How to Get an Interview for the Job you Really Want

In the current economic climate many of our clients are re-considering their careers and need help to plan the way forward.

You may be looking to:

  • Earn more money
  • Change jobs (either within their organisation or move to an external organisation)
  • Gain promotion
  • Change careers

Many of our clients are finding that their job applications are not gaining them interviews or they need support in writing their supporting statement.

There are four stages in the job search cycle and these are:

  • Stage I Identifying the types of roles you wish to apply for and taking into account your salary expections
  • Stage II Making applications by sending through your CV or completing an application form
  • Stage III Going for interview
  • Stage IV Being made a job offer and deciding whether to accept it or handling rejection and asking for feedback

This is the fifth and final stage of helping you settle into your new job.

Here are some top tips to help you gain an interview.

Completing an Application Form

  • Read through the guidance notes, job description, person specification and job advertisement
  • Remember the closing date. Some employers may bring the closing date forward if they have enough applicants.
  • Decide how to structure your supporting statement to address all the selection criteria
  • Think about relevant examples you want to give
  • Start writing / preparing your supporting statement in a word document by giving relevant examples
  • Find out if there is a word count and if so, stick to it.
  • What about thinking what might make you stand out from other candidates? i.e., your unique selling points. This could be appropriate for both applications forms and CVs.

CV Writing

As part of any application process, you may be asked to send a CV.

Here are some top tips

  • Choose a CV format that is appropriate for your application, the most common type of CV is the reverse chronological or traditional CV
  • Be clear and concise
  • Check there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
  • Use headings, bullet points and white spacing to make it easier for the reader
  • Use common type fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri (not smaller than size 11)
  • Ensure your CV is no more than two sides of A4 unless you are applying for an academic, medical or creative role

Ensure you use keywords; these are words or short phrases that relate to requirements for a specific job. You can determine keywords or short phrases by reading through the job description and person specification. Some organisations and hiring managers may use keywords or short phrases to shortlist candidates for interview.

Many organisations also use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to find the most relevant candidates. An ATS automatically scans CVs for specific keywords and flags the CVs/ applications that clearly include information similar to what the company is looking for.

Whether you are preparing an application form, writing a CV or both do get a friend or family member to read through your finished document.

Stirling Careers Consultancy can help you with writing your CV and preparing your supporting statement to ensure you maximise your opportunity to get an interview.

For a chance to have a free initial 20-minute consultation with an experienced qualified impartial and independent careers adviser please call Alistair Stirling on 0790 461 4946  or Email us at info@stirlingcareersconsultancy.co.uk  or contact us via our details above or below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bromley Careers Consultant Alistair Stirling offering careers advice in & around Kent, London

Alistair Stirling is a registered careers adviser with over 20 years’ experience of supporting people back into employment.

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