Pole position

Ever wanted to kidnap a recruitment expert and interrogate them on CV writing and interview techniques? Caramel Quin uncovers the tricks of the trade and reveals how you can land that dream job.

The advert: What they want
Job adverts generally list what an employer is looking for, but don't be put off if you don't meet every requirement. 'It's still worth going for it because very few people are going to hit everything,' says Judy Rose, psychologist at Cheshire-based human resource consultant The Icarus Partnership, part of Obvious Solutions Ltd.

Don't try to hide the fact that you're missing one or two requirements. The recruiter will see straight through it. Instead, a well-written covering letter can fill those gaps in a positive way, playing to your strengths.

Rose suggests phrases like: 'Although I haven't had much experience of the ... sector, my time at ... means that I could hit the ground running.'

Your covering letter: Tailor-made for success
Your covering letter will inform the employer's first impression, so tailor it to the job you've applied for. If the advert asks for specific information (salary, location, etc.) put it in the covering letter. If the advert lists four or five must-haves, use your covering letter to draw attention to how you meet each of these prerequisites.

And beware - you have just half a minute to impress. Lisa Nickels is a managing director of Intuity Resourcing - a company specialising in secretarial and admin recruiting. She says recruiters initially spend an average of just 30 seconds looking over each application letter and CV.

Not surprisingly, she points out that the covering letter must be clear, concise and professional, drawing attention to relevant skills and experiences, and with no spelling mistakes. If the job is in a modern, trendy industry, you could even make some keywords bold, but don't go for gimmicks unless you're certain that they're appropriate.

  • Over the page: the CV secrets

    Your CV: Simple and professional
    The experts say it is OK to use the same CV for different job applications. Follow a simple structure, starting with your current job, moving back in time through previous jobs to your education. Keep sentences short and use bullet-pointed lists where appropriate. Focus on results, not just on job titles. Don't forget to list your duties, responsibilities and achievements.

    Rose recommends keeping a CV down to two or three pages. Again, don't go for anything gimmicky or colourful unless it's definitely right for your industry. 'We recruit middle and senior management across all industry sectors,' she says. 'If I'm trying to recruit a finance director on 80K, I don't want a quirky CV.'

    But do include hobbies or interests. 'This is the part where you can be more personal,' Lisa Nickels explains. 'Be honest and specific. Nothing too controversial or political, but avoid the standard "reading and socialising". Make it individual (e.g. rock climbing, a specific type of film, travel to a particular country) and brief - the idea is to gain employers' interest and provide a talking point for interviews.'

    Postbox time: Make sure it's perfect
    Before you post that job application, a few more tips on perfect presentation from the experts:

    • Buy good quality paper in white or cream (at least 100gsm thick).
    • Use an A4-sized envelope. That way, your application is nice and neat, not folded up.
    • Avoid fancy fonts - use Helvetica, Arial or Times New Roman instead. Text size should be around 12pt.
    • Use a spellchecker. Ideally get a friend to read through your letter and CV too.
    • Only apply by email if invited to in the job advert. Watch out for spelling mistakes and send your CV as a file attachment so that it is well presented.

    • Over the page: ace your interview

      The interview: Be prepared
      Do some homework before the interview. Look at the company's website for background information and think about what key attributes they were looking for in the advert. Prepare some anecdotes that show you have what they want.

      Then there's the panic over what to wear. 'If in doubt, wear a conservative business suit - grey, black or blue - with a blouse,' says Nickels. 'If you turn up and everyone's in jeans, you can make a joke about it and break the ice. But if you turn up in the latest trendy fashions and they're all in suits, you will look unprofessional, feel embarrassed and probably perform badly. Dress codes and attitudes have changed but "business dress" culture still exists in all industries.'

      She stresses the importance of first impressions: 'At least 80 per cent of our initial impressions about someone are based on body language. Look and sound the part, smile and you are 80 per cent there.'

      The style of the interview depends on the company and the industry. Questions may be used to establish which candidate has the most relevant experience or how their personalities will fit the company. 'My daughter went for interview at a media production company. When she came in the MD played a bugle to announce her arrival' says Rose. 'Questions included "What's your favourite colour?" and "If you were an animal, what would you be?"'

      If the interviewer focuses on negative points, turn them around. If they say, 'you don't have enough experience in?', Rose recommends the response: 'True, I've not had that opportunity, however my experience in ... means I'm very well prepared for ...'

      At the end of the interview, you'll be asked if you have any questions. Don't wade in with 'What's the salary?' First ask a few questions about the team, training, company and culture. Only then is it OK to ask about salary, the rest of the recruitment process and when you can expect to hear from them.

      CONTACTS

    • www.icaruspartnership.co.uk
    • www.intuity.co.uk