Effective CV Making and Interview Skills

Step:1 Effective CV Making

A “curriculum vitae” or CV, is a document that contains a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education. The résumé or CV is typically the first item that a potential employer encounters regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview, when seeking employment

What is a CV?

Types of CVs:

Functional CV Chronological CV Combine CV

Types of CVs

In this CV skills and achievements are emphasized. Your employment history is summarized or avoided

altogether. Your skills and previous experience are presented at

the beginning of your CV. They organize so that the employer can see, How your

skills relate to the job position, you are applying for. The functional CV can be particularly effective if your

education and working experience has been in similar way.

It will allow you to highlight your talents, skills rather than itemize what might look like a one dimension history.

It may take more referred to write a functional CV, but you are force to highlight your talents instead of your recent job experience.

Functional CV :

This is the most common CV style because it's the one that most employee prefer.

In the chronological format, the emphasize is placed on education and employment experience.

The applicant's educational qualifications are presented in the reverse order, with the most recent placed at the top of the list.

The chronological CV is good if your recent qualifications and experience are relevant to the job.

Despite its popularity, there are some reasons why the chronological format may not be right for you if you are entering in the work force for the first time.

There is a record of part time job. if you are re-entering the work force after the couple of years.

Chronological CV

Combination : The combination CV is simply a functional CV

with a brief employment history added. Skills and accomplishments are still listed first,

employment history follows. You need to reveal where you worked, when

you worked and what your job position was. This will allow an employer's worries about

your experience and still allows you to emphasize your talents and how you would use them for the job you are applying for.

While most employers might still prefer a chronological CV, this is a  good alternative for the functional Cv.

Note: Whatever style you choose keep in concise.

Combine CV

Keep it short—one page if possible, two pages at the most.

Include your name, address, phone number, education, and work experience. You may also want to include job objective, awards/honors, clubs/activities/sports,volunteer experiences, and/or contact information for three references (*Always ask for permission before using a person’s name as a reference).

Be neat—print resume on Proper paper.(Never use its photocopy)

Spell out words. Do not use abbreviations.

Important CV making Guidelines

PROOFREAD and SPELLCHECK your resume.

Do not solely rely on the computer. Have someone check over your resume before submitting it.

Be honest about your skills and work experience. Don’t lie on CV.

Be concise. Use action words and phrases when describing your experience.

Important CV making Guidelines

State accomplishments and results, not just duties.

Include dates of participation. Data should be organized in time sequence with most recent education and experience first (reverse chronological order).

If you are using bullets, italics, bold, or any other formatting, you must be consistent. Do not put bullets under one area, then paragraphs in other.

Important CV making Guidelines

____________________________________________________________________________________OBJECTIVETo obtain a position of _______ in ___________

EDUCATION2005 - 2007 MBA in Finance from XYZ University2003 – 2005 B.Com from Karachi University

EXPERIENCE2007- Present : Bank AlFalah limited

Banking Officer Provide services to over 300 customers Handle critical account worth over 2 million Analyze and Make reports for top management

2005-2007 : The City CollegeTeacher

Taught Commerce, Economics and Mathematics to intermediate students

SKILLS• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point• Team Player

Fida AliHouse 26, XYZ colony0345-2222222Fida_Ali@yahoo.com

Picture Optional

_______________________________________INTERESTS • Cricket• Reading Books• Watching Documentaries• Web surfing

CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAININGS• Completed XYZ Certification courses • Attended XYZ Seminars• Attended XYZ Trainings

REFERENCES Available on Request

CV cont..

An effective CV received by employer for a relevant vacancy will get you an Interview call.

Effective Interview skills are more important than effective CV.

Professional CV will get you to the interview room, Professional Interview skills will get you employed!

Step 2

Effective Interview Skills

Objective (What is the objective / purpose of the position?)

Education (Desired education level for the position?) Academic Professional

Work experiences (what type of experience should the position holder have?)

What Market Needs

Competencies Professional - (Areas of work -

Specialization required) Personal - (Interpersonal Skills)

Computer skills Responsibilities

(Key duties / responsibilities of the position)

What Market Needs

Processes Ownership Main output for which the position is

responsible Where this position participates

Other Skills Presentation Skills Communication Skills Analytical Skills

What Market Needs

1. Presentation and Manner

First Impression, General appearance, Confidence, Posture, Cleanliness

Positive IndicatorsNeat and clean formal business clothesGeneral cleanliness, trimmed facial hairUpright posture, agility, enthusiasm,

pleasantnessNegative IndicatorsCasual clothes, denim jeans, stained or

soiledSoiled, dirty or unkempt appearanceDrooping or sluggish posture

2. Attitude, Stability, Maturity

Sense of responsibility, Attitude towards work, society and family, Self discipline, Work ethics, Friction with previous employers, peers, colleagues, Frequency in job change, Relationships with friends, peers.

Positive IndicatorsBuilds positive relationships with peopleSeeks to understand expectationsTactful and diplomaticMaintains relationships in difficult

situationsNegative indicatorsDifficulty in building relationshipsInappropriate handling of problemsEmotional and erraticInsensitive to others

3. Communication

Expression and Clarity of thought, Concise manner, Listening skills, Understanding and responding to questions.

Positive IndicatorsCommunicates clearly and conciselyAppears friendly and personableShares information Listens and responds appropriately to

questions askedComes across as relaxed & easy to talk to Negative indicatorsHesitant in speech, lacks clarity,

inappropriately brief responseStrays from the pointDoesn’t answer the question

4. Motivation and Ambition

Self-direction, Energy in work, attitude and clarity about future goals and direction, Areas of interest and candidates effort towards achieving goals.

Positive IndicatorsClear understanding about personal career &

goalsPlans a strategy towards achieving desired

resultsAware about personal strengths &

shortcomingsWorks towards self developmentNegative indicatorsConfused and unclear in personal goalsHaphazard and irrelevant goals Indecisive

5. Leadership potential

Previous leadership experience, degree of assertiveness, confidence level, ability to motivate others, sincere effort to reach mutually agreed and workable goals, empathy with others.

Positive Indicators Has experience of leading others Has experience of working actively in groups Demonstrates ability to motivate and support Manages own time effectively Looks for evidence to substantiate personal opinion

and views Achievements as a leaderNegative indicators No experience of sharing information with others or

team work Lack of understanding about team shared goals Lacks planning / organisation Doesn’t show interest in others view Insecure about own opinions and views

6. Problem solving skills

Analytical abilities, Articulation and organization of thought, Mental alertness, Grasp of ideas, Problem solving ability.

Positive Indicators Provides considered answers in tackling questions Demonstrates sound judgment and reasoning Gives examples of analyzing and resolving problems Comes up with lateral solutions to problems Describes situations of his/her good decisionsNegative indicators

Is not logical, structured and coherent in describing problems

Does not demonstrate a logical and consistent approach

Does not tackle problems at an early stage Does not anticipate issues Prefers to refer problems to others over taking self

initiative

7. Business understanding and Interest (Relevant to the position interviewed for)

Basic understanding and requirements of the task, Previous achievements in the area, future development plans.

Positive Indicators Demonstrates interest and understanding of business Demonstrates understanding of the industry Keen interest in general business and financial issues Speaks enthusiastically about studies and previous

jobsNegative indicators No understanding of the Industry and role of the

professional Does not demonstrate understanding of wider

business factors Lacks understanding of how a company operates Lack of interest in general business and financial

issues

8. General interests

Participation in extra curricular activities, Active pursuit in hobbies, Attitude towards life in general

Positive IndicatorsPhysically maintains his/her selfActive in social and/or public eventsConstructive and intellectual hobbiesHas a positive attitude towards self,

society and life Negative indicatorsApparently physically unfitRemorseful towards self society and lifeLacks interest in any activity

Do your research: Research company you are interviewing with, visit company website to learn about their industry, business, products, and their competition.

Look sharp: Dress professionally. Be on Time: Don’t be late or too early, be there

10-15 minutes before schedule. Make sure you have specific directions to location a day before.

Turn off your cell phone before entering interview room.

Interview Preparation

Give a firm handshake: Show enthusiasm: Don’t lean back on chair. Be confident: You may be nervous, but try to be calm.

Don’t be afraid. Listen: Make sure you hear everything interviewer says. Let

him complete the questions. Ask him to repeat question if you didn’t hear properly.

Answer the questions with examples: Don’t give vague answers. Concentrate on highlighting your accomplishment.

Choose words wisely: Don't talk negative about your previous work experiences. I will give bad impression.

Top rules for Interview

Ask Questions: Your Questions indicate you are interested in job. Employer appreciates interest.

Be yourself: Employer wants to know how you behave on daily basis so don’t pretend or act like someone you are not. But don’t use slang language and bad manners.

Express Thanks: At the end of interview, thank and appreciate interviewer for his time.

Follow up: An email to interviewer saying “thanks for the opportunity” shows that you are interested.

Top Rules for Interview

Tell me about yourself.Do you enjoy working in a group or

independently?What are your greatest strengths? What are

your biggest challenges?Give me an example of a time when you had

to apply good judgment in a challenging situation.

Tell me about your current (or last) job. What are the reasons you are leaving (or left)?

Common Questions asked in Interview

Why do you think you are a good fit for this position?

When you have free time, how do you spend it?

What is one thing about yourself that you would most like to change?

What are your salary requirements?Do you have any questions for me? (*Your

answer should always be “yes” and followed up with your questions!)

Common Questions asked in Interview

Appearance : Dressing, Grooming, posture

Sociability: FriendlinessConfidence: Eye Contact, Handshake, Responses: Honesty, seriousness,

appropriateness, ability to convinceCourtesy: Ability to show respect and

interest

What Interviewer looks in You

Questions?

Thanks & Allah Hafiz