Job Interviews

Getting Work Experience

Writing a Cover Letter & CV with example

While your CV and covering letter will get you an interview, how you perform during the interview will get you your job. Prepare well and your chances for success will be greater.

The purpose

The purpose of an interview is to find out if you have all the skills and knowledge to do the job well and whether or not you will fit into the organisation. It’s also an opportunity for you to find out more about the organisation you hope to work for.

The HR manager or director often conducts the first interview whereas for second or third interviews, the head of the department who is recruiting will usually be present.

How to prepare for an interview

As first impressions count, adequate preparation is necessary to ensure that you get called back for a second interview.

Before the interview

Here is a checklist of things that you should do before the interview:

• Research the organisation – you need to find out about the organisation (at least its core business) and the position you’re being interviewed for. This will give you an idea what your role is and how you fit into the organisation.

• Make a list of the questions that will usually be asked – questions will be asked to gauge your ability to do the job (ie knowledge specific to the job), communication and interpersonal skills, attitude and personality. Here are some sample questions:

     1. Why did you choose your course at university?

     2. Tell us a little about your research topic/thesis you wrote in  

         the final year.

     3. Tell us about a project in which you were involved and you

         demonstrated

     4. leadership abilities.

     5. What do you know about this organisation?

     6. Do you know what you’ll be expected to do in this

        organisation?

     7. How do you see yourself in five years’ time?

• Prepare and rehearse your answers – now you know the questions that will be asked, prepare your answers in advance so that you’ll have one ready when a question is asked. By preparing in advance, you’ll reduce the chances of having awkward pauses during the interview.

• Prepare one or two questions to ask the interviewer – don’t forget that an interview is also meant for you to ask questions about the organisation so if you have any questions about the organisation as a result of your earlier research of the organisation or something that was said during the interview, you may ask them at the appropriate times.

During the interview

Here’s what you should do on the day of the interview:

• Dress well – Women won’t go wrong with dark-coloured, three-piece skirt or trouser suits. Chunky or elaborate jewellery should be avoided. Men should wear long-sleeved shirts and dark-coloured trousers with matching ties.

• Be punctual – Avoid being late at all costs unless it’s a real emergency. Interviewers do not like having to wait for you. If you arrive early, you’ll have the time to freshen up and prepare yourself emotionally for the interview. In Malaysia, some employers require short-listed candidates to fill out an application form before the interview so it’s good to arrive 15 or 20 minutes before the interview. This will give you adequate time to fill it out.

• Show enthusiasm – Knowing what to say and how to say it are two different things. It is not enough to know what to say in response to the questions asked – you need to demonstrate a certain level of enthusiasm in your answers too. If you are enthusiastic about something you tend to lean forward slightly and speak a little quicker than normal. The interviewer will find this attitude very encouraging. A smiling countenance also helps.

If you have prepared well for an interview the chances of saying the wrong thing will be greatly reduced. Besides, you will feel more relaxed and behave more confidently – and self-confidence is something all interviewers look for.

This article originally appeared in doctorjob’s A-Z Explained: Jobs. Get yourself a copy here!

Having a degree alone won’t guarantee you a job. The best way to stand out in the crowd of graduates around you is not to bum around during your years in college or university and get some work experience!

Understanding the types

There are different kinds of work that you can consider at different stages of your course. Whether you’ve just started your studies, or about to complete it, you can get the much-needed work experience in various ways.

You’ll find placement as an intern during the longer breaks like the summer holidays. Companies usually have a specific project for you to complete which will provide you with comprehensive training over 8 to 12 weeks. Many companies look at their interns as potential employees and so will monitor and assess your work closely. Internships are particularly common in organisations involved in banking, investment and financial services, strategic and management consultancies and engineering firms.

Industrial and commercial work placements

These are placements that are part of your sandwich course (usually in the third year of a four-year programme). While the university probably has agreements with various companies, you still need to apply for these jobs, and compete with other students for the best places. Assessment of your work will contribute to your final degree. If the company likes your work, it will give you an advantage for a job in it once you graduate. Placements are usually found in industries like construction, engineering, hospitality, business, management and performing arts.

Casual work

This is the choice of many as it’s flexible and informal. You can get jobs from restaurants to customer service to call centre work. Part time jobs can also be found within the university campus which may make it easier to run from job to class to hall or home. Although not directly related to your course, these jobs still teach you basic work skills like responsibility and team work while allowing you to meet more people. If you are in a foreign country, check out the laws governing work for international students.

Project work

These specific projects include things such as developing a website, writing promotional material, conducting research, developing a product or running a fundraising campaign. These are good opportunities to gain relevant experience and can often be done part-time during the school semester.

Work shadowing

A short stint of up to five days, you follow a professional in a senior position getting first hand experience of what the work involves, its pressures etc. You don’t get paid for this, but there’s nothing like seeing for yourself what a job entails. If you’re seriously considering work in a certain area, work shadowing allows you to see what other people do in similar roles. Your family, relatives and your parents’ friends should be able to help you find someone suitable to shadow at work.

Voluntary work

What you don’t gain in money, you gain in life experience. You can get yourself involved in regular part time work in homes and such, or volunteer for short term projects like arts initiatives and so on. Regular volunteers of organisations that do work out of the country may also be given the opportunity of running programmes in a foreign country during the holidays.

What suits you

Depending on the demands of your course, you may choose one of the following:

Part-time semester work

Some students will prefer working part time, at nights or in between classes. This will suit you if you are the type who can multi-task and concentrate on many things at a time. If you often feel harassed when you have too many things on your plate, part-time work during the school semester may not be for you.

Full-time holiday work

The advantage of working during the holidays is that you can concentrate on work, and really get the feel of a 9-5 working life. You won’t have to juggle with classes, assignments and exams. However, it does mean that you have to give up your holiday plans!

Work as part of course

Some courses allow you to take a year off before continuing with your final year. Students on such a course would usually find work in areas that they plan to work in after they complete their studies. Because it is part of your course, it imposes a certain discipline and forces you to get it done. However, sandwich courses are usually one year longer than ordinary courses, meaning you will graduate a little later.

Where to look

Your careers service should have a list of employers who offer spaces as well as a regular vacancy bulletin.

·          Ask your tutor/lecturer, family and friends if they have contacts in industry.

·          Check out your institution’s alumni’s database. Previous graduates are usually helpful contacts.

·          Consult professional bodies, specialist career publications and journals (like the TARGET ASIA publications) as well as the internet.

·          Register yourself with employment agencies.

·          Approach companies you want to work with and explain what you can offer. They may not have thought of employing a student before, but you can change their minds.

Why bother

      Builds your confidence

·          Learn new skills

·          Helps you get a better job at graduation

·          Lets you test out career options

·          Earns you some cash (most of the time!)

Before you can get a job, you need to apply for it. A good CV and carefully written coving letter will bring you a step closer to your dream job. Here’s how to prepare them.

CV or résumé

A Curriculum Vitae (CV in short) or résumé basically tells your potential employer all he or she needs to know about you in order for him or her to decide whether you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the functions of the job.

Therefore, all good CVs should have the following:

1.       Personal information Name, address, contact numbers and email

2.       Education background Begin with your latest qualification. Include where and when you obtained your qualification and any awards that you have achieved (for example, first class honours). However, include only those awards and achievements that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

3.       Work experience If you have not worked before, you might want to include industrial training or attachment you did while at university. Highlight all the skills that you have used as well as your job responsibilities. Make sure that you emphasise the critical points that are relevant to the position that you are applying for.

4.       Interests and abilities. Give brief details of the most relevant activities about which you can talk confidently. Think about why you enjoy each pastime and what you have achieved by taking part.

5.       Additional skills Add any extra skills like a foreign language and computer skills.

6.       Referees Two referees are normal – one academic and one work or character related.

Remember:

·          2-sides of A4 is the maximum

·          Use clear sections

·           

Jolene SAW Yee Ling   E-2-8, Kiara Green, Bukit Kiara, 59200 Kuala Lumpur   Tel 03-23008834 H/P 012-32511178   E-mail jolene.saw@gmail.com   Education and qualifications 2002 – 2005      University X             BA (Hons) Business Administration             Second class upper honours 2001 – 2002      College B             Cambridge A Levels, As in Maths, Law and Economics 1996 – 2000      SMK A             SPM Grade 1   Academic awards 2004     University book prize for outstanding research project 2003     Campbell Chapman’s Prize for Enterprising Business Model             (Competition among business students)   Work experience During my final year of studies, I was attached to ABC Bank as an intern for three months. I was assigned to the marketing department within the consumer banking division. I was attached to the unit responsible for the promotional activities of the Bank’s latest credit card offerings. My team was responsible for securing the venues for promotional activities within a given budget. As there are also targets to meet, we worked very closely with staff from the sales department. My duties included researching for the right venues, travelling to premises identified as potential venues for our promotional activities, and negotiating with marketing personnel for the right equipment and price.   Interests and activities I took swimming as an elective in my second and third years and was involved in the inter-varsity swimming meet in my third year. My team took the silver award. I also enjoy reading and have particular interest in crime fiction.   Additional skills ·          Full working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools ·          Driving licence and own transport ·          Conversational Italian   Referees Professor Dr Spencer Graham     Dean of the School of Business    University X                   spencer.graham@x.ac.uk                                                              Mr Robert Teo Director of Marketing Consumer Banking Division ABC Bank Tel: 03-29876543

1.      Covering Letter

A coCovering letter allows you to introduce yourself and state the position for which you’re interested in applying. It also enables you to highlight the most relevant parts of your CV or résumé.

2.       One side of A4 should be the maximum.

3.       Address your letter to the right person.

4.       Introduce yourself and the position for which you’re applying. Say where you found out about the vacancy.

5.       State briefly why you’re interested in the position and how your skills and qualifications match the job. Most people leave this part out – don’t. It enables you to draw attention to your strengths and abilities.

6.       Mention the dates you are available for an interview.

7.       Indicate that you are enclosing your CV.

8.       ‘Yours faithfully’ is correct if you do not know the name of the person your letter is addressed to.

Jolene Saw Yee Ling E-2-8, Kiara Green, Bukit Kiara, 59200 Kuala Lumpur   1 July 2006   En Mohammad Kamal Director of Human Resources Company A 23-12-5, Wisma UOA 2, Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.   Dear En Mohammad Kamal,   Application for the position of marketing executive   Further to your advertisement in The Straits Times on 28 June 2005, I would like to apply for the position of marketing executive. Please find my CV enclosed.   I chose a course in business administration because I wanted a broad understanding of how businesses are run. Apart from gaining a broad perspective of businesses, my course helped me develop skills in understanding customer and business needs and communicating effectively with people at all levels. At university, I also participated actively in business competitions especially those that involved solving business problems or coming up with marketing strategies to drive an organisation forward.   During my final year attachment with ABC Bank, I enjoyed working in the marketing department of the customer banking division as it gave me an insight into the kind of work I would like to be involved in. My work experience has shown me that I enjoy working in the area of assessing customer and organisation needs and devising plans and strategies to meet these needs.    I am available for interview at your convenience anytime and I look forward to hearing from you soon.   Thank you.   Yours sincerely,   Jolene Saw   Jolene Saw     This article originally appeared in doctorjob’s A-Z Explained: Jobs. Get yourself a copy here!