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In tough economic times it pays to have some expert advice to be the best you can come crunch time.<\/p>\n
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CV TIPS<\/h2>\n
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1 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Make sense of your career<\/p>\n
Employers respond well to candidates who present all their learning and work as a single coherent picture. \u00a0Don\u2019t apologise for experiences \u2013 show how things knit together in terms of useful and interesting experiences, and then talk about how the job on offer is the natural next step. \u00a0You need to show that you are not after any job, but perfect for this job.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7035\/6751540423_11fb7dd3c8_z_d.jpg\" "\\"CV\\"")
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2 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hit the ground running<\/p>\n
The opening 50 words of your CV matter. \u00a0Don\u2019t waste them on background information \u2013 write a short sharp profile paragraph that sums up your work history, sector knowledge, skills, and know-how. \u00a0Avoid CV clich\u00e9s (self starter, team player, highly motivated) but show where you have made a difference in your most recent jobs.<\/p>\n
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3 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Anticipate snags<\/p>\n
Look hard at your CV and think about those areas an employer might be less certain or worried about. \u00a0Sometimes you can even say in an interview \u201cI expect you\u2019re worried about….\u201d and put fears to rest.<\/p>\n
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INTERVIEW TIPS<\/h2>\n
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1 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t waste the opening moments<\/p>\n
Many candidates lose the job in the first minute of the interview by not thinking carefully about their initial impact. \u00a0Interviewers make a quick initial decision about your personality from the moment you arrive, based on how you look and sound. \u00a0Dress as if you already work there and you\u2019ve just been promoted. \u00a0Make those initial seconds relaxed and upbeat as you can, even if you\u2019re just talking about your journey.<\/p>\n
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7163\/6751513365_2e95b4e819_z_d.jpg\" "\\"interview\\"")
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2 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t over-deliver<\/p>\n
Most candidates say too much. \u00a0Interviewers are not that interested, and will usually accept a short, positive answer and move on. \u00a0Practise compressing your evidence into good short stories no more than 3 minutes long setting out what problem you were handling, what you did, how you did it, and what the result was.<\/p>\n
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3 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t act like a stranger<\/p>\n
Leave your coat, umbrella and bag in reception. \u00a0Just take in a slim folder into the interview room containing the documents you need, and you will look like an employee rather than a visitor.<\/p>\n
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4 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t try to wing difficult questions<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t duck predictable questions about your know-how and skill level \u2013 think carefully about good examples. \u00a0Equally predictable questions cover things like strengths (talk about qualities that match the job) and weaknesses (talk about skills you are improving, and make it clear that you\u2019re a fast learner).<\/p>\n
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PRESENTATION TIPS<\/h2>\n
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1 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Remember it\u2019s an audition<\/p>\n
Whatever the topic of the presentation, the real subject matter is you. \u00a0Far more attention will be given to how you communicate and whether you look and sound the part. \u00a0Rehearse the opening and ending meticulously so you are clear and confident. \u00a0It\u2019s often a good idea to end your presentation with a good open question or a challenge.<\/p>\n
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2 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Limit your scope<\/p>\n
Poor presentations over-run or try to cram in too much material. \u00a0Provide a quick overview of the problem under discussion, analyse the key things that need discussing, and then tentatively offer solutions.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7153\/6751402757_af3af0e318_z_d.jpg\" "\\"presentation\\"")
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3 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Your presentation is the answer to the 90 day question<\/p>\n
All employers are interested to know whether you will deliver in the first 3 months. \u00a0Use your presentation to show that you will. \u00a0Don\u2019t try to offer boring textbook answers or over-ambitious solutions, but build on your experience \u2018this is what I have tried elsewhere which might be useful here….\u2019<\/p>\n
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So there you have it. Expert advice on how to Achieve<\/a> and change your prospects.\u00a0John Lees is the author of The Interview Expert (Prentice Hall) and a range of other careers titles including How To Get A Job You\u2019ll Love (McGraw-Hill).<\/p>\n See www.johnleescareers.com<\/a> for free career tools and tips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n