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Career Help Tips

With the ever increasing competition for the limited job opportunities, having a well designed and structured CV is a big plus in boosting your competitiveness. A good CV always create a conviction in the mind of an employer that you are a serious contender for an open position even before the actual date of interview.

Some important tips on building a winning CV

Make the layout of your resume attractive enough to make the prospective employer want to read it. Employers will not waste time reading a disorganized and clumsy looking CV
Use the CV as a tool to market your unique skills and abilities by including power words like :(Results oriented, purpose driven, excellent team player, good communication skills, quick thinker, problem solver, strong analytical skills, work with minimum supervision, excellent organization skills, business savvy, strong work ethic, exceeds expectations, strong presentation skills, attention to detail, Self starter, open minded, highly flexible ..etc.) But be sure that you will always be called upon to prove them.
Proof read your CV to eliminate typing and grammar mistakes. Typos and grammatical errors are irritating and a sign of carelessness.
List your education and employment history chronologically to create a smooth flow of events in your education and career life.
Remember to include duties and responsibilities of positions you previously held
Unless asked by a prospective employer, do not state on your CV the salary earned in your previous positions. Most prospective employers will judge your value from the salaries you previously earned and it can damage an opportunity of getting a better deal on your next job.
Include on your CV special skills/talents you posses. Your special skills can put you ahead of competition.
Hobbies and interests are also important. Some prospective employers are interested to know how you spend your time when not at work.
Membership to clubs and associations can also be listed. They indicate your level of networking.
Any volunteering activities. Though it may not be very important, a mention of your volunteer activities can show your contribution to society and your level of social responsibility
List any awards won. These are evident of your talents and abilities.
First talk to your referees before adding them . There is nothing more disastrous than when uninformed referee is contacted to give information about you.

Writing a Cover letter

In some cases, you will be required to include cover letter whenever you send your resume / cv to a potential employer. The letter should:

Be brief, polite and courteous
Capture the attention of the employer and make them want to meet you
Be specific in reference to the job you are interested in applying for
Show how your employment will benefit the company
Request for opportunity of an interview.

Ensure that your cover letter is well organized and without any grammar or typing errors. It does not matter how qualified or experienced you are, a cover letter with a clumsy layout and grammar or typing mistakes will be to your disadvantage. It will make the potential employer judge you poorly even before you are heard if at all you will be lucky enough to be granted a chance of an interview.

Job interview tips

Job interviews never seem to get any easier, even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills, and often getting aware of what you know and what you don't know. Interviews are terrifying. Even seasoned workers with an impressive resume and lengthy interview history know that if you do not impress your interviewers, you are not getting the job. No matter how confident of a person you are, job interviews are going to be a stressful experience. Your future career is in the hands of someone you have just met, and you have roughly 15 or 20 minutes to show them why they should dedicate a substantial part of their organization's resources to hire you.

Below are some tips to help you prepare adequately for a challenging job interview. Proper preparation can help alleviate stresses associated with job interviews.

Practice - Practice answering the typical job interview questions that most employers ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to improve your competitiveness.

Prepare - Research thoroughly and get useful information about the prospective employer's products and / or services. Many interviewees miss a golden opportunity of clinching the job when they fail to adequately answer the answer the question " What do you know about our company".

Dress code - Make sure your attire and your grooming is neat and appropriate for the type of organization you are interviewing with. For example: Do not attend a bank employee job interview in a T-shirt or pair of Jeans. Avoid dressing that can make you or the interviewer uncomfortable, like too short skirts and very high heel shoes. Use perfumes and colognes sparingly to avoid irritating the interviewer with their over-application

Punctuality - Be on time for the interview. On time means 10 to 15 minutes early. This will give you enough time to get vital information about the interview venue and other relevant information to guide you in the interview.

Organized - Be organized at the interview. Make sure you have some extra copies of your CV incase any member of the interviewing panel wants to have a copy, copies of certificates and also bring your originals too. Interviewers will always want to see the originals of certificates and documents you attached on your CV. Remember to bring a pen and a pad incase you need to write something.

Composure - During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Be confident and maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you respond and don't interrupt the interviewer.

Positivity - Be positive in your answers. Avoid making negative comments about your past or current employers. It shows lack of goodwill and appreciation to your employers.

Questions - When given an opportunity to ask questions, ask only questions relating to the company or the job. Don't dwell too much on your end of the bargain. The interviewer is interested in how you can contribute to the growth or benefit of his company and will pay you for that.

Courtesy - After the interview remember to thank the interviewer for the opportunity of the interview. If the interviewer promises to get back to you in a week's time, make a follow up if you don't receive the phone call or email but being careful not to stalk the employer.

Some Popular questions with interviewers

Tell me about yourself?
What do you know about our company?
Why should we hire you?
What can you do for us that someone else can't?
What are you looking for in this job?
How does this position fit into your overall career plan?
Why do you want to leave your current employer?
How would you describe yourself?
What would you consider as your strengths and your weaknesses?
What are the most significant achievements in your current position?
How do you think your qualifications and experience match this position?
Why do you want to work for us?
What is the minimum salary you can take if we give you this position?
What do you intend to accomplish in 5 years from now?
What is your career goals?
Describe your employment history?
What else do you think is important for us to know about you?
Do you have any questions?

Some areas you may ask questions in

Performance levels expected in the job such as targets and deadlines.
Other benefits that go with the position such as company car, housing, medical cover, etc.
Training and career growth opportunities available with the employer and in particular reference to the position you are interviewing for.
About the organization's products and services and their success in the market.

Good luck !

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	The International Manpower Experts