CVs and Interviews

Interviews

Have you messed up at interview recently? Answered a question liked Homer Simpson or asked a question that filed your application under ”rejection & exit door”.

Interviews are tough BUT you can improve confidence, performance and results through proper preparation. I guess interviews are no different to most things in life. The harder you work at them the luckier you get.

If you are feeling down about a recent interview I have collected some examples of how other people opened their mouth at interview to change feet. Here are some interview disasters that will give you a laugh before the weekend and prove you were not that bad.

Interviews – Funny Interview Mistakes

* At interview an applicant was asked what their greatest job-skill. The applicant replied “I am proud of my computer illiteracy”


* At the end of the interview the interviewer asks the applicant if they had any questions about the position. The jobseeker replied – “What happens if I wake up in the morning and don’t feel like coming to work?”


* After a jobseeker arrived for an early morning interview, the jobseeker asked to use the interviewer’s phone. The jobseeker then faked a coughing fit as they phoned in sick to work.


* An employer called the jobseeker and asked them to bring several copies of their CV and 3 referees. The candidate called back an hour before the interview requesting a rescheduled interview. The jobseekers gave the excuse that their referees couldn’t were unavailable to attend the interview.


* Towards the end of the interview the interviewer asked a jobseeker to describe their dream job. “I don’t know…I haven’t had it yet.” was the reply.

If you have any good examples we would love to hear them ….

CVSANDINTERVIEWS offering expert CV Advice and Interview Preparation information to jobseekers across Ireland Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Cork,Clare, Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Westmeath, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Louth Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Antrim, Down, Dublin

Workshop will be held in Dublin on 18th October. For more information on the workshop and the Career Coaches leading the workshop read CV & Career Workshop. You can also email paul@measurability.ie

The Civil Service or HSE recruitment process a relatively similar for professional, executive and clerical roles. Largely they consist of a mix of all or some of the following stages – A detailed application form, ability tests and a competency based interview. On the surface this seems a difficult path to navigate BUT with the right knowledge and preparation it is possible.

Application Form – To be honest this would put me off applying in the first place BUT I think that is one of its functions. These forms are long and often include competency based questions. It is important to focus on the job you are applying for when outlining your duties and responsibilities. It is equally important to select and outline your competency based examples in the proper format. Correct spelling and grammar is also essential.

Ability Tests – Normally these can be completed in exam format by paper and pencil BUT some organisations are moving towards the online option. Normally most will face Numerical and Verbal Reasoning but other tests like Clerical Checking can be used for admin roles. It is important to get practice leaflets and questions before hand. Normally these will be provided but you can access them free on many sites on the net.

Competency Based Interviews – There is a proper structure to follow for competency based interviews. Competency Interviewing is story telling with a start, a middle and a happy ending. Many follow the STAR technique to answer these type of questions. Like all good story-tellers it is important to paint a complete picture of the scenario for the interviewer and make an impact with the outcome or result.

Do you require professional help with Interview Coaching or CV Writing? 

You can also find many articles on ability tests and competency based interviews on this site.

“Is a CV that important when job hunting in the current job market in Ireland?”

Unemployment has reached new heights with the biggest rises in unemployment since records began.  There has been a 42% increase in people claiming dole in the last year bring the new total of unemployed to 247,384 or 6.1%. Alarmingly unemployment has been increasing at 10,000 per month which looks set to continue as FAS predicted that unemployment could pass the 300,000 mark.

The male population seems to have been hardest hit with making up 80% of the increases in the last year. This can be explained by the collapse of the construction sector. Foreign nationals now account for 16% of the live register an increase from 2% two years ago.

Increase in unemployment rates has an obvious effect on the job market. The most obvious is an increase in competition for jobs as the supply of labour far exceeds the demand. This also has a potential impact on wages with downward pressure.

“Is a CV that important when job hunting in the current job market in Ireland?”

YES YES YES!!!!!

There are now more applications for jobs which gives the employer the luxury of more choice. Employers are busy people so cannot interview everyone. Your CV has about 30 seconds to make an impact. If it does not make an impact you will not get called for interview. Not only do CV’s help secure interviews but they also serve the purpose of heightening the interest of the employer before you meet them at interview. If an employer likes what they read on your CV and you impress at interview this can contribute favourably to salary negotiations.

Do not cut corners when preparing your CV or filling out job applications!!

Paul Mullan (www.measurability.ie) and Janes Downes (www.clearviewcoachgroup.com) are two of Irelands leading Career Coaches. They have developed a career workshop which will be held on 18th October in Dublin 2.

The workshop will cover two key areas

CAREER CHANGE

This programme will teach you the 8 Golden Steps in this process of discovery:

Some of these steps involve a healthy measure of introspection, soul-searching, self-exploration. By taking these steps, you have sensitised yourself to your true values, goals, needs, motivators and talents.

Then armed with the results of this ‘self-research’, you now turn outwards by engaging in some serious job-research and prepare to “face the market” and learn the skills involved in creating the right message and how to market yourself effectively.

MARKETING TOOLS – CV, COVER LETTER & JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

This section of the workshop is about helping participant reach their career goal. This will need an innovative approach maximizing the potential of existing tools like the CV and Cover Letter. It will require creativity when approaching the job market with an understanding key job search strategies.

You will get an new insight into CV and Cover Letters moving them away from career summary to impact marketing documents. You will also get an insight into proactive job search strategies which will help you drive forward towards your careers goal. This section is also about motivating you into action and navigating career hurdles or roadblocks.

For more information email info@measurability.ie. CONTACT NOW to book a place!!

This is a short post BUT an important one. I had an interesting conversation with a journalist today about CV writing and CV advice. She asked me the following question

If you could only give one piece of advice about CV writing what would it be?

Lucky for me this is a question I answer everyday.

There are many important areas to consider when writing a CV (Layout, Format etc) but this should all be underpinned by one key element.

Understanding the reader (hiring manager / employer) and their requirements and focusing your content.

Need a CV service in Ireland – Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Galway, Limerick an other counties. CV Writing Service can support you and ensure your CV makes an impact!!

CV Advice – Writing a professional CV for success!!

The thought of writing a CV can be daunting. I believe that CV’s should be focused putting emphasis on what the reader is looking for. This is the first of a few articles offering some key points to consider when writing a CV.

Writing a CV – Personal & Contact Information

Typically this information is found at the top of the CV and will include your name, your address, telephone numbers, email address, date of birth and marital status. This stuff might seem basic and straightforward but you would be surprised how many jobseekers mess up. Below are a few points to consider.

Address – If you relocating to live and work in another region then use the new address. An employer may reject your application because of location.

Phone Numbers – Are they correct? I review CV’s everyday and you would be surprised how many include incorrect or old contact numbers. Remember to include country codes if you are applying for jobs in a different country. Make it easy for the employer to contact you.

Email Address – Use a professional email address to send out the right message. Using email addresses like whacker@hotmail(.)com may send out the wrong message. It is very easy and free to set up a new email account for job hunting. If you are using a work email address ensure that others will not be reviewing you mails.

Marital Status & Date of Birth – With new legislation you are not legally obliged to include this information. If however you feel it will be to your advantage then include it.

You will find other posts on Value Statement, Career History, Education & Training, Hobbies & Interests, Additional Information and References.

CV Writing Service in Ireland

A professional CV Writing Service can save you time and help you create an impact CV. CV Writing Service Ireland will ensure that you get the results you wand with an IMPACT CV.

CV & Interview Preparation

I regularly bang the “CV & Interview Preparation” drum but other famous people believed in the value of preparation. I have highlighted two of these individuals Roy Keane & Abraham Lincoln and their words of wisdom. Perhaps you will listen to them!!

“Fail to Prepare – Prepare to Fail”

This quote may not have originated from but was certainly made famous by Roy Keane during the Irish preparation for the 2002 world cup. He was unhappy with the Irish team preparation and made his views known. The rest is history. OK we can debate Roy Keane and how he handled this event but there should be no debate about the importance of preparation. CV & Interview Preparation is essential and we can change the above quote to “Fail to Prepare for CV’s or Interviews – Prepare to Fail in the Job Market”.

“If I was given six hours to chop down trees, I would spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

This is a famous quote from Abraham Lincoln. He obviously believed in the importance of preparation and used the task of chopping trees to highlight his point. You can transfer this example to CV and Interviews. Writing the CV is not the hard part. Even those with two finger typing kills can do this. Preparing the content is the essential part. Likewise sitting the interview is made easier when you have spent time preparing properly.

It is no secret that jobseekers who prepare properly get better results. It is no secret that most successful people prepare. Whether it is exams, public speaking or making a meal – preparation will improve results. CV Service can help you develop an impact CV and Interview Coach Ireland will enhance your Interview performance and results.

CV services are provided by many professionals in Ireland. If you are choosing CV services you need to research the market and not just go with the 1st provider you see (Yes – that means me too!!). There are a number of areas to consider and this article on CV services to help you with identifying the CV Writing Services for you.

Would you pay for a CV Distribution Service to recruitment agencies?

I just viewed a website in the US that offered a CV distribution service for $87.00. Interestingly the website takes jobseekers through a number of steps and actually names the identified recruitment agencies to allow jobseekers the option to deselect. Anyone with initiative could take this list, Google the agencies and apply directly. Just saved $87.00!!

Are jobseekers that use this service lazy or just time poor?

I could be either or it could be that they do not have the country or regional knowledge. But whatever the reason this seems to be a legitimate service. Jobseekers pay for this knowledge and ease of CV circulation.

Do you lack the time to source suitable recruitment agencies?
Do you lack the knowledge of the Irish job market?
Or are you just too lazy?

CV Distribution Service Ireland – Contact for more details