Interview / CV Tips

 

Job hunting isn't always easy, and when you do find the perfect job for you, you don't want poor preparation to stand in between you and your perfect career. This section is designed to help you prepare effectively for an interview, and to present yourself in the best way possible to prospective employers...

 

Your Curriculum Vitae, or CV, is your chance to make a great first impression on a prospective employer. By following these guidelines, you can significantly  improve your chances of getting that important interview. Your consultant will work with you to ensure that you sell yourself in the best way possible.

 

 

- A good CV should be well-written, concise, and ideally no longer than two pages (employers don’t want to trawl through pages and pages of text).

 

- Include a Personal Statement at the beginning of your CV, concentrating on your strengths as an employee and your aspirations for the future.

 

- When recounting your Work History, always list previous positions in reverse order (most recent / current positions first).

 

- Your ‘Education and Qualifications’ section should include names and dates of schools and colleges you have attended, along with qualifications you have gained. Also include any additional professional training you have done (either independently or with previous employers).

 

- As much as possible, try to avoid long sentences and paragraphs. Keep the information simple and to the point.

 

- Sell yourself, but make sure that the information you include is factual and honest. Use your achievements and experiences with previous schools to demonstrate what you can do for your new employer. Where possible, support your claims with facts and figures.

 

- You should avoid complex formatting, like shaded areas, stylised fonts and boxes. Stick to regular fonts such as ‘Times New Roman’ or ‘Arial’ as these are easy to read and look professional.

 

- Do not include a photograph of yourself

 

- Never state your reason for leaving positions, as this can be covered at interview stage.

 

- Avoid including any information that has no impact on your ability to do the job ie Marital Status, Religion, Children etc.

 

- Finally, use a Spellchecker before printing your CV. Ensure that there are no grammatical or spelling mistakes, as these create a poor impression.

 

So, your Curriculum Vitae is looking great now. The company you want to work for wants to meet you. Now you need to prepare for the Interview. This section gives guidance on not only how to prepare but some pointers on how best to conduct yourself at the interview itself...

 

 

- Learn as much background information about the school as possible through their website or brochure, if they have one.

 

- Your interviewer will want to know about you personally, but will also be interested in what you feel you can bring to the school. Think about the sort of questions you might be asked, and put together some responses. For example:

 

Questions about you...

 

Why did you choose a career in Education?

Which positions have you most / least enjoyed in the past, and why?

What have you achieved or learnt in past positions that will stand you in good stead for this position?

How do you think you can contribute to this school?

Why do you want this position?

What is important to you in a job?

 

Questions about the job...

 

What do you know about this school?

What do you see as you greatest achievement at work so far?

What is the most challenging situation you have been faced with at work, and how did you deal with it?

What strategy would you employ to deal with a difficult or disruptive pupil?

What would you did if your strategy failed?

What is the most  important aspect of the job?

 

- Prepare examples to demonstrate your skills and abilities eg knowledge of the subject area, strategies you have used to engage a difficult class etc.

 

- Prepare a portfolio of projects you have undertaken in the past. Include clear reasoning for what you were trying to achieve with the projects, and the effect they had on pupils.

 

- On the day of the interview, take a copy of your CV and references with you.

 

- Arrive well ahead of your interview time, and allow time for possible delays.

 

- On a practical note, dress smartly and make sure you are well groomed, as your appearance will undoubtedly influence the outcome of your interview.

 

- When you meet your interviewer, shake their hand and wait to be invited to take a seat.

 

- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer and make sure that you speak clearly, as this will convey confidence. Don’t worry if you are nervous - an interviewer will half expect you to be. So if you feel that your nerves are getting the better of you, don’t be too concerned about letting the interviewer know.

 

- Don’t be afraid to sell yourself - after all, it’s you that has achieved what you have achieved.

 

- A good interview is all about give and take, so feel free to ask questions, making sure that you don’t simply talk about yourself non-stop.

 

- Listen to the questions asked, and keep your response simple - don’t ramble on about things that are irrelevant to the job.

 

- Ensure that your responses are honest and can be verified if necessary.

 

 

At the end of your interview, ensure that you thank the interviewer for seeing you.

Remember, last impressions are just as important as first impressions.