CV WRITERS : CV ADVICE
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Preparing For Job Interviews - A Guide |
Job Interview Preparation: Preparing for job interviews and interview preparation help. |
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Effective job interview preparation is key to job interview success. Preparing for a job interview involves several elements, including practising job interview techniques and good company research. It is also important to know your CV, understand the job description (requirements), prepare job interview answers and relevant examples to show suitability towards the job role. Practice and preparation will also help build confidence, making it easier to recall examples, information and details at interview. We outline the main job interview preparation techniques and what to look out for... |
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JOB INTERVIEW PREPARATION: Guide to preparing for job interviews and improving job interview performance. |
Job interviews should be no more than a formal discussion about a job
on offer.
Job interviews take place in a range of settings, including face-to-face, interview
panels,
auditions, over the telephone or even involve assessment centres, etc.
Regardless of the interview, effective preparation is key to overall success.
Having worked so hard to earn an interview, why waste it with a lack of preparation. Better
preparation will ultimately lead to better interview performance.
Even before attending interviews, be aware of the time, date and location appointment
as well as details of who to meet. Details should be confirmed in writing (or
email) prior to the interview, so take this information (and a map) to the appointment.
Winning CV has structured the key elements of job interview preparation. Getting these basics right will ensure a more effective interview performance. There is nothing worse than trying to find an answer under pressure knowing that effective preparation could have easily avoided such a scenario.
It is important to know & understand your CV!
>> Enables people to be more confident, assured & convincing
at interview.
>> Questions can be asked on any aspects of a CV and related experiences.
>> A well structured CV can help people recall information quickly
& give examples under pressure.
Understanding what employers are really after!
>> Looking at job descriptions can reveal what employers are really
after.
>> Employers often embellish advertisements to widen the appeal
of job roles.
>> Ambiguous terminology can hide more mundane aspects of the role.
>> Important to understand the 'true' meaning of each element.
Understanding what the employer can offer.
Job descriptions can give clues as to what employers are like and what to look
for...
>> Company performance: Good indicator =
successful or struggling?
>> Products & services; company history; growth & competition.
>> Impressions: Do you really want to work
for this company?
>> Interview success depends on thorough preparation.
Practive makes perfect!
>> Give credible examples (go through them with friends to check
relevance & impact).
>> There are only so many questions to be asked & so many examples
to give.
>> Important to have answers ready (will give you confidence
at interview).
>> Practice questioning & answering techniques with friends.
Examples will demonstrate effectiveness & suitability to role.
>> Helps to convey understanding about what have experienced,
done & achieved.
>> Highlight skills, qualities & competencies relevant to the
role (refer to the job description for ideas).
STEP 1: State the example.
State what has happened.
STEP 2: State why it is important / relevant.
Demonstrate why is this example relevant to the job role.
STEP 3: How the problem was solved (overcoming difficulties).
Demonstrating problem-solving capabilities.
STEP 4: Outcome.
State what you learnt or achieved from resolving this problem.