SCREENING THE CANDIDATES

A resume is a summary of a persons educational background and work history for a potential employer. The word, which comes from the French rsum and means summary, thus points to the conciseness of this type of professional document a rsum generally holds on a single page. Rsums are used in North America and in countries under American cultural influence.

A curriculum vitae
(usually shortened to CV) is the norm in Europe as well as in countries with which it traditionally has cultural ties. In keeping with the Latin meaning (roughly equivalent to course of life), the phrase usually refers to the short account of a persons career and qualifications that is prepared when applying for a position. The main difference with the

rsum is that the CV is usually longer (generally well over two pages
long). It thus provides the occasion to delve more deeply into an applicants educational, professional and personal details. And this explains why in the USA doctors, scientists and academics also use CVs.

International firms tend to favor the CV over the resume because

they generally want to know as much information as they can before having people travel for an interview or even having to find out the hard way whether somebody is well or ill suited to living abroad and working in a new and sometimes alien

environment.

Weighted Application Blank

One selection method that addresses such issues is the "weighted application blank," or WAB. The WAB enlists a procedure that draws on the information collected by standardized employment-application forms. The idea is to determine whether individual questions on the application can distinguish between successful and unsuccessful employees (as defined by some predetermined criterion; for example, in our case, job tenure). Once those application items are identified that can, in fact, differentiate to some degree among applicants, they are weighted to reflect their degree of success in differentiating good and poor performers. Applicants are then scored on those items by summing the item weights, and predictions are made about applicants' prospects for job success based on their total WAB scores. A WAB, when correctly developed, handled, and scored is a practical way to predict prospective employees' job success (e.g., job tenure). It is also cost effective because the employer is simply taking advantage of selection data that have already been collected through the employment-application process to make empirical predictions of job success.

Completed CV or Application Form Employer is interested

Skills Qualifications Potential Commitment

DO NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY

Face to face Telephone unannounced, prearranged, sales or research emphasis Sequential Panel Group Video

Study employers literature, website, etc. Research post

Duties and responsibilities Skills and Knowledge required Why the job interests you Why this company?

Research typical interviewers questions Prepare some questions to ask employer

Arrive on time Dress appropriately Be friendly do not be afraid to smile Speak clearly Emphasise the positive play down the neagtive Make good eye contact Be honest dont waffle If you do not understand the question, ask for clarification Dont fidget

The interviewer notices:

How you look, sit and act where are my hands? Eye contact who do I look at in a panel interview? Style, tone and delivery of voice talking too fast?

How confident you appear smile!

AIB: Personal makeup speech, friendliness, appearance, trustworthy, responsible

Motivation does this person want to work in a bank? Sociability teamplayer?

Leadership knowledgeable, common sense, withstand pressure, mature, able to give an opinion

ENERGY

COMMUNICATION SKILLS Listening TEAMWORK

One-to-one Appreciate other TIME Peoples MANAGEMENT Strengths and Writing Weaknesses List things to Presenting to a Be done Share information group and opportunities Prioritise Have team objectives Schedule your Activities And Commitments

PROBLEM SOLVING Face up to problems Assess the options Negotiate a solution FLEXIBILITY Adapt to New situations Make Contingency Plans

Usually one-on-one Will be formal and appear stilted at times You will be asked to describe your behaviour according to:

The Situation in which it occurred or the Task you were assigned The Action you took The Result
S

Situation or Task: describe the situation you faced Action: what action did you take, what obstacles did you overcome, what suggestions did you make? Result: what was the positive outcome achieved because of you action
As Treasurer of my hockey club I wanted to introduce a computerised accounting system which involved significant changes for Committee members regarding how things had always been done. The proposal was met initially with many strenuous objections. I surveyed all concerned and got a list of all of their concerns. Most of them centered around a lack of familiarity with computers. I organised a one day Introduction to Computers day for those concerned. I also made some slight changes to access and security of the system which satisfied the members concerns. The system was introduced and has been working very successfully for two years now.

Influence

Motivation

Tell me about a time when you had to inject life into a failing project?

Managing Priorities

Tell me about a time when you had to cope with strict deadlines or time demands

Initiative

Tell me about a time when you showed initiative and took the lead to achieve a challenging goal

Teamwork
Tell me about a time when you contributed to the successful workings of a team

Influence
Describe a time when you had to make a decision with which not everyone agreed to get a job done

Questions can be asked about:

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

e.g. give an example of when you were thrown into a task or a situation at the deep end?

WORKING IN TEAMS

e.g. describe a time you worked well with others describe a time when you had to get support from someone to complete a task or project what did you learn from this experience?

DAY TO DAY CONTROL

e.g. Describe a time when you showed perseverance to achieve an end result (from college or work experience) describe a short cut or risk you have taken to meet a deadline or achieve a goal

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

e.g. Provide an example of a time when you influenced someone or a situation Describe a time when someone influenced you to say or do something

Your personal statement summarising:

Education Skills Experience Career Objective

Theme: what

I can do for YOUR

company

90 seconds maximum, then STOP No jokes No as you can see from my CV.. Practise out loud and often Give the people what they want Tailor it a little for each employer

Tell me about yourself Tell me about your course What project work have you done? Why did you decide to study business? What have you learned from your vacation jobs? Why do you think you are suited to this job? Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses? What is your greatest achievement to date? What have you done that shows
Initiative Team work Problem solving Flexibility

Why you for this position? Have you any questions?

Ask appropriate job-related questions Work and Training

What would I be doing? What is the training? What is the project timescale?

What are organisations future plans/projects?

Colleagues

Who would I be working with? Contacts with others inside and outside the organisation

Location
Where will I be Travel, location, mobility required

Salary and Prospects

Appropriate starting salary What happened to recent graduates Career Progression The appraisal Procedure Exciting new developments for Co.

Learn from it! Was there anything you could have done better or differently? Take on board feedback from the Interviewer