"... occupational choice is a lifelong process of decision-making, in which the individual constantly seeks to find the optimal fit between career goals and the realities of the world of work".
However, job-hunting becomes a lot easier if you have some idea of what you would really like to do! If you don't have an idea of the kind of job you may want to do, speak to a counsellor at the Student Counselling Centre. They may be able to suggest possible career options for you to consider.
1) People currently employed in the industry
2) Internet - Company websites
3) Newspapers - the job advertisement sections
4) The yellow pages directory
5) Employment agencies
6) Job search / Career sites eg. Job Web
7) Community organizations, NGO's
8) Department of Labour
9) Career Information Centres
UND Student Counselling Centre careers library THE WINNING CV Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is your most important MARKETING TOOL. It helps you sell your education, experience and qualifications to prospective employers. Therefore, it must be well presented, set out in a logical way and always typed.A good CV helps you get that interview and maintains a positive impression long after the selection process.TYPES OF CV's There are different types of CV's, including among others:
- Chronological CV
- Creative/ Skills CV
- Targeted CV
- Functional CV
The CV most suitable for new graduates is that which combines both the Chronological and Functional formats. Chronological CVThis is the most popular, straightforward and easy to prepare CV format. It presents personal, educational and other information in a logical, chronological sequence. Functional CV This format requires careful thought. It groups your skills into categories according to function, indicating to the prospective employer the skills you have developed through your degree, work experience and extramural activities. Your CV Checklist Use the following Items to ensure that your CV covers all the necessary areas of your life (career related):
Personal Information or Identifying Details including:
Full name and surname
Address, phone numbers and E-mail
Date and place of birth
Your career goals / objectives
Description of skills obtained, with examples
Details of work experience (vac jobs), with dates
Extra-curricular activities (clubs, societies, etc)
Details and dates of qualifications
Universities attended, with dates
Selected accomplishments
Special interests and aspirations
Seminars, workshops and conferences attended
Referees
Availability to start IMPORTANT NOTES· Use positive wording, pointing out actual accomplishments. Bear in mind that action words such as "created", "supervised" etc, will give your CV more impact. · A well-presented CV is worth any extra time you may spend on compiling it since many companies keep CV's on file and draw on them for future vacancies. · Never send copies of your CV to employers unless they are as neat and clean as originals.· Always have your CV typed and laser printed.· Notify your referees and get their permission to put their names on your CV. These must be people who know you well and can give informed opinions of your strengths and capabilities. (Employers DO contact referees for information about yourself) · Have someone check your CV for any spelling/ grammatical errors before you make a final copy. YOU ARE THE BEST AUTHOR OF YOUR OWN CURRICULUM VITAE!
THE JOB INTERVIEWWhy The Interview?Usually, the interview is the last step in the job search / selection process.Interviews are conversations with a purpose, designed to dig out the maximum amount of relevant information about the applicant and the job. You must make the most of this opportunity to find out important facts about the job and the company. The interview is your best chance to show a prospective employer that you are the right person for the job! The first impression that you make is very important as it indicates to the employer whether you are the right person for the job or not. Most interviews take about 20 - 45 minutes. Before The Interview:
Find Out:Find out what you can about the company. Find out about the type of business, services offered, reputation with staff, size of the organization etc. Also find out about the Interviewer (s) i.e. the name, title, and if possible, the personality. It is also important to find out about the job itself. You may ask about the duties involved, salary and general prospects. Speak to friends and, if possible, someone who works there. Finally find out about the actual place or location where the interview is going to take place. Prepare to Take Along:
Copy of your CV
Copies of other certificates
Samples of your work (portfolio), when necessary
Pen and paper
List of questions you would like to ask the employer Be punctual for your interview. Make sure that you dress appropriately for the position you are going to fill, ask others what would be suitable. Too casual dress may cause the interviewer to think you don't care. Never overdress!During The Interview:BE YOURSELF!
Smile with the interviewer and maintain eye contact.
Sit still. Don't lean on the Interviewer's desk. Don't smoke unless you are invited to.
Do use the interviewer's name, but not first name unless invited to do so.
Avoid using swear words and slang expressions.
Answer questions honestly and concisely. Don't ramble and don't attempt to take command of the interview. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so.
Don't criticize or be rude about past employers, gossip about them or give out confidential information. It is unethical, and shows you cannot be trusted.
If you don't agree with something, say so politely - and say why. You have a mind of your own, so don't be afraid. On the other hand, rudeness and aggression are not admired and may destroy your prospects.
Do not discuss your personal, domestic or financial problems in an interview.
Leave questions about salary and benefits until the end of the interview. At The End of the Interview:
Thank the interviewer for his/ her time and interest.
Soon after the interview, review your performance and make some notes. Your post-interview notes will be a valuable guide in preparation for future interviews.
Write a thank-you note to the employers (optional). SOME TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Why are you applying for this position?
What are your goals?
What do you expect to be doing in 10 years from now?
Do you think that your education prepared you well for this job?
What can you offer this company?
What kind of people do you like working with?
Do you like working on your own?
Tell us about yourself?
What does success mean to you?
How did you hear about this job?
What do you do in your spare time?
If you were hiring a graduate for this job, what qualities would you look for?
What do you expect to be earning in five years?
Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and those reporting to him/her ?
What two or three things are most important to you in your job?
Are you willing to travel?
How do you work under pressure?
What university subjects did you like most/ least, and why?
What do you know about our company?
Do you think that your results are a good indication of your academic achievement?
Do you have plans for further studies?
What have you learned from participating in extracurricular activities?
How would you describe your ideal job?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
How do you feel about change?
What have you done by way of self-development over the past few years? QUESTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS These are some of the questions that you may like to ask employers:
What are the opportunities for personal growth?
What are your expectations for new members of staff?
How is an employee evaluated and promoted?
Are there maternity/ paternity benefits?
How did the position become eligible?
Describe the work environment.
How can you utilize my skills?
What is the overall structure of the department where the position is located?
When will I be expected to commence duty?
When can I expect to be told whether or not I have been successful in securing the position? Remember :Keep your list of questions as short as you possibly can. Try not to sound like you are interviewing the employer! WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT Usually interviewers assess prospective employees along the following lines:
Capability and suitability for the job.
Social skills.
Initiative and energy.
Motivation.
General interest in the job.
Stability and level of maturity.
Self reliance/ independence.
Leadership qualities. There are some other forms of interviews that some candidates may have to go through in addition to, or as an alternative to one-to-one interview. These include: GROUP INTERVIEWS This happens when a few short-listed candidates get invited together, as a group, for the final selection procedure. This may include psychological testing and assessment, group projects, group discussions and workshops.DO:
Be friendly but competitive
Co-operate with other group members
Help the group achieve its goals
Show enthusiasm
Have a pleasant sense of humour
Relax, and be yourself PANEL INTERVIEW: Here you are interviewed by a panel, usually consisting of a chairperson and some other senior members of staff. "Rules" of this interview are the same as those for a one-to-one interview. DO:
Always address your response to the person who has asked the question, but include others through eye contact.
SEQUENTIAL INTERVIEWS:This is a combination of one-to-one and panel interviews. You will be interviewed usually by a panel first, followed by an interview with each person individually. DO:
Establish rapport with each interviewer
Be consistent in your responses to questions
Maintain your enthusiasm
Be alert and at all cost, be honest OTHER VARIATIONS ARE:
Interviews by personnel consultants
Social interview
Telephone interview Do bear in mind that being invited to an interview does not guarantee you a job, The more interviews you attend, the greater the chance that you will get a job. Look at all the interviews that you attend as a process of learning in preparation for the career of your life! GOOD LUCK!
