If there are other areas that you would appreciate our advice or assistance, please contact us, as we are keen to expand this aspect of the site to meet your needs.

· Writing a CV
· Writing a cover letter
· Research and preparation for an interview
· The Interview

Writing a CV

Your CV is your first chance to impress a prospective employer, so it is important that you present a clear and accurate account of your career to date. Taking a little extra time in preparing your CV could ensure that you secure that all-important job interview, so make sure you present yourself to your best advantage. Below are some useful tips to assist you in preparing the best possible CV.

General Tips:
· Choose an easy to read font such as Arial, use at least 11 point font.
· Try to keep your CV to 2 pages (3 maximum).
· Use bullet points and formatting to ensure the document is easy to read.
· Ensure your CV is reviewed for grammatical and spelling errors, it helps to read it out aloud!
· Be clear, concise and accurate.

Personal / Contact Details
· Full name.
· Date of birth.
· Full address.
· Contact details including mobile phone number and email address.

Education / Qualification Details
· List your education / qualifications in reverse chronological order.
· Include; dates attended, name of institution, course undertaken and grade attained.

Career History
· List your employment in reverse chronological order.
· Ensure all gaps and breaks are accounted for.
· Include accurate dates of employment, company / firm name, position held.
·.Include key achievements and day to day responsibilities, focusing more attention on your most recent and relevant roles.

Additional Skills and Further Training
· In this section you should include any relevant additional skills that you might possess that will assist with your application. This could include such things as additional language capabilities, intermediate to advanced IT skills and specific database skills.
· It is important to note that you present an accurate account of your abilities in this section as you could be required to undertake testing to prove your capabilities.

Interests
· In this section, be brief and honest. Prospective employers can sometimes focus heavily on this area to ensure they are choosing a candidate that will fit with the 'culture' of their team and firm.

References
· It is suggested you state ‘References provided on Request’.

Writing a Covering Letter

Make yourself stand out from the crowd. A strong covering letter can help in differentiating you from other applicants for the same role. Aim to word this letter so as to entice the reader to take those few extra minutes to consider you against other candidates.

General Tips:

· Your letter should address the relevant contact, the name of whom will often appear in the job advert and the reference of the job you are interested in.
· The content of your letter should be brief and structured.
· Follow any specific instructions in the advertisement.
· Be specific. Never use a generic letter. Each letter you send should be designed to address the specific skills and tasks that are required for the role.
· Include the reasons you are interested in the role and why you would like to work for their organisation.
· Summarise why an employer would want to employ you.
· Highlight what you can contribute and what makes you different.
· Do mention that you would like the opportunity to discuss your suitability further.

Research and Preparation for an Interview

It is vital that you prepare thoroughly for any interview. Below are some basic tips to assist you in your preparation.

· Be familiar with your CV, it is essential that you can confidently communicate your past experiences and responsibilities.
· Ensure you can summarise your key skills and competencies for the role for which you are applying.
· Find out as much information as possible about your prospective employer in advance. This can be achieved by researching the firms’ website or requesting a brochure to be sent to you. Alternatively, you could utilise web search engines by entering the company name.
· It is also vital that you are familiar with the role itself. Ideally you will be provided with a job description and person specification which will highlight important skills and experiences that are important to the role.
· Prepare some questions to ask at the interview. At the first interview it would be wise to restrict your questions to the details of the job and the organisation.
· Make sure you research how long it will take you to get to your interview, and plan your route and mode of transport carefully. Always be prompt and ensure you know the correct name of the person who will be meeting with you.

The Interview

First impressions are the ones that matter. Research indicates that a prospective employer often makes a decision within the first few seconds of meeting with an interviewee. Interview performance is often a deciding factor in selection of a suitable candidate so we have provided a few important tips for you below:

Before you arrive:

· Read the above section on Preparation and Research for an interview.
· Ensure you are dressed accordingly, it is essential you present a professional appearance. A suit is recommended.
· Check the date, time and location of the interview and be familiar with the name and title of the interviewer.
· Ensure you take along any requested certificates, references, a spare CV and a notepad and pen.
· Ensure your mobile phone it is turned OFF before arrival at reception.
· Be punctual.

The actual interview

· Confident body language is vital.
· Speak clearly and confidently.
· Don’t waffle.
· Maintain a comfortable level of eye contact throughout your interview.
· Ensure you listen to what is being asked of you in the interview. Think about your answers to more difficult questions, provide a clear and concise answer.
· Be ready to ask questions that you have prepared beforehand. This can demonstrate you have thought about the role and done some research on the organisation.
· Show your enthusiasm for the role.

Interviews vary greatly. If your interview is set up through an agency, your consultant should be able to brief you as to the structure of the interview. However, standard interviews generally start with an introductory chat, moving on to specific questions regarding your experience and suitability for the role. General information about the company and role may follow, finishing with an opportunity for you to ask further questions.