Tips/Links

Great Industry Links and Job Seeking Tips

The best advice we can give you is how to market brand ‘you’ to your prospective employer. From your resume to the latest interview techniques, we have the tools to help you.

Make sure you regularly check in with our ‘News’ section so you can get updates on the changes to employer expectations when it comes to candidate applications and engagement.

 

Your Resume

Your Resume

First impressions still count. Even in today’s fast paced, digital world, the first step you take in landing the right role for you is the most critical - prepare your resume!

Make sure you take these important guidelines into account particularly if you haven’t been in the job market for a while. Even if you have, it’s important to check your resume is sharp, meaningful and represents you best.

Front Page

A clear list of your personal details: name, address, contact details (including LinkedIn profile address, Twitter Handle if relevant), education, qualifications.

Chronology

Reverse chronology of your resume is still the way to present your professional history starting with your current position. Include the month & year you started and finished different roles - including roles with the same employer (if relevant to you), and of course, the roles you’ve had with different employers.

Design & Layout

Clear, clean, lots of white space, simple fonts, short sentences. These factors are crucial. Use bullet points over paragraphs. Don’t attempt to sound clever with unnecessary complex words or syntax. Remember, simplicity will have maximum impact.  Spell check - every time. And get a third party to read it for you. Another set of eyeballs can make a huge difference.

Content

Provide a brief description of the company at the start of each job listed. Include key responsibilities & achievements with that role, including how you added value to the organisation. Provide a brief reason as to why you left the role/employer, don’t leave anything to chance. And remember, honesty always.

Qualifications

Following your professional history, provide additional details of your education and qualifications. Consider university, on-the-job training, post-university qualifications and industry based development but only include the training you’ve received relevant to the role you’re applying for.

References

Provide the details of two or three past employers who are willing advocates of your expertise.

Cover Letter

The cover letter must be short, clear and relevant to the role you’re applying for. It must also give a brief insight into the industry, the success factors key to the role and a measured enthusiasm in relation to both the job and the organisation.

 

The Interview

Getting Prepared

Undertake detailed research on the role, the company, the industry, the competitive environment and the individual who is interviewing you. Use platforms such as LinkedIn, Google, and Twitter. In addition, brush up on the latest in the industry via blogs, online forums & news sites.

Look at the potential career progression for someone taking on this role - the existing role they have; the next role they’re likely to take. This is important as it sets your thinking into a firm view of where you want to be in your career, and by when.

Presenting Yourself

Professional, all the way. Leave nothing to chance. No jeans, t-shirts or sneakers. A dark suit; a skirt or dress. Hair & make-up office-appropriate for the girls. Clean shaven for the guys. Don’t overdo the fragrance. Smile.

During The Interview

Arrive no more than 10 minutes early. Listen - it’s the best advice there is. Have a list of questions ready. Don’t interrupt. Be clear with your language, articulate well. Remember it’s a discussion. Keep to the facts and answer only what’s being asked. Don’t fidget. Use your smile to create warmth & rapport.