Interview Tips

Hey there all,

Following my blog on creating a killer CV/ Resume, I have been asked to produce some more tips , so lets go on to the next stage

Job search techniques change, the labour market changes and job descriptions change. But what more or less stays the same is the job interview. It's your chance to sell yourself. The first 30 seconds of a job interview are the most important - so if you want to be a cut above the rest you need to be on the ball. An interview is all about the three Ps. "You need to prepare, you need to practise, and then, on the day, you need to perform."



1. First impressions count


Greet your interviewer with a smile and firm handshake. Give eye contact. Try to make small talk during the walk from the reception area to the interview room. Personally as an HR Manager you have to sell yourself before you can sell anything else and the first 30 seconds are when any  interviewer subconsciously makes decisions about whether they like you or not and whether you will fit into the team.


2. Be prepared


Re-read your CV and the job advert just before the interview. Do your research thoroughly: Look at the company web site or obtain literature. You may be asked about the salary you are after so make sure you research that as well.

3. Don't waffle


Answer questions properly - even if you need a few moments' silence to collect your thoughts, It's better to say you need a minute to think about your answer rather than speak instantly and regret it afterwards.

4. Why should they hire you?


Most job adverts will list qualities they're looking for - a team worker, a good communicator - so it's up to you to think of examples of how you can demonstrate these skills. Be ready to talk about your knowledge, experience, abilities and skills. Have at least three strong points about yourself that you can relate to the company and job on offer.

5. Be positive


Your interviewer will be thinking about what it would be like to work with you, so the last thing they'll want to hear is you talking about your boss or current colleagues behind their back. Interviewers like to see someone who enjoys a challenge and is enthusiastic.

6. Remember your body language


It is not what you say, but how you say it. During the interview, do not fold your arms and lean back or look to the floor! Sit upright and try to maintain good eye contact. Use your hands and lean forward when making a point. Many people cannot think and control their body language at the same time, which is why you need to prepare.

7. Expect the unexpected


Your interviewer may try to catch you off guard, 90 per cent of employers ask 'killer' questions in interviews. It is impossible to plan for every difficult question, such as "How would your colleagues describe you?" but try to appear relaxed and in control. Ask the interviewer to repeat the question if necessary but do not evade it.


8. Develop rapport


Show energy, a sense of humour and smile. It's infectious, being positive and enthusiastic. Ask your interviewer questions about themselves and any issues the business is facing.

9. Clarify anything you are unsure of


If you are not certain what are meant by a particular question, ask for clarification. At the end, ask the interviewer if there is anything else he or she needs to know about. Do not be afraid to ask when you are likely to hear if you have been successful or not.

10. Remember your manners


It is better to choose than to be chosen. Tell the interviewer why you are interested in the company and job opportunity. Ask them for a business card and follow it up by sending a "thank-you" e-mail or letter, saying how much you enjoyed meeting them and how interested you are. Take the opportunity to detail the key advantages you bring.

By following the three Ps - prepare, practise and perform, you can turn yourself into a candidate who would not look out of place on "The Apprentice."

Until da next tyme !

Creating a winning CV/ Resume

Hey peeps,

For some of you that  are not aware, I work in Human Resources and its amazing the CVS/ Resumes that passes my desk on a daily basis.

Couple with the fact that I have friends that are always updating their CV/ Resume, I thought  would share the below information on my blog to help someone else get that dream job :)

Creating a winning CV is a feat of strategy involving focus, wording, design and content selection. To achieve a career marketing document that wins interviews, all areas of the strategy must be spot-on and consciously used in the most effective manner. One of the most common mistakes job candidates make when writing their CVs is not paying attention to strategy and word selection.

There are actually words that can have a detrimental impact on the effectiveness of the CV. When most job candidates write them, they don't consider word choice because they are primarily worried about getting down the basic information. Wording is critical and the wrong one can sabotage your CV.

The average agent and/or hiring manager sees hundreds of CVs from qualified candidates. CVs begin to look and sound the same to them. Here are some words and phrases to avoid:

Soft-skill descriptions

Job seekers feel they need to communicate their soft-skills to the employer because they believe they are the traits that make them unique, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Soft-skills are so common that recruiters pay no attention to them.

Phrases to avoid or severely limit:

- Excellent communication skills

- Strong work ethic

- Personable presenter

- Detail-oriented

Do not bore the reader to tears with these trite, overused and tired phrases. After all, no one will write that he/she takes long lunches, is lazy and argues a lot with peers. Hence, it is much more effective to write a description that is action-based and demonstrates these abilities rather than just laying claim to them. For example, rather than just stating you are an "excellent presenter," you could say "Developed and presented 50+ multi-media presentations to prospects resulting in 35 new accounts, totalling £300,000 in new revenues."

Age, health, appearance

Many seasoned job seekers are facing that scary time warp known as pre-retirement and fear age discrimination. They feel they can counter this perceived hurdle by giving a description of their age or health. But this can be death to a CV.

Phrases to avoid:


- Youthful

- Athletic

- Fit

- Healthy

- Mature

Additionally, unless specifically requested, there is no need to include personal details such as date of birth, marital status or whether you have children. This information is typically used to exclude candidates from consideration in the hiring process rather than include them. Unless the employer specifically asks, keep this information confidential.

Passive voice

Many people write in the passive voice because that is how we've been taught "formally" in school composition. The problem with the passive voice, however, is that it is just that passive! A CV needs to have punch and sparkle and communicate an active, aggressive candidate. Passive does not accomplish that.

Indicators of the passive voice:

- Responsible for

- Duties included

- Served as

- Actions encompassed

Rather than saying "Responsible for management of three direct reports" change it up to "Managed 3 direct reports." It is a shorter, more direct mode of writing and adds impact to the way the CV reads. On the flip side, whilst action verbs are great, don't overdo it.

I have actually seen:

- Smashed numbers through the roof'

- 'Electrified sales team to produce...'

- 'Pushed close rate by 10 per cent'

Take your time

A CV is a marketing document for your career just as a brochure is a marketing document for a product or service. Companies put careful thought and consideration into each and every word that goes into marketing copy and you should do the same in your CV. These words stand in your place with the employer and need to showcase you in a powerful way. In a perfect world, these things would not matter, but in the reality of job search today, they matter a great deal. Be wise - stop and give some thought to the words you choose.

Until da next tyme !