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You tell me. I'm doing something wrong here - I've applied for about 10 - 20 jobs and only had the one interview, and didn't get that job. I'm not @rsed about that, but I thought the interview went pretty well. Shows what I know.
The problem is all the jobs I've had in the past, and the one I've got now, I've known that I'd got the job before I even sat down to be interviewed. Not because I'm cocky, but because they are jobs that a monkey could do. If you could spell your own name, you were hired.
I've had a few tips from friends, and from the net :
* Write your CV tailored to the job you want.
* Detail what strengths you have brought to previous jobs and how that would help you in your new job.
* Try to convey ambition.
* Be to the point. (My CV is only 2 pages anyway)
Any tips, as I've been out of full time work for over a month, and working evenings/weekends at somerfield is becoming seriously painful. Is a covering letter essential? What do I put in it, apart from being interested in the job? Any tips on interviews, except being confident, looking interviewers in the eye (which I always do), not licking the window etc.
Cheers for any help if you can give it.
The problem is all the jobs I've had in the past, and the one I've got now, I've known that I'd got the job before I even sat down to be interviewed. Not because I'm cocky, but because they are jobs that a monkey could do. If you could spell your own name, you were hired.
I've had a few tips from friends, and from the net :
* Write your CV tailored to the job you want.
* Detail what strengths you have brought to previous jobs and how that would help you in your new job.
* Try to convey ambition.
* Be to the point. (My CV is only 2 pages anyway)
Any tips, as I've been out of full time work for over a month, and working evenings/weekends at somerfield is becoming seriously painful. Is a covering letter essential? What do I put in it, apart from being interested in the job? Any tips on interviews, except being confident, looking interviewers in the eye (which I always do), not licking the window etc.
Cheers for any help if you can give it.
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What motivations do you have for this job? Isn't that a question asked at interviews?
ßora† §agdiyeV wrote:
> I recall seeing one CV, where the guy had spelt his own name wrong,
> and under the heading 'What Motivations do you have for applying for
> this job?', he had put "I haven't had a job for a while, and
> I've got no money."
I find the honesty refreshing.
> I recall seeing one CV, where the guy had spelt his own name wrong,
> and under the heading 'What Motivations do you have for applying for
> this job?', he had put "I haven't had a job for a while, and
> I've got no money."
I find the honesty refreshing.
I applied for a job three weeks ago, and they haven't actually told me a thing.
They could have at least phoned and said "We don't want you"
They could have at least phoned and said "We don't want you"
Cheers for the input there guys, a lot of good stuff to take in.
Regarding the point on what not to put on a CV, my dad often peruses potential employees CV's, and as the company he works for is, shall we say 'low rent', the things people include is sometimes unbelievable.
I recall seeing one CV, where the guy had spelt his own name wrong, and under the heading 'What Motivations do you have for applying for this job?', he had put "I haven't had a job for a while, and I've got no money."
I kid you not!
Once again cheers, some things may seem obvious to those with experience, but that's one thing I'm severely lacking. Unless you're talking about experience stocking shelves.
Regarding the point on what not to put on a CV, my dad often peruses potential employees CV's, and as the company he works for is, shall we say 'low rent', the things people include is sometimes unbelievable.
I recall seeing one CV, where the guy had spelt his own name wrong, and under the heading 'What Motivations do you have for applying for this job?', he had put "I haven't had a job for a while, and I've got no money."
I kid you not!
Once again cheers, some things may seem obvious to those with experience, but that's one thing I'm severely lacking. Unless you're talking about experience stocking shelves.
Regarding the covering letter: it's used to cover anything that you didn't mention in your CV that has relevance to the job you are applying for. I know that sounds patronising and obvious but let me expand on this statement.
I'd use the covering letter to re-establish what job you are applying for (your CV when received will probably by intially reviewed by some sort of mong monkey whose task is to place CVs into appropriate piles- honestly some companies will have many jobs being advertised at the same time and many applicants will be applying for them. Does every CV you send actual mention what job you are applying for? Putting the job ref on the envolope is no guarantee!)
The letter can also provide some further info: establishing your current working specifics such as salary (and/or expected salary in new job), availability for interview, period of notice required, re-affirmation that you are prepared to relocate if the job isn't local etc.
Of you are bold, you can also use the letter to make it sound like you are in demand ("I'm currently considering offers from").
As for the CV itself, I've often fallen into the trap of describing what I do in my current role/previous job (or educational background) and not what I've done. They are looking for achievements (which they can then discuss at an interview) rather than a job description.
"I project managed the implementation of the new XXXX, heading a team of 5 and had to liase with several external contractors and a consultancy firm. The project came in on time and under budget".
That's my opinion anyway. Hope you find something more fun than what you're doing now.
I'd use the covering letter to re-establish what job you are applying for (your CV when received will probably by intially reviewed by some sort of mong monkey whose task is to place CVs into appropriate piles- honestly some companies will have many jobs being advertised at the same time and many applicants will be applying for them. Does every CV you send actual mention what job you are applying for? Putting the job ref on the envolope is no guarantee!)
The letter can also provide some further info: establishing your current working specifics such as salary (and/or expected salary in new job), availability for interview, period of notice required, re-affirmation that you are prepared to relocate if the job isn't local etc.
Of you are bold, you can also use the letter to make it sound like you are in demand ("I'm currently considering offers from").
As for the CV itself, I've often fallen into the trap of describing what I do in my current role/previous job (or educational background) and not what I've done. They are looking for achievements (which they can then discuss at an interview) rather than a job description.
"I project managed the implementation of the new XXXX, heading a team of 5 and had to liase with several external contractors and a consultancy firm. The project came in on time and under budget".
That's my opinion anyway. Hope you find something more fun than what you're doing now.
During my interview for the police, when asked, "what are your views on drugs?" I replied, "they get up my nose", and I got the job. So there, Borat. Be a drunk or a junkie.
Heh. The Other Interests bit of my CV begins "When I'm not persuading my friends that yes, they really do want to go to the pub tonight...."
That cv got me a job as a solicitor. Rather worrying really...
That cv got me a job as a solicitor. Rather worrying really...
loki wrote:
> Also, if there is a question on the application: 'What other relevant
> skills do you have to bring to the job?' do not write 'I am a Virgo'.
> That really happened once *shakes head*
Were you looking for wooden acting snooker TV hosts?
> Also, if there is a question on the application: 'What other relevant
> skills do you have to bring to the job?' do not write 'I am a Virgo'.
> That really happened once *shakes head*
Were you looking for wooden acting snooker TV hosts?
From my own experience, I will really be put off a CV by bad spelling/grammar. 'Cos let's be honest, if you can't get it right on an application...
Also, showing ambition and positivity is good but CV's littered with buzzphrases like 'pro-active', 'independent worker but a team-player'just make you sound like you've copied it out of a book.
Also, if there is a question on the application: 'What other relevant skills do you have to bring to the job?' do not write 'I am a Virgo'. That really happened once *shakes head*
Also, showing ambition and positivity is good but CV's littered with buzzphrases like 'pro-active', 'independent worker but a team-player'just make you sound like you've copied it out of a book.
Also, if there is a question on the application: 'What other relevant skills do you have to bring to the job?' do not write 'I am a Virgo'. That really happened once *shakes head*
Only additional advice that springs to mind is;
- If you don't know the answer to something, say so. I find that is appreciated far more than filling the air with bullplop.
- However, don't just leave it at that; a "Well, to be honest I'm not at all sure about that. However, I'd guess...." THEN start filling the air with bullplop. Confident sounding, assured bullplop.
- If you don't know the answer to something, say so. I find that is appreciated far more than filling the air with bullplop.
- However, don't just leave it at that; a "Well, to be honest I'm not at all sure about that. However, I'd guess...." THEN start filling the air with bullplop. Confident sounding, assured bullplop.
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