cv writing and successful interviews content

M.Mohamedy March 2013

Career path planning

CV writing and successful interviews

By / Mostafa Mohamedy

HR and Recruitment Specialist


Content:

1. How to write a successful CV

CV Definition

Different Types of CV

CV Content

How long should a CV be?

N.B: Kindly check the CV Templates attached with this document.

2. Job searching

Be More Than Prepared.

Use Job Search Engines

Social networking sites

3. Interviews tips

How to prepare for an interview

In the interview

After the interview

References:

Books:

Career Development and Planning- A Comprehensive Approach by Robert C. Reardon, Edition 4,

2012

Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World by Lindsey Pollak,

2007

Websites:

Tips for a Successful Interview by K. Wolfe, J. Carroll and T. Blush 2010 Colorado State University

http://www.ext.colostate.edu

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/


1-How to write a successful CV

CV Definition:

A CV is the most flexible and convenient way to make applications. It conveys your

personal details in the way that presents you in the best possible light. A CV is a

marketing document in which you are marketing something: yourself! You need to "sell"

your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience to employers.

Different Types of CV:

Chronological: outlining your career history in date order, normally beginning with the

most recent items (reverse chronological) . This is the "conventional" approach and the

easiest to prepare. It is detailed, comprehensive and biographical with a good all-round

mixture of education and work experience.

Skills-based: highly-focused CVs which relate your skills and abilities to a specific job or

career area by highlighting these skills and your major achievements. Skills-based CVs

should be closely targeted to a specific job.

CV Content:

Personal details:

Normally these would be your name, address, date of birth, telephone number and

email. "Check the CV template"

A personal profile at the start of the CV can work for jobs in competitive industries such

as the media or advertising, to help you to stand out from the crowd. If used, it needs to

be original and well written.

Career Objective:

A career objective is a brief statement of your career direction or a specific career goal

that you would like to achieve. It is a personalized statement that clearly defines what

you want to achieve through your career path. And it’s your strength points it links your

goals to the key attributes sought by an employer or those necessary to perform well in

an occupation or industry sector.


They are not easy to write and there is no perfect style just be yourself but here are

some general guidelines:

1. Keep it brief – 2-4 sentences is usually enough

2. Personalize it

3. Be articulate about the nature of work you want to do, the field of work you are

interested in or categories or industries you prefer to work in

4. Tell the employer what you have to give as well as what you have to offer.

5. It can be long or short term in its' view

The career objective needs to be meaningful to add value to your written application

document. If your statements are too general, they do not convey much meaning to an

employer so avoid statements such as “a challenging position with a progressive

company that provides opportunity for advancement.

Work experience:

Use action words such as developed, planned and organized.

Even work in a shop, restaurant will involve working in a team, providing a

quality service to customers, and dealing tactfully with complaints. Don't

mention the routine, non-people tasks (cleaning the tables) unless you are

applying for a casual summer job in a restaurant or similar.

Try to relate the skills to the job. A finance job will involve numeracy, analytical

and problem solving skills so focus on these whereas for a marketing role you

would place a bit more emphasis on persuading and negotiating skills.

How long should a CV be?

There are no absolute rules but, in general, a new graduate's CV should cover no more

than two sides of A4 paper.

If you can summaries your career history comfortably on a single side, this is fine and

has advantages when you are making speculative applications and need to put yourself

across concisely. However, you should not leave out important items, or crowd your text

too closely together in order to fit it onto that single side. Academic and technical CVs

may be much longer: up to 4 or 5 sides.


2. Job searching

Be More Than Prepared:

Before start searching for a job you have to identify first what you want to do in your

career and your career history write that in your CV Always keep it up-to-date CV ready

to send online or offline even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know

when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. If you're not on

LinkedIn yet, create a LinkedIn Profile and start making connections that can help you

job search.

Use Job Search Engines:

Search the job search engines. Use the job search engine sites to search the major job

boards, company sites, associations, and other sites with job postings for you fast. You

will be able to search all the jobs posted online in one step.

Jobs by Email: Let the jobs come to you. Use job alerts to sign up and receive job listings

by email. All the major job sites have search agents and some websites and apps

specialize in sending announcements.

Social networking sites:

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can be a good way to get job listings

before they are listed elsewhere. Plus, you can promote your candidacy using the social

media tools that are readily available for free for job seekers and companies are

increasingly using social media for recruiting.


3- Interviews tips:

How to prepare for an interview (Before the interview):

First of all do your homework:

1. General Questions

What is the name of the interviewer(s)?

Where will your interview be conducted? When and for how long?

2. Employment

How long have they been in business? What goods or services do they provide?

How many employees do they have?

Do you know any people who currently work there? If so, ask them how they like

working there.

What will the responsibilities be? What skills and knowledge will you need to do

this job? Are there opportunities for increased responsibility or advancement?

What are the expectations? Is this a full-time or a part-time job? Is the schedule

flexible and will it fit your other responsibilities?

Second:

If you want to be an exceptional candidate, then you need to do exceptional

preparation. Preparation is the number one thing that will set you apart from other

candidates. Prepare more study as much as you can read about the company review all

the information in your mind for the interview.

Also don’t forget the Dress code the first impression you make on a potential employer

is the most important one. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based

on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it's always important to dress

appropriately for a job interview just keeps it simple as much as you can.


In the interview:

Arrive early, about 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Make sure you know

how to get to the interview. If you are unsure of the location, make a trial run. Know

where to park and if you need change for a meter.

Calm your nerves by taking deep breaths. Maintain a positive attitude no matter how

you think the interview is going. Smile. Bring an extra copy of your resume, a fresh

notepad and a pen.

Greet the interviewer. Offer a firm handshake. Listen carefully for the interviewer's

name and title, if you don't already know them. Make and maintain eye contact. Be

friendly but not too casual. Speak in complete sentences, and use a formal vocabulary.

Don't fidget, chew gum, smoke or use slang during your interview.

Answer questions. Above all, be honest. You do not have to offer negative information,

but be sure you don't lie if asked directly.

Answer clearly and completely with enough information. Take a moment to think before

you respond to difficult questions. Organize your thoughts so you don't ramble. Remain

calm no matter what question is asked. Be tactful, courteous, sincere, polite and

knowledgeable about the organization and what you have to offer.

Conclude the interview. Thank the interviewer for the time spent with you. Ask when a

decision will be made, if that hasn't already been indicated.

After the interview:

Send a follow-up or thank you Email. Don't think you can skip it interviewers expect it.

Express your thanks for the interview and restate your interest in the opportunity. And

don't forget to check your interview result with them.

Mostafa Mohamedy

cv writing and successful interviews content

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