CANDIDATES

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Your CV is your business card for future employers and your key to opportunity. It is probably your most important sales tool when looking for a new position, view it as a great opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. It presents the first impression of who you are and if you meet the qualifications the employer is looking for. It is the key that opens the door to the first interview and has the potential to shape your future career. A short time invested in getting this document looking great will definitely pay off.

We strongly believe that the CV is your document and should reflect your personal style and presentation.

While there is no one right way to write a CV, there are some well established guidelines which should, no matter what the job, always be followed :

• Present your information in a clear and concise format which offers the reader (probably your next employer) a quick and easy overview of your qualifications. Use bullet form where possible.
• Do not use fonts that are difficult to read; Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or a similar font is best. Font size should be between 10 and 12 points, although your name and the section headings can be a little larger and/or bolded.
• Keep it to a minimum, no more than 4 pages, preferably 2 or 3. Don’t go into too much detail, save that for the interview.
• Include detailed contact information on the first page. Always include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and Skype account and, if you have a website that you think will add value to your application, include that too.
• Be honest at all times. Providing false information about previous experience or qualifications might seem like a good idea, but if you get caught, it could end your career for good.
• If gaps exist, don’t elaborate on your CV but be prepared to discuss confidently at an interview the reason for the gap, and what you were doing while you were unemployed.
• If you are applying for a specific position, then try to tailor your CV targeting that specific position, showcasing your relevant skills and experience. Include every significant detail.
• The career history should be in reverse chronological order, factual and accurate. Allocate the largest amount of information on your two most recent positions and reduce the detail as you work back. Emphasize achievements and successes, try to offer numerical evidence, eg: “total revenue increased by 8%”
• List details (name, current position, telephone number and e-mail address) of 3 reliable referees which may be contacted. Make sure you have asked them first. If you do not wish to include their information, you can simply write, “references available upon request”.
• Always check and double check your CV for spelling and grammar errors, also make sure your employment dates match up. Take a fresh look the next day and ask a trusted friend or colleague for a second opinion. Remember : your CV is the first thing a hiring manager sees from your job application, it must be impressive and convincing!

The following lists the information typically included in a CV:

• Objective
• Personal Information
  Name
  Address
  Telephone number
  E-mail address
  Skype account
  Date of birth
  Nationality
  Marital Status
  Children and their age
• Education
  Type of education
  Name and place of institution
  Date of completion
  Additional certificates obtained
• Career History
  Company name and short description
  Title
  Period of employment
  Job description
  Achievements
  Reason for change of job
• Language skills
• Miscellaneous
  Professional memberships
  Hobbies and interests
  IT skills
  Work permit / visum / driver’s license
• Referees

We hope these tips will assist you in producing an effective CV and that it will open the right door for you!

Congrats – you’ve got an interview!

That means the employer feels you are one of the best candidates for the position and on paper it already looks like you can do the job. Now it’s time to prove it.

The interview is still the most vital part of the recruitment process, so it is a good idea to be well prepared. It may sound like common sense, but many people make the fatal mistake of not doing their homework before walking into an interview.

Some interviews will be relaxed, some more structured and sophisticated, but the same basic rules always apply.

Before the interview

• Research the organization. Company websites and social media are a good source of information. The more knowledgeable you are, the more impressed your potential employer will be.
• Research the industry. Take a look at related business websites and magazines to get a feel for the latest developments. Be prepared to talk about their competitors.
• Research ideally also the interviewer(s), social media (especially LinkedIn) are a great tool. A nice touch would be to read any recent interviews of the interviewer.
• Research the role. Make sure you have well read and understood the job description and any other specifics for the role. If you are applying for a job through an Executive Search firm, a consultant should brief you prior to the interview.
• Think of the reasons why you would like to work for this company and why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Try to determine which of your skills the employer will value most and which examples from your past you can use to demonstrate them.
• Anticipate questions about your CV, keep answers and reasons ready.
• Make sure you are confident answering typical interview questions. Prepare answers to the most common questions that often form the basis of interviews and be ready for unexpected interview questions as they may throw you off balance. For further advice refer to the interview questions provided on our website.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask during the interview. This shows you’re interested in the position and have taken time to think about the potential move.
• Dress appropriately and make sure that you are well groomed.
• Be on time! Even plan to arrive 15 minutes early so that you are not getting stressed by any unforeseen delays. If an unavoidable emergency does pop up or you get stuck in serious traffic, then call the interviewer(s) to let them know you’re going to be late. Showing up late without a phone call is a guaranteed way to lose out on a job.
• Always switch off your mobile phone before you enter the recruiter’s building. Getting random calls and texts while you’re talking with a hiring manager are mistakes that can ruin your interview. And if it does ring, don’t even think about answering your phone.

During the interview

• When you first meet the interviewer, introduce yourself by name and with a firm but friendly hand shake.
• Maintain eye contact during the conversation. This signalises self-confidence and shows that you have nothing to hide. Most importantly, breathe.
• Avoid crossing your arms or legs as this creates a defensive barrier.
• Be friendly and positive. Do not talk negatively about your current employer, unless you have a good reason for doing so.
• Be honest, it is the best strategy in the long term.
• In general, portray a positive image and express yourself in a positive manner.
• Above all, be yourself. There is no reason for being nervous, you have been invited, which means you have already passed a first pre-selection.
• Listen carefully and make sure you understand the interviewer’s questions. Give full answers and avoid yes/no responses. Sometimes finish your answer with a further question which helps to establish a flow of conversation and shows you are interested. Do not hesitate to ask if you have not understood everything, but never interrupt the interviewer. Pause before answering a difficult question in order to give yourself time to think.
• At the end of the interview, the employer will usually explain what happens next, if not, then ask what the next step will be.
• Thank the interviewer for having taken the time to meet with you.

After the interview

• Follow up with a thank you e-mail, expressing your continued interest and making reference to the topics discussed.

Virtual Conference Call/Telephone Interview

For international assignments, employers often use Virtual Conference Call/Telephone Interviews. It speeds up the process and can avoid unnecessary flight costs.

A lot of the information detailed above remains relevant, we have however detailed a few specific points below.

• Agree in advance on date and time of the interview. Don’t forget to take differences in time-zones into consideration! Be ready when the call comes, keep the following information next to you: CV, your current appointment schedule, list of questions you wish to ask, writing material.
• Try to use a stable internet or phone connection.
• Be seated comfortably and make sure that you are alone and free from any distractions.
• Take notes during the interview.
• Sound positive, enthusiastic and smile when speaking.
• Silences often seem longer on the phone, therefore try to avoid too long silences when speaking.

Surya Solution wishes you good luck!

Below a selection of questions you may be asked in the course of the interview. Prepare answers to the standard ones.

• What could you tell me about yourself?
• What would your colleagues say about you?
• How would your boss describe your work?
• What do people assume about you that would be wrong?
• What do you know about our organisation?
• How would you describe your leadership style?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What do you do when you know you are right and someone else disagrees with you?
• What are the important elements of good customer service?
• How important are details to you?
• How do you get the best out of people?
• How do you work under stress? Can you provide a recent example?
• What sort of person are you socially?
• Do you prefer working in a team or independently?
• All jobs have their good and bad points. What are the worst and the best aspects of your current job?
• Which achievement is the most significant in your career so far?
• What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?
• What is the biggest conflict you ever experienced with another colleague?
• Which kinds of situations do you find hard to handle?
• Do you prefer working in a team or independently?
• How do you see your career developing from here?
• What are your personal long-term and short-term goals?
• What would you want to achieve in your first 6 to 12 months in this role?
• What would you do during your first 3 months in this role?
• Why do you want this job?
• Why should we hire you?
• Which value do you think you can add to this position and company?
• Which other jobs have you applied for recently?
• Do you have any questions for us?

Surya Solution wishes you good luck!