CVs and Interviews

CV – Job Search Strategies – Newspapers

CV looking good so now all you need is to find the jobs and employers. There are many job search strategies available for jobseekers in Ireland. This fall into two categories -proactive strategies and reactive strategies. Searching newspapers would fall into the reactive strategies category. Although newspaper advertising is in decline you can still find many key employers advertising their jobs through this medium. I guess the good thing about the newspaper adverts is that you can just pick it up without the need of a computer.

There are a number of key publications if using this strategy.

Irish Independent – Although the paper carries job adverts on other days Thursday is the important day to read the Indo as they have a Jobs & Careers supplement. Loads of great jobs and excellent career articles.

Irish Times – Friday is Jobs day for the Times.

Sunday Papers – The Sunday Tribune, The Sunday Times and The Sunday Independent. Personally I do not think that there is anything new on a Sunday that you cannot find in the Indo on a Thursday and Times on a Friday.

Another article about Job Search Strategies.

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Interview Coaching – important information

When attending interviews it is more likely that you will face an untrained interviewer than a trained interviewer. This can cause a number of problems aside from the obvious that quite often the best candidate does not get the job. There is often quite a bit of subjectivity involved on the part of the interviewer. Having said this, the number of companies now using psychometric testing is increasing which will inevitably lead to better hiring decisions.

It is important for jobseekers to prepare for interview BUT you should also know what can be asked and what can’t. The law is quite clear about this. Below is some useful information for jobseekers BUT employers take heed also. Ignore this and you could end up in hot water

The Employment Equality Act has identified 9 areas:

• Gender
• Family Status
• Marital Status
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual Orientation
• Religion
• Race
• Members of the Traveller Community

You cannot be asked questions on any of the above 9 areas. Employers you cannot ask questions on the above.

Some previous posts that may be of interest

Cover Letter Template

Interview Coaching – researching the employer

Most jobseekers use recruitment agencies in Ireland. It’s an effective way to get a job when it works for you. Bang off a few emails and sit back and wait for the interviews to roll in. I have heard my fair share of bad recruitment agency stories but they play a key role in Ireland. So who recruits for what in Ireland?

General Recruitment Agencies - Here are some of the bigger generalist agencies in Ireland. When I say generalist they have specialist divisions for most areas such as IT, Sales, Engineering, Pharmaceutical, Banking & Finance, Accountancy, Administration, HR and more – Eden Recruitment, CPL, HRM, Brightwater, Sigmar Recruitment, Manpower, Premier Group

Recruitment Agencies specialising in Sales & Marketing – Sales Placement, School of Sales, Berkley & BMS

Recruitment Agencies specialising in Finance & Banking – Q.E.D, Accountancy Solutions, Executive Connections, FH Recruitment & Delta Resource

Recruitment Agencies specialising in IT both permanent and contracting – Elan IT, Enterprise People, Rescon & Computer Futures

Recruitment Agencies specialising in Construction – Atlanco, ICDS & Matrix

Recruitment Agencies specialising in Pharmaceutical - Life Science, Brunel & Kingsley

Recruitment Agencies specialising in Administration, Commercial & Temping – La Crème, Office Angels, Maryb & Capital Recruitment

Recruitment Agencies in Hotel & Catering – Noel Recruitment & Caterassist

Need help with professional CV writing or Interview Preparation?

Preparing a cover letter

I believe formal cover letters are becoming like the dinosaurs. There is less emphasis on them for a number of reasons. Firstly change in technology means that most applications are online application or emailed applications. Therefore cover letters are now in the form of a few lines to support the CV. The other reason is that most cover letters resembled solicitor letters rather than sales pitch documents. Most jobseekers used standard letters and language regurgitation their CV.

Cover letter for impact

Having said all of this I still deal with employer who put emphasis on cover letters. It is important to use them properly. I rarely read a cover letter because of the second point above. I find them all the same and very boring to read. I normally go straight for the CV but I guess that is because I have review millions of the applications over the years.

A cover letter is an opportunity to get your personality across and to provide information not appropriate for the CV. You can get as risky as you need but this will depend on you and your circumstances. For example if you have sent off many applications without any response you might try a riskier or creative strategy. I heard of one jobseeker that crumpled up his cover letter before he put it in the envelope. His opening line on the cover letter was “I took the liberty to crumple up this cover letter to save you time before you threw in the bin”. I like it!!

Cover Letter Template

Below is an idea about what you should include in the body of the cover letter. Please not that I am not providing information on the layout, salutation etc. You will see that the middle paragraph is your license to get creative.

Cover Letter – Opening Paragraph
You should state the reason for writing the letter (try and catch the eye)
You should state the position / type of work you are applying for.
You can mention how you heard of the position or company.
Mention the enclosed CV

Cover Letter – Middle Paragraph
This is your opportunity to sell yourself.
Your CV has the detail so just point out key skills and unique selling points.
Explain why you want to work there (try to mention something relevant about the organisation – i.e. recent market performance, new product or its recent expansion).

Cover Letter – Closing Paragraph
Indicate your availability for interview with times when you can be contacted.
State when you will follow up.
Thank the reader for the time and consideration given to your application.

CV & Cover Letter Writing Service – Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Interview coaching for success – Interview Coach

Interview coaching sessions vary depending on the client. Most traditional interview preparation (competency interview preparation) will include understanding the employer and what they want. Helping the jobseeker identify how they meet those needs with quantifiable examples. Preparation also includes helping the jobseeker digest their CV, handle difficult interview questions, over-come nerves, improve body language and much more.

Interview coaching – researching the employer

An important area of any interview preparation is researching the employer. Most jobseekers believe a quick scan of the company website will suffice. Yes it will if you do not want to stand out. This area of the interview is an opportunity to stand out from other candidates. Get creative!! Remember most company websites do not capture up to date information on the company. Google searches can provide latest news updates. Talking to current employers may also provide valuable information. There are many other strategies for researching the employer.

Creative approach to answering “What do you know about our company?”

I was running an Interview Coaching workshop for graduates in Dublin. We were discussing the topic of employer research. One of the participants had an excellent idea. She did a successful interview the previous year with a US multinational for her college placement. When asked the above question she took the following approach. She picked the year she was born and outline the key highlights for the company that year. Was the why she got the job? We will never know but I can tell you it impressed me so it must have impressed the interviewers.

Do you have problems handing difficult interview questions?

CV Writing

CV writing can throw up the dilemma – do you lie on your CV? It is well know that most CV’s contain some lies. The dog in the street knows this and interesting most hiring managers expect lies on CV’s. In some ways it seems to be an accepted part of recruitment. The best example of CV lies was on the recent series “The Apprentice”. The winner was caught out real bad during the interview part of the show. He lied about his qualifications on his CV and guess what – he got found out. Surprisingly this did not go against him and he went on to win the show and land a 100k job with Sir Alan. So lying pays!! Read on as it does not pan out like that in real life.

Common CV Lies

CV lies vary but most common include; lying about your qualifications, increasing importance with job title and sexing up responsibilities. You can therefore expect recruiters to verify these areas through the interview process and references. Qualifications seem to be the area that makes most headlines and in the last year quite a few high profile people lost their jobs in Ireland as a result of fabrications on their CV. And it is even believed that an ex-politician lied about his qualification on the party website.

Should you lie on your CV?

Personally I steer individuals away from CV lies. Yes it can help you get a foot up in the job market but quite often when found out it ends in tears. I have witnessed too many jobseekers that lost out as a result of lying on CV’s. The chain of events witnessed in “The Apprentice” rarely happens in the job market. When an employer unearths lies it casts a shadow over your application and normally ends in rejection.

Read more CV articles on this site including this article about CV Layout.

CV Service – Many jobseekers are new to the idea of professional CV services. The popularity of these CV services is increasing like most other services. Ten years ago it was rare to have cleaners or a professional laundry service. With so many jobseekers new to the concept there are a number of considerations when choosing a provider and selecting services.

CV Service – choosing a provider

As with choosing and interview coach there are a number of considerations. I have posted previously about choosing a CV expert

Other services on offer from a CV professional

Cover Letter writing & design – Most CV services will also provide cover letter design. If you have done your research you may as well get your cover letter from the same provider. Personally I don’t value cover letters BUT it is a document many employers expect. Worth it!!

CV Education & Knowledge – Catch a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he will eat forever. What I mean is as follows. If I design your CV you will be able to apply for a job BUT if I teach you the principles behind CV design you won’t need me ever again. As part of my CV design I educate clients on the principles of CV design. This is because the likelihood is that each job you apply for will involve some tweaking or changing your CV. Very worth it!!

Job hunting strategies – Check this out as it is no good having a great CV if you don’t know how to get it to the audience. This will cover – how to use recruitment agencies, online job boards, newspapers, speculative applications, networking and much more. Worth it!!

CV Distribution service – waste of money!! I think one company charged EUR25.00 to distribute your CV to 10 agencies. Rip off!!

Interview Coaching – Many career professionals can help you with CV design and Interview Coaching. Let’s face it if they are good enough to get you the interview it is worth a punt on their interview coaching skills. Very worth it!!

CV Services Ireland – Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

WORKING FROM HOME IN IRELAND

If you are interested in working for yourself or working from home you should visit Virtual Assistants Limited (VAL) – Working from home in Ireland. This site supports individuals setting up a business venture from home or seeking to expand their current projects or contracts. VAL offers marketing, training, finance support and much more. VAL supports individuals across Ireland – Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and other counties.

HOME WORKING – NO MORE M50

I think this is a great idea as I am a great promoter of Work Life Balance. Occasionally I am parked on the M50 during peak traffic and I feel the pain of all the commuters. Fortunately I work from home and commute to work in my pj’s.

Businesses like Virtual Assistants Limited will certainly make life easier for home workers and open up a whole new CV market for me – designing CV’s for home workers.

Need a professional CV?

Employers – Psychometric Testing

If you are an employer interested in introducing Psychometric Testing into your recruitment process visit this post.

Individuals - Careers Tests and Psychometrics 

If you are an individual at a career crossroads and you are interested in career tests visit this post.

 Additional information about Psychometric Testing

OPQ32 – Occupational Personality Questionnaire

Psychometric Testing Explained

Employers – why use Psychometric Testing

CV Expert – looking for one?

CV Expert search is like seeking any other service. You have a problem and need a solution so go get a professional – Simple!!

The situation is complicated by the fact that there are quite a few “CV Experts”. Well – that is what they all claim but unfortunately the level of service can vary quite dramatically. Below are a few considerations for your search.

CV Expert – The cost!!

The first question most jobseekers ask me is the cost. OK everyone has a budget BUT remember you get what you pay for. As the famous quote says “I price was everything we would all be driving Lada’s”. I have nothing against this model of transport. Shop around but consider some of the below points and do not just make a decision on price alone.

The background of the CV Professional

This is very important. I review many sites offering CV services. Some do not have any profile. It is important to know the background of the professional. I also see many sites where the professional does not have a HR, Recruitment, Career Coaching background. Professional qualifications are not important as much of the modern views on CV’s are not taught in a classroom.

CV Expert – References/Recommendations

These are often on many websites (mine included) but are they real!! You could ask for the opportunity to talk to a satisfied client. An interesting way to find out more about a professional is to “google” their name. Many recruiters/employers use this technique to investigate potential employees.

CV Expert