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Perfecting Your CV in the New Year

For many people, a new year is a time for a new start. This means looking for a new job, which also means you will need to have your CV perfected and up-to-date. Your CV is the first thing a potential employer will see,  so it is a key selling tool.  It needs to show  your core skills that make you employable, while giving insight into your attitude and personality too.

When writing your CV,  start by showing your most recent experience.  This is the experience most relevant to potential employers. Make sure you go into detail about all of your key duties and what they show about you, and your work ethic.  Further down your CV,  you can also include hobbies and interests to get your personality across. Make sure this is done in such a way so as to make you sound professional still, while also showing you are a well rounded person.

How to Combat Interview Nerves

Attending an interview can naturally make you feel nervous. There is a lot at stake, especially if it is a job that you would really like to get. If this is the case, then you will want to put a lot of work into your interview technique – but this still won’t necessarily stop you feeling the fear. Here are some tips to stay calm during an interview:

  • Take deep breaths. This will help to slow your heartrate down so you will feel calm.
  • Concentrate on the questions. When the interviewer asks you a question, think deeply and carefully about it, rather than about what the interviewer thinks of you and how you are coming across.
  • Change the way you think about an interview. One of the best things you can do to combat nerves is to think of an interview as a chance for you to find out if you want the job.

What Is an Interviewer Interested In?

Everyone will interview differently and come across in a different way. This can make it very difficult for job candidates who are meeting recruitment consultants the the first time and may be nervous.

The first piece of advice is to be yourself and make sure you answer questions honestly. It is better to be honest than to try and make something up on the spot. White lies tend to stay with you.

Interviewers will mainly be looking to see what you are like, whether you will fit into the team, and how you cope with their competency-based questioning as well. Everything you do will add to their opinion of your character, so make sure you remain calm and answer questions honestly. It’s pointless answering questions and lying in your answers – you will get found out, and even if you don’t, you might end up in a role that just isn’t right for you.

Are You Willing to Relocate for a Job?

When you work with a recruitment agency, you might be asked whether you are willing to relocate for a position. This is a big decision to make, as it would mean uprooting your whole life. However, if the right position came up, you might be willing to do anything to get it.

Have a serious think about whether you would be willing to relocate and, if so, how far you would be willing to go. It would be good if you could give your recruitment consultant some specifics, so that this can go onto your records. For example, you might be willing to relocate within 100 miles for your ideal job. Something else to think about is whether you would be able or willing to commute. Sometimes this can be a good in between option, allowing you to access more positions, but without having to worry about moving home and location.

What to Look for in a Recruitment Consultant

Working with a recruitment consultant can help you to find new job opportunities, but it can also be quite a lot of work to sign up with the agencies. If they want to meet you in person, sign paperwork and generally get to know you a little better, then this is inevitably going to take time. There is no point in job hunting without any real prospects, so it’s important you find the right recruitment consultant before you put in the effort.

Look at the kinds of jobs they have available on their website to give you an idea about positions they recruit for. You can also speak to recruitment consultants on the phone first – many will want to have a telephone interview first to make sure you are the kind of candidate they want as well. If you feel you make a good connection, they proceed with the relationship and see if you can meet face to face.

Should You Try to Rearrange an Interview?

An interview is always amazing news. When you’ve applied for a job that you really want and they want to call you in for an interview, you will feel like you have achieved something already. However, when you see that the interview is at a time you cannot make and clashes with your conference call or meeting, your heart might sink.

Does it look like you aren’t committed to getting the job if you try to rearrange your interview? This isn’t the case at all, and you definitely shouldn’t think like this. If you are right for the role and the employer really sees something in you, then they will be more than happy to rearrange. Do bear in mind, though, that you will usually need to go for an interview during office hours, so you may need to book some holiday or rearrange some of your work around your job interview.