Posts Tagged ‘Interview’
A cover letter’s purpose is to introduce yourself to the potential employer and it should be brief and outline your skills and achievements and any accomplishments you have made in past work. Your cover letter should be used alongside your resume to outline what you have accomplished in the past, the cover letter should also state why you think you are the best candidate for the job and also what you could offer the company should they hire you.
It should be well written and laid out and just a few paragraphs long, your cover letter could mean the difference between your resume being read and you being considered or invited to attend an interview or not.
Tips for writing a successful cover letter
Everyone that writes a resume should include with it a cover letter, the cover letter is usually the first thing an interviewer will look for, a well planned cover letter will tell the recruiter if you are worth considering and if they should read your resume to learn more about you.
Many people think of the interview process as an interrogation; however, the interview should be looked at as a two-sided conversation in which both sides play an equal role. Admittedly, the major reason for being there is for the interviewer to get to know you and what you are capable of but also you are there for you to decide if this is the right position or company for you.
Therefore, the interview should be a two-sided process with you answering and asking relevant questions; the interview is also your chance to sell yourself and show yourself in the best possible light. You should do this by answering all questions briefly and honestly in a relaxed and confident manner while inputting your own thoughts and questions.
You should have researched the company beforehand in preparation for the interview and you can use this knowledge to your advantage during the interview and it can be the basis for your questions.
By asking questions of your own during the interview you are showing that you have done your homework and are taking an active interest in the company and what the company has achieved or intends to achieve in the future, this will be your opportunity to show how you could be a benefit to the company in the future. Questions you could ask during the interview are:
The interviewer will often use the behavioural interview technique as a way of assessing how you could positively affect the company should they hire you, they will base this on past events you have handled that you give clues about during your interview. How do you know if the interview is a behavioural interview?
Well It is a clear give away if the interviewer looks you in the eye and says with a smile “so tell me about a time when you.”, depending on how you answer, will determine if you get the position or if you will be considered for the job. Tips for successfully surviving the behaviour technique interview are:
Answer consistently and elaborate on your achievements
When asked about past achievements don’t be afraid to speak out and give clear concise examples of your past achievements, there is no getting around the fact that getting the job depends on your past experiences so elaborate on them. If you are lacking in experience then relate questions the interviewer is asking to something close to which you achieved, but above all be honest, don’t forget you have to be able to back up any claims you make.
The biggest asset you have when it comes to interview and resume techniques is yourself; you should sell yourself and show yourself in the best possible light at every opportunity you get. When sitting down to write your resume or preparing for the interview think about what you have to offer the employer and what differences you can make as reasons for why they should employ you and not someone else.
A successful resume should make you stand out from the crowd and make the potential employer remember you, the same applies to attending interviews, you won’t be the only candidate but this is your chance to make sure that the employer sees you as the best one.
While your resume can make the difference to you getting an interview or not the interviewer will have probably seen hundreds of almost identical ones all claiming to have what’s needed for the position on offer. While your resume might secure you an interview the interviewer will probably regard it with a little skepticism, all resumes claim that the owner of them is the ideal candidate but many fall short of what they actually claim.
If you have done a good job with your resume and have impressed the interviewer enough to secure an interview, then you can include another weapon in your arsenal to back up any claims you made in your resume, a portfolio.
While most people think they have thought about everything when they are attending that all-important interview, unfortunately many forget all about the little things, instead only concentrating on the more important. Here are the 5 most common mistakes that people make during their interview:
Interviews are without a doubt high on the scale of one of the most stressful times, nevertheless as stressed as you might be you will have to appear confident and competent and present yourself in the best possible way if you are to succeed and come out a winner. There is not much can be done if you are anxious and stressed other than trying to remain calm or at least project calmness and control, here are some key strategies and tips to help you remain in control:
Your resume was a success
When you are preparing to walk through the door to come face to face with the interviewer remind yourself that your resume was a success and that because of this you are here right now.