Darren Leppard Director of Select Appointments in Leicester and Coventry gives his top tips on how to write a great CV and succeed at an interview….

A well written, concise CV will be your marketing tool to secure you that important first interview.

  • Ensure that your CV stands out from the rest and reflects your skills, strengths, achievements and experiences.
  • It must be grammatically correct with no spelling mistakes, simply laid out and easy to read.
  • Include a “profile” beneath your name that “sells” you as an individual and encourages the reader to learn more about you.
  • When compiling your CV, always consider the job(s) you are applying for.
  • Your CV should be honest and factual.
  • It should be well presented and no longer than 2 pages.

A “winning CV” might appear in this format:

Your name (in bold)
Profile
This is a chance to really blow your own trumpet! An interesting paragraph should be enough to highlight your key skills and positive personality traits. You might include here the type of role you have been successful in or are currently seeking.
Employment history
Start with your most recent job, stating:
Your employment dates
Company name
Job title
Current duties/responsibilities
List your job duties in bullet format and be as detailed as you can. Avoid jargon.
Include achievements (as they are real selling points) and if possible, quantify them in sales/financial terms.
Education and qualifications
State your most recent qualification(s) first and where gained. If it is some time since you achieved your GCSEs/ A levels, it is sufficient to record the number and grades i.e.: “9 GCSEs grades A - C”. Record any professional qualifications. It is not necessary to record which primary school you attended.
Skills
List your PC literacy and level, and if applying for secretarial roles, your approximate words per minute. Include any other skills such as languages.
Personal details
Here, record your date of birth, address, and whether you have a clean driving licence.
Interests
Interests are always a good talking point during the interview and an opportunity for the interviewer to understand a little more about what you are like as an individual. Include details of any voluntary work and courses.
Referees
Include referee details – name, job title, company and phone number.

REMEMBER – be positive and honest, sell yourself and ask a friend to proof read your CV for any errors. With a well written CV, you have the best possible chance of securing that first interview.

Succeeding at an interview

You rarely get a second chance to create a good first impression, so in brief:

  • Be prepared and know your CV
  • Do some company research
  • Dress smartly
  • Arrive on time
  • Have some questions prepared

Before the interview

Ensure you have a full job description and are aware of the format that the interview will take.

Do some company research – the company website is a great place to start. You may well be asked what you know about the company, so impress the interviewer with your knowledge i.e.: What the company does, how long they have been established, the size, structure, turnover, competitors, their market and aims for the future.

  • Ensure you know where the company is and ideally do a “dummy run”. Always allow additional time for unavoidable delays. Arriving late or flustered does not create a good impression.
  • Check the time of the interview and who will be interviewing you.

On the day

  • Take a contact number with you.
  • Dress appropriately – a suit is usually a “must” for interviews and portrays professionalism.
  • Ensure you are well groomed and tidy and that you are not chewing gum.

The interview

The interview is a two-way process and also an opportunity to ensure that the job and company are right for you.

Here are some top tips:

  • SMILE! Ensure you come across as friendly, approachable and enthusiastic.
  • Be polite to all staff you meet – you never know, they could well influence the recruitment process.
  • Listen carefully to questions and allow the interviewer to finish speaking before responding.
  • Don’t worry about pausing before you answer a question as this shows you are considering it seriously.
  • Where possible, give practical evidence of any statements you make.
  • Never criticise former employers.
  • Maintain eye contact, relax and show interest in what the interviewer says.

Be prepared for questions such as:

  • What do you know about our company?
  • What interests you most about the role?
  • Why should we appoint you?
  • What is important to you in a role?
  • What was your greatest success in your last position?
  • How would your Manager or colleagues describe you?

You will usually have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview – think about what is important to you, but some questions might be:

  • What training can I expect on joining your company?
  • Are there any drawbacks to my application?
  • How many candidates are you interviewing for this role?
  • When will you be making a decision?

Finally…

  • Make sure you have confirmed your interest in the job.
  • Conclude the interview with a handshake, remembering to thank the interviewer for their time.

After the interview contact your Consultant and tell them how the interview went.

GOOD LUCK!