Getting Job-Ready (Backup 16.04.2023)

Job hunting

 

How to look for a job

  • Build your CV
  • Make Your CV Stand Out
  • Customize your CV for the job you are applying for
  • A standard CV should be no longer than two sides of A4.
  • Search for different CV templates online to fine one that suits you
  • Search for jobs in your field
  • Research hiring companies

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

This is an online system used by many recruiters to help companies organise candidates for hiring and recruitment purposes. These systems allow businesses to collect information, organise prospects based on experience and skill set, and filter applicants.

Here are a few tips for the best chances when applying online:

  • Ensure you have the correct keywords related to the position or industry.
  • Make sure that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Microsoft Word is not enough to correct all your mistakes; send it to a friend or a professional to review.
  • Send your resume in a .doc or .docx file.

Applying for jobs

To search for jobs online, type keywords into an online search engine.

 

  • Search directly to the companies’ websites for open positions.
  • Keep an eye out for notice boards in shops or the library
  • Search for jobs on government department websites like Department of Public Services and Administration (DPSA)
  • Network. Talk to people. Attend career fairs and seminars
  • Social media
  • Companies will also post opportunities on Twitter and Facebook, so if you have specific companies in mind, you will want to follow them on social media.

Preparing for a job interview

Do research about the company before the interview.

  • Who owns the company? Private or public?
  • Who are their main competitors?
  • Look at their website.
  • What services or products has it to offer?
  • Make sure you know the exact location, the time of your interview, who you are seeing, what their position is within the company and how you pronounce their name.

 

DO’s during the interview

  • Be punctual.
  • Introduce yourself clearly. Do give a firm handshake.
  • Dress professionally.
  • Listen to the question carefully before answering.
  • Do have good posture, body language, and good eye contact
  • Do have a cheerful outlook. Show confidence, maintain poise and smile.
  • Be assertive.
  • Do market yourself, show your worth.
  • Show how your experience would benefit the company.

DON’Ts during the interview

  • Do not bad-mouth previous employers.
  • Do not arrive unprepared for the interview.
  • Do not make excuses for failings.
  • Do not give vague responses to questions.
  • Do not express strong prejudices or any personal intolerance.
  • Do not show any reservation about the company or position. You can always refuse a second interview after consideration.
  • Do not over-emphasise money. Salary discussion is secondary. Your goal is to sell yourself.
  • Do not chew gum.

Questions you can ask at an interview

  • What will my responsibilities be?
  • Why is this position available?
  • How does this position fit into the rest of the company?
  • Who will I report to and who will report into me?
  • Does your company encourage further study?
  • Where will I be based?
  • Will the position entail travel?
  • How soon will you decide on the appointment?
  • What is the next step? Where do we go from here?

Questions you can expect to be asked

Tell me about yourself (what the interviewer is really saying: “I want to hear you talk”)

Describe your qualifications, work history and your acquired skills, emphasising the skills required for the position on offer.

  • What are your strengths? (Straightforward answering is required here, what are you good at and how can you add value to the company?)
  • What are your weaknesses? (Your self -awareness and self-perception is being questioned here)

Do not say: “none.” You can use a professional weakness such as lack of experience (not ability) or turn a weakness into a positive and how you are trying to work at it

  • What have been your achievements? (What is being asked here is “Are you an achiever?”)

Choose a recent achievement that is relevant to the job. What skills were used and how it benefited the company.

  • What do you like about your present job? (The interviewer is really trying to discover that the job on offer will have aspects of what you enjoy.)

Describe your likes, linking it to the skills required

  • What is the most demanding situation you have had to face and how have you tackled it? (What is “difficult” for you and are you logical in problem solving?)
  • What kind of decision do you find the most difficult to make? (What is being said here is: ” I need someone who is strong and decisive and yet has empathy”)
  • Why do you want to leave? (Your motives are being evaluated and the interviewer is trying to understand your reason for wanting to leave)

NEVER give negative reasons for leaving and NEVER state salary as the main motivator.

  • What kind of people do you enjoy working with?
  • How do you cope when your work has been criticised? Give an example
  • What is the worst situation you have coped with outside of work? Give an example as well as the outcome
  • How do you respond to working under pressure? Can you? Give an example
  • How have you coped when you have felt anger at work? Give an example, but still showing that this did not affect your ability to get on with the job
  • How have you coped when you must face a conflict of interest at work? This evaluates your interpersonal skills, team, and leadership skills
  • What kind of people do you find difficult to work with? As you do not know anything about the staff of the company at which you are being interviewed, be careful how you answer this question

What to do in your first week at work

Do: Be a Sponge

Get to know your company’s culture, the working and communication styles of your teammates, the problem projects, office politics, and department.

Do not: Overcommit Yourself

Balance your schedule—you want to have plenty of time to learn the ropes from your desk and not be overwhelmed.

Do: Ask Questions

As you learn about new processes, projects, and people, do not be afraid to ask questions. You need to get up to speed, and people will expect it from the new person on the team. Also take down detailed notes about everything you learn, even if it seems simple. Your brain is going to be on overload this week and writing everything down will make sure you do not have to ask the same question twice.

Do not: Be Afraid to Speak Up

Do not be afraid to contribute and add value—you do want to reinforce that you are the right person for the job! No, you will not know everything (nor should you act like you do!), but you can make suggestions in team meetings or brainstorming sessions. If you have a skill or ability that you have been hired to bring to the team, pipe up and share that knowledge. But be careful to read your audience. You do not want to come on too strong or step on someone’s toes.

Do: Offer to Help

Volunteer to help your teammates on a project. You will show initiative, you will build rapport with your boss and co-workers, and you will learn about expectations, procedures, and how things are done.

Do not: Turn Down Help or Advice

If your boss or co-workers give you advice or offer to help you with a task or project, take them up on it—yes, even if you are capable of handling things yourself. It is a great way to bond with your office mates, plus you may get valuable insight into the company’s expectations.

Do: Find a Mentor

Find an experienced, knowledgeable, successful professional to bounce ideas off and be groomed by.

Do not: Compare Everything to Your Last Job

Give yourself every opportunity to shine, and that means keeping your initial first week impressions to yourself. You are in a new place, and this is a new opportunity, so embrace it and move forward!