C&C session 4
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This document provides guidance on application documents and interviews for job seeking. It discusses the importance of tailoring application materials like cover letters and CVs to each specific job. Key recommendations include emphasizing relevant skills, being concise at 1-2 pages, and highlighting motivation and fit for the role. The document also outlines common interview questions and advises preparing examples and responses that showcase one's competencies and interests. Employers are not allowed to ask about private matters under Finnish law. Overall, the document stresses customizing materials for each application, demonstrating strong interest and qualifications, and preparing thoroughly for the interview process.
C&C session 4
- 1. C & C Career & CompetenceCareercoachinggroupSession 4Application documents & interviewsMilja Tuomaala & Tiina Hämäläinen, University of Oulu, VALOA-project
- 2. Job seekingprocessWhat can you do?What do you want to do? Goal achieved??Set your goals! Make your action plan!SelectionSeeking information about employers and open positionsInterviewContacting employersApplicationsPhone callsCareer Services, University of Oulu
- 3. Application documents(application & CV)”Style”Speaks about applicant’s attitude and motivesConcers both application documents (layout) and applicant’s behaviour and dressing up (appearance) in an interview situationContentApplicant’s acquaintance, expertiseEmployer gets the information he/she needs to support selection process and decision makingReadability and clear structure helps them to find the accurate informationCorrect grammar and linguistic form, no misspellings
- 5. Application makes the first impression! Emphasize your skills and know-how related certain job and it’s requirementHighlight your personalityTailor your application to fit into each positionAdduce the additional value you can bring for the jobRemember to be truthfulIf the job announcement is in Finnish, make a application in Finnish (but only if you can Finnish!)
- 6. Goodapplication is……seemly and relavantThinkwhatkind of pictureyouwant the employer to buildfromyou
- 7. Read the announcementcarefully – whataretheylooking for?
- 8. Behonest and truthful, don’t ”over-sell”
- 9. Try to putyourself to employer’s position – whytheyshouldhireyou?…clearBothoutfit and content
- 10. ”Normal” fonts,fontsize and margins
- 11. Payattention to the logicalorder of issues…shortConcentrate on keyissues
- 12. Don’tsendcopies of testimonial, diplomasetcunlesasked
- 13. Max 1 pageGoodapplication is……personalKeepyourownpersonalstyle
- 14. Ifyourstyledoesnotfit into company’s culture, maybeyoudonotfiteither…
- 15. Avoidstandardapplications and usedphrases – show thatyouhavepaidattention to thisparticularapplication
- 16. Humour is allowed, butbecareful with it…giving the employeranswer WHY?Speakingaboutmotivation, whyyouwant to beselected
- 17. What in yourpersonality, skills and know-how fits into the position and company
- 18. Ifyoucan show yourenthusiasm – youhavemorechances to bepickedfrom the mass of applicantsCV- CurriculumVitae / Résumé -
- 19. Good CV is……clear - both layout and structure…readable and well-defined …not too long (max. 2 pages)…updated (no old dates)…tailored for applied position- All the important information should be easily found from the CV -
- 20. CV mustincludefollowinginformationContact detailsTitle; Curriculum Vitae / CV / ResumePersonal details; Name, date and place of birth Education; in reverse orderDegree, educational institution and major
- 21. If degree not complited; stage of studies and estimated graduation time, if studies are in final straight
- 22. If your theses work is related to the applied job, describe the key elements of it
- 23. Studies abroad; dates and gained experience & know-howCV mustinclude…Work experience; in reverse orderEmployer, time, title. You might want to give key words for job description and responsibilities (at if it’s relevant for the applied job). Make it compact!
- 24. If you have long work experience, you may outline your experience under subtitles, which helps the employer to find the informations he/she is interested in. For example customer service work, project work, office work…CV shouldincludefollowinginformationOther education;Supplementary education
- 25. Shorter courses
- 26. Mention at least those relevant for the applied job. Language skills;Languages and evaluation of your proficiency
- 28. You may want to describe your level of language skills by giving examples.CV shouldinclude…IT-skillsPrograms and operating systemsyouarefamiliar with
- 31. Ifit’s a IT position, must the informationbedetailedResearch and publishing activitiesCompetence, know-how and strengthsMostsignificantachievements
- 32. CV couldincludefollowinginformationPhotoMilitary / non-militaryserviceMarital status / number of childrenPositions of trust / organizationalactivities /voluntaryworkIfyourworkhistory is short, youcanemphasizeskills and know-how gained in thiskind of positions
- 33. Pleasenotethatpositions of trustcanalsoraiseprejudice (e.g. political) HobbiesGivesmorepersonalpicture of you
- 34. Youmayhavegainedspecialskills and competencesneeded in working life also in yourhobbies.
- 35. Payattention to issueslike ’whatdoyourhobbiestellaboutyou…’CV couldinclude…Future goalsLonger term goals for career
- 36. What kind of tasks you are interested inReferees / recommendationsPersons who have promised to give further information about you
- 37. Give name, title, contact details and how this person is related to you
- 38. If you have not gained work experience related to your education, you can ask your professor, theses instructor, mentor etc. to give recommendations Contacting the employerThink in advancewhatyouwant to ask. Don’tcall just for calling, and don’task for information, which is found in jobanouncementorareotherwiseuseless. Short and punchyquestions!Remeber to makenotesaboutmostimpostantissues in conversation (alsoname of the person youarespeakingwith).Alsonotethat the person youarespeakingwithmightmakenotes. Beprepared to tellaboutyourself. Make a list of the thingsemployershouldknowaboutyourskills and know-how, and the thingsthatmightraiseemployer’sinterest. Try to find out aboutthingsthataremeaningful to you(howmuchtravelling is required, whoareyoureporting to, number of subordinatesifsomeetc)Avoidbothexcessiveself-confidence and ecessivehumility”Sellyourcompetence”
- 39. Exercise 4.1valuegameThe exercise is found on SlideShare;http://www.slideshare.net/VALOA/documents(C&C trainingmaterial)
- 40. THE INTERVIEW
- 41. Goals of the InterviewChanginginformation – bothsidesEvaluation – bothsidesHow the person wouldadapt into the job/position/team/organization (suitability)
- 42. InterviewtypesPhone interviewGroup interviewIndividual interviewWork simulationAptitude tests / personal estimationCombination of previous
- 43. Preparting for the InterviewGet to know the employer“Why are you interested in us/our organization?”Personal goals & motivesYour skills and competenceTry to predict what they’ll ask you and outline your answersGive concrete examples on your skills and experiencesTry to approach negative things from positive aspectsBe consistent and logicalPrepare to ask questionsBe prepared to be asked about salary expectationForget all clichesBe yourself!
- 44. How to prepare…SleepwellbeforehandNottoomuchcoffeebefore the interview…Takeyourcertificateswithyou (degreediplomas, testimonials, letters of reference)Be on time!! Dressappropriately (smartcasual)Closeyour mobile phoneBepositiveRelaxRememberthat the interviewersarenervoustoo…Don’tbetoomodestortooarrogantTrustyourself!
- 45. Top 10 – most common questions in jobinterviewsTell us aboutyourselfWhatdoyouknowaboutourorganization?Whatareyourstrengths?Whataboutweaknesses?Whatmotivatesyou?Ifeverythinggoes as youhaveplanned – wheredoyouseeyourself in 3 years?Whatdoyoudo on yourfreetime?Whyareyouinterested in thispost?Whyweshouldchooseyou?Is theresomethingyouwouldlike to askfrom us?Career Services, University of Oulu
- 46. According to Finnishlegislationtheyshouldnotaskabout...Religiousbeliefs and politicalconvictionHealth, illnesses, disabilityFamilyrelations / familyplanningSexualityMilitary /non-militaryserviceYourethnicbackgroudOnlyjobrelatedaspectsshouldbeasked
- 47. Things/questionsthatarenotlinked in thatspecificworkshouldbearguable/justifiedHow the interviewcouldproceed…Introductions (organization, interviewers)Applicant’sbackgroundCompetency, ability (education, experience)Motivation, expectationsCareer/ProfessionalgoalsCharacteristics: personalstrenghts, weaknesses, futureplansHow the processwillproceed…Applicant’squestions
- 48. Examples:”Doyouhavesomething to askfrom us…?”What kind expectations you have for employee who will be selected?How could a typical working day look like? What are the most important tasks in this job?What do you think would be the biggest challenges in the job?What kind of possibilities there is for career progression and personal development?How about employees’ possibilities to educate themself further? How is the recruiting process going to continue after the interview? What else…??
- 49. How to convince the selectors…?BE Yourself - don’t play anyrolesBehonestSHOW yourinterest and yourmotivationExpress your interest in the job and the company using information you gathered to prepare for the interviewBRING OUT yourmotives and yourwilligness to develope and learnDON’T BE vagueREMEMBER THE BASICS: Be on time, behavewelland bepoliteAnd remember the eye-contact …It’s ok to benervous!
- 50. Someotherthings…Speak positively of former employers and co-workers no matter why you left even if you were fired from your last job.When discussing salary, be flexible - avoid naming a specific salary if not asked. If you're too high, you risk not getting the job. If you're too low, you undersell yourself. Answer questions on salary requirements with responses such as, "I'm interested in the job as a career opportunity so I'm negotiable on the starting salary". Negotiate, but don't sell yourself short. Check salary recommendation and salary level data (unions, interest groups, graduate surveys etc.)Let the employer lead into conversations about benefits. Your focus on these items can be a "turn off." But, don't be afraid to ask questions about things that you really need to know. More: http://www.careerknowhow.com/resumes/interviewing.htm
- 51. Assignment for OUR next C&C meetingPrepare an application and CV for the job that you found for today’s sessionBring your application and CV with you to next session