This document provides tips for having a successful job interview. It recommends staying relaxed during the interview, paying attention to the interviewer, being punctual in responding to questions, maintaining a professional appearance, giving thoughtful answers, asking questions to the interviewer, and using proper vocabulary and diction. The tips are meant to help the job applicant make a good impression and feel confident during the interview process.
2. “It’s a tough job market. Be more
considered in your approach,
show flexibility and use every
avenue” Timothy Mukasa,
FreelanceStudents.co.uk founder
There are jobs out there. However, the marketplace is crowded. This guide provides simple, but
effective, strategies that you can apply to remarkably improve your chances at each stage of the
recruitment cycle. We wish you the best of luck!
2|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
3. How Not To Get a Job!
A recent drive to recruit writers for our blog prompted us to provide some much needed
advice to the many students out there who are simply not doing their job applications justice.
From the applications we received In some instances we received had for our writing roles were
we found a number of common excellent covering letters, but on littered with spelling errors. We all
mistakes, which we’ve listed reviewing the accompanying CV make spelling mistakes (there’s
below. We imagine that many will we found no link between the two probably a few in this article), but
probably think this all common documents; the applicant had when it comes to jobs, employers
sense, but for those of you that clearly not bothered to take the need only find the slightest
have not seen much success in time to tailor the CV to fit the indiscretion in order to quickly
getting work experience we covering letter or the role. This reduce their overcrowded inbox of
suggest you give this article a good sets alarm bells ringing and applications.
read and hopefully we can get you implies that an applicant is firing
producing applications that will off the same CV to every
Final thoughts: Employers will only
get you that job. employer!
afford you a short amount of time
to make an impression and if you
1. Not Reading the Job 4. Information Overload fail to follow the advice above
Description Employers do not need to know then we can almost guarantee
We had many responses that your age, height, religious leanings, that your application will quickly
could have been applications for or your first summer job as a cup be thrown on the scrapheap.
any job on the planet! It seemed cake seller with the scouts. Jokes Good luck!
as though some students were aside, you don’t need to include
just not reading the details of the unnecessary information or your Author: Tim Mukasa
job description. Employers take life history, as only a strong shot
time and care in writing job of espresso will keep an employer
descriptions to find the right from falling asleep. Keep it
candidate and any application that relevant and keep it professional.
appears to disregard the details
will be quickly binned.
5. Pasting a CV into the Email
Body
2. No Covering Letter This is probably a point of
The covering letter is vital and as a contention, but we believe that
general rule you should always pasting the contents of your CV
include one with your CV. The into an email body looks, well,
covering letter sets the scene – ugly. The lack of formatting within
who you are and why you’re email applications often means
applying. It points out key that the structure is fairly messy.
information to the employer, Our advice would be to attach a
outlines your qualities, and makes CV.
a statement about your suitability
for the job. It should give the
personal touch that your CV will 6. Poor Spelling
intrinsically lack. Remember that your application is
a reflection of your
professionalism, attention to
3. CVs not Tailored detail, and writing skills. Believe it
or not many of the applications we
3|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
4. 5 University Activities that Can Boost Your CV
Throughout your time at university, you will be given the opportunity to get involved in a
variety of tasks and extracurricular activities, such as, participating in your halls eating
contest and the annual sleepathon. However, of the million and one things to do, a select
few look really awesome on your CV and add immeasurably to your employability. But with
so much to choose from, where does one start? Never fear, we’ll be separating the wheat
from the chaff by cherry picking 5 university activities that will not only look great on your
CV, but that you will enjoy too.
Let’s Play blogging demonstrates good that many university students
Regardless of your ability, getting literary skills and shows that you spend most of their time in bed;
involved in a drama production are not a square. Blogging is break the trend. Joining a sports
says all the right things to another great opportunity to team shows dedication &
potential employers i.e. that network and make a name for commitment, ability to work as a
you’re confident, cultured and yourself. But be extremely team and to take orders.
able to work both as part of a cautious when posting, especially
team and as an individual. Plays negative comments. The last thing
Would you employ a candidate
aren’t exclusive to the drama you want to do is get blacklisted
that has shown no initiative
society, they’ll be put on all year before you’ve even started
outside of the classroom over a
round by several different working.
self-starter with a more
societies, but if your chosen interesting and varied CV? Neither
society isn’t putting one on, then Get Down with the Kids would I. There are more and more
take matters into your own hands students graduating from
Most universities have
and put a suggestion forward. universities, and it’s harder than
partnerships and programmes
running with local schools, ever to secure employment. Do
Make Mine a Sandwich affording you with the opportunity something that will set you apart
to go into schools and manage from the others and have fun
A placement is the perfect whilst doing it.
opportunity to gain some valuable kids. The options available vary
work experience, network and from university to university and
decide whether or not the field of school to school, but more likely Author: Tobiaking
work you’re considering is still as than not if your degree is one
glamorous as it first appeared. that’s taught at school level then
Many degrees offer an there’s probably a programme for
opportunity for undergraduates to you. Enrolling on such a
spend 6-12 months away from programme demonstrates great
study either in the industry or leadership skills, patience and
abroad. Taking a sandwich year involvement beyond the
shows your employer that you are classroom. What are you waiting
familiar with the work place and for? Enrol! Besides, these kids are
not just another graduate. probably among the only people
who still think you’re cool.
I Think Therefore I Blog
Get Active!
The great thing about starting a
blog is you can write about Get involved, especially as a
anything you please. Regular fresher. It’s common knowledge
4|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
5. 4 Good Reasons to Volunteer
Have you considered boosting your CV, job prospects and self-worth through undertaking
voluntary work? ‘Volunteer work’ can conjure images of soup kitchens run out of disused
bus shelters by eccentric evangelists – which there’s nothing wrong with, we might add – but
there are a plethora of different enterprises that require keen volunteers.
Specialist charities such as CSV Cynical as it may sound, one very enthusiasm for helping out with
have been running inclusive good reason for undertaking football practise at my primary
community schemes which volunteer work is that it will fill school meant that after the first
require volunteers for decades, out your CV. Didn’t make the 2XI few weeks I was essentially left to
including an excellent gap year football team? Then volunteer to take the sessions myself. This may
volunteering initiative. Meanwhile, help run sessions for and coach not sound that tricky, but
many universities now encourage local kids instead. The 21st managing two dozen 10 year olds
student participation in the century job market is a scary, is probably a tougher task than
community, such as the University fearsomely competitive place, so heading up a board of directors;
of Manchester’s Community any activity that might set you employers will note the man-
Sports Volunteer Scheme which apart from the next Accounting management, teamwork and
trains volunteers to do sports and Finance grad with a 2:1 from communication skills you
coaching and mentoring. Nottingham is going to be useful invariably gain from voluntary
interview fodder. work. In certain vocations, such as
being the Treasurer for a local club
Opportunities also exist outside of
or your halls, you may also gain
formal schemes, however. When I …and employers will like it formal training required for the
was still in the sixth-form at school As a corollary to the previous post. Another big tick on the CV.
(a painfully long time ago), I point, prospective employers will
returned to my old primary school be impressed with your drive and
to take games lessons one initiative. Final year careers You will enjoy it!
afternoon a week. Furthermore, I seminars up and down the country I had so much fun looking after
also took on occasional childcare will be plugging the importance of kids with disabilities for my
volunteering work for a friend’s a ‘USP’ – Unique Selling Point – friend’s mother’s charity that I
mother’s charity for several years when applying for jobs after uni, continued to offer my help for as
whilst finishing school and and volunteer work could be your long as time and scheduling
studying at University. Essentially, golden ticket. Everyone has to allowed – it became a hobby
people always need help; work for money at some stage, rather than a chore. It’s no
particularly if it is offered for free, but volunteering not only shows coincidence that many volunteers
so don’t hesitate to approach old employers a good team-playing find themselves pledging more
schools, your university halls community spirit, but also a time than they originally intended.
committee or the local hospital conscientious, hard-working On a purely selfish basis, helping
radio station. streak, and the ability to manage others in whatever capacity will
your time effectively whilst make you feel good about yourself,
Now you know what’s out there, juggling a work and study building self-esteem and
let us convince you why it’s a good schedule. confidence. Finally, you will meet
idea. And remember kids, like-minded people and may make
volunteer work is for life – or long-lasting friends, contributing
Builds skills as much to your personal as your
however long you can manage –
not just for Christmas! Throw yourself into voluntary professional development.
work and you are likely to reap the
rewards of your endeavours. My
It’s another line on the CV… Author: James Lachno
5|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
6. How to Find a Job on Twitter Part 1
Finding a job on Twitter may sound like the 21st century equivalent of looking for labouring
contracts in the local bookies – or, better still, the Nag’s Head – but thinking outside the
usual job sites and vacancies columns can pay serious dividends. Nope, Twitter isn’t just a
place for slightly unhinged celebrity stalkers to sate their appetite for Lily Allen’s meandering
nonsense. Twitter can be a powerful tool for finding student jobs and internships and full-
blown, real-life, money-for-milk-actually-going-into-my-bank-account graduate jobs.
Essentially, the means can be split properly – i.e. don’t write ‘in the makes reference to news or
into indirect and direct. The sky with diamonds’. If you don’t politics (e.g. @Benshere/news)
former involves building the right want to commit too specifically, and hey presto, you’ll be
‘profile’ for prospective employers, enter a region i.e. South-East, presented with more useful media
cultivating relationships and North-West et cetera. Under bio, contacts to add to your collection.
generally being a genial tweeting you should be concise and Play around and see who you can
presence – indeed, a bit like relevant if you are on the job hunt. find, and never be afraid to add
looking for labour in the Nag’s Indeed, writing “solicitor” or “web people: it’s part of the game.
Head. The latter is much more like designer” is fine, even if you’re yet Some might even follow you back
your traditional job-scouring, just to gain employment in your – another useful way to start
given a 21st Century injection of chosen field. Finally, follow the cultivating relationships. Then:
techno-wizardry. This article looks same rules for your background engage. Start ‘tweeting’ to people
at indirect ways you can enhance wallpaper, which can be changed. using the @ function (@[user-
your job prospects through Again, use your common sense. name] will publically ‘mention’
Twitter. Plain colour, appropriate tiled that user, making them aware of
landscape picture? Good. ‘Meat Is your presence). Ask for advice,
Murder’ banner? Bad. Employers guidance and information.
Presentation, presentation, will look, trust us. Mention that you have useful skills.
presentation Barack Obama might not write you
First things first – know your back, but that PR or recruitment
enemy. Or prospective line of Follow relevant people, and get consultant probably will. Better
employment, rather. Despite chatty still, even if these actions are
having limited capacity to play This might sound like a no brainer, unlikely to result in you being
around with Twitter profiles but an invaluable way of recruited out of the blue, when a
(unlike Facebook, or, worse, networking is adding people relevant job does come up at a
Myspace), there are still several relevant to your chosen field. You certain company, your
personalized aspects to a Twitter may search for a certain company professional networking through
account which can filter the name, like Clifford Chance, Twitter will make you stand out
professional and appropriate FreelanceStudents or RBS, or from the crowd. As always, be
jobseeker from a student drinking individual people (Charlie Brooker) appropriate when tweeting to
monologue. Choose a picture via the ‘Find People’ link. Another potential work contacts – avoid
wisely – show your face, as users useful way of finding people or text speak, don’t swear et cetera.
like to engage with what they organisations is through lists, Simples!
imagine is a human being, but which may include scores of
avoid those Faliraki holiday photos relevant Tweeters to follow. For
and pouting poses. If you have a example: enter ‘Guardian’ in the Author: James Lachno
blog, link it, particularly if it is ‘Find People’ search box, click
relevant (journalism, graphic guardiannews, then go to ‘listed’ Read How to Find a Job on Twitter
design). Enter your location on the far right. Select a list that Part 2!
6|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
7. 9 Tips for Job Interview Success
Interviews – loved by some and hated by many – are a necessary part of securing a job. The
problem however, is that most cower at the thought of sitting down to talk about
themselves with a stranger/could be boss. “What if they don’t like me? What if I make a fool
of myself?” Stop it. Rather than panic and think up hypothetical, negative and awkward
situations, take a step back.
Be cool important that one is punctual one ready, asking questions shows
I’m not going to say imagine them with responses, when asked a that you’ve been listening and are
naked because quite frankly that’s question try and respond with truly interested.
off putting and requires too much good timing to show that you’re a
attention, rather stay relaxed, quick thinker.
Vocabulary & diction
regulate your breathing and pay
The words that leave your mouth
close attention to the words Appearance need to be real, avoid
coming out of their mouths.
First impressions count, as gobbledygook. A couple days
outlined in Office Etiquette: Do’s before the interview make an
Flattery & Don’ts Part I, certain hairstyles effort to drop all colloquialisms
The person/people conducting the and items of clothing are not from your vocab. everything you
interview are just that, people, appropriate for the office. For say, needs to be done so clearly.
and there’s nothing people love interviews it’s definitely best to Fully pronounce your words; stay
more than compliments. The trick play it safe, if you think it’s a step away from “yups”,“uh-huhs”,
is to make them genuine and too far, then it probably is. “nahs”,” and “nopes”.
thoughtful. For example
compliment the passion portrayed Honesty Author: Tobiaking
in their voice or their choice of
Honesty by far is the best policy,
words. Avoid making comments
besides if you lie it’s extremely
referring to physical appearance!
likely to come back to haunt you,
what’s more, lies create anxiety
Confidence and discomfort which will make it
Confidence is key; you need to harder for you to remain cool.
believe in yourself. Remember “If
you weren’t cut out for the job, Take a drink
your CV or application would have
If you’re offered a tea or coffee,
been slung”. You got the interview
take one. It’s polite to do so. In
because they think you’re capable
addition when you’re asked a
of doing the job; they have faith in
taxing question taking a sip of
you; have some in yourself.
your beverage will buy you
thinking time.
Punctuality
If you’re late to an interview you Questions
don’t want the job, simples.
At the end of the interview, you’ll
However this point is about more
be asked if you have any questions.
than just being on time. It’s
Make sure you have a relevant
7|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
8. How to Pass Assessment Centre Group Exercises: 5
Golden Tips
That time of year arrives when many students and graduates are interviewing and a lucky
few get invited back for an assessment centre in which they’ll have to partake in the
dreaded… group exercise. A personality-clashing mine field. But group exercises need not be
scary and can, in fact, be enjoyable if approached correctly. As you know, we like to tell you
how it is. So, below we’ve provided 5 golden tips for cruising through any group exercise.
We’ve assumed that you already what do you think of this idea?” or discussed the importance of
understand the basics i.e. do your “Helen that’s a very good point!” coming up with ideas. At one of
homework, be presentable, be on Not only does this show that my earliest experiences of
time, be confident and don’t be as you’re well mannered and assessment centres, in which I did
loud as a motorbike. courteous, but also that you have not progress, I was given feedback
strong attention to detail. It will that I didn’t contribute ideas. I
also continue the impact of the always considered myself to be a
Golden Tip #1: Introduce effect you’ve created in tip #1. man of ideas, but I was frozen by
yourself to everybody the occasion. Don’t let his happen
At university I sailed through first to you. Companies look for
round interviews, but found Golden Tip #3: Volunteer to students with fresh ideas to inject
assessment centres tricky and in take a role much needed fresh thinking and
particular standing out in group You’ve watched the Apprentice creativity.
exercises. Then, I was given some right? Then you would have
priceless advice by a university noticed how Lord Alan Sugar
friend. He advised that as soon as targets candidates that play no Golden Tip #5: Never give
you arrive and students are sitting role in an exercise. “You did naff negative feedback about your
nervously in deafening silence, to all!” is a usual retort from the peers
go round and introduce yourself mini-entrepreneur. When an “Honestly, I thought Gary (not
and be careful to remember every exercise kicks in, quickly take a key actual name) was quite loud and
name, maybe throw in a bit of role, for example write the notes talked over people!” This was my
conversation, and most on the whiteboard, which means response at an assessment centre
importantly, ensuring that they you lead the discussion, or be the when I was asked about the other
remember your name. What this person doing the timing. members of my team. I was young
action very cleverly (and subtly) WARNING: if you are going to do a and naïve and it was one of my
does is to start rounding the role, then do it! Don’t half lead the earliest experiences (pre-
troops onto your side. The other discussion or be too scared to university). Yes, he was extremely
students will start looking to you shout, “We’ve got 2 minutes left annoying but slating others sends
for help, agreement and guidance. guys!!” as this will work against big time warning signals that
So without much effort you’ve you if the team fails due to the you’re likely to do the same if
immediately made yourself stand area you’ve taken responsibility hired. Companies want team
out and it won’t go unnoticed! for. But it’s better to do something players; people who can work with
then naff all. difficult characters without
showing frustration. So, if asked
Golden Tip #2: Use the names
the same question, talk about the
of your peers Golden Tip #4: Come up with
positive aspects of the team’s
So, you’ve got everybody’s name, ideas performance and areas where as a
great. But go a step further and Hopefully you’ve read our piece team you could have done better.
actually call your peers by their on how to be an awesome
names during an exercise. “Dan, intern!? In that article we Author: Tim Mukasa
8|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
9. How to be an Awesome Intern: 5 Tips
Many of you will be embarking upon your first steps in the professional world as a fresh
faced intern. You’ve got a new shiny suit from Next, an unnecessary amount of pens in your
bag, and you’ve been practicing office-speak. But, have you considered what it will take to
ensure that the company come grovelling back to hire you after graduating? No, being nice,
arriving on time and being organised are not good enough. These are the basics!
1. Focus on Delivery panic-stricken and having not enjoy learning new things. Don’t
This is the single most important produced anything. It’s wasted attempt to teach the teacher.
word…Delivery. It’s so important time. This leads me onto my next
it’s blessed with a capital D. What point…
5. Come up with ideas
does it mean? Delivery means
Don’t you hate it when you meet
YOU were responsible for a result. 3. Ask a bucket load of people who can only identify
YOU wrote those articles. YOU questions problems? Real energy drainers. I
created that new logo for a small
Newbies often get clogged up with offer examples: “Man, we missed
client. YOU organised the office
worry. This worry tends to the train, what are we going to
Christmas party. Ultimately we’re
overpower their ability to take in do?”, or “We’re out of beer”.
all judged on results. Some
information. We all recognise “Yeah ok thanks, so what do you
temporarily get away with
when this happens because you suggest?” WARNING: When
diverting their inability to get
think “Sh*t, I totally missed that approaching your boss/mentor
results by blowing hot air and ass-
but I can’t ask again”. The with a problem ALWAYS offer
kissing, but the question of
possible consequences are you sit some kind of a solution. I offer
Delivery will always remain lurking.
at your computer like a lemon, amended examples: “Man, we
It’s a powerful word and takes you
you produce total rubbish, or you missed the train, but I called the
from being a simple observer to a
return to your boss disgraced, local taxi firm and they offer a
real contributor. So tell me, what
hands out asking “please sir, reasonable rate”, and “We’re out
have you delivered?
more”. Drill your boss/mentor of beer. I suggest we contribute
with questions, because your £10 each and do a trip to the
2. Try it and see ability to Deliver a satisfactory supermarket”. Now who’s ya
Many people fear failure, so they result is dependent upon you daddy?! Your boss will love you
don’t think independently and understanding the task. because you’re relieving them of
seek constant guidance with every the burden of tackling another
task. Failure is how we learn, no? issue. Make this a habit.
4. Respect the master!
You don’t just get on a bike and
ride straight away; you fall off and Some interns fly in with a chip on
their shoulder and promptly If you’re going to do any one of
look goofy for a while. It’s the the above points, make it number
same process at work. Don’t declare their status: “I studied at
so and so university”, “I got a one. However, to be truly
pester your manager, instead, use awesome, and remember this
common sense (don’t just attack First”, or “My dad is head of blah
blah at Evil Corp”. Seriously, this article is about being awesome,
the task), google the info you need you need to actively embody all
or email a friend… just try kind of attitude will win you no
friends and will overshadow your five points and if you do, we
something. If it fails, you’ve learnt guarantee that the job will be
something in the process and next talents. You’re young and ignorant,
and that’s ok! These guys know yours. Good luck!
time, you’ll know what it takes to
peddle down the road unassisted. what they’re talking about. Be a
It’s annoying giving somebody a sponge. Soak in information and Author: Tim Mukasa
task and they return 3 hours later
9|A Guide to Getting the Job You Want
10. The Importance of Being Yourself at Work
In my 10 years of working, something has perplexed me; on entering through the doors of
the office, many of us lose a sense of who we are; we lose a sense of self. We take on a
persona of how we think somebody should behave in a particular context and we start
exhibiting behaviours that our friends and family would find strange e.g. we become cold,
aggressive, subservient or fearful. This office persona is often a burden and can be
detrimental to success in the workplace.
For those of you with work Considered this – in order to get
experience under your belt Emotional baggage – We are all promoted or progress you need to
already, consider the acutely aware of when we’re not stand out, but if all you’re doing is
awkwardness of bumping into being ourselves and this weighs copying other’s actions or
your colleagues outside of work or heavy on our minds and often suppressing your uniqueness, you
the stale atmosphere of office get- leading to feelings of distress and simply won’t stand out! I’m not
togethers, as nobody dare show anxiety that we carry with us even advocating that you rock up into
their true self. So, why do we do outside of the office. the office dressed and squealing
it? The answer is that we hide our like Lady Gaga – you have to apply
true self in order to fit in and be common sense, as being a
accepted. Examples: Loss of creativity – There are professional means that you do
many challenging situations in the have to adhere to more formal
workplace that often call for standards then you would in your
•The new highly educated mild- creative thinking in order to be personal life. In order to stand out
mannered graduate starting a resolved. Creativity calls for you simply need to avoid
banking role as a trader becomes originality, but if you’re too busy assuming other people’s
aggressive and foul-mouthed copying others then inevitably you perspectives of you.
•The caring women who as an are merely likely to churn out stale
executive takes on a cold and uninspiring ideas that you believe
steely approach to professional others will see as best. To conclude…
relationships in order to prove It is important that you attempt to
herself in a male dominated learn this lesson as earlier as
Ineffective decision making –
workplace possible in your career, whether
Most of us recognise when
•The usually confident friend that you’re doing a menial student job,
something feels wrong e.g. a client
finds they are unable to speak up an internship at a top firm, or
might be very assertive and yet
in meetings or challenge you’re a new graduate on a
you feel that their demands are
management decisions, whereas training scheme. The sooner you
potentially disastrous and under
in a social context they are learn this and act upon it the
normal circumstances you would
opinionated and outspoken more effective you’ll be at work
have said something. This decision
as your uniqueness, honesty, and
to suppress your true thoughts
creativity will quickly set you
The negative outcomes of results in a poorly delivered
apart from the crowd.
‘fitting in’ project. However, had you been
Furthermore, it will have an all
yourself and spoken up, it is likely
The common thing many people round positive impact on your life
that the end result would have
do is copy others in order to be outside of the office. Being
turned out positively (I’ve been in
accepted. But in doing this we lose different is absolutely beautiful
such situations!).
our uniqueness and we begin to and it attracts people to you.
suppress our personality. The
potential negative results are Standing out
Author: Tim Mukasa
commonly:
10 | A Guide to Getting the Job You Want