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.
Read my latest article from leading job site RecruitIreland – Personal Branding -Moving beyond a CV.
Measurability Careers & Jobs Club on Linkedin.
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!!
Come and join now – Measurability Careers & Jobs Club.
Below are some jobseeker comments
“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”
Come and join now – Measurability Careers & Jobs Club.
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.
Twitter – Feel free to follow me at Paul Mullan Twitter
Good Luck
Paul