I have outlined some useful CV & Interview articles below. If you are sick of reader and want to take some positive action contact CV & INTERVIEW SERVICE IRELAND now for more information.
CV Writing
Are you struggling to land interview?
Do you feel that your CV is not doing the job?
Contact CV WRITING SERVICE IRELAND for a quote now!!
Interview Preparation
Do you struggle to sell yourself at interview? Do you suffer from interview nerves?
Do you lack the knowledge about how to prepare for interview?
Contact INTERVIEW PREPARATION SERVICE IRELAND now!!
Useful article to support jobseekers who are hitting a brick wall with their job search. The article tells you it is time to break the cycle and tweak existing strategies or to try new job search strategies.
Leading career expert Paul Mullan will be presenting a FREE presentation at 6.30pm on 25th March sponsored by the Dublin City Central Library. The topic – “Job Hunting – Creative ways to increase visibility & land more opportunities”. For more information and to book a place email businesslibrary@dublincity.ie.
For those of you who use Linkedin you can also access free tips, advice and discussions on “Measurability Careers & Jobs Club” Group on LinkedIn.
Networking is a key strategy for jobseekers to unearth jobs in the hidden job market. Invest time in this strategy and you will open yourself to more opportunities. Networking is not easy and the below article explores the topic a bit more.
Here we go again another so called expert banging on about the value of networking and creating more hype about a strategy that doesn’t deliver. I know networking works and here is a recent example which prompted my article. A participant from my outplacement workshop emailed to say thanks and informed me that they offered my networking advice to their partner who secured two interviews through Facebook within 24 hours. So you are right when you believe networking doesn’t work and you can stop reading.
Why more jobseekers (or businesses) do not use networking?
Networking requires blind faith – We cannot see the opportunities which can make it difficult for us. Advertised jobs/opportunities appeal as they are tangible whereas proactive job search is difficult as we work in the dark. Most of us need to see before we can believe BUT networking requires us to believe before we can see.
Networking is hard work – Networking requires moving out of our comfort zone (lazy zone). Then there is rejection and knockbacks. Most pitch expectations too high and expect results too soon. We don’t land results and give up.
A few pointers that help me when networking …
You know what the say about ASS-U-ME – Everybody knows somebody no matter who they are or what they do. Back in 2004 my mother had a potential lead for me. I never asked her as I assumed she wouldn’t know anyone in the IFSC. Sorry mum! Ensure that you talk to everyone!!
I just called to say…. No not Stevie Wonder “I love you” more like “How are you?” Social Media makes networking more accessible and less daunting for many. We find it easier to engage online than face to face in a room full of strangers. Ensure you take online connections offline with a phone call or meeting. You will develop stronger relationships and access more information and value.
Give and thou shalt receive – I firmly believe in this one. Helping others and not expecting anything in return will enhance your networking. Most people fall into the trap that networking is all about them. Big mistake! Go out of your way to help others.
Stay on the radar – Many think networking is about phoning all their connections and telling them what they want and the sitting back. You need to stay on the radar as out of sight means out of mind. You need to continually engage your network and not rely on one of communication.
There is much more advice but I have over shot the runway with my word count Please feel free to add tips that work for you. And I love success stories. As I posted in Measurability Careers & Jobs Club – Reading success stories can inspire others to engage and network more.
Been quite busy over the last few weeks working on a few outplacement projects and this explains the lack of activity. I have written a few posts for Bloggertone that may be of interest. These articles are all based on my belief that job search success requires – activity, creativity and visibility.
Linkedin is becoming an increasingly important tool for jobseekers. My Linkedin article explains how to get more traffic to view your profile.
The next article is about bringing creativity into your self marketing to help you stand out in the crowd.
Below is the video for the Monster Careers Fair at the RDS on 12th November. This was a very successful day with great feedback from jobseekers. I presented at the event and you can hear some of my views on CV Writing during the video.
Why am I not receiving more interviews from my CV?
Failure to secure interviews can mean you are targeting the wrong jobs or your marketing material (CV, Cover Letter & LI profile) is not making an impact. There is also the added dimension in this market place in that there is more competition for fewer jobs.
If you are targeting jobs where you lack the qualifications or experience you really are going to struggle. I am not saying it is impossible but it will certainly be hard work. This situation requires a more creative approach.
If you have not invested time and effort into your marketing material you will also struggle to land interviews. Remember for more impact you need to have targeted contact with quantifiable data and achievements.
There are fewer jobs and greater competition. If you are targeting advertised jobs then you are going to hit traffic. Perhaps you should change direction onto the back roads (hidden job market) as most jobseekers won’t go there.
Final point – I think that many jobseekers put too much emphasis on the CV (a requirement for the traditional route to job hunting). It is possible to secure an interview and a job without a CV.
Jobseekers stand up and take note!! We now have some of Ireland’s leading career, HR, recruitment and job market professionals delivering expert advice to jobseekers. Below is a list of the key contributors over the last month since we launched – I want to thak you for your suport. We have 86 members of which 80% are active jobseekers supported by 20% professionals.
Lindsay Browning (CPL)
Ivan Stojanovic (EmployIreland & JobsBlog.ie)
James Garvin (Lionbridge)
Mark O’Donnell (Deloitte)
Rebecca Clarke (RecruitIreland)
Derek Crynan (RetailJobs365)
Greg Fry (CareersCoach)
Mairead Griffin (Career Mentors)
Mandy Spencer Hunt (Spencer Hunt Consulting)
Julie Anne Lawlor (Rapid HR)
And last but not least ME!!
“thanks to both for the comments, they do help a lot”
“thanks everyone for all the good answers and clarifications”
“thanks a million for the extensive response to my initial question”
I posted the below information about Competency Based Interviews on a discussion on Linkedin. I thought I should share it with readers of my blog.
The STAR technique is the preparation and execution tool of choice because it is straightforward and relatively easy to use.
Jobseekers should take care on the following …
The examples – most jobseekers do not put enough time into example selection and quite often take the first one that comes to mind. I often find when I brainstorm that jobseekers have many other hidden gems which are often more relevant. Put more effort in here!!
The mindset – when jobseekers hear competency interview they stiffen up and visualise a more difficult interview because most have experienced the traditional “glorified friendly chat” interview. Competency Interviews are an easier interview as quite often you know what to expect in the road ahead and can therefore prepare. On the day expect a cold experience with little small talk. Don’t be put off if the interviewers are writing – worry if they are not!!
Forget the “X Factor” – When doing a competency interview it is all about the “I Factor”. Many jobseekers find it difficult to use the word I. Why is this? Because we were told that this is big headed and boastful. You have to get over this!! If the interviewer hears the word “we” they can’t assess your contribution/behaviour.
Probing questions – This is not the interviewer trying to trick you out. This is the interviewer being helpful. When you get probing questions embrace them. This means the interviewer has not seen evidence and is giving you another chance to deliver.
Then End – Expect to be asked about results BUT also what went wrong or what you would do differently next time.
Final Point – As with most areas in life some interviewers are not fully trained and therefore dilute the objectivity of the interview. With this in mind concentrate on your energy, enthusiasm and communication during the interview. Also expect the unexpected – I often have experience where jobseekers prepared for competency as they were told to expect this and guess what ….
Just a quick reminder that I will be presenting at the Keep Ireland Working Careers Fair on the 12th November. My topic will be CV Writing – How to deliver more interviews. I will be about the RDS most of that day and will be helping man a career stand. This stand will offer advice and tips to jobseekers all day. Why not pop along and introduce yourself.
My recent activity …..
My work – Just delivered three excellent career workshops last week working with a great bunch of people who had recently been let go. Serious days but we had some fun throughout. Off to Cork today for a few days work with my VEC project. Then next week I have more outplacement work.
In the papers – I commented on a recent ST article about motivating staff in tough times. My angle really was good communications and strong leadership. I will be in the weekends ST talking about the upcoming Career Event in the RDS. Keep an eye out for it as there will be some useful tips on maximising returns at a career fair.
Online – I have started writing some articles for a new business blogging site called bloggertone. There seems to be good interest and traffic which is probably down to my pearls of wisdom . I have posted two articles to day Linkedin – Do You Dance & Jobhunting – Time to turn the lights on. My RecruitIreland article will be out this week and the topic is Personal Branding. Ensure that you are registered for RI monthly e-zine – some great advice and I write most weeks.
Linkedin – My Linkedin Group – Measurability Careers & Jobs Club is growing from strength to strength. We now have 83 members with an 80/20 split. 80% jobseekers and 20% career/HR/Recruitment experts. Why not join up as there are some excellent discussions, job news and advice.
. I have posted two articles to day