Find Your Perfect Job
Job hunting isn’t easy, but Kathy Piper Recruitment Solutions makes it easier. We help candidates improve their career opportunities by finding great jobs, either temporary or full time, within our growing network of clients. Whatever your list of skills and qualifications, we make sure to find the best suited job for you. Contact us today to jumpstart your career.
Prepare for your interview with your recruitment consultant
It is vitally important that you treat an interview with us the recruiter as importantly as you would treat an actual job interview. Remember we are the “middle man” so to speak and it is our job to take what we see and sell it on accurately and concisely to our client (your prospective employer).
Therefore, when we interview you we are looking for:
The best of you – we need to sell you on to our client – so be sure to sell yourself to us. Your skills and your personality.
Please be absolutely open and honest with us. We will check your credentials and do background checks. Any untruths uncovered no matter how small, will not encourage us to put your forward for interviews if you have not been upfront with us about them.
Be prepared for your interview with us, have with you a fully prepared and accurate CV and documents to verify qualifications as well as references.
Communicate clearly and interact with us – show us who you are.
Use our knowledge by asking us questions to find out information to prepare yourself for interviews going forward.
Adhere to the same interview rules you should follow when interviewing with a prospective employer.
Prepare for your interview with a prospective employer
Whilst it is important to remember that an interview is a two way process and must benefit both employer and employee, remember that an interviewer will be judging you on you and how you will suit the position they are recruiting for.
Some of the general criteria an employer would be looking for during an interview, would be:
Effective Communication skills and confidence
Likability
Honesty and Integrity
Good Work Ethic, showing enthusiasm and a good positive attitude
Reliability and commitment
Flexibility/adaptability
Determination and Persistence
A team player who is able to work in harmony with co-workers
Eagerness and willingness to learn and to add to your knowledge base and skills
Problem Solving Ability
Loyalty
Self-motivation
Initiative
Ability to handle pressure
Leadership skills
Interview tips and tricks
From start to finish, job interviews are performances. They can be memorable for all the right reasons (perfect dialogue, amazing timing, and a charismatic lead) or all the wrong ones (unconvincing speeches, awkward pauses, and a lack of passion). Make your part a memorable one.
Do:
Research the company you are visiting, the job you are applying for and the person who is conducting the interview before you get there. One way is to use Google Alerts to advise you of any related topics as part of your research
Be respectful and kind to everyone you meet from the time you arrive in the car park until you leave the car park. You never know who is who!
Arrive in good time
Advise interviewer if late or unable to make it for interview, prior to getting there.
Dress appropriately, neat and professional
Ensure you have all relevant documentation, resume, qualifications etc.
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and a smile
Take note of interviewer/s name/s – use their name/s during the interview
Wait to be offered a seat
Be alert and make eye contact
Be aware of posture and body language
Speak clearly and concisely
LISTEN and interact
Ask for clarification if question is not clear rather than answer it randomly
Be yourself
Ask questions about the company/position
Make sure your cell phone is turned off during interview
Be truly honest
Use your recruitment consultant to give you a good idea about the type of environment etc. before you get there, so that you are appropriately attired and prepared
Have a full and accurate CV and copy for the interviewer
Show your enthusiasm in your replies and body language
Answer the question with more than a yes or no but try not to go over a 60 second limit
Follow up after the interview with a thank you email or letter
DON'T:
Arrive late
Come unprepared
Dress inappropriately
Don’t wear too much perfume/cologne or smoke just before going into the interview
Mumble or speak softly
Appear flippant or disinterested
Sit down until offered a seat
Slouch or appear too relaxed
Run down present or past employers or superiors
Ask inappropriate or irrelevant questions
Discuss money at first interview unless they bring it up
Chew gum, eat, drink, smoke, swear or use slang during interview
Answer cell phone
Be dishonest
Discuss personal issues unless asked specifically
Fidget, rock on your chair, drum your fingers, tap your foot etc.
Eat garlic the night before!
Discuss politics or religion if job is completely unrelated
Tips on putting together a resume / CV
Literally translated, the words curriculum vitae mean “story of your life”. Your CV is an essential tool to market yourself so it is important to think about whether this potential door opener is making the best possible first impression. It is imperative therefore that it is clearly laid out, to give quick and easy reference to the salient points in your life. Size does matter, keep it concise, do not include irrelevant or too much information, be precise and to the point. Instead let your experience, skills and results driven descriptions make the case for you.
Imagine your CV as being a brochure that will list the benefits of a particular service. The service being your time and skills! When writing a CV, look at it from the employer’s point of view. Would you stand out against the competition and would they want to talk to you further? You have to ask yourself these questions when writing your CV and ensure too that the layout promotes this.
Presentation is important, but too much – i.e. borders, photos, fancy fonts etc. – are not necessary – especially in today’s computer age, where these things may make downloading your CV too time consuming or impossible, and may get your CV eliminated before being viewed. The best presentation is a clearly laid out, point form type, that is easy to skim through and at the same time attract attention to the salient points about you. Double check your resume for errors of fact, typos, spelling errors, formatting issues or omissions.
A covering letter sent with your CV, should be aimed specifically at the position you are requiring, or if a general application then give details of what it is you are looking for. It is important to remember that you will be referenced and therefore it is best to be upfront and honest about your experiences/details.