application & interview advice

WIP ACADEMY

CVs, COVER LETTERS AND APPLICATION FORMS

www.wiprogram.org

Introduction:

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“The Washington Ireland program is a unique opportunity for Irish students to learn about the American political process and how Washington DC really works.” Ambassador Michael Collins, Irish Ambassador to the USA

“Many of WiP’s 400 Alumni are now emerging as a new generation of leaders committed to peace, stability and prosperity in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.”Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State of the USA.

Prior to making a job application…..

Determine where your skills and interests lie and ensure alignment with various types of work or employer.

Research areas you are interested in

Begin to think about what you want to get out of your career – to travel? Build certain skills, acquire qualifications, rapid career progression?

Know your potential employer – what do they do, what are they looking for, what is their recruitment process, why should you get the job?

Restrict yourself to no more than ten applications at any one time – more will make you appear unfocussed.

What is the employer looking for?

Strong intellect

Teamwork

Leadership potential

Communication and interpersonal skills

Proven analytical ability

Initiative and curiosity

Creativity

Experience

Confidence

Relevant knowledge

This is not an exhaustive list!

Think about you…

Focussing on the last 3/4 years, think about your: Academic achievements Work experience – paid or

voluntary, temporary or permanent

Hobbies and interests

What is a CV?

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae which is Latin for a record of life.

It documents your skills, experience and achievements and is a marketing tool for you to sell yourself.

Your CV demonstrates your suitability for a job.

The only proof of a good CV is whether or not it leads to an interview

There are no golden rules or absolutes for CVs – it is your personal brochure and should reflect you and the image you wish to project.

CV: What to include

Information that should be within a CV

Personal details

Education

Work experience

Positions of responsibility

Achievements

Relevant skills/interests.

Format considerations

Length - no more than 2 pages

Layout - uncluttered, logical structure with clear separation of sections

Tone - be positive and upbeat

Emphasise achievements and responsibilities with positive language

Content - keep it relevant and avoid negative information

Avoid jargon

Most Common Problems…

Too long or too short Too much information, or not enough Poor formatting detracting from

content Disorganised Spelling and grammatical errors Gaps and missing key dates Lack of focus / tailoring Irrelevant information

Why use application forms?

Application forms are used by employers primarily because: Quick way to obtain a

lot of information Easy to filter on

selected criteria e.g. grades

Can determine whether candidate is really interested

Highlights how the candidate has shown evidence of competencies an employer is looking for

Types of Questions

Tell us about your greatest achievement at your last employer.

Provide an example of when you’ve led or been part of a successful team

What is the greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

Why do you want to work for us?

What skills do you have which you consider relevant to the role?

What would be your priorities if you got the job?

How to answer questions

STAR

Situation

Task

Action (s)

Result

CAR

Context

Action (s)

Result

Application Forms – Top Tips

Applications: Dos and Don’ts

Cover Letters

The cover letter which accompanies your CV or application form should convey a clear, concise and powerful message.

Structure your letter as follows:

Your opening must arouse the reader’s interest and make them want to read on

The main body of the letter must only contain relevant information

End with a clear request to the reader or a statement of action on your part

WIP ACADEMY IN

INTERVIEW SKILLS

www.wiprogram.org

Before Your Interview…..

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During The Interview

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During The Interview

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After the interview:

Ask questions that you have prepared, e.g.: Please can you tell me why you like working here? What opportunities are there for career progression? How big is the team I’d be working in? Where would the job based?

Reconfirm your interest in the position

Clarify when to expect feedback

Thank your interviewer for their time

Don’t forget the interview isn’t over until you’ve left the building!

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Types of Interviews

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Competency Based Interviews:

Focus on a handful of key skill areas relevant to the role

Require specific examples to demonstrate key skills

Likely to include some administrative type questions as well as questions to gauge your career motivations

Assess your impact and communication skills

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What are ‘WIP’ competencies?

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Common Competency Questions:

Tell me about yourself …

Give me an example of when you’ve led or been part of a successful team.

Tell me about any positions of responsibility you’ve had.

Give me an example of when you’ve become disheartened with a task.

Give me an example of when you’ve gone the extra mile.

Tell us about your greatest achievement at university.

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome?

What career goals have you set for yourself?

Give me an example of when you’ve dealt with conflict.23

Competency Techniques:

Two techniques that are useful for effectively answering competency questions concisely.

STAR

Situation

Task

Action

Result

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Competency Techniques:

Two techniques that are useful for effectively answering competency questions concisely.

CAR

Context

Action

Result

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Key hints and tips:

Try to have visual aids

Ensure a structured approach

Be concise with the content

How you come across is more important than what you say

Prepare and practice

Be aware of time constraints

Make eye contact with each of member of the audience at some point during the presentation

Presentations are designed to assess how well you can assimilate information, structure your thoughts and present these back in a competent and confident manner

Presentations:

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Final Tips:

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Final Tips:

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Final Tips:

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