Back on the Job Market

Dos and Donts in job-hunting

Discussion Points

01
02
03
04
Drawing up your How to apply,
CV where to apply,
and what to
apply for. The Interview
Q&A
Drawing up your CV

Personal Details
Not too much but enough to
To build your profile
DO NOT include your ID, rather DOB

Education
Include (where possible) institutions and
dates. In order of most recent first.
Indicate clearly whether an academic
qualification / course / workshop / etc.

Work Experience
In order of most recent first
List achievements / responsibilities HINT: use advertised job specs as a guide
Emphasis placed on most recent and most relevant
No need to include reason for leaving
Drawing up your CV

Picture or no picture
Personal preference, can provide if requested
Pro: puts a face to the name
Con: easy to be judged on face value

Hobbies and Interests

Minimal, adds to building profile

References
Ask first before using them
Dont need to put on CV, can give on request only

FORMAT!!!
Point form, neat, easy to read
No fancy border, colour, pictures, etc.
As little pages as possible
Cover Page

A quick summary of who you are in point form.

Use job specs from ad to customise this.

Briefly outline why you are looking

A work in progress: Adapt as things change in

your working / life situation

Explain things not in your CV

Can use it to list your skills

CHECK FOR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS AND SPELLING MISTAKES!

Where and how to look for jobs

Job Boards Agencies > more than just one

Indeed
PNET
Company Careers Portal
Careers24
Careerjunction
Best Jobs Newspapers
Just the Job
LinkedIn
Gumtree

Be aware of
scams, they do
exist!!!
Using your phone

You can keep your personal and your work life

separate.
Keep a copy of your CV, Qualifications and ID on
your phone for easy access and easy applications.
Enable personal emails to your phone.
Set up job alerts
Consider using apps
Make sure you can access your phone regularly
Receive and reply to emails from potential employers or
agencies
To answer calls for potential interviews / job offers
To return calls
What to apply for

Getting that Job Offer starts with applying

Dont be put off by:

Minimum requirements
The extensive process
Location
Job spec
Company
Industry

Commit to applying for a

minimum number of jobs
per day.
 The Job Offer Probability

Percentage applications sent vs actual offer

100% Applications
Calls about your CV and profile
40%

30% Face to Face Interviews

Second Interviews 10%

5% Vetting and Reference Checks

The Interview: How to dress

That first impression

This is how you present
yourself.

Always dress to impress,

regardless of the industry

Grooming is important

Nothing gregarious / showy /

blingy / expressive

If you dress good, you feel

good = CONFIDENCE
The Interview: Body Language and Attitude

Bring out your best manners

Come in with a positive attitude / mindset
Walk in with purpose, dont flop onto the couch
Shake Hands (firm not limp or too hard)
Posture!!! Sit up straight, no slouching, no crossing of arms or legs
Maintain good eye contact conveys a sense of trustworthiness.
Not too much = aggression
Address everyone on the panel
Dont be distracted by the venue
Hands not in pockets, and no wild
gesturing. Find a place for them!
Lean in = shows interest
Mirroring
SMILE and NOD
Exit smoothly
The Interview: Be Prepared

Do a little research on the company

Company Website
LinkedIn checked for the company and the Interviewer
Mission and Vision
Branches / locations
Main line of business

Know your CV, know your history, know yourself

Be able to give a brief history of your career
Be able to give a description of your day-to-day
Career Highlights
Be able to describe your personality (only the positive)
The Interview: Common Interview Questions
The Interview: Common Interview Questions

Why are you interested in this position / company?

Talk about your personal interest in the company or industry
Talk about synergy between what the company is looking for and what you
can bring to the table.
Talk about how your strengths will play up well in this position

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Use this question as an opportunity to sell yourself.
Highlight strengths that are directly related to the job.
Give a weakness that youve worked or overcome.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Having made an impact in the company I find myself in
Having grown and developed in my role within the
company
Talk about being settled and secure
The Interview: Common Interview Questions

What are some of your contributions that brought a positive impact

in your company?
They want to know how much of an asset you have been
Talk about systems youve put in place (even just at your desk)
Talk about something that went wrong and how you fixed it
Talk about your value

Why are you the ideal candidate?

List your qualities and state why you think theyre unique

What would your previous employer(s) have to

say about you?
This is to gauge how you perceive the world views you.
Be positive!!!
The Interview: Common Interview Questions

How does this job tie in with your career vision / goals?
What do you enjoy about this industry?
Give an example of when you have worked under pressure.
What kinds of people do you like working with? What kind of people do
you find it difficult to work with?
Give me an example of when your work was criticized, and how you
handled it.
Give me an example of when you have felt anger at work. How did you
cope and did you still perform a good job?
Give me an example of when you have had to face a conflict of interest at
work.
Tell me about the last time you disagreed with
your boss.
Give me an example of when you haven't got on
with others.
Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Why?
The Interview: Common Interview Questions

This organisation is very different to your current employer - how do you

think you are going to fit in?
What are you looking for in a company?
How do you measure your own performance?
What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
Are you a self-starter? Give me examples to demonstrate this?
What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
Give me an example of when you have been out of your depth, and how
you handled it?
What have you failed to achieve to date?
What can you bring to this organisation?
If you could walk your career path again, what
would you do differently?
The Interview: Common Interview Questions
The Interview: Your turn to ask

What would you expect from this person within

the first year of starting?
How would you expect this person to alleviate
some challenges you are facing?
What could I do within this role that would make
your job easier?
Is this a newly created position, or am I replacing another
employee? Why are you recruiting?
Will I have someone to give regular feedback to and assist in the on-
boarding process?
What is the next step following the interview?
The Interview: Your turn to ask

Dont ask:
Salary and benefits
Leave
Overtime or Flexi
Work from home options
Promotion opportunities (difference between growth and promotion)
Company functions / Team building events / employer-funded activities

Better Safe than sorry

Rather say, No thanks, youve
answered all my questions.
Handling Rejection: When you get turned down

Review the interview and consider what you might have done
wrong.

Don't take it personally

The reason for rejection might not be what you think it is

Age (mature vs mouldable)
Personality
Profile
Race
Skills
Income
Good Luck
Good Luck
Good Luck