Candidate tips

Get the basics right! A great CV can get you that all important interview.

Your CV will usually be the first contact with a potential employer and therefore it is vital to create a good first impression to make them want to read on. We can offer advice around your CV, please use the link below to download and use the template and then forward to us to review for you using our contact form.

Download CV template

CV tips.

Be clear, use an easy to read font, black print on white paper.
Ensure it follows a logical order – insert clear section headings.
Proof read more than once and don’t completely rely on spell check – it isn’t fool proof, particularly when a word has more than one meaning.
Be concise. Ideally it should be no more than two pages, however, more is acceptable depending on your skills/experience or specialist knowledge.
Be honest. You may have to provide supporting information/documentation in an interview.
Avoid long paragraphs; bullet points are a good tool as they break up the page and make reading easier.
Do not use complex graphics unless you are applying for a role that requires you to demonstrate your artistic flair.
Ensure formatting and layout are consistent.

Interview tips.

You have your job interview scheduled - congratulations! Now it’s time to prepare, and we’ve got you covered.

1. First impressions count.
Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake (if covid-safe!), have good posture and speak clearly and confidently.

2. Research the industry and company.
An interviewer may ask what you know about their company and who their competitors are. Make sure you research their website prior to arriving at your interview. You will be able to determine a lot about a company from their “about us “ section. Use this information to your advantage and
deliver a 1 minute presentation on their business.

3. Clarify your selling points and the reasons you want the job.
Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared "I have good problem solving skills. For example, I had a difficult customer once who... and I resolved this by….". Be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job – including what interests you about it, what rewards it offers that you find valuable, and what abilities it requires that you possess. If an interviewer doesn't think you're really, really interested in the job, he or she won't give you an offer – no matter how good you are!

4. Anticipate the interviewer's concerns and reservations.
There are always more candidates for positions than there are openings. So interviewers look for ways to screen people out. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why they might not want to hire you (“I don't have this,” “I'm not that,” etc.). Then prepare your defense and do not be afraid to ask: “So from everything you have heard from me today, do you have any reservations at all or any further questions?”.

5. Line up your questions for the interviewer.
Come to the interview with some intelligent questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the company as well as your serious intent. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two ready. If you say, "No", he or she may conclude that you're not all that interested in the job or the company.

6. Practice, practice, practice.
It's one thing to come prepared with a mental answer to a question like, "Why should we hire you?"; It's another challenge entirely to say it out loud in a confident and convincing way. The first time you try it, you'll sound garbled and confused, no matter how clear your thoughts are in your own mind! Do it another 10 times, and you'll sound a lot smoother and more articulate.

7. Score a success in the first five minutes.
Some studies indicate that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview – and then spend the rest of the interview looking for things to confirm that decision! So what can you do in those five minutes to get through the gate? Come in with energy and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation for the interviewer's time. (Remember: They may be seeing a lot of other candidates that day and may be tired from a commute or a long day. So bring in that energy!).

8. Think positive.
No one likes a complainer, so don't dwell on negative experiences during an interview. Even if the interviewer asks you point blank, "What did you like least about that previous job?" Don't answer it as it's been asked. Instead, say something like, "Well, I like everything about my job but I do not feel challenged enough and I’m looking for that next step to better myself".

9. Close on a positive note.
If a salesman came to you and demonstrated his product, then thanked you for your time and walked out the door, what did he do wrong? He didn't ask you to buy it! If you get to the end of an interview and think you'd really like that job, ask for it! Tell the interviewer that you'd really like the job – that you were excited about it before the interview and are even more excited now, and that you're convinced you'd like to work there. If there are two equally good candidates at the end of the search – you and someone else – the interviewer will think you're more likely to accept the offer, and thus may be more inclined to make an offer to you.