The document provides information and tips about creating curriculum vitae (CVs) and preparing for interviews. It discusses the purpose and components of a CV, including personal details, education, projects, skills, and work experience. It also offers advice on targeting your CV for specific roles. The document then covers interview preparation, such as researching the organization, anticipating questions, and using the STAR method to structure answers. Finally, it lists qualities employers seek and things that create a bad impression during interviews.

1. http://www.cit.ie
CV and Interview
Skills & Tips
Celvin Lane
Thursday: 03/05/2018
Room: C167 | 6 – 7 PM

2. Curriculum Vitae
 Curriculum Vitae (CV) means “course of life” in Latin.
 Written description of your work experience, educational
background and skills.
 A CV is typically a “living document” which will reflect the
developments in a professional’s career.
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Background

3. Curriculum Vitae
 Marketing tool: First impression is the one which lasts.
 Your “big picture”: A detailed snapshot of your professional
and academic life.
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Purpose of a CV

4. Curriculum Vitae
 Find out information about the role/position.
 Look at skills needed.
 Develop a Personal Profile.
 Tailor your CV (Structure, Layout & Content)
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Target your CV

5. Curriculum Vitae
 Personal Profile
 Education
 Projects
 Skills: Technical, communications, analytical etc.
 Work Experience
 Interests and Achievements
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CV Formats

6. Curriculum Vitae
 Format: 2 pages maximum.
 Academic: Work with your strengths, relevant subjects,
projects, and results.
 Course: Related Skills: IT, Software, Lab work, etc.…
 Work: Show skills, not only tasks involved.
Essential Tips
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7. Curriculum Vitae
 Name (Font 16 & Bold)
 Address (Font 12)
 Mobile Number (Font 12)
 Set up your voicemail!
 E-mail Address (Font 12)
 NB: Business-like
 LinkedIn
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Personal Details

8. Curriculum Vitae
• 2 to 3 purposeful sentences (the information has relevance to the employer
and/or the job for which you are applying.)
• Your profile demonstrates:
• Your current status
• 2 to 3 key skills and a proven achievement where possible
• CV objective – seeking a placement…
• Who you are?
• - Target driven Software student
• Functional Attributes
• - Excellent knowledge of key programming languages
• Desirable Personal Attributes
• - Genuine desire to succeed/make a contribution
• 2 or 3 targeted skills
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Personal Profile

9. Curriculum Vitae
• Provide information: dates, course title, College
• Outline details of subjects studied, specific modules, projects
undertaken, technical or lab skills acquired if applicable
• Provide information re: results achieved in specific
years/modules/projects.
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Education

10. Curriculum Vitae
 Provide information on relevant projects undertaken:
 Begin with the Title and a brief Description
 What research did you carry out?
 What Methods did you use?
 What was the analysis that you conducted?
 What were your findings?
 What result was achieved?
 Optional: Include web link to project
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Projects

11. Curriculum Vitae
• Outline the expertise you have developed in specific areas.
• Name the techniques/skills.
• Example:
• HTML: Excellent knowledge of HTML, developed while undertaking
individual web design project.
• Google Analytics: Excellent knowledge of Google Analytics, along with
achieving Goole Analytics IQ assessment.
• Communications Skills: communicating both verbal and written via
email and telephone.
• IT Skills: using laboratory software including SAP, LIMS, Empower.
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Skills

12. Curriculum Vitae
• Work: show skills not only obvious activity
• What exactly did I do?
• What skills did I use?
• What new skills did I develop?
• What did I do that I was proud of!
Tip: Tailor you're experience to the sector you are applying to Possible
Headings. For Example:
• Work Experience/ Professional Experience/ Relevant
Experience/Administrative Experience/ Marketing Experience…
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Education

13. Curriculum Vitae
• Don’t…
• Write Curriculum Vitae as a heading
• Don’t…
• Sign or date your CV
• Don’t
• Give incorrect information
• Don’t
• Have any spelling mistakes or typos
• Don’t
• No longer use I, My, We, etc…
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Don’t for your CV

14. Applying for roles
 Websites; Jobs.ie, Indeed.ie, and LinkedIn.
 Search companies/roles which you wish for and apply to
companies on their websites.
 Make a list of jobs you applied for!
 Follow up!
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Tips!

15. Interviews
 Interview: A meeting with an objective
 Employer’s objective is to find the best person for the job
 Employer: reviews candidate’s experience and abilities
 Can you do the job? (skills, abilities, qualifications)
 Will you do the job? (interest, attitude & motivation)
 How will you fit into the organisation? (personality)
 You: impress employer and assess position on offer
 What does this position offer me?
 How does it fit with my career plans?
 Congratulations: you have passed the first hurdle
 You must prove that you are the most suitable candidate for this
position
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What to expect

16. Interviews
 Review own skills, experiences and qualities
 Check CV
 Anticipate questions and identify relevant examples
 Prepare key selling points
 Research organisation
 Websites, reports, articles, company literature, etc
 Contacts with knowledge of organisation or sector
 Relevant articles in the press
 Personal visit or telephone call
 Research job and occupational area
 Job description – or similar
 Current issues
 Prepare your questions
 Practice
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Preparation is the key to success

17. Interviews
 First impressions are very powerful.
 Halo effect or Devil effect
 Allow time to relax.
 Dress appropriately.
 Entrance, introductions & handshake.
 Smile and make eye contact.
 Be aware of own movements.
 Watch body language of interviewer.
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Body Language

18. Interviews
 About you
 Tell me about yourself - Bring me up to date with your CV?
 Why did you choose that particular degree programme?
 What would you consider your major achievements to date?
 About the job
 What interests you about this job?
 What do you know about this organisation?
 What other options are you considering?
 How do you see your career developing – 5 years?
 General knowledge
 What do you think of the Government’s policy on college fees?
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Typical Questions

19. Interviews
 Company identifies key skills required for job
 Designs questions to elicit evidence of skills
 Emphasis on past behaviour as predictor of success
 Teamwork: Describe a team project you worked on. What problems arose?
How did you deal with them?
 Communication Skills: Describe situation when you had to persuade others to
support your view. Give an example of any reports you’ve written which
illustrate your writing skills
 Interpersonal skills: What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with?
How do you handle those situations?
 Taking Responsibility: Describe a time when you took responsibility to achieve
a challenging goal
 Problem-solving: Tell about a time when you had several tasks to manage at
one time with conflicting deadlines.
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Competency-based Interviews

20. Interviews
 Q: Give me an example of a problem you encountered. How did
you approach it. What was the outcome?
 STAR response
 S: Describe the situation
 T: Explain the task/problem that arose
 A: What action did you take?
 R: What was the result or outcome?
 What did you learn from this experience?
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Responding to Competency Questions

21. Interview
Employer needs:
 Communication
 Team work
 Leadership
 Initiative
 Customer Care
 IT
 Commercial awareness
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Matching Skills to Requirements. Example:
Your evidence:
 Presentation to class
 Group project
 Class rep, Committee
 Fundraising for charity
 Working in SuperValu
 Designed website
 Business pages

22. Interviews
 Listen carefully, seek clarification
 Illustrate answers with real examples and evidence
 Be positive – constructive criticism
 Keep answers specific and concise
 Take time to respond
 Be alert to interviewer’s body language
 Speak clearly, smile and show enthusiasm
 Know what you want to say, and find the opportunity
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Your Answers

23. Interviews
 Good all-round intelligence
 Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation
 Good communication skills
 Team work ability
 Ability to solve problems
 Capacity to work hard
 Initiative and self-reliance
 Balanced personality
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Qualities Employers Seek

24. Interviews
 Poor personal appearance
 Negative attitude – evasive, using excuses
 Lack of interest and enthusiasm
 Lack of preparation
 Poor knowledge of role
 Failure to give concrete examples of skills
 Over emphasis on money/rewards
 Lack of career plan
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What creates a bad impression

25. Interviews
 Review own performance
 What went well
 What went badly
 What you wished you had said
 Prepare for next stage
 Invitation to second / final round interviews
 Assessment centre
 Psychometric testing
 Panel interview
 Rejection letter / email
 If you can request feedback - use it
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What creates a bad impression

26. Interviews
 CV: Personal Statement, Experience, Education, and Skills
 Applying for jobs: Websites, LinkedIn.
 Interviews: Research business before, prepare questions, and use the STAR
response for answering.
 Email: celvin.lane@mycit.ie for further questions, advice, or help!
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Summarise

27. http://www.cit.ie
Celvin Lane
03/05/2018
Thank you
Any further questions, help or advice: Celvin.lane@mycit.ie