10-23-2005, 01:13 PM
This is not carved in stone, but comes from my own research and personal experience over ten years of working.
-----------------------------
Writing a CV and going for a job interview is basically like a "sales pitch" combined with some fine acting. You have to sell yourself and your skills and do it in a confident manner. This is equally challenging for NTs.
There are three important aspects to master when applying for a job:
* Writing your cover letter and CV
* The way your CV relates to the job you are applying for
* The interview
Your CV needs to be short and preferrably in bullet form so it can read easily. Two pages max. Only include relevant information. Monster.com has very good advice on how to create your CV/Resume, arranging and sorting the information of your education, employment history and skills.
Each position advertised out there is unique. This means you need to adapt your CV to highlight those skills of yours that best match the new job you are applying for. This is one of the "tricks".
You have to remember that employers ask you questions about the contents of your CV at the interview. If there is anything you feel uncomfortable about, or something that might be irrelevant, don't put it into your CV. You will be expected to come up with an answer if they ask you about it.
Remember - less is more. Stick to the points and only feed the new employer with information they really need to know. If you are a graphic designer, they don't need to know about your waitressing job at Starbucks three years ago.
References are important. Don't include people as references whom you don't trust or who don't know you well. Always warn your references they might be getting a call, when you are out on the job hunt, so they can be prepared.
Your cover letter needs to introduce yourself and your skills, structured in such a way, so the new employer concludes that you are a possible "perfect match". (This is another trick). This will lead to them contacting you for an interview. You have to convince them in about two or three short paragraphs that you have everything they need to be able to do the job.
It's a bit like catching a fish - if you use the wrong bait, you won't get a response.
Obviously, one rule of thumb for everyone out there; only apply for jobs you feel or know you will be able to do and cope with. If you are a junior, don't apply for a senior position. If you are a programmer, don't apply for a graphic design position. If you know you don't like working with people, don't apply for tour guide or call centre jobs unless you are desperate but then KNOW what you are letting yourself in for.
The interview...
Ok, so now they like you and want to meet you. Find out everything about the company you can beforehand, because they like asking you in the interview "How much do you know about the company", or "I assume you know something about us". If you say "uhm.. no I actually don't", they will see it as an insult, because they feel very proud of themselves and are looking for someone who would also be proud working there.
Find out if they are part of a group of companies, what clients they serve, what business they are in. Local or international company. etc. (In other words.. you need to take some bait with you to the interview!).
General Stuff
Arrive about 5 minutes before the interview. NEVER be late. Don't be too early either, as this is also considered rude. Don't "chat" to the people at reception. Just do as you are being told and smile. You might have to wait on the couch, or a seat for a while. Just sit still and wait patiently. If you are nervous, grab a magazine if they have some on the coffee table. If they have leaflets/brochure about the company, read it. It shows you are interested in the company, and will help you get some more information (like awards they might have won or so). Sit upright and be alert.
Now the "game" starts. Depending on the company's corporate profile, you will probably be greeted by a HR or PR or secretary who will take you to the boardroom. Greet her and be friendly - say the minimum. If they offer you tea or coffee and you know it's gonna make you want to wee during the interview, don't accept any. Just say politely "no thank you, I just had some" and smile. Just sit still, relax and keep your hands on your lap.
When everybody arrives, you have to get up onto your feet for the greeting. This is being polite. If they greet you with a hand shake, return a firm hand shake, look them in the eyes and smile and return the greeting.
Interviews are normally between 30 mins to an hour. My experience is about 45 minutes. Sometimes they have one short introductory meeting and call you back for a second interview. They do this when they have many applicants, to draw up a short list. Never talk money until they do. Typical questions they ask:
Tell me a bit more about yourself.
Why did you leave your previous company?
Why did you apply for this particular job?
Do you enjoy what you are doing?
What are your interests?
You might find that many of the things they ask might actually be in your cover letter and CV and you feel like telling the person "But didn't you read my CV??!! Anyway, just repeat the stuff and answer each question in about one paragraph. Don't go into too much detail. If they want more detail, they will ask for it. Keep your answers short, about a minute of talking at a time, or less. Make up a list of questions you know they will be asking you and prepare answers.
Look them in the eyes when you talk (this is very hard for me to do - I tend to glare at the ceiling, side view while I talk - DON'T DO THIS!). I know this might be natural for us AS, but practice with a friend. Rehearse things. Ask a friend or therapist to tell you about habits you might have that could possibly annoy them, you are not aware of. I have the habit of saying a soft "uhmmm or mmmmmm", while I think and compile an answer in my head. This is fine for friends or with therapist, but not interviews. Don't have anything in your hands, like a pen, because you might be fiddling with it without noticing and it could be annoying. If you are a fidgeter like me, keep your hands on your lap.
Other tips
Dress appropriately. If it is a corporate company, a neat outfit might be necessary. Keep it plain. Black and white is always a winner. You hair must be clean and neat. Women preferrably up, but if you wear them down, just keep them out of your face with a band. They might be having this fan blowing in the boardroom and your hair irretating you might distract you from your communication. If you are a woman, wear a bit of make up, but just a little bit. You might even want to go to the Bodyshop and ask them for makeup tips - I have done this and it helped! I always wear the exact same makeup every day of my life, but you should adjust depending on the season or occasion.
The bottom line is:
Be friendly, be calm, say only the necessary, be professional, behave appropriately, look presentable and be confident.
Remember an interview is like an audition for a show. It's all about acting and pretence, but with honesty. And sell all your positive skills.
Lastly, if you are rejected, remember one thing; it is not necessarily because you have "failed". Sometimes, a company is just not cut for you and if they inform you, you were unsuccessful, it could be due to something on their side. Politics are a horrible thing, but they feature in job appointments.
I also noticed sometimes companies advertise positions, but they just want to see what responses they get, or to collect CV's. Sometimes they don't really want to hire, they are just pretending to! Or they had a sudden budget cut and can't hire anymore.
I always look at it this way; if I am unsuccessful with a job application, I wouldn't have enjoyed working there anyway.
Hope this helps! :grin:
-----------------------------
Writing a CV and going for a job interview is basically like a "sales pitch" combined with some fine acting. You have to sell yourself and your skills and do it in a confident manner. This is equally challenging for NTs.
There are three important aspects to master when applying for a job:
* Writing your cover letter and CV
* The way your CV relates to the job you are applying for
* The interview
Your CV needs to be short and preferrably in bullet form so it can read easily. Two pages max. Only include relevant information. Monster.com has very good advice on how to create your CV/Resume, arranging and sorting the information of your education, employment history and skills.
Each position advertised out there is unique. This means you need to adapt your CV to highlight those skills of yours that best match the new job you are applying for. This is one of the "tricks".
You have to remember that employers ask you questions about the contents of your CV at the interview. If there is anything you feel uncomfortable about, or something that might be irrelevant, don't put it into your CV. You will be expected to come up with an answer if they ask you about it.
Remember - less is more. Stick to the points and only feed the new employer with information they really need to know. If you are a graphic designer, they don't need to know about your waitressing job at Starbucks three years ago.
References are important. Don't include people as references whom you don't trust or who don't know you well. Always warn your references they might be getting a call, when you are out on the job hunt, so they can be prepared.
Your cover letter needs to introduce yourself and your skills, structured in such a way, so the new employer concludes that you are a possible "perfect match". (This is another trick). This will lead to them contacting you for an interview. You have to convince them in about two or three short paragraphs that you have everything they need to be able to do the job.
It's a bit like catching a fish - if you use the wrong bait, you won't get a response.
Obviously, one rule of thumb for everyone out there; only apply for jobs you feel or know you will be able to do and cope with. If you are a junior, don't apply for a senior position. If you are a programmer, don't apply for a graphic design position. If you know you don't like working with people, don't apply for tour guide or call centre jobs unless you are desperate but then KNOW what you are letting yourself in for.
The interview...
Ok, so now they like you and want to meet you. Find out everything about the company you can beforehand, because they like asking you in the interview "How much do you know about the company", or "I assume you know something about us". If you say "uhm.. no I actually don't", they will see it as an insult, because they feel very proud of themselves and are looking for someone who would also be proud working there.
Find out if they are part of a group of companies, what clients they serve, what business they are in. Local or international company. etc. (In other words.. you need to take some bait with you to the interview!).
General Stuff
Arrive about 5 minutes before the interview. NEVER be late. Don't be too early either, as this is also considered rude. Don't "chat" to the people at reception. Just do as you are being told and smile. You might have to wait on the couch, or a seat for a while. Just sit still and wait patiently. If you are nervous, grab a magazine if they have some on the coffee table. If they have leaflets/brochure about the company, read it. It shows you are interested in the company, and will help you get some more information (like awards they might have won or so). Sit upright and be alert.
Now the "game" starts. Depending on the company's corporate profile, you will probably be greeted by a HR or PR or secretary who will take you to the boardroom. Greet her and be friendly - say the minimum. If they offer you tea or coffee and you know it's gonna make you want to wee during the interview, don't accept any. Just say politely "no thank you, I just had some" and smile. Just sit still, relax and keep your hands on your lap.
When everybody arrives, you have to get up onto your feet for the greeting. This is being polite. If they greet you with a hand shake, return a firm hand shake, look them in the eyes and smile and return the greeting.
Interviews are normally between 30 mins to an hour. My experience is about 45 minutes. Sometimes they have one short introductory meeting and call you back for a second interview. They do this when they have many applicants, to draw up a short list. Never talk money until they do. Typical questions they ask:
Tell me a bit more about yourself.
Why did you leave your previous company?
Why did you apply for this particular job?
Do you enjoy what you are doing?
What are your interests?
You might find that many of the things they ask might actually be in your cover letter and CV and you feel like telling the person "But didn't you read my CV??!! Anyway, just repeat the stuff and answer each question in about one paragraph. Don't go into too much detail. If they want more detail, they will ask for it. Keep your answers short, about a minute of talking at a time, or less. Make up a list of questions you know they will be asking you and prepare answers.
Look them in the eyes when you talk (this is very hard for me to do - I tend to glare at the ceiling, side view while I talk - DON'T DO THIS!). I know this might be natural for us AS, but practice with a friend. Rehearse things. Ask a friend or therapist to tell you about habits you might have that could possibly annoy them, you are not aware of. I have the habit of saying a soft "uhmmm or mmmmmm", while I think and compile an answer in my head. This is fine for friends or with therapist, but not interviews. Don't have anything in your hands, like a pen, because you might be fiddling with it without noticing and it could be annoying. If you are a fidgeter like me, keep your hands on your lap.
Other tips
Dress appropriately. If it is a corporate company, a neat outfit might be necessary. Keep it plain. Black and white is always a winner. You hair must be clean and neat. Women preferrably up, but if you wear them down, just keep them out of your face with a band. They might be having this fan blowing in the boardroom and your hair irretating you might distract you from your communication. If you are a woman, wear a bit of make up, but just a little bit. You might even want to go to the Bodyshop and ask them for makeup tips - I have done this and it helped! I always wear the exact same makeup every day of my life, but you should adjust depending on the season or occasion.
The bottom line is:
Be friendly, be calm, say only the necessary, be professional, behave appropriately, look presentable and be confident.
Remember an interview is like an audition for a show. It's all about acting and pretence, but with honesty. And sell all your positive skills.
Lastly, if you are rejected, remember one thing; it is not necessarily because you have "failed". Sometimes, a company is just not cut for you and if they inform you, you were unsuccessful, it could be due to something on their side. Politics are a horrible thing, but they feature in job appointments.
I also noticed sometimes companies advertise positions, but they just want to see what responses they get, or to collect CV's. Sometimes they don't really want to hire, they are just pretending to! Or they had a sudden budget cut and can't hire anymore.
I always look at it this way; if I am unsuccessful with a job application, I wouldn't have enjoyed working there anyway.
Hope this helps! :grin: