Need help at Interview? Compiling CVs? Read on:

Until your interview, you are  only as good as your paperwork and perhaps telephone manner. This makes your CV & covering letter crucial. They are essential tools in most job searches.  Like any marketing document, a CV should help you sell yourself.

WHAT SHOULD YOUR CV INCLUDE?

Preparation:

Think about your skills, competencies, qualifications & experience. What are your unique selling points & strengths? Think in terms of what you have achieved.

If you are replying to a specific job advertisement, review what key words & tasks were used in the ad. Which of these words apply to you? Use these words in your CV.

Helpful Hints:

Remember that you want your CV to be read & responded to. Include enough information to stimulate interest, but not so much that you bore the reader.

Three Pages maximum is preferred, but keeping it to two pages is even better.

Ensure your CV is well structured & well laid out. Aim to include factual information & focus on the benefits of your achievements.

The First Page:

This should contain your personal details, your home address & contact details located at the top, followed by a brief summary of educational credentials & qualifications. An overview statement/profile should be included covering your strengths in the relevant area, skills, experience & the type of position sought.

Pages Two/Three:

Here you should highlight your employment history. Present this in reverse chronological order, (last job 1st). If you have only worked for one Company, break it down with an entry for each position or project dealt with. For each position held briefly describe responsibilities & work undertaken.

Do include achievements, not just regular tasks.

Each professional position that you've had must include at least one statement of acomplishment. For your current & recent positions you can use bullet points that list your significant experiences.

List your hobbies in no more than 2 lines. Any voluntary or charity work or external posts that you hold are worth including.

Also list any lauguages, with level of fluency, courses, training and any professional memberships.

It is recommended that two referees be provided including titles, addresses & telephone numbers/email addresses for convenience.

The 'Covering Letter' :

CVs are seldom used alone, they should always be introduced by a letter or phone call. The letter can really let your personality come through.  Remember, Recruitment Consultants & employers read hundreds of CVs, an interesting introductory letter can make yours stand out.

Your letter can be used to pick up points which modesty or space prevented you from including in your CV (i.e. to highlight your key strengths relevant to the job) An introduction letter can save you from having to rewrite your CV each time you want to target your application to a specific ad or sector.

Nevertheless, keep your CV up to date.  Using an out of date CV looks sloppy at best & may exclude you from consideration.

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    Interviews- How to make yours a success :

You rarely get a second chance to make a good impression on a prospective employer, so at your interview it is important that you get it right first time.

Prepare yourself:

Interviews are two way meetings. Not only are they an opportunity for the interviewer to find out about you & if you are a suitable candidate for the position but they are also a time for you to find out about the organisation and if the vacancy will provide you with the challenge & job satisfaction that you are looking for.

Ensure you can talk confidently about what is written on your CV. Particularly those points that are relevant & valuable to the position you are interested in.

Prepare some questions to ask at the interview. At the first interview it is important to restrict these to the job & organisation. Salary & benefits are best left to discussion at 2nd interview or after an offer of employment is made.

Do your homework:

Find out as much as possible about the company prior to the interview. Look at their Website & find out about products & services they offer, location, length of time trading number of emplyees etc. Ask your Consultancy if they have any extra information on them. You could even 'phone the Company & ask them to send you an annual report.

Dress code & appearance:

Ask your Consultancy what the client's dress code is. For office work, smart business dress is a must.

Ensure you are well groomed with clean tidy hair, clean shoes & clothing. Do not wear too much perfume of aftershave and keep make-up, jewellery & nail polish simple.

Travel & timing:

Plan your journey beforehand to ensure you arrive a few minutes early. Allow for possible travel delays. Just in case of major hold ups make sure you have the contact's telephone number so that you can make a call if you suspect you will be late.

THE INTERVIEW -  Top Tips:

• Practice a strong positive handshake & plan your greeting
• Remember to smile & be polite to all the staff that you meet, including those at the Consultancy. They are the important link in the recruitment process & may influence a decision in your favour.
• Unless you feel particularly comfortable, do not accept tea or coffee at the interview as it can get in the way.
• If you are taking papers to the interview, carry them in a suitable case or folder.

• As well as being asked about your relevant knowledge and experience, you'll no doubt face some more general questions in interviews. So here are some common questions to think about beforehand:
• Tell me about a project you've worked on and any problems you encountered.
• How did you solve these problems?
• Give me an example of when you have worked as part of a team.
• How do you cope with pressure and deadlines?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work here?
• How would other people describe you?
• Do you have any questions?

Try practising your answers with a friend - or at least out loud - beforehand. The preparation will really show.

Remember to prepare some questions for the interviewer. They might be about the job itself, or broader issues about the company. Finally, good luck!  

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Anti Bullying Week 17th - 23rd November 2008
Support this worthy cause by visiting their web site http://www.antibullyingweek.co.uk/

With so much talked about regarding the Smoking Ban from 1st July - it is easy to become confused.  We would be delighted to hear your feedback on how it is affecting YOU,  your thoughts on the law itself or simply if you would like answers to concerns or questions.

There are some excellent support sites out there and we thank the following web site www.smokefreeengland.co.uk for the attached information.

PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH                        BUSINESS RESEARCH

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Remember:  We are always seeking new Temporaries to join us too so if you know anyone who would like to gain invaluable experience of working - please ask them to contact us for an immediate interview.

Speak with your Temp Controller for more details:

  Julie Fretwell @ Uckfield (01825) 760606

 Camillia Neville @ H. Heath (01444) 457641

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Workplace Mistakes .....         

The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development have revealed that almost 40% of UK employers plan to make redundancies this year; despite this, many people are placing their jobs in jeopardy without realising.

So, disaster proof your career and safeguard your job by looking at these workplace mistakes.

Don't be short-sighted:

Have a clear goal for where you want to be. Discuss your career ambitions with your Boss and see if they can support your progression by taking on extra responsibilites or enrolling on professional training courses.

Avoid Office Policies:

A recent study claimed that 3/4 of workers stated that a good working relationship with their colleagues was the primary reason for enjoying work. Almost every office has a whinger & moaner; their constant negativity can demotivate and sap your enthusiasm.  Try to keep your own attitude in check & focus on the things that make you happiest instead of dwelling on the bad elements and ending up just like them.

Abuse of Technology:

94% of UK workers use the internet for non-work purposes every day; If your employer hasn't banned it, yet then change your habits now and limit your use to lunch breaks.  70% of UK companies have banned their employees from accessing social networking sites is because they distract staff from doing what they are paid to do - work !

Well done to all that took part - (remember ... we have the photos!

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Red Nose Day Update!