Having prepared your CV according to our guidelines, you are now ready to start job-hunting.

First, decide whether you intend to apply for specific vacancies or whether you should make speculative applications to suitable companies. You may adopt a combination of these strategies.

Always use a cover letter, never send a CV without one. The cover letter should be used to highlight any skills or qualities you think particularly appropriate to the job you are applying for. It should consist of approximately 5-6 paragraphs, laid out as follows:

• Name and address of recipient.
• Subject and reference in the case of a targeted vacancy.
• Introductory paragraph stating your reasons for applying.
• Second paragraph giving your background and relevant qualifications/experience.
• Third paragraph outlining your personal qualities and suitability.
• Fourth paragraph giving reasons for applying for a different job, eg new challenges, lack of promotion prospects etc. NEVER say anything detrimental about your current or previous employers.
• Fifth paragraph requesting an interview (in the case of a speculative letter it is better to ask for an ‘informal discussion’).
• In the case of a speculative approach, always thank the reader for their time and attention.
• Sign off either ‘Yours sincerely’ (if to a named person) or ‘Yours faithfully’ (if addressed ‘Dear Sir/Madam’).
• It is always worth that little extra effort to identify the person you need to approach. A ‘phone call to the company will usually elicit this information and will show that (a) you have the initiative to do this and (b) you have taken the time and trouble to get things right.

The Interview

It goes without saying that you must be in good time and smartly dressed, although these vital factors are all too often overlooked. Your clothes should be clean, neat and smart without being too individual in style. Shoes should be polished and tights unladdered – always take a spare pair !

Take the trouble beforehand to research the company so that you have a good idea of their purpose, ethos and objectives. Try to discover the range of their client-base and whether they have offices or partners elsewhere. You may be asked whether you are prepared to relocate and you will have the advantage of knowing about possible locations.

On being invited to enter the interview room, stand up, smile, and be ready to shake hands if this is offered. Sit up straight throughout the interview, never slouch, and try to convey an alert, enthusiastic approach by making eye contact, but not too much !

Listen carefully to what you are being asked and provide relevant answers. Don’t rehearse too much beforehand or you will find yourself launching into a prepared answer which has no bearing on the question. If unsure of any point, admit it, never try to bluff, and if you are unclear, ask for the question to be repeated. Try to keep your answers succinct and to the point. Too much unnecessary detail will lead you off on tangents and confuse the issue.

You will almost certainly be asked, at some point during the interview, whether you have any questions. Never launch into an inquisition about salary, sick pay, holidays etc. This is your opportunity to show what you know about the company and to let the interviewer know that you have done your homework. Prepare some intelligent questions relating to the company’s activities and your future prospects for career development. At the same time make it clear that you are happy to start ‘at the bottom’ and work your way up as you gain experience and skills.

At the end of the interview, stand up and, again, shake hands if offered. Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and remember to smile.

Following the interview you should have been given a deadline for notification of the result. If you have not heard by this date it is acceptable to telephone the company, and if you have not been successful you should politely request feedback. This will be useful to you in the future if there is some particular aspect of your qualifications or performance which let you down.

If you receive a letter offering you the job it is considered good practice to reply to the letter in writing, confirming your acceptance and expressing your thanks and enthusiasm.

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