Good to know

There are some important things to consider when writing a resume and preparing for an interview.


Effective resume

There is no sacred formula for creating a resume, but it is often the first thing your potential employer sees. An effective resume should be professional, clear, and concise. Keep it as short as possible, without leaving any important details out.

The purpose of a CV is for the employer to see if the applicant meets the main requirements for the job. You will be asked to discuss the information in more detail if you are called in for an interview.

Personal details

Enter your personal details here.

Education

Start with the studies you completed last. You must provide the name of the school, the name of your degree and study period. You can also specify any subjects that you think are particularly relevant to your studies. Any completed courses that might be applicable to the job you are applying for should also be detailed here.

Employment history

Your current or latest employment should be mentioned first.  You need to submit details about your workplace, job title and period of employment as well as any relevant information on specific projects or responsibilities.

Personal strengths

You should also mention other things that are important, e.g., computer skills, language skills, hobbies, social activities, or goals. You should provide information on any skills or areas of interest that could help the reader understand where your strengths would be best utilized within the company.

References

Employers will request references that describe both your strengths and weaknesses. You should provide at least two references including the name, position, and telephone number of the person. If your job application is a sensitive issue then you must provide details on how and when the company may contact the individuals on the list of references.

Interviews

The purpose of an interview is threefold:

Collecting more information on previous education, experience and employment.
Connecting expected skills with potential performance.
Providing details about the position and workplace.

The interview is an opportunity for both parties to share and collect information. You should be prepared to discuss your strengths and your weaknesses. None of us are perfect and finding the right fit for the job is important.

Most interviewers will begin by describing the position and discussing the contents of your resume. They will then ask you a number of questions to assess your skills and character.   

You should be punctual, appropriately dressed and familiar with the company you are interviewing with.

You should prepare a few questions beforehand. Your preparedness for the interview indicates how you will approach other future work projects.