You forget, as you get older, just how strange it is when you go for your first interviews.
You've done the hard bit:
Poured over the paper/websites/shop windows looking for the perfect job.
You've sent off your application.
You've waited patiently by the phone/letterbox/inbox.
And eventually, yes you've done it...
You've got an interview!
So you get ready, get there and get ready for them to be wowed by your obvious talent .
Riiiiiiiiiiight.
I really wish that was the case.
These last few weeks my mind has been trundling around the sticky subject of what's important when it comes to applying for and getting an interview.
It all started when i asked my daughter what email addy she was putting on her CV's?
What do you mean, 'which', was her response.
Now that gave me pause.
I dont know about you, but I have a couple of email accounts.
One, sensibly titled is for work related things.
One , rather less sensibly titled, is for friend related stuff.
And one is for the things that I just KNOW are going to generate spam by the bucket load like competition entering etc.
The first 2 are often linked, but i prefer to have the option to keep them separate.
Now in my daughters case, her only email is a very girly titled one that she's used since she was about 13 and which i would raise my eyebrows at if I was presented with it as my contact for an applicant for any type of even slightly serious job.
Can she see this?
No.
In her view NOBODY takes any notice of things like that!
[Oh, I wish it was true]
She cannot see the point in setting up another more boringly titled email account just so that she won't come over like a ditzy girly girl.
The thing is, thats EXACTLY the kind of thing that I look at when I'm trying to thin down a post-bag full of eager applicants to an interviewable handful.
I look at the envelope and covering letter:
Extra points for a clearly HANDWRITTEN covering letter.
Have they spelled my name correctly?
[you'd be saddened by how often they don't]
Have they just parroted what I've said I'm looking for in the advert, or have they taken that information and shown interests/traits of theirs that would complement/exceed my requirements?
Have they used decent quality paper?
[yes, it really does make a difference]
When I'm going through a CV I REALLY want to see that they have looked at my advert.
If I say I need certain grades then don't list lower ones without showing that you understand that you may have to do some studying to get your grades up.
[This is especially important for training positions...you may not be eligible for entry onto the necessary course if you haven't got the correct grades, so don't assume that they are only there to see how bright you are. If I've paid more to put them in the ad then they are IMPORTANT]
Have they written it themselves?
[and yes, I have discarded those that have been obviously written by someone else. If they aren't bright enough to alter 'he is' to I am' then they aren't the person for the job]
Do they have any interests?
I know, i know.
I hate writing things like that too, but it's something I always look at.
I'm interested in your interests :D
And PLEASE....
If you only put down a mobile as your contact number...
MAKE SURE THE DAMN THING IS SWITCHED ON!!!!!!!
