CVs and Interviews

Interview Coaching – Another Interview MISTAKE!!

If you google interview mistakes the popular mistakes will all surface including poor preparation, lack of focus during interview, lack of industry knowledge, arriving late to interview, poor interview fashion advice, bringing your mother to interview and not asking questions at interview. There is many articles on this site to help you with the above areas. One area I do not see mentioned that often in inappropriate language.

Why is it that Interview Advice rarely mentions poor language?

I guess it is because it is assumed that interviewees will have the cope on the watch their P’s and Q’s and F’s. I wonder would Gorgon Ramsey struggle at interview. My advice (everytime) is to keep control of your language as I have many examples of this derailing job hunting efforts.

What if the interviewer uses the F word during the interview?

This is not a signal for you to relax your language. In fact it could be a ploy by the interviewer to trick you into using inappropriate language. Anyway you should not be using that sort of language - what would your mother say?

So my advice is to leave the F word to Mr Ramsey!!

INTERVIEWS & CVS BLOG with loads of CV and Interview Advice for jobseekers in 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

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!!