In today’s competitive job market, it’s important to be assertive and updated with our job approach. This career support page will help you write a well balanced CV, and exceptional cover letter and the confidence to nail the interview are all valuable tools in helping you get the job.

If recruiters and HR staff are scanning CVs rather, it’s your job to make your CV easy to scan. Writing in a way that’s ‘scannable’ is simple enough, and just requires a few considerations:

• Write in short paragraphs, with no more than two or three sentences
• Use bullets where you want to draw attention to key skills or achievements
• Use lots of sub-headers where relevant to break up long blocks of text
• Don’t use a font size that’s too small and don’t squeeze too much into one page
• Try to imagine that someone is reading your CV on a screen, rather than printed out. On a screen, we all read differently. We have multiple tabs open, and our attention is fickle.

So, make your key information as visible as possible.

Your personal statement should be right at the top of your CV, and it’s probably the most important section. It needs to be short – perhaps no more than 100 words at the most. But it also has to be punchy – you need to make whoever reads this want to read on.

Think of your biggest skills and achievements, and try to boil them down to whatever will make the biggest impact. Use positive language, show how ambitious you are, and above all, make sure it’s grammatically perfect.

A personal statement with a spelling mistake is the easiest way to get rejected.

For all kinds of reasons tailoring your CV for every job you apply for makes a big difference. Firstly, recruiters and HR employees will recognise when you’ve customised your CV, and they’ll appreciate it. It shows a level of effort and commitment that goes a long way.

Secondly, it gives you an opportunity to promote the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the job. You re-jig it all accordingly, and make sure they don’t miss the stuff that makes you perfect for the job.

And finally, it allows you to remove anything that you think might detract from your employability for this role. This is your advert – and you get to choose how best to showcase yourself.

Candidates often fall into the trap of trying to use flamboyant and complex language, thinking it might impress their prospective employer. But it rarely works.

Instead, try to:

Use language that makes your point in the clearest possible way – complex language only increases the possibility of confusion
Use language that anyone can understand
Prove your claims where possible

CVs have to appear current and up-to-date – it’s a minimum requirement. Check through carefully for new experience, or anything that is starting to feel too old and irrelevant. As well as adding new content, don’t be afraid to remove anything old.

Then check, and re-check, for accuracy. Spelling, grammar, dates, formatting – you can’t miss a thing. If the role you’re applying for is competitive, the margin for error will be small.

The digital age has transformed the hiring process – and the way you craft your CV is no exception.

So, when you’re writing or editing your CV, always remember to:

Include relevant keywords in your CV. These are the words that relate to your profession (i.e. ‘Marketing Assistant’)
Update and fine-tune your social media platforms – especially LinkedIn. Receiving a CV is often a green light for recruiters to find you online
Do an online audit of yourself – just to ensure everything looks as professional and relevant as possible

As part of your interview it’s likely that you’ll be asked specific questions about the organisation. To succeed in this part of your interview, you need to do your homework:

• Find out as much as possible about the company – the services they offer or products they sell, the size of the company, revenue they generate, number of employees, etc.
• Get a feel for their brand – what do they stand for and what are they trying to achieve
• Try to understand their company culture and values
• Search LinkedIn to learn out about their senior leaders
• Discover what their next steps are as a business. What are their growth plans?

As you do this research, think about how your skills and personality fit with their needs and goals.

The worst outcome from an interview is failure because of a simple error like arriving late. Get the basics right and make sure you:

• Know the date, time and location of the interview and who you should ask for upon arrival
• Know the name and title of your interviewer
• Plan your route and allow plenty of time for travel
• If you are asked to bring a passport, certificates, reference details or anything else, ensure you have it well in advance of your interview

Dress appropriately for the interview. If you’re unsure what to wear, ask before the interview.

As a rule of thumb, it’s better to overdress than underdress, so at least appear smart or professional.

The questions you get asked will vary greatly depending on the industry, the sector and the role. But certain questions are inevitable.

You’ll be asked about your previous experience. You’ll be asked about your skills, your current role, and why you’re the right person for the job. Prepare for the questions you’re likely to be asked. Doing this will also help you prepare for the unpredictable ones.

Reading the job description and preparing examples for each role responsibility listed will demonstrate your ability to do the job.

Your CV got you the interview, so make sure you know what’s written on it. Read and re-read it before your interview so that you know it inside out – this shouldn’t be difficult if it’s a true reflection of your achievements and past experience.

Your interviewer will use your CV as a guide for the interview, so it’s vital that you know it and believe that your experience makes you qualified for the job.

As soon as you enter the building, be polite and engaging with everyone you encounter. The impressions you make with everyone matter, not just your impression with the interviewer.

Once you’re settled, show your confidence. Having good posture, making confident eye contact and keeping your nerves under control will enable you to express yourself clearly. This will show the interviewer you have confidence in your ability to do the job and that you can handle pressure.

Be an attentive listener too. When the interviewer is talking, show that you are actively listening by keeping eye contact and showing signs of understanding or agreement by nodding and making small noises like “yes” and “uh huh”.

To demonstrate your expertise, you want to come across as confident and knowledgeable. To do this, don’t give a short answer that is likely to leave them with more questions. However, you also don’t want to talk too much as it might make it difficult for the interviewer to follow what you’re saying.

To keep your responses concise and powerful, you should use the STAR method. For each competency question you are asked, explain the Situation, Task, Action and Result.

Situation
Describe the situation that you were in or the task that you needed to accomplish

Task
What goal were you trying to achieve?

Action
What did you do to address the situation and achieve the goal of the task? Focus on your specific input, not what other people did.

Result
Describe the outcome of your actions and overall situation. What did you accomplish? What did you learn?

It is likely you will be asked whether you have any questions at the end of the interview. It’s wise to prepare questions for things you’d like to know more about. After all the interview is just as much about finding out if the job is right for you.

It’s also a good idea to ask questions related to anything that piqued your interest during the interview. This will demonstrate that you were listening and really thinking about what they were saying.

Asking questions is important because it shows you care and that you have a real interest in the company and the role.

Here are some example interview questions you could ask:

• What will a normal day in this role look like?
• Who will I be working with?
• Why are you hiring for this role at this time?
• How will you assess my performance?
• How does the department fit into the organisation as a whole?
• What is the organisations policy on development and training?
• Do you have any doubts about my ability to perform in this role?

Interviews are as much about finding the right personality and culture match as they are about finding some with the right skills.

It’s important to be yourself and show your personality, so both you and the interviewer can see if you would be a good fit into the team and the company. After all, you don’t want to work for an organisation that you don’t think you’ll enjoy working for.

To do this, don’t overthink your preparation. To show who you really are, you’ll have to be confident enough to react, engage and improvise. Being too prepared could cause you to come off as robotic or stiff.

Before accepting any job offer, take a moment to reflect on your passions and values. Ask yourself:

• Does this opportunity resonate with what truly drives me?
• Does it align with my core values?

Choosing a career that excites and fulfils you will motivate you to bring your best self to work each day. Look for a role that allows you to contribute meaningfully to society and make a positive impact. When you align your career with your values, you’ll find that work becomes more than just a pay check—it becomes a personal mission.

One crucial aspect to consider when accepting a job offer is the potential for growth and development. Look beyond the immediate responsibilities and consider the long-term prospects.

• Does the organisation value professional growth?
• Are there opportunities for advancement and skill enhancement?

A supportive work environment that fosters learning and development is essential for a rewarding career. Embrace a role that challenges you and encourages continuous growth, enabling you to reach new heights in your professional journey.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital for your overall well-being and job satisfaction. As you evaluate the job offer, consider how the organization values work-life balance.

• Are there policies in place to support flexible working arrangements?
• Does the company foster a positive culture that promotes employee well-being?

Remember, your best work is often achieved when you have time for personal growth, family, and other interests. Prioritise organisations that value work-life integration, as it will contribute to your long-term success and happiness.

A positive and supportive work culture is an invaluable asset in any job. Take the time to research the organisation’s values, mission, and team dynamics. Look for indicators of a supportive and inclusive environment where collaboration and open communication are valued. A workplace that embraces diversity and encourages teamwork can provide the foundation for a truly enriching career experience. Surrounding yourself with colleagues who share your dedication and passion will foster both personal and professional growth.

Accepting a job offer can be a mix of excitement and nervousness. Ultimately, trust your instincts when making your decision. Listen to that inner voice that tells you whether this opportunity feels right for you. While it’s important to consider practical factors, don’t underestimate the power of intuition. Sometimes, the perfect job offer may not tick all the boxes, but if it ignites a spark of enthusiasm within you, it may be the start of an incredible journey.