A GUIDE TO LANDING YOUR FIRST JOB
CV’S, COVER LETTERS...INTERVIEWS We know that securing a first job can be difficult. Navigating those first stages of a selection process can become confusing and overly stressful; cover letters, curriculum vitaes, applications - a myriad of obstacles with no guarantee of even securing an interview. If you are someone struggling to get through those first stages, we want to help you.
NxtStep have collated a number of insightful tips to help students and graduates with their future job applications. If you are a graduate looking for your first big break, or a student looking for some experience, this is the guide for you. Ready to get that job? Here we go.
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FIRST STAGE: The Written Application One of the most disheartening aspects of the job application process is when you don’t hear back from prospective employers. If you have not been invited to continue further in the application process, this indicates that based on your written application, you have not appeared to be a match for the position. It can leave you confused about where you went wrong, particularly if you felt you were a good fit for the role. It can also leave you questioning why your skills didn’t make the cut. Generally, this indicates that you didn’t make your skills clear enough in the written application. The first stage of your application is where you need to convince the recruiter that you are a good fit for the position.
YOUR CV So what exactly is a CV? Your curriculum vitae should provide a written overview of your qualifications and previous experience. It should summarise your skills and work history for potential employers. It is a good way for recruiters to see if you are qualified to work in the role, or possess the necessary skills to make you a strong candidate. A good CV is the backbone of your application, so it’s important to get it right.
LINKS TO CHECK OUT: 3 Ways to “Spring Clean” Your CV From “Enthusiastic” to Employed Things To Avoid On Your CV
You need to convince the recruiter that you are a good fit for the position.
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A GUIDE TO LANDING YOUR FIRST JOB
BASIC CV CHECKLIST Is my spelling and grammar correct? Is the format clean and easy to read? Have I included Education, Work Experience, Skills, Volunteer Experience and a Personal Statement? Have I asked someone to review it and give feedback? (Handy tip: Your university careers service will be able to review this for you!)
COVER LETTER/APPLICATION FORM If you have a well-written and informative CV which has been reviewed by a trusted individual, but you’re still not being offered any interviews, something else needs work. The first stage of your application may include a Cover Letter to accompany your CV, and should address the potential employer. This is the place for you to convince the recruiter of your interest in the role and demonstrate, earnestly, how you are an ideal candidate. Some jobs will include an application form consisting of a series of questions. This is also an integral component to your application and will require you to answer each question in full.
LINKS TO CHECK OUT: op 5: Mistakes You’re Making on your T Cover Letter How To: Write a Cover Letter Forms: Example Questions Application and Answers
BASIC COVER LETTER/ APPLICATION CHECKLIST Have I related my skills/experience to the job description? Have I researched the role/ company and shown a clear interest in my cover letter? Have I read the application form and answered each question carefully, relating it to my experiences?
Cover Letters
ADDITIONAL TIPS • Spelling and grammar can be tricky. A great way to navigate your commas and colons is to use free tools available online; it’s like having an English teacher in your pocket. Double and triple check your CV and Cover Letter for any mistakes, using Grammarly, Microsoft Word or any other reputable websites, such as polishmywriting.com or paperrater.com (Best Free Online Proofreading Tools). • Formatting your application correctly can be another obstacle. If you are struggling to design and present a professional CV, try using templates. You can find some good templates in Microsoft Word > Saved Templates, or online (Canva is our favourite). Take a look at these examples for a simple, foolproof design. • Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Always get another set of eyes to proofread your work and give you feedback on your CV and Cover Letter. The more opinions you gather, the more helpful it will be to gauge the overall impact of your application. Make use of the Careers Services at your uni for non-biased opinions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT CHECK OUT YOUR UNIVERSITY CAREERS SERVICE: • Auckland University CDES • AUT Employability and Careers Service • Lincoln University Careers Service • Massey University Careers Service
Get other people to proofread your cover letter and CV
• Otago University Careers Service • University of Canterbury Careers Service • Victoria University Careers Service • Waikato University Careers Service
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SECOND STAGE: The Testing and Interviews Congratulations, you made it to the next round! Maybe you were asked to complete a test, or a video interview? Whatever it may be, this can be another tricky stage to navigate. If you have yet to progress past this second stage, we’re here to help. Don’t be discouraged; making it to this stage indicates that your written application was strong enough to make the initial cut. Now, we just have to iron out a few kinks in how you handle the testing process.
PHONE INTERVIEWS Phone interviews are a common way for recruiters to follow up on applications that have caught their interest. They will typically last for about 30 minutes, and will involve a few questions about your written application. Phone interviews are a great way for employers to get a little insight into your personality and better understand your interest in the role.
PHONE INTERVIEW TIPS •P REPARE. Make sure that your written application is easily accessible before the interview, as well as the advert for the job/job description in question. Make notes on things you’d like to bring up during your interview or highlight points you can relate back to. This will also be helpful when the opportunity arises for you to ask questions (always ask questions: it shows that you’re interested in the role/company).
ESEARCH YOUR INTERVIEWER (if possible). It could be someone •R you’ve met before on campus, which could mean the conversation is more informal and friendly. It could be a professional outsourced recruiter, meaning that the questions will likely be very standard and formal. Perhaps they are someone who would be your future manager; in this case, consider the things a manager would like to hear (eager to learn, team player, etc.). •R ELAX. Find a quiet place, take a deep breath, and remember why you applied for the role in the first place. It’s important to remember that you should like the sound of the role just as much as we like you; don’t be afraid to ask appropriate questions. Let your personality shine through at genuine moments; nobody likes a robot.
LINKS TO CHECK OUT: How to Handle a Telephone Interview Get Some Great Phone Interview Tips
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A GUIDE TO LANDING YOUR FIRST JOB
Phone interviews are a great way for employers to get a little insight into your personality and better understand your interest in the role.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS Video interviews have become more popular in recent years. Sometimes they will take place over Skype, other times they might be pre-recorded. Video interviews can sometimes make people nervous as it concerns how you look and come across physically. It also means nerves are likely to be more apparent as the employer can see your mannerisms. Hence, it’s important to be well prepared and well groomed before any video interview.
VIDEO INTERVIEW TIPS • Make a good first impression. This is the first time an employer is ‘seeing’ you, so make it count as you would an in-person job interview. Put effort into your appearance, and take note of your posture; sit up straight and confidently. Pay special attention to the camera set-up, positioning, and audio quality. •A nswer the whole question, not just part of it. Speaking to a camera is not easy, especially if you need to be thinking on the spot. Employers have chosen to ask the question for a reason, and therefore expect candidates to answer it fully. Listen/read carefully and don’t be afraid to take a moment to ponder your answer before speaking. •P ractise, practise, practise. Employers can tell if you have done some practice, as you will likely come across as more comfortable and confident qualities that will definitely work in your favour. You can practise a trial video interview on https://portal.Interview4.Me/ (create a free account - the free version allows one live practice interview). Otherwise, watch online tutorials to familiarize yourself with the process and get some body language
It’s important to be well prepared and well groomed before any video interview.
tips; TED Talk: Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are • Prepare for things to go wrong. Things happen; technical difficulties, unexpected noise, people interrupting. Focus on how you are going to deal with these problems rather than panic. Think of it as a chance to show the employer how capable you are at handling stressful situations, problem solving, and thinking on your feet.
LINKS TO CHECK OUT: Video Interview Preparation: 8 Tips for Successful Video Interviewing The Two Types of Video Interviews and How to Nail Them Tips for a Successful Video Job Interview
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PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING For some employers, testing is an integral part of their selection process. Testing will provide employers with some insight into your technical and cognitive abilities, making it a great way for them to understand your strengths and weaknesses.
PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING TRIAL WEBSITES: University of
Auckland
Testing can sometimes take place during the first stage, but it’s also common in the second stage of assessment. If you feel like testing is not your strong point, don’t worry; it can easily be worked on. There is a multitude of free online trials that can prepare you for future testing, so your best bet is to do some research and practice before the real thing.
Practice Aptitude Tests
Job Test Prep
LINKS TO CHECK OUT:
Psychometric
Psychometric Testing Guide
Institute
The Ins and Outs of Psychometric Testing
FUTURE STEPS: Keeping Positive When one door closes, another opens. Everyone experiences rejection throughout their lives; even those people who you aspire to be. It’s important to remember that one ‘no’ does not equate to the end of your career (before it’s even started). Someone’s “no” will be someone’s “yes”. Perseverance pays off. Rejection does not mean that you are unemployable; it just means some other opportunity is out there waiting for you. Don’t think of rejection as a negative reflection on yourself. Think of it as a sign; it just wasn’t the right role for you. Keep your head up, keep working on your application technique, and keep applying. We believe in you!
CAREER RESEARCH WEBSITES: • NxtStep • University Careers job boards • Seek • LinkedIn • Indeed (Job aggregator)
LINKS TO CHECK OUT: Dealing With Rejection Turned Down for a Job? You Are Now One Rejection Closer to Success 10 Ways to Bounce Back From Bad Interviews and Job Rejection
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A GUIDE TO LANDING YOUR FIRST JOB
CAREER RESEARCH It is important to continue researching potential jobs and putting effort into your applications. A great way to approach the job hunting process is to set yourself achievable goals. Write down the key things you are looking for in a job to give your search some focus, or create a vision board. By identifying your ideal position and focusing your search, you can narrow down the number of potentially suitable roles. The more active and diligent you are now, the more impressed your future employer will be.
Here are some examples of goals you could set for yourself: • I will search for X number of roles to apply for. • I will apply for X number of jobs over the next week. •O n Monday I will practise my video interview technique. • I will broaden my reach and look at new job aggregators this weekend. • I will engage in X number of online live chats and employer presentations.
CONNECTING TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS/ ASKING FOR ADVICE Make an effort to stay connected to employers. Stay up to date as to when employers are on campus and when they will be hosting events (e.g. NxtStep livechats, Facebook live events, etc.) and participate in them. on’t be afraid to ask for advice. Whether it be friends, past D graduates, careers advisors, or employers, a little thoughtful advice can go a long way. • FRIENDS: They will likely be going through the same application process. Find out what worked for them, and what didn’t. • PAST GRADUATES: Ask about their graduate/intern experience. The best information and feedback is gained from people who have successfully landed their first job out of uni. • C AREERS ADVISORS: Make use of them. They can tell you more about various career pathways. They can help format and proofread your CV. They can identify areas for improvement, as well as identify the strengths you should be emphasizing. • E MPLOYERS: Don’t be afraid to approach an employer, whether it be at a careers event or via email. If you have a question about the application process, contact the HR team as they are more than happy to help. It’s always better to be proactive. Lastly, remember to be patient when waiting to hear back from employers. Graduate employers may receive hundreds of applications, and it takes time to get back to everyone. It is also common for applicants to not receive feedback or an explanation as to why they haven’t been progressed. Don’t take it personally, take time to reflect, and focus on your next steps.
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REMEMBER! Everyone starts somewhere. Consider a range of options that will help kickstart your career. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom and work your way up. Even if you have been so far unsuccessful, don’t take it personally, take time to reflect, and focus on your next steps. We wish you the best of luck with your future applications!
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A GUIDE TO LANDING YOUR FIRST JOB