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How to prepare your CV?
Interview Questions
Interview Advice
Information for Non UK Nationals

How to prepare your CV? [ Top]

A CV is like an advert of yourself, so it is important to prepare one that sells yourself on your skills and abilities whenever you apply for a job.  A prospective employer will be looking for a CV that stands out when they are short-listing for interview so it has to look presentable and legible.  What you need to think about is:

• Presentation
• Layout and Content

PRESENTATION

Try and keep your CV consistent, and stick to the same font size (12) throughout the main body of your CV and print on good quality paper.  The use of sub-headings will help potential employers to glance quickly at your profile (don’t forget these are busy people!) and try not to go over more than 2 pages or they may quickly lose interest. 

LAYOUT AND CONTENT

To begin, start off with:

• Your Personal Details including Name, Contact Details, DOB and Nationality
  Education/Qualifications.  Put your most recent first, as these are more likely to be the most relevant
• Work Experience in chronological order.  Don’t forget to include name of employer, dates worked there, a brief description of your daily duties and projects worked on.   Highlight areas of responsibility and any notable achievements.  A list of computer packages used would also be helpful
• Hobbies/Interests – keep it brief
• References – remember to make a note if you do not wish them to be contacted yet
  It is not necessary to state the reasons why you have left your previous employers; this is a topic that can be discussed during interview. 

Try not to leave any gaps in your career history as this will create a negative impression so be sure to put down any reasons (career break, unemployment). 

Always check your spelling and if necessary, get someone to give it the once-over before you submit it to an employer.

Interview Questions [ Top]

Before you attend an interview, the key word here is ‘Prepare’.  Here are a few examples of questions that you should expect to be asked and should ask during your interview.

Think carefully about the answers, as this is your chance to prove to them that you are the person for the job.  It is up to you to tailor/modify the questions to the role you are being interviewed for.

Questions that you may be asked

• Why do you want this job? Outline the positive aspects of the role
• What strengths can you bring to this Company? This is a chance for you to shine, so sell yourself on your attributes.
• What qualities do you think will be required to perform this role? You could discuss your communication, supervisory, problem solving skills.
• What interests you about our product/services? Research the company by looking at the website and doing your homework.
• Why do you want to work for this Company? Highlight the positive reasons but try not mention reasons like more salary.
• Why should we employ you? Talk about your previous experience and qualifications that will benefit you in this role.
• What do you like/dislike about the role you are performing in your current company? Remember to discuss the good things, even if you tell them there’s nothing you dislike about your current job.
• How similar/different does your current job resemble this one? Stress the similarities rather than the differences, to show that you would fit in.
• Why do you want to leave your current company? Discuss how you want a new challenge, avoiding talking negatively about your current company.
• Why are you changing careers? If relevant to the interview, be positive!

Questions that you can ask

• What kind of training will I receive?
• How many people are there in the team?
• Who would I report to?
• What can _____ offer me to develop my career that other companies cannot?
• What makes _______ such a good company to work for?
• How long have you been with ______, and what is it about them that you enjoy? 
• What benefits could I expect to receive?
• What benefits could I expect to receive?

Interview Advice [ Top]

This is a general overview of what you need to know about the interview process so make sure you prepare well.  Remember, forewarned is forearmed!

Before the Interview

• Do your research – view the Company’s website to get an overall idea about the type of company they are and to find general background information.  It gives you an insight to the way the company works and remember, they may ask you what you know about them so it gives you an edge if you have prepared
• Look up house prices in the local area – should you consider relocating
  Make sure you look presentable – Have your best suit dry-cleaned and even simple things like making sure your nails and shoes are clean, or have a hair cut.  It’s the small things that make the big difference
• Prepare a list of questions to take with you – It will make you appear prepared for the interview, and that you have serious intentions towards the company.  Take them with you in a smart folder, with a print off page of their website (if they have one).  It is usual practice to have at least 15 questions prepared in relation to career prospects, what projects you’ll be working on, how many are there in the team, who you can present any ideas to, etc

Don’t forget, you are interviewing them as well as the other way round.  Ask them what they can offer you as a prospective employee!

During the Interview

• Create a good first impression – Look them in the eye and greet them with a firm handshake.  When you sit down, choose a seat opposite your interviewer so you’re always facing them.  Remain eye contact throughout and try to sit up straight, don’t slouch although do try to relax
• Be confident – Try to be clear and concise in your answers.  If you don’t know the answer to one of their questions, don’t bluff them with an unprepared answer.  This way they can’t catch you out by questioning you further.  Just be honest, and ask them to re-phrase the question, or just advise you don’t know
• Do not discuss money – Should they ask you your salary expectations, refer them to us.  We would have already discussed your requirements with them before your interview so they will have a good idea.  Should you discuss it, then it may restrict us from trying to negotiate a higher rate on your behalf
• Show them you have prepared – When they ask you if you have any questions, open your folder and ask them your questions that they haven’t answered for you already.  Ask them if it is ok for you to make notes in case you forget the answers later.  Don’t forget to take a pen as well!
• Be Ready – Be ready to discuss your current role and previous roles and what the main areas of responsibility were in these positions. Imagine you were the interviewer and what you would ask the interviewee.  Be prepared for questions they may ask you, like ‘why do you want to work for us?’ and ‘what strengths could you bring to the team?’ 
• Do not leave them with any doubt in their mind – Should you decide during the course of the interview that this is the job for you, then tell your interviewer before you leave that you would be very happy to work for them should they offer you.  Give them a date you have in mind that you could start, bearing in mind what notice you have to give to your current company.  This way, when they come to making their decision, they already know that you would accept and when you could start.

After the Interview 

• Give us a call! – Don’t stop outside for a cigarette break, or to loosen your top collar button – your interviewer could be looking out the window!  It is important for you to call us as soon as possible, because we need your feedback to report back to the Client.  We will then call you back to give you their thoughts and opinions of you.

 Information for Non UK Nationals [ Top]

Should you wish to work in the UK, it is required that you hold a valid passport and a UK work visa or permit.  It will of course, depend on your individual circumstances.

There are a few ways that you can obtain a work visa:

HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) – For individuals with sought after skills
Right to Abode – If either of your parents were born in the UK
Ancestry Visa – If your Grandparents were born in the UK
Working Holiday Visa – which is valid for 2 years

Useful Links:

www.ukvisas.gov.uk – Provides advice and assistance on applying for a UK visa

http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/.../homepage.html - Provides various routes open to Foreign Nationals who want to come and work in the UK

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/highly_skilled_migrant_program.htm - Assessed on the points system, includes Application Form

http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/whvchart.html - Advises what countries you would require a working holiday/visa

Please note that these websites are provided purely as a guideline.

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