisnogoldenruleonthematterbutherearefivetipsthatmighthelp.

Try to find out the dress codeYoucangetanindicationofthedresscodeofthecompanyfromitswebsiteorinitscorporatepresentation.Look,forexample,atpicturesofmanagersonthecompany’swebsite.Iftheydon’twearasuitandtie,itisnotnecessaryforyoutowearthematinterview.

Wear something you feel good inThemostimportantthingistofeelgoodinwhatyouwearatyourjobinterview.Donotrushroundtoafriend’shousetoborrowsomethingthatdoesnotsuityou,justbecauseyouthinkyou’llfeelbetterthatway.Instead,chooseanoutfitfromyourownwardrobethatyoulikewearing.

Make sure your outfit will not distract your interviewerRecruitersprefertohaveacandidateinfrontofthemwhotakescareovertheirappearanceandgrooming,butultrashortskirtsortonsofaftershavewillnotreallybeappropriate.Dresscarefully,butdonotmakeabigdealaboutit.Aplungingnecklineoraflashyshirtwilldistracttherecruiter’sattention.Intheend,it’swhatyousaythatcounts.

Tailor the outfit to the jobSomejobshaveamorespecificdresscodethanothers.Soinmostcases,asalesdirectorwillbeexpectedtowearasuitforajobinterview,whilesomeonebeinginterviewedforacreativejobmaycomeinlessformalattire.

Keep your clothing neatWhateveryouwear,makesureyoulookneat.Stainsorholesaretotallyprohibited.Polishyourshoesbeforetheinterviewandmakesureyourhairisneatandwellgroomed.

Ifyou’reinanydoubt,it’sbettertobeabitoverdressedthantoocasual.


How to handle the salary issue for your new job

4. JOB INTERVIEW

Itisnevereasytotalkaboutmoney,evenwithyourfutureemployer.Yetitisimportanttoaddressthesalaryissueopenlywhenyougetanewjob.Herearesometipsthatcanbeusefulforthiskindofdiscussion:

• Itisimportanttoknowwhatyou’reworth.Ifyouasktoomuch,youwillseemarrogant,butifyouasktoolittle,youcouldgivetheimpressionofnothavingtherightqualificationsandnotbeingawareofthecurrentmarketsituation.

• Inmanycompanies,awagescaleexiststhatmakesitverydifficulttonegotiate.Youwillbeofferedasalaryandwillhavetodecidewhethertorespondfavourablyornot.Ifthecompanytellsyoustraightawaythatthewageispre-set,there’snopointtryingtonegotiate.

• Decidebeforehandhowfaryouarewillingtogoinyoursalarynegotiation.Youwilloftenbeofferedlessthanyouwant,soit’simportantyoudeterminetheminimumyouwouldbewillingtoaccept.

• Thepersonconductingtheinterviewmayputforwardsomeveryvalidpointstojustifyalowersalary,butdonotgetdestabilised—persevereifyoureallyfeelyou’rebeingofferedasalarywhichistoolow.

• Attheendoftheinterview,askforacooling-offperiod.Youcanthenrethinkeverythingthatwassaidduringtheinterviewwithaclearheadandmakeaconsidereddecision.

• Alwaystrytokeepyourcomposure.Itisbettertosaycalmlythatthejobdoesnotinterestyouastheofferdoesnotmatchyourexpectations,ratherthansayitaftertheinterview.Bydoingso,youleavespacefordialogueandyoucanpossiblyevennegotiateyoursalary.

• Ifitisreallyimpossibleforyourpotentialemployertoofferyouthesalaryyouask,trytonegotiateotherbenefits.Thesecancompensatealowersalary.Considerthefringebenefitsthatthecompanyoffers.Itisnotonlythenetsalarythatmatters,butalsothecar,mobilephone,healthinsurance,mealvouchersandsoon.

• Itisnotalwayspossibleforyounggraduatestonegotiatetheirsalary.Donotbetoofirminyournegotiationsforafirstjob,butmakesurethatyouaresatisfiedwithwhatyou’rebeingoffered.Yourfirstpaycheckwillprobablybeincreasedonceyouhavegainedmoreexperience.

Whatevertheoutcomeofyoursalarydiscussion,rememberthatit’sjustasalary.Thereareotherimportantaspectsofworksuchtherelationshipwithyourbossandcolleagues,andlovingwhatyoudo.



4. JOB INTERVIEW

Nowit’stimetolearnfrommistakesbyevaluatingyourlastinterview.You’llthenhaveallthetoolsyouneedtogotothenextstagefeelingmoreself-assuredandrelaxed.

Sothatyoudon’tforgetanything,writedownyourimpressionsimmediatelyaftertheinterview.

Theseareafewofthemostimportantelements:

• Howdidyoufeelduringtheconversation?Wereyourelaxedorstressed?• Didyoufeelthatyousaideverythingthatwasimportantordidyouforgetanything?• Didyoufindyourshareofspeakingtimeappropriateordidyoufeelyoudidn’thaveenoughtimetospeak?• Didthemoodchangeduringtheconversation?Atwhatpoint?• Didyoufeelthatyourinterviewerlikedyou?• Weretherequestions/situationsthatmadeyoufeelinsecure?• Doyouthinkyouexplainedyourstrengthsandmotivationclearly?• Didyoufeelyouneededtoadaptwhatyousaidaboutyourselforwereyouabletoremaintruetoyourself?• Haveyoulearnedalotaboutthecompanyandyourinterviewer?Ordoyoufeelyoudon’tknowmuchmoreabouttheworkingenvironmentandjobprofilethanyoudidbefore?

• Whatwerethepositivehighlightsoftheinterview?• Whatnegativeaspectsdidyounotice?

Thereareinterviewswhereyouonlyrealiselaterthatyougotcarriedawaybytherelaxedatmosphere,sayingthingsyouwishyouhadn’t(forexample,aboutcurrentsupervisorsandcolleagues).Oryoumighthavegivenawayquitealotaboutyourselfwhileyourinterviewerdidn’treciprocate.

Would that be your dream job?Onceyouhaveprocessedthefirstinterviewimpressions,youcandealwiththecompanyandthejob:

• Doyouknoweverythingimportantaboutthejobonofferandwhetheritwouldbetherightjobforyou?• Doyouthinkyouwouldfitintothiscompanyanddoesitmatchyourcareergoals?• Whatwasyourimpressionoftheworkingpractices,colleagues,theofficeenvironment?• Arethereanyquestionsyouwanttoclarifyinasecondinterview?• Aretherethingsyoushouldemphasisemoreinthesecondinterview(specialexperience,softskills,etc)?

Youshouldpreparewellforthesecondinterview,becausethejobstillisn’tyours.Agoodanalysisofthefirstinterviewwillhelpyoupresentyourselfevenbetterinthesecondinterview.NowthatyouknowwhatmatterstoHRandtothepersonwhowouldbeyourdirectmanager,youcanemphasisespecificstrengthsagain.Youcanalsoshowhowmuchthispositionappealstoyou:forexample,wouldyoubewillingtotakeasalarycutorhavealongcommute?

Onceyou’vemadeitfarenoughthroughtheinterviewprocess,youcanalsoasktomeetyourfuturecolleaguesifyouthinkthiswillhelpyouworkoutifyouwouldintegratewellintothecompany.


Follow-upInthenextsectionyou’llfindsometipsonhowtofollowuponyourjobinterview.Andrememberthatevenifyougeta“nothankyou”,youshouldnotbefrustrated,becauseeveryinterviewisusefulexperience.


4. JOB INTERVIEW


The art of following up on a job interview

4. JOB INTERVIEW

You’vegotthroughyourjobinterviewwithflyingcoloursandyou’renowwaitingbythephonetohearfromtheinterviewer.That’samistake!Yourworkisn’toverwhenyouleavetheinterview.Ifyouwanttoreallyburnishyourperformance,proactivelyfollowinguponthemeetingisthekeytosuccess.

Whyshouldyoudothis?

• Tomakealasting,positiveimpressionwiththeinterviewerandhopeforachanceforasecondinterview• Toclearlydemonstrateyourinterestinthejobandyourenthusiasmforthecompany• Ifthereareseveralcandidatesofroughlyequalqualitywhoareeligibleforthesameposition,theonewhoshowsthemostinitiativeistheonemostlikelytogetthejob

When should you follow up on a job interview?Ifyou’veheardnothingfromthecompanywithintwoweeks,callore-mailtheinterviewerinperson.Askwhetherthey’restillwaitingforanythingelsefromyou,andwhenyoumightexpectaresponse.Showyourinterestinthejob,buttrynottocomeacrossasbeingdesperate.

Iftheytellyousomeoneelsehasbeenappointed,trytofindoutthereasons.Keepinmindhowever,thatsomecompanieswillcommentveryvaguelyorevennotatall.Sometimestheywillnothaveanyobjectivereasons,butjustgotafeelingthatyouwouldn’tbeagoodfitpersonality-wisewithintheteam.

Whatevertheoutcome,makesureyoulearnfromyourmistakestoincreaseyourchancesofsuccessfornexttime.

Good luck with your applicationThe StepStone Team

• Stayclearofaccusationsorrudeness• Don’tletyourfrustrationtaketheupperhand• Askpolitelyandopenlywhatyoucanimproveoninthefuture.Itisverypositiveifyoushowaninterestinwantingtolearnfromyourmistakes.

Some final pieces of advice

the stepstone guide to job applications · an original cv is probably not appropriate for a job in...

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