McGinley’s Top Tips for CV’s and Interviews

The process of looking for your first job, or considering a career move can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. The job market can be tough and you may be unsure how to present yourself to potential employers. To make a great first impression, it's essential to have a well-written cover letter and CV that showcase your skills and qualifications and is able to convince the hiring manager to offer you an interview.

In this article, we have provided you with five top tips for crafting a stand-out cover letter and CV in addition to some of the most common interview questions which you’ll need to be prepared for.

 

Cover Letter Tips:

1. Customise Your Letter: Avoid sending a generic cover letter. Instead, tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. Research the company and highlight the skills and experiences that align with their mission and job requirements.

1. Start Strong: Begin your letter with a strong opening sentence that captures the employer's attention. Avoid starting with a generic statement such as "I am writing to apply for the job."
2. Showcase Your Skills: Use your cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in past experiences or coursework.
3. Keep It Concise: A cover letter should be no more than one page. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to make it easy to read and highlight key points.
4. Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your cover letter, make sure to proofread it for any errors or typos. Have a friend or family member read it over as well to provide feedback.

 

 

CV Writing Tips:

1. Keep It Relevant: Your CV should only include relevant work experiences, coursework, and skills. Avoid including irrelevant or outdated information.
2. Use Bullet Points: To make your CV easy to read, use bullet points to highlight key accomplishments and experiences.
3. Include Metrics: Whenever possible, include metrics to showcase your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "increased sales," say "increased sales by 20%."
4. Keep It Concise: Similar to your cover letter, your CV should be no more than one or two pages. Keep your formatting simple and easy to read.
5. Highlight Extracurricular Activities: If you don't have much work experience, highlight your extracurricular activities. This can include volunteer work, sports participation, or leadership positions.

 

Top 10 Common Interview Questions to Prepare For:

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why are you interested in this position?
3. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
4. Can you tell me about a time you faced a challenge and how you overcame it?
5. How do you handle stress or pressure?
6. What are your long-term career goals?
7. Can you provide an example of when you worked well in a team?
8. What do you know about our company?
9. Why should we hire you?
10. Do you have any questions for us?

Preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, but practising your answers to these common questions can help you feel more confident and prepared.

 

In summary, crafting a strong cover letter and CV and preparing for common interview questions can help you make a great first impression and land your first job out of college. By following these tips and putting in the effort, it will be just a matter of time before you find yourself in employment.