Preparation & Interview

Know all about your future role and company

Make sure you are very well prepared before applying for a job. Visit the companies website, register for news letters, read press releases, has the company won awards lately? Know the names and backgrounds of the top managers and research in even more detail your potential direct manager. Google peoples names and read up about them. Social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Xing and Plaxo also provide a good source of research.

It is always good to talk to an expert in your field - somebody who can help you get a better view and up to date information on your specific industry. Talk to him/her and ask for what he/she thinks is going to happen in the next 5 years.

Make sure you make good notes of all this; it's always good to use this information during the interview. Also, while evaluating all gathered information, you might come to the conclusion the role / company is not what you are looking for. In this case, it's better not to waste your time and apply, but move on and continue your search for something more suitable.

Prepare references

In the current economic climate a lot of people are applying for the same job. Make sure you stand out and make sure you mention in your covering letter that you have references from different people - preferably mention their company names and titles as this makes a difference.

Inform the people you mention as references. It can lead to awkward situations when a reference check takes place, and the person does not remember who you are/what you have done/when you have worked together etc.

Remember when you use your previous employer as reference that he might consider hiring you again, so ensure you inform him/her correctly of your goals, the role you are applying for and the company name.

Social networks

Everybody, and yes recruiters as well, are checking social networking sites. Make sure your profile on these sites is immaculate. Delete tags on pictures you don't want anybody else to see, ask people you worked with to write a reference/recommendation on the site, ensure all (yes all!) information is correct and complete.

Preparing the CV and Covering letter

It often happens that people apply for a job and just send their CV. And whether you apply on-line or via post, always make sure you send in a covering letter. Guide the recruiter and tell him/her why are you ready for the job, why should the recruiter talk to you, why should the company hire you, why you are 'the needle in the haystack'.

Asking a professional for advice to optimise your covering letter and CV is very helpful and might just make the difference between getting invited for an interview, or not. These professionals have often been recruiters for years and know exactly how to present you and make you stand out from the crowd.

We would like to recommend The Curriculum Vitae, www.thecurriculumvitae.co.uk/. They offer high impact, low cost careers advisory services specialising in CV / Resume writing, interview coaching and covering letters. The Curriculum Vitae have proven to deliver world class services to launch your career. Contact them now for a free no obligation review of your CV / Resume. 

Oh, and one note.... please remember that in some countries it is a criminal offence to publish incorrect information on your CV. Apart from the fact that (nearly) everything can be verified nowadays via internet and social networks; you just do not want the recruiter to 'have the gutfeeling' something is not correct.

Sending the covering letter and CV

When sending via e-mail, send one complete document so that when the recruiter decides to print the document it can be printed in one go.

When sending via post print your documents on 100 or 120 grams paper, not the standard 80 grams. When recruiters are looking for a CV in a pile, it feels different and is easier to find when they are talking to your potential employer. Of course, the envelope should be stamped correctly and ensure the name and address can be read easily.

Communication by recruiters

PeopleKnowHow is a recruitment platform, we are not a recruitment agency. This means that, after you have applied, the recruiter is responsible for replying to your application. Each recruitment agency has different policies regarding this. Some reply to all applicants, some reply to shortlisted candidates only (just because they get so many CVs). It takes time so keep in mind that you might not always get a reply within 24 hours, or a week.

Be realistic and know that it may take 5 months or more between thinking of changing job, searching and finding it, applying, doing the interviews, negotiate terms & conditions, making sure your visa are correct, hand in your notice letter (how long is your notice period?), possibly move and start the job. But, let's now go to an important step in the process: your interview.

The Interview

There are 1001 different bits of advice on how to prepare for the interview, what you should wear, how you should behave, what words to avoid, what elements to stress, which experiences to mention and which not. When Googling on the above, you will find so much information helping you to prepare. When applying for a job that isn't in your home country, make sure you understand the 'cultural rules' and etiquette in the company's specific country.

Always prepare your "strengths" and "weaknesses" and the very basic question "who are you"? A well-prepared clear and convincing answer to this question has led to many people being hired; recruiters will have read your CV but your "executive summary" indicates what you think is important for them to know.

Salary talk

Talking about salary, benefits and other elements of remuneration can sometimes take a long time and can be nerve-wrecking! Always remember to have a look on the internet for similar roles at similar companies and make sure the reasoning behind your requests are known and understood. Please remember that if the company stated the salary in the advert, there won't be a lot of room for negotiation. If you were not prepared to work for the salary stated, why did you apply?