CVs and Interviews

Job Interview Preparation (part 1)

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.

Phone Interview Preparation Tips
Interview Cheat to give you the edge
CV Writing & CV Preparation

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!!

What are the most common mistakes that you see candidates make at interview?

The above question was asked on linkedin – my answer is below. The funny thing is that half the answers mentioned lack of preparation. Now lack of preparation causes the mistakes at interview BUT is not actually a mistake seen at interview. Not answering the question is a major mistake at interview and here we have people offering advice who are not actually answering the question – amazing!!

You already have a range of common mistakes and will no doubt get many more. For me the most common mistakes would have to be ……….

Mistake 1 – Lack of focus during interview

This is normally caused by lack of understanding about the role you are interviewing for or inability to listen to the questions.

Mistake 2 - Inability to effectively sell “you” at interview

This is caused by lack of quantitative examples to support case or waiting to be asked for examples and “lack of focus during interview” as outlined in point one.

Mistake 3 – Not sending out the “I am interested in your role” signals

I accept the argument about coming across too desperate BUT I would rather risk falling into the “desperate camp” than falling into the “not interested camp”. You can easily communicate a strong interest without seeming desperate.

Interview Preparation & Coaching

We have launched a new CV Writing Service website www.cvsolutions.ie to meet the growing demand for out CV services. CVSOLUTIONS is a new site BUT is developed by an established CV expert Paul Mullan of Measurability.

The site is still in its infancy as it was only launched this week. Over the coming months the content will be developed further offering a wide range of free  CV Tips & Advice and Cover Letter Tips. Currently there is expert opinion on CV Layout and CV Format. You will also find CV Examples and CV Samples.

If you need a CV that stands out in the market place then visit www.cvsolutions.ie NOW!!

To compliment cvsolutions we have also launched www.interviewsolutions.ie. So we can get you the interviews and help you land the job. Again for those seeking to prepare alone will have free interview preparation tips, interview questions and interview answers. This information will help you improve your interview skills and interview techniques. 

CVSANDINTERVIEWS offering free CV TIPS & ADVICE and free INTERVIEW TIPS & ADVICE to jobseekers in Ireland.

Securing a new job has never been so difficult BUT some would say landing an interview has never been so difficult. There is increased competition for jobs therefore CV’s have to stand out. I read an article that they estimate that 120 people apply for every job. I cannot confirm this BUT some of my HR contacts indicate that they receive a lot of paper (CV’s) these days.

Your CV must stand out in the crowd if you want to get called for interviews. Below are some steps to follow that will help give yourself the best possible chance.

Don’t let the spelling and grammar gremlins ruin your chances. I am not going to write too much about this basic stuff. Spelling, Grammar and Clean & Simple format.

First page of your CV is the important page. If it doesn’t make 1st page it is not important info. Don’t assume that an employer will take the time to read beyond this. Help the reader save time and energy by locating relevant data as early in the CV as possible.

Less is more – focus your content to relevant data. Try not to clutter your CV with irrelevant information. Help the reader find what they want – emphasis on relevant and less emphasis on irrelevant data.

Achievements and successes bring a CV to live and help you stand out in the crowd. This could be that little edge that makes your CV stand out over the competition.

Remember our Career Workshop on 25th April in Dublin – for info email info@measurability.ie

Just a quick post to let you know about a workshop I am running in April with Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group. There will be separate workshops on the day – a morning session from 10-1 and an afternoon session from 2-5. The workshop wull focus on 3 key areas

Find Jobs – Efiective Job Hunting Strategies

Getting Interviews – Effective CV & Cover Letters

Getting Job Offers – Effective selling at interview

This will not be text book information normally churned out but key advice to stand out from the crowd.

If you are interested read the full details below – email paul@measurability.ie if you want more information (p.s please quote the site you read about the workshop)

The job market in Ireland has changed dramatically. There are less jobs and increased competition for them. Job hunting requires a more dynamic approach to find success.

• Are you struggling to find suitable jobs?
• Are you struggling to get called for interview?
• Are you struggling to convert interviews into job offers?

This powerful workshop is led by two of Irelands leading “on the ground” Career Experts – Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group & Paul Mullan of Measurability. It will enable the opportunity to access expert opinion and advice in three key areas;

• Job Search Strategies – How to access the hidden job market.
• CV’s & Cover Letters – How to market yourself & get more interviews
• Essential Interviewing Skills – How to sell yourself & get more job offers

Workshop & Booking Details

Date:    Sat 25th April 2009
Venue:  Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport
Address   Baskin Lane Cloghran, Dublin
Workshops: 2 separate workshops – morning and afternoon
Time: 10.00 – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Cost: €120

Email paul@measurability.ie for additional information and to secure your place – limited to 15 participants per workshop so don’t delay book today.

Meet the Experts

Paul Mullan is founder of Measurability (www.measurability.ie) a leading Career, Outplacement and HR consultancy. Paul is a leading commentator in Ireland as career doctor for Irish Independent and CV expert for RecruitIreland. He has 15 years career coaching, recruitment, outplacement and HR experience in Ireland and UK.

Jane Downes if founder of Clearview Coaching Group (www.clearviewcoachgroup.com) and practices career and executive coaching. Jane also co – owns Irelands first Development Assessment and Coaching Centre for Emotional Intelligence – EiIreland. Jane is regularly invited to write articles for the National Press in the areas of Motivation/Performance/ Goals/Career & Interview Coaching and Work Life Balance. Jane has a Social Science Degree from U.C.D and Fas Approved Training/Facilitation Qualification (N.U.I). She is a Qualified Life & Business Coach and Career Coach Assessor (fireworkcoaching) and a licensed and qualified Emotional Intelligence Assessor (EQi).

Like anything else you do securing a payrise require effective research and planning to improve your chances of landing that dream figure. Below I have outlined a number of key points to consider when preparing.

Research the market prior to any pay rise review or requests. Review salary surveys, or check the appointments pages in the newspapers and online job boards or ask your recruitment consultant for their advice on the subject.

Consider the following areas to help support your efforts –

Think about and outline any special projects that were noted as being successfully handled by you since your last pay increase.

Think about duties and responsibilities you have taken on outside of your original job specification.

Think about any initiatives or activities that have resulted in improvement or revenue gains or cost saving for the company.

Think about any additional skill, awards or training you have secured to enhance your position.

Taking yourself through the above points will improve your ability to back up any salary increase requests. This process is like any other sales process and backing up your case with hard facts or outlining how you have contributed to the organisation will make the difference.

Interview Tips – Advice about Interviews – Interviewing Support

I have come across a similar situation either side of Christmas. Two clients approached me for interview support because they were not happy with their performance at recent interviews. On investigation both had previously been quite confident and successful BUT what changed this? Both individuals had attended interviews to get some practice and improve their interview skills. Neither individual was particularly interested in the job they were interviewing for but felt the interview would improve their interviewing skills to support them when interviews arose for attractive jobs.

I have no problem with this strategy – going for a few interviews for roles that do not interest you. Many jobseekers use this approach with positive results. However if you do go this route there are a couple of things you must consider.

Treat the interview as if you really want the job. Prepare for the interview accordingly ensuring you have honed your interviewing skills. There is no benefit whatsoever turning up without preparing as you will only “crash and burn”. You will probably end up in a similar situation as my two recent interview coaching clients. You will have your confidence knocked which could impact future performance.

Accept that you more than likely will not get the job. Get your head right. Lack of success does not mean that you cannot interview. More than likely the interviewer could see through non-verbal communications that you were not interested. Interviewing will normally mean coming face to face with a trained professional who has experience weeding out uninterested applicants.

Mock interviewing is an alternative option to the above strategy. These role plays will help your interview skills and techniques and enhance your performance at interviews. Ideally you can get a friend with experience as an interviewer but if not try it all the same.

Good luck with your interviewing in 2009.

For more interview tips skills and techniques.