The application procedure is a very simple process:
Look at internal vacancy notice boards, local newspapers,
national/trade specific press, identify job vacancies which appeal to you.
Ensure that the job description covers things which you feel
you can complete or can be trained successfully to do.
Look at the application procedure, does the employer require
a covering letter with CV?, or just a covering letter/phone all/e-mail?.
Make the initial contact.
Your application will be assessed on the basis of a CV
submitted or a completed application form (if you complete an application
form make a copy of the form and use it as a model)
Should you prove suitable you will be invited to an
interview.
Once you have been given a interview date, try and find out as
much as you can about the organisation. A lot of information can be found in the
annual report, from local press and the internet. Find out information such as
the year the business, current turnover, employees and topical issues within the
industry sector.
First impressions count!. Make sure you appearance is smart when
attending an interview, wear a smart business type suit of you have one. Make
sure you arrive at the interview with plenty of time to spare, if you are late
it creates a very bad impression. Be polite, greet the interviewer with a
handshake and wait to be asked to sit down.
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF - This question is
designed to get you to open up about yourself. The interviewer is
looking to know about you in the job position. The interviewer is trying to
simply find more information about you. Be simple, tell the truth what
qualities, skills and knowledge can you bring to the job?.
DO YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE JOB YOU ARE APPLYING FOR? -
This question is designed to see if you have done any research on the
company, or even thought about the job position. Use some of your end
of interview type questions to show to the interviewer that you have
considered the position.
WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB? - Show enthusiasm, don't be
overly enthusiastic, or go on too much.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE? - Sell yourself
intelligently.
WHY SHOULD WE GIVE YOU THIS JOB? - Questions 3-5 May
all be requested in an interview, or asked individually. All the interviewer
wants to know is your qualities and what they are, be clear, be precise
highlight why you should stand out from the crowd.
WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES? - Always give an example of
a weakness and how it was overcome. For example you could state 'I used
to have a habit of starting something and working on it intensely, however I
used to get bored rather quickly, I sorted the problem by setting myself
tight deadline and organizing my time effectively'.
TELL ME SOMETHING WHICH YOU HAVE DONE, WHICH YOU ARE VERY
PROUD OF?
WHAT HAVE YOU ACHIEVED SO FAR IN LIFE? - Think about
this question on a piece of paper write down major milestones in both your
working and personal life. Use some of these pointers in a interview.
WHAT IS YOUR HEALTH LIKE? - Be honest.
WHAT WOULD DO YOU THINK YOUR REFERENCES WOULD SAY ABOUT
YOU? - Another chance to talk about your strengths and weaknesses. Be
realistic, honest use a phrase such as 'They would say I am punctual,
organized, a good communicator, working well both on my own and in a team'.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT BEING
A .......(JOB TITLE)? - You must show that you have looked at the job on
offer and thought about how you would react working on it.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? - This
question is rather loaded, you cannot appear to be either too ambitious or
not ambitious at all, best explained by stating that you would like to move
progressive up the organisation.
WHAT LEISURE ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY? - The
interviewer may be checking some of the details on your application form. It
is advisable that you show some form of leisure activity such as reading and
some form of group activity on your application form.
Make sure you are well prepared for the interview. Find out
as much as you can about the organisation you are attending for an
interview.
Make sure you get yourself into a positive frame of mind
prior to the interview. Suppress any nervous feelings you may have.
Feel relaxed make sure you take plenty of deep breaths and
clear your mind, being tense up to an during an interview will not do your
performance any good.
Make some attention to creating a good first impression at
the interview, be smart, be punctual, be polite, it all counts.
Feel confident during the interview, but do not do it to the
extent that you appear cocky or too defensive.
More importantly answer all questions honestly, do not try
to create a false impression.
Remember the interview is a two way process the interviewer
will also be feeling nervous.
Make sure that you leave the interview shaking the hand of
the interviewer, thanking them for sparing the time to interview to you,
this creates a very good final impression.