Guide to Job Seeking!
CVs and cover letters: How to write a CV Give yourself the best chance of success by writing a CV that demonstrates why you are the perfect candidate.
What is a CV? CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for 'course of life'. It is a summary of your experience, skills and education. In the USA and Canada it is known as a résumé - this is the French word for summary.
How long should a CV be? A standard CV in the UK should be no longer than two sides of A4. Some academic CVs may be longer depending on your experience.
What should I include in my CV? Your CV needs to be packed with relevant information to help an employer make the decision to hire you. It should include:
contact details - include full name, address, mobile phone number and email address; education - list and date all previous education, placing the most recent highest up the page. Include any professional qualifications; referees - two people who can provide positive comments on your previous employment or experiences; skills - for example, the ability to work in a team, manage people, customer service skills, or specific IT skills; work experience - this can be internships, voluntary roles or previous jobs. Add the most recent/relevant positions and examples of tasks.
What should I leave out of my CV? You should exclude the following information from your CV:
the term curriculum vitae or résumé - CV will suffice in the UK; a photo - unless you're applying for an acting or modelling job; date of birth or place of birth - this is unnecessary and can lead to identity theft.
Do I need to add a profile? You don't have to add a personal profile but it will help your CV stand out. It must focus on the sector you are applying to, as your cover letter will be jobspecific. You should keep it short and snappy - 200 words is the perfect length for a personal profile. This section of your CV is also known as a personal statement, career summary, career aim or simply a profile.
Do I list work experience or education first? If you're a recent graduate and don't have much relevant work experience then it will be best to begin with your education. The opposite would apply if you have plenty of relevant experience. For a template, head to example CVs.
Should I include hobbies in my CV? It's not compulsory to include hobbies in your CV, but you may want to mention any that are relevant to the job you're applying for. An example might be volunteering as a sports coach, or learning a language in your spare time. Generic examples such as reading, going to the cinema, or listening to music are not worth including.
How do I write a great CV? There are many ways to create an exceptional CV, but for a solid foundation, concentrate on four main points: 
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Grammar - there should be no mistakes in your CV. Use a spell checker and enlist a second pair of eyes to check over the text. Try and include as many active words as possible to increase the impact of your CV. Use active verbs to replace passive verbs and nouns wherever possible. For example, you could include targeted words like 'created', 'analysed'; and 'devised' to present yourself as a person that shows initiative. Layout - place your most attractive skills and talents towards the top of your CV to boost your chances of impressing an employer. The same rule applies to listing grades - always place your highest grade first.
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Presentation - keep your CV neat and make sure it is easy on the eye. Bullet points should be used to tidy up any lists. Your choice of font can have more impact than you might think. The University of Kent careers service suggest using 10 point Verdana or Lucida Sans with a larger typeface for headings and sub-headings. You should always avoid Comic Sans. Style - there a various types of CV you can employ. Think carefully about what style will suit your needs. For templates, take a look at example CVs.
Never lie on your CV or job application. Not only will you demonstrate your dishonesty to a potential employer, but there can be serious consequences too. For example, altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud and can result in a prison sentence. An important point for those posting their CVs online: don't include your home address, as you could be targeted by fraudsters.
How do I explain a gap in my CV? You must always inform a potential employer of a gap in your CV to avoid it being misinterpreted. Disclose this information in your cover letter. See cover letters.
Do I need to write a cover letter? You should always include a cover letter unless the employer states otherwise. It will enable you to personalise your application to the job. You can draw attention to a particular part of your CV, disclose a disability or clarify gaps in your work history.
Traditional CV
Skills Based CV
Academic CV
CVs and cover letters: Cover letters Set yourself apart from the competition by producing positive and relevant cover letters that directly relate to the job you're applying for.
Do I need a cover letter? A cover letter should always accompany your CV unless you are told otherwise. It allows you to personalise an application and highlight key areas of your CV in more depth. It can also be called a covering letter.
How do I write a cover letter? Keep your cover letter brief, while making sure it emphasises your suitability for the job. It can be broken down into the following sections: 
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First paragraph - the opening statement should set out why you are writing the letter. Begin by stating the position you're applying for, where you saw it advertised and when you are available to start. Middle paragraphs - you should use the next two or three paragraphs to explain: what attracted you to this vacancy and type of work; why you're interested in working for the company; and what you can offer to the organisation. Demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the job description. Last paragraph - use the closing paragraph to indicate your desire for a personal interview, while mentioning any unavailable dates. Finish by thanking the employer and say how you are looking forward to receiving a response.
For more information, see our example cover letter.
How should I address my cover letter? Always try and address your cover letter directly to the person who will be reading it. Bear in mind that you are more likely to receive a reply if you send it to the right person. Advertised positions will usually include a contact name, but if not, it is worth taking the time to find out who the letter should be addressed to.
11 rules of successful cover letters With employers often receiving huge volumes of applications for each vacancy, you need to ensure that your cover letter makes a lasting impression. Here are some rules you'll need to stick to if you want to increase your chances of success:
be concise and to the point - keep it to one side of A4; use the same quality plain white paper you used to print your CV; include a named contact whenever possible to show you have sent it to them personally; relate your skills to the job advert and make a case for why the employer should want to meet with you; proofread - always double-check your spelling and grammar without relying on a computer spellcheck program; target the company by tailoring your cover letter for each application; page layout should be easy on the eye, set out with the reader in mind; check to make sure you've got the company name and other key details right; read it and cut out any unnecessary words or sentences; if sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment to avoid it being detected by spam filters; stick to your own words, avoiding jargon and formal clichés.
How do I write a cover letter for a job that's not advertised? A speculative application can sometimes be an effective method of creating a career opening, especially in highly competitive industries. Carry out some research on the job and the company you are sending your application to. Timing is everything when it comes to the creative career search. See our example cover letter for a speculative application.
Do I need to explain gaps in my CV? You must always explain any large gaps in your CV and your cover letter is the place to do so. This is so a potential employer doesn't misinterpret a break in your career history. If you approach it positively, it shouldn't be an issue.
Reasons for gaps in your CV include:
returning to work after a gap year; having children; caring for a sick relative; suffering from a recurring medical condition; and redundancy.
Finish by demonstrating your enthusiasm for the position and add that you are now ready to focus on your career. For an example, see our cover letter explaining a career gap.
Should I disclose my disability in the cover letter? You not legally required to disclose a disability. However, you should not lie and say you don't have a disability if you do, as this could mean you lose any potential job offer. If you choose not to disclose a disability in your cover letter then you can do so at a later stage. See our example cover letter for disclosing a disability.
How do I apply for a job abroad? Many overseas job offers are dependent on the applicant already being legally allowed to work and live in the country in question. If you're planning on working overseas, you'll need to go through the correct visa procedures and obtain any work permits that are applicable to the country you wish to work in. For more details, see working abroad. Most countries will recognise UK qualifications, but you should check to see if there are any comparisons you might need to refer to in your cover letter. Do some research when writing your cover letter and CV, to ensure that you include everything required by employers in the region of the world where you'd like to work. If you want to work abroad, take a look at our cover letter of an international student applying for a job in the UK and apply these principles to the country of your choice.
How do I sell my Masters degree to employers? Employers don't always distinguish between a Masters and Bachelors degree when recruiting. They may value the additional maturity, but it is up to you to explain in your covering letter what skills and knowledge you have gained through this higher qualification. Present yourself in terms of the extra abilities you have and how this relates to your career goals. For ideas of the subject-specific and general skills you may have gained during your studies see what can I do with my degree? A Masters also needs to be complemented by relevant work experience, so don't pass on the chance to mention any details of this. To help sell your qualification to employers see our cover letter written by a Masters graduate.
7 of the worst cover letter mistakes Your covering letter is an opportunity to show employers how well you express yourself and it should entice them to read your CV. If you want to ensure it is as effective as possible, avoid these common mistakes:
failing to address the letter to a named individual at the company; repeating what is written in your CV; forgetting to proofread your letter and sending it full of mistakes; spilling over onto a second page; sharing unnecessary personal details and giving rambling explanations; concentrating too much on your qualifications rather than your skills and experience; failing to target your letter to the specific job you're applying for.
Standard cover letter
Speculative job cover letter
Disclosing a disability cover letter
Applying for a job abroad cover letter
Master’s graduate cover letter
Applying for jobs: Job application forms Application forms are used by prospective employers to assess applicants' suitability for the job advertised Often, application forms are submitted alongside CVs and cover letters, so you need to think about these three items together.
What is in a job application form? There are two types of application forms used by employers:
paper application forms; online application systems.
Increasingly, large organisations recruit via online application systems but you will still find that paper application forms are used by many small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most application forms and online systems require information about: 1. Your personal details including:
name, address, contact details; educational institutions attended/attending and the qualifications gained/predicted; previous and current experience of work; current salary/earnings; whether you are able to work in the UK; referees.
Sometimes an employer will also ask for your National Insurance number and whether you have been convicted of an offence. 2. Your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience (SAKE). These are often collectively referred to as your competences. Aim to tailor your SAKE to fit the specific job applied for.
Firstly, read the form through so that you can see where the questions and requests for information appear. This is especially important for online application forms where the structure of the form may not be visible as you begin. Describing you SAKE is easier to do if the employer has provided a job and/or person specification. If a job or person specification is not available, then ask for
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one and carefully research the company or industry to find out as much as you can about what the employer is likely to be looking for. It's important that you know about the job before you begin your application so make sure that you research the role and organisation.
How do I write a good job application? The key to a good application is making sure your SAKE fit the job and/or person specification. Many job specifications distinguish between attributes sought in candidates that are 'essential' and 'desired'. In these highly competitive times, you're unlikely to get far if you can't align your SAKE to all or most of the essential requirements. Use words that align to the attribute on the job specification. For example, if the employer is looking for a 'strong team player' answer with something such as, 'I work well in groups and can establish effective working relationships with those in my immediate team as well as colleagues in other departments'. It's also worth adding to this and providing a specific example drawn from your experience to support what you say. For example, 'I organised a monthly telephone conference for all those who work off-site and edited a weekly, email round-up of progress against targets'. It's important to use action verbs to begin short statements. For example, 'coordinated the stock control process', 're-organised the mail-shot system,' and 'learned how to deal with customer complaints'. Use words that are descriptive and precise; for example, 'effective working relationships' is better than 'good working relationships' because 'effective' suggests that the relationships were productive and relevant to the job whereas 'good' is a value judgement. Use examples from all aspects of your life: experiences of work, social, sports and family activities, course and extra-curricular activities. Skills such as leadership are often developed in non-work settings so use them positively. Most applications require a minimum of two referees - often an employer and an academic tutor. Avoid using friends unless they can comment on you in a workrelated setting. Finally, make sure all text is spelled correctly and written in clear, grammatical form. Use spellcheck and proofread carefully. Before submitting your application, ask
someone to check it for you. If you are a student, you can ask a professional careers adviser at your university careers and employability service to review your application. Recent graduates may also be allowed to use the careers service. To find out more, see what skills do employers want?
Should I disclose personal information? You do not need to disclose personal information about your age, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation unless this information will help with your application and has a focus on your suitability for the role. Progressive employers have a stated policy to promoting diversity and it's in their interest to recruit from the widest pool of applicants. As part of the application process you may be asked to complete an Equal opportunities monitoring form. The information you provide about your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability is treated confidentially and will not be used as part of the selection process. The forms are normally separated from the application on receipt and used to monitor the employers commitment to equality and diversity.
How do I complete an online job application? Online application systems require both your personal details and your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience (SAKE) in relation to the job applied for, just as standard forms but may also capture other information as well. For example, you may find online personality profiling or competency-based questions in online systems. The former includes multiple choice questions about your preferences, strengths, and motivations and the latter may take the form of a series of scenarios in which you have to explain what you did (or would do) in a similar situation. In personality questionnaires, the best response is the immediate one, where you give an honest answer without reflecting on it. With the scenarios, make sure you understand the question and you give yourself time to really think through what is being asked. Online application systems tend to seek out more about your motivation and ability to do the job than standard forms so make sure you research what the employer or job role requires before completing the form. Give yourself time to compose your answers off-line and then check them.
Applying for jobs: What skills do employers want? Brushing up your knowledge of desirable skills and being able to demonstrate them at interview can increase your chances of success when applying for jobs
Sought-after skills There has been a lot of research about what employers are looking for in potential employees and typically it results in lists of skills, abilities and work behaviours like this:
teamwork; problem solving; communication; time management; IT skills; numeracy; customer awareness.
These skills and abilities are 'generic', which means they are likely to be necessary in most types of employment. The way in which generic skills are demonstrated depends on the requirements of the particular job - so for example, while lots of jobs need communication skills, jobs involving selling, teaching, explaining or advocating are likely to need communication skills at a higher level than most.
Essential requirements Where skills and abilities are essential in order to fulfil the requirements of the job, they are called 'specific' skills or abilities. Specific skills might include, using equipment, having theoretical knowledge/degree subject experience or know-how. What employers want is likely to be determined by business/organisational needs. Taking the example of communication skills further, a firm of lawyers will be seeking good general communication skills in all staff, sophisticated oracy and advocacy skills among those training to be barristers, and strong interviewing skills among solicitors. Therefore, even generic skills (abilities, behaviours and knowledge) are all contextspecific, so it's important to think carefully about the specific workplace that these skills will be needed.
Matching skills to the job How you demonstrate your abilities is again dependent on the workplace setting and the type of job. For example, the term 'creativity' means something very different in an advertising agency than it does in a transport business. One employer's understanding of 'using initiative' might be considered 'risk taking' by another. For example, in organisations where following procedures systematically is important (such as in healthcare) opportunities to use initiative will be more limited than in organisations that depend upon new ideas and taking a chance that something might work, such as the entertainment industry.
Entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial skills Finally, many employers require graduate employees to be enterprising. The term enterprising is often associated with being an entrepreneur, that is being selfemployed and initiating your own business ideas. You might be surprised that 'intrapreneurialism' (the ability to be enterprising within an employed role) is fast becoming a sought-after attribute. In order to demonstrate entrepreneurialism and intrapreneurialism you must show that you:
can take responsibility for your own ideas; think creatively about problems; lead yourself and others in new practices; cope with uncertainty; initiate change; thrive on challenge.
Applying for jobs: Example questions and answers Knowing how best to answer those tricky questions on application forms makes applying for jobs a lot easier. You can expect questions that gather information about your work history, your achievements, and what attracts you to the specific job role (and organisation). Here are some examples of questions you might face and what's required in your answer: Question: Please explain your work experience including each of your job roles, responsibilities, organisations worked for, dates, salary and reason for leaving. Answer: Create a list of previous jobs, putting your most recent role first. For each, summarise your key accountabilities in two or three sentences. Emphasise those aspects of your previous roles that relate to the job applied for. For example, for a role working with clients or customers, you might put: “Sales experience in a national retail chain, where I acquired an understanding of how customers need to be listened to and made to feel confident that their ideas and concerns taken into account.” Question: What is your greatest achievement? Answer: This question is seeking not only what you are most proud of but also which of your achievements has real value to you. Here you are advised to show that you share similar values or organisational goals so it's important to do your research about the organisation before you respond. Take care to be honest; what you say might be taken up at interview. Question: Why do you want this particular job/want to work here? Answer: This is questioning your motivation and, in particular, is asking you to show that you have given thought to how far the job or organisation suits your particular interests and goals. You need to research the job/organisation carefully in order to give as precise a response as possible. For example: “After attending a graduate fair and meeting your organisation, I was impressed to find out how much emphasis is placed on professional development and training. I have always wanted to work in overseas economic development as I would like to make a positive contribution to those living in
less affluent countries. I see this traineeship as providing with me a strong foundation for work in the finance and professional services industry; my medium-term goal is to work in an audit department.” You can also expect questions to test your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience (SAKE). This is where you are most likely to encounter competency-based questions, for example: Question: Why do you think you are suitable for this job? Answer: You need to describe how your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience match the job while also explaining your motivation and goals. Question: Give an example of when you have worked on a team project. What was the outcome and what was your role in the team? Answer: Start by giving a brief description of the project. Explain what your role was (how you supported colleagues, managed your and others' time, gave feedback on progress, etc) and what you learned about yourself as a team member and about teamwork. Explain what you might do differently with the benefit of hindsight. Question: Give an example of communicating complex or difficult information to individuals or groups. Answer: Examples may be drawn from all aspects of your life, but you need to explain the context. For example: “While in the third year of my course, I was asked to represent students' views at the review and validation committee. This involved speaking to and answering questions from 17 academic staff. My work with the Citizens Advice Bureau entails discussing sensitive issues with clients. I observe strict confidentiality and give clients plenty of time to collect their thoughts; my questions have to be clear but not threatening.” Question: Give an example of your ability to work to deadlines and how you cope with work pressure. Answer: This sort of question is seeking information about your time management and organisational skills. The experience of 'work pressure' can be both exhilarating and debilitating and this sort of question is probing for how you behave when under pressure.
For example: “During my degree I always planned my time carefully and set myself a deadline ahead of the due date for each assignment; my coursework was never late. I really enjoy a challenge. While on work placement, I had to re-draft a document overnight because of new information late in the afternoon. One of my strategies is to make sure every member of the hockey team has clear instructions by both email and text several days before the match and I organise extra reserves for away matches.” Question: Give an example of how you have had to research or analyse complex information. What methods did you use and how did you present your findings? Answer: Such a question might be used to assess your problem-solving abilities. For example: “For my final year dissertation, I wanted to know how to set up a student-led social enterprise. A review of published literature was used to design a questionnaire focusing on the relationship between the Local Enterprise Partnership and the faculty. The results of my experiment were downloaded to a series of Excel spreadsheets, from which I created bar graphs that were used in a PowerPoint presentation to the other members of the research group. My research findings were used to inform a new marketing campaign because I was able to identify a gap in customers' understanding of how to use the product.”
Interview tips: How to prepare for an interview Essential advice on getting ready for a job interview, polishing your technique and calming your interview nerves...
What do I need to do before an interview? Give yourself plenty of time to:
research the role and the organisation; think about how well your experience, interests and skills fit the job and the organisation; research current affairs and trends in your job sector; find out what the prospective employer is actually looking for; anticipate questions you might be asked, then prepare answers to these questions; find out what form the interview will take, e.g. single, panel, group etc.
You should also:
plan the day of the interview, especially your journey with an aim to arrive ten minutes early. Take money in case you need to take a taxi or bus unexpectedly; carry an A-Z street map or put the postcode of the organisation into Google maps on your mobile to prevent getting lost; decide what you will wear and set it out the night before. Suits and business wear are the best option with comfortable, polished shoes; get an early night - we all perform better when fully awake.
How do I make a good impression at a job interview? Stand out for all the right reasons by ensuring you:
arrive on time or better still early; are organised. Take your application letter, CV and examples of work (if appropriate) with you; listen carefully to questions and answer them concisely; highlight your best attributes in the interview. Before you go, think about what you want the interviewer to know about you (in relation to the job) during the interviewing process; pay attention to the way you communicate. There's evidence to suggest that non-verbal communication overpowers verbal communication so if you describe yourself as confident and outgoing but speak inaudibly and avoid eye contact,
the interviewer will read the latter as indicating a lack of confidence and disregard what you said about being confident; practise anything you're concerned about. This could be saying your answers aloud, which builds confidence in hearing yourself speak, or having a trial run of the journey to the interview.
What techniques can I use to control my nerves? In interviews, nerves can make you forget to do simple things such as smile and listen, which can result in being thought of as unfriendly or inattentive. You're more likely to be nervous if you're inadequately prepared so as well as following our advice above, you should:
give yourself time to think about what unique qualities you will bring to the job/organisation; think of practical examples to demonstrate what you have achieved and draw upon all aspects of your working, educational and social life; write notes and take these along to the interview; use cues in your notes to highlight examples that you want to draw upon, such as 'cricket team', 'course representative', 'sales job'; be aware of the structure of the interview. Interviews often begin with topics that are easier to answer because you need less time to think, such as 'tell us about your studies at university'; pause before answering a difficult question in order to give yourself time to think; use positive language, as interviewers will be assessing your motivation and enthusiasm; ask for clarification if, at first, you're unsure of what the question means; breathe.
Where can I practice my interview skills? Your university careers and employability service is likely to provide practice interview sessions. Alternatively, you could:
practise your answers (to anticipated questions) with someone you trust and seek feedback but don't be overly self-critical; use non-job interviews as opportunities to practise and monitor your interview skills, e.g. discussions with your tutor, doctor etc.; ask for feedback and advice after unsuccessful interviews and take it as an opportunity to learn and improve; pay a private company to provide interview practice.
Plan your answers to common interview questions.
What should I take to a job interview?
In general you will not need more than your own letter of application and CV, the job specification/description and your own notes. Your invitation to interview should detail everything you need to bring. Often employers request examination certificates, which can take time to locate, so make sure you check what you need in plenty of time. You might wish to impress by reading up on the organisation's literature, e.g. a business plan or corporate social responsibility strategy, but make sure you have read it in depth and be prepared to share your views and ideas. A pen and notebook are always worth carrying with you and, if giving a presentation, take a copy on a data stick even if you have emailed it beforehand, along with copies of the slides to use as handouts for the interview panel. If you take a mobile phone, make sure it is switched to silent or off before entering the organisation.
What is a competency-based interview? This type of interview is one where the interviewer seeks evidence that you have the skills and experience required to do the job. Interviews that take this form involve questions developed around the job and person specifications, so think carefully about examples from your own experience that match or complement these specifications. Remember that you can use examples from contexts other than work, for example, you may never have worked in a team in the same type of organisation but you have participated in teams elsewhere. It's important to show an ability or interest in being able to learn new skills; if you are asked about something that is outside your experience, describe a situation where you learned something new and suggest you can do so again.
How do I prepare for a phone interview? Phone interviews are most often used as a preliminary screen. When preparing for the interview it's important to consider:
tone of voice - ensure you're enthusiastic and use positive language; battery life - if using your mobile charge it fully before the interview;
location - find a quiet place for the interview, where you will be undisturbed by noise or others.
Phone interviews are often recorded so you may want to find out whether yours will be. It's important to pay particular attention to getting your key messages across quickly - write key attributes down and have this available during the phone call. Be willing to repeat these with the use of examples. More recently, there has been an increase in Skype or video interviews. This is particularly likely if applying for jobs overseas or where key staff are located overseas. Remember to dress as you would for a face-to-face interview and check what else will be in the shot with you before the interview begins.
How do I prepare for a second interview? A second interview means you have made it through the initial screening and the interviewer is now looking for:
evidence that you have the skills, abilities and interest to carry out the job; confirmation that you are able to bring something of value to the organisation.
It's likely that questioning will focus on gathering a deeper understanding of you and your motivations and how these fit with the role, existing team of staff and organisational ethos. Therefore, in order to prepare:
find out as much as you can about the challenges that face the organisation, its priorities, its markets, its competitors, any existing or new legislative arrangements, etc.; think about what you could bring to the organisation and prepare examples of how you have achieved (or learned) something of relevance; find ways to demonstrate enthusiasm for the goals of the organisation.
Interview tips: Interview questions Test out your job interview skills with these typical interview questions and answers...
What are common interview questions? Interviews enable prospective employers to gather more information about applicants and build upon questions already put in application forms; they are also for prospective employers to check that what has been written in CVs and application forms is real. To anticipate what form the questions might take, put yourself in the role of the employer and consider what you would like to know. Questions are likely to cover:
educational achievements; work experience; personal skills, such as leadership, teamwork; personal goals; understanding of the role; strengths; weaknesses.
They might be put as:
What made you decide to study at university x? What did you find challenging about working as an x? Give us an example of how you worked effectively in a team. Where do you see yourself in five years' time? What would you bring to the role of x? Tell us about your proudest achievement. Do you envisage any difficulties in carrying out this role?
Don't assume that the interviewer has read your application carefully (there may have been many). Prepare your responses as if the interviewer knows little about you, but be prepared to justify anything you have put in your application.
What is a competency-based question? Competency-based interviews may include 'scenario' questions, where you are asked what you might do (or have done) in a given situation or scenario. Again, thinking in advance about your own experience is good preparation to respond well. Here is an example of a required competency in a job specification: Ability to motivate learning in lower primary age (KS1 and KS2) children. In an interview, this might be put as:
Can you give us an example of how you motivated children while on school placement? This question requires a skills and knowledge-based answer; or We have a small group of children in school whose ability to progress in KS2 English is significantly lower than the UK or local norms. What would you suggest could be done to raise their attainment? This question requires a scenario-based answer.
How do I answer challenging interview questions? Challenging questions are sometimes used to find out how you react under pressure. Any question can be challenging if you have not prepared for it so it's important to:
prepare well for anticipated questions; admit you don't know the answer, rather than waffle or lie; provide balanced responses if the question seeks your views; give practical examples to illustrate your answer; be honest and avoid responding with something you think the interviewer might want to hear as you could get it wrong.
Can I refuse to answer personal questions? Yes. If you don't think a question is relevant to the job application, then you can refuse to answer. All candidates should be asked the same questions; it would be considered highly unethical for an interviewer to ask female candidates about how they manage childcare, but not to ask males. Once the decision to offer a job has been made however, it might be in your interests to respond to a personal question if it relates directly to fulfillment of the role. For example, if you have disclosed a health consideration on an application form, it
would reasonable for an employer to ask for additional personal information in order to enable you to access the job safely. The important distinction here is whether you have been offered the job. Personal information, such as family circumstances, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and health matters should be considered when job competency has been fully explored and only if relevant to fulfillment of the role. This will often arise in a follow-up interview.
What are typical portfolio-based questions? Where you are asked to bring a portfolio of work to the interview, for example, in a creative/design job application, you are likely to be asked questions about:
how you created the design/artefact; what/who inspired you; what commercial value the work has; whether the work has been patented; how you see the work being mass-produced; whether the work is the result of a collaboration with others.
What makes a good answer in a group interview? Group interviews are carried out by prospective employers to observe how candidates perform in a competitive group situation. They take the form of:
group discussions where candidates are given a topic to discuss or a task to complete; or questions that are put to the group by a questioner/group leader. There is often a note-taker or observer.
Group interviews are an opportunity for you to show your group or teamwork skills and:
show your knowledge of a topic; demonstrate you can listen and understand the views of others; act as a leader by bringing all group participants into the conversation; intervene positively if a group member is dominant; summarise, build consensus and agree action.
Effective group working is a skilful activity and benefits from practice and feedback. Your university careers service may offer training in how to manage your contribution in groups. Good answers include:
I agree and would like to add that… (elaborate); Another approach would be to… (provide alternatives); We seem to be agreeing that we take the following action… (summarise); Does anyone want to add to this…? (include others).
What questions should I ask the interviewer? Asking questions shows you are interested in the job and it's a good idea to have two or three prepared in advance. For example:
What kind of further training would be provided? Does the organisation have plans to develop in…? What is the proposed start date for the role?
If you have had all your prepared questions answered during the interview, then simply explain that and indicate you look forward to hearing the outcome.
Interview tips: Interview tests and exercises From in-tray exercises to presentations, employers have an arsenal of interview tests to choose from. Get the competitive edge by preparing for the tests that you might encounter
What is a case study exercise? Case study exercises ask you to collate and analyse the information given and to draw conclusions from it. A case study exercise may be given to you verbally or as a series of documents describing an actual or synthesised situation to which you are asked to respond. Your response may be to produce a brief report, explain verbally what you would do, make a decision, or all of these.
How do I deal with a case study? Try to anticipate the type of case study you will get by researching the organisation. For example, you're more likely to get a fundraising case study in a charity than in a multinational organisation. Once you have been given your case study:
read all materials carefully and make sure you know what is expected of you; make notes as you go; sort out the important from the trivial material; treat it like a course assignment - identify your focus, arrange your material and draw conclusions. Look for patterns, inconsistencies and contradictions. What is the real issue? decide what you think could or should be done next; manage your time carefully - completing the task on time might be more important than capturing every detail in your report/commentary.
How do I tackle a written exercise? Written exercises often involve writing a letter or report on a certain topic or you may be given a document to review or summarise. To successfully complete a written exercise, you should:
read all materials carefully and make sure you know what is expected of you;
use a combination of narrative writing styles, headings and bullet points to add emphasis; ensure correct spelling and use of grammar by using the spell check and proofreading to avoid the misuse of words, e.g. there when it should be their; write for someone who does not have your depth of knowledge; use acronyms only when you have explained them as you would in an essay. For example, '…the Student Loans Company (SLC)…' followed by, '…in the SLC instructions…'; keep comments concise or you may run out of time; make sure all writing is relevant to the task you have been given.
What makes a good interview presentation? Presentations are used to assess your ability to communicate formally with groups and also to give you an opportunity to provide your own ideas. You will usually be given a topic and timeframe in advance, so can prepare in your own time. If you're asked to make a presentation during an assessment centre without prior notice, you're being observed in how you respond under pressure. When preparing a presentation make sure you:
decide what you want the audience to know by the end of it and keep that in mind throughout your preparation; develop aims, objectives and outcomes for your presentation and write them down; structure your presentation to include an introduction, a main section and a conclusion; keep visual prompts to a minimum - don't overload PowerPoint screens so that you have to wait for the audience to read through the text; practise your presentation by speaking out loud, rather than reading your notes, as this will give a better idea of how long it will take.
If you feel like you need help preparing, your university careers or employability service may provide practice sessions or advice in making presentations. When you give your presentation, remember to:
respond to the topic you have been given and eradicate any irrelevant material; use pauses to allow the audience to take in what you have said; avoid rushing, which often happens when we are nervous; leave time at the end to invite questions from the audience.