job interview

Fast & Easy CV Writing Tips for 2020

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One of the most important things when looking for a job is your CV. It is quite simple – you get it right, you might get several interviews at once, but get it wrong, you might be facing rejection time and time. As you already know, each CV is different since people want to show why their set of skills makes them suitable for a job position they are applying for, but they all have a similar structure. If you sat down to write your CV, but you came across some obstacles in writing it, this article is practically made for you. In the text below, you will be able to read about some tips for writing a CV. Let’s take a look:

The Best Tips for Writing a CV

While the appearance and structure of your CV can be easily changed to fit your skills and working experiences, there are a few sections that every employer wants to see. The categories you need to include in your CV include:

Your Name, Professional Title, Contact Details

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This should be located at the top of your resume. You will need to include your name and surname, professional title, as well as your contact details. You will not have to write a title like “Curriculum Vitae” or “CV” since you will be wasting space. Consider your name to be the title of the CV. For your contact details, you should leave your phone number and email address.

Your Personal Profile

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This section of your resume is one of the most important ones. It is a short section where you will be able to show the employer who you are and what you care about. To properly fill in this section make sure that you answer these three questions:

  1. Who are you?
  2. What are your career goals?
  3. What can you bring to the company?

Your Experience and Work History

The work history section will give you the opportunity to state your previous jobs, work experience, and any internships that you might have finished. You should start with the most recent one and work your way back to the oldest work experience that you have. When writing down each position, you should write down your job title, the employer you worked for, the dates when you started and finished the job, as well as the responsibilities you had.

Your Qualifications and Education

Similarly to the work and experience section, you should list your education achievements in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the schools you attended, the starting and end dates, as well as the qualification and grades you got.

Additional Sections

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According to the experts from jofibo.com, there are some additional sections that you can add that will make your resume stronger. The additional sections include:

  1. Your Key Skills – if you want to show off your skills, you can add a key skills category under your personal profile section. However, keep in mind that you should not overdo it, 4 to 5 skills are enough.
  2. Your Hobbies and Interests – if you want to boost your resume some more, you can add a hobby and interest section at the end. But, do not use generic hobbies like “reading” or “watching movies”, instead, list a hobby that will make you stand out from the crowd of candidates.
  3. Your References – adding a list of referees is no longer needed in a CV, however, if you do have space left you can either list your references or include a line that will let your employer know that they can get your references if they request for them.

Conclusion

As you can see, writing a CV does not have to be a time-consuming task and by following the tips from this article, you will be able to quickly and efficiently right a CV that will land your interviews. So, do not waste any more time and start working on your resume right away.

Things to Know Before Your First Court Appearance

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There are lots of reasons you may need to appear in court in your lifetime, from traffic tickets or car accidents to family custody hearings. No matter what the reason, it’s important to be educated and prepared for what can be a very stressful situation. Before you walk into the courtroom, this is what you need to know.

Know the Basics

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The last thing you want to do is show up late for your court appearance, or in the wrong place. Make sure you know exactly where you’re going and how to get there, including once you are in the courthouse building. Try a dry run before your court date and drive to the courthouse to see how bad traffic is and what your commute time will be, and what the parking situation is like. You should also look if there are different entrances, and which one is closer to the room you will be appearing in.

On the day of your appearance, make sure to arrive early in case of any unexpected delays. Showing up late will reflect poorly on you. Make sure to dress respectfully and conservatively, as you would for a job interview, but still comfortably, so you are not fidgeting during the proceedings.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

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Before your court date, you should organize all the necessary paperwork and documentation you need. If you need to bring evidence such as photos or documents, make sure to have them with you on the day of your court date. For car accident lawsuits, you should bring photos, insurance paperwork, and police reports – get more on this site. Keep all your files clean and secure in a binder, file folder, or briefcase ahead of time. Spilling coffee on your paperwork is a big no-no!

If you have an attorney, make sure to speak to them prior to your court date. They will let you know what documents they may need you to bring or what to expect from the judge. If there’s anything you need to submit to them ahead of time, do so in a timely matter so they can best prepare your case.

Learn All You Can About Your Judge

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If possible, learn who will be overseeing your case and try to get a feel for how they operate. Judges often differ in their approach to interpreting the law. Some judges may be stricter, while others are more lenient.

Try to get an understanding of how the judge assigned to your case often rules on similar issues. You can do this by speaking to your attorney who may have worked cases for this judge in the past, or by simply attending public hearings to see how the judge acts in person. This will help you understand how the judge may handle issues in your case and how best you can present yourself to them during your own hearing.

Check In Before Your Hearing

When you arrive at the courthouse on the day of your hearing, there will be a clerk who you must check in with. You will have to prove your identity, so be sure to have a valid ID with you when you sign in.

There will also be a hearing list, which will tell you which room your hearing will take place in, and what number your case is. The judge will call the case by numbers, so you can usually get an idea of how long it will be until it’s your turn.

You or your attorney can also check in with your opponent or their counsel. This is good for building rapport and hopefully making it easier to reach an agreement. You may even want to try and reach a solution with them you can present to the judge. For example, if you are trying to evict a tenant for unpaid rent, you may be able to reach a last-minute deal with them to pay by a certain date, which the judge or adjudicator can then put into writing for you.

Know What Not to Say

While you might be tempted to argue with statements or stand up for yourself, know that it can sometimes reflect poorly on you. Saying that you believe the judge is being unfair or your opponent is lying (without proof) will only work to turn the judge against you. This is something that can often occur in family court, as emotions are high.

It’s important to remember not to attack your opponent or bring up arguments that aren’t relevant to your case. For example, in child custody battles, allegations of infidelity don’t carry any weight, so it’s best to leave them out.

Stay Calm and Collected

It’s important to keep your cool no matter what happens. It’s normal to be nervous before your appearance, but try not to let your nerves overtake you and create undue stress. Follow proper courtroom etiquette and be as polite and respectful as possible, especially to the judge. You can speak to your attorney ahead of time about how you’ll be expected to behave and where you will sit or stand – knowing these details can help prevent you from feeling flustered on the day.

If the judge rules in a way that you are unhappy with, do your best to mask your emotions. Thank the judge for their time and then speak to your attorney outside the courtroom about how you will move forward and possibly appeal or refile.

Make Sure to Take Notes

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You’re an active participant in your hearing, even if your attorney is speaking for you. Bring a notebook to write down statements that don’t understand or need clarified, questions you have and, most importantly, the judge’s ruling.

This is the agreement that you will be entering into, either with the opposing party or the state, depending on what your hearing is about. You may need to take immediate action, so it’s good to write down the details. Your attorney can review this with you and let you know what is expected of you both immediately and in the near future. For example, after a traffic infraction, you may have to pay a fine or attend classes within a certain number of days.

Along with your own notes, you can request the transcript from your hearing. This can help in case you believe the judge has made an error in their ruling and you wish to appeal, or if your trial is to be continued at a later date.

Attending a court date, whether as a defendant, plaintiff, or a witness, is a stressful experience, However, if you follow these steps, you reduce your stress level and enter the courtroom prepared and ready to win your case.

How Long Should I Wait For Feedback After An Interview

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An invitation to an interview indicates that the company received your application documents or reviewed your profile in professional networks, examined your background and qualifications, and approved your candidacy for further consideration. It would seem that you are halfway to employment. And if in your opinion, you managed to leave a favorable impression on the interviewer, showing your knowledge, competencies, and interest in the position, then the job offer is just a formality and a matter of time.

But what if was no response from a recruiter in the following days or weeks, and the euphoria gave way to anxiety? Do you have to wait for the call obediently, phone the employer yourself, or dismiss the idea of working in this organization? Our suggestions and tips on how to behave in such a situation will break it down for you.

What is the typical wait time after an interview?

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The average response time after the interview is from seven to fourteen days. Consideration of candidates for leadership positions, in turn, can take about a month. Nevertheless, the indicated timescales are not generally accepted and may vary depending on the company and its internal processes. Therefore, if you were not contacted as promptly as you would like, this is not a reason to perceive silence as a refusal.

Reasons for delay of feedback with a candidate after a job interview

There are several reasons why the recruiter would not report on a candidate’s status for an extended period, and they are not all connected with their desire to ignore you:

  • An ill-conceived schedule of interviews. In the perfect world, meetings with candidates are scheduled with a short time between them so that the first one is not kept in the dark for an entire selection period. But recruiters often either forget about this rule or cannot adhere to it because of the tight schedule of other company representatives who want to attend the interview.
  • Making a hiring decision is a multi-layered process that requires the participation of the director, department head, HR manager, and sometimes other interested parties. Given the variability of the business environment and other tasks of each link, it cannot be very easy for them to come together for an analysis of each candidate. Besides, the hiring process rarely has a top priority for a corporation. So there is a chance that while you expect to hear from a recruiter, the discussion making process has not yet begun.
  • Some companies expect you to call back first. They regard it as a confirmation of your interest in the position. However, it can be challenging to understand when such a step draws praise, and in what situations it is equated with extreme perseverance. To avoid misunderstanding, send a thank-you email a couple of days after the final interview, which will help you to stand out and increase the loyalty of the company.
  • Budget cuts for a new position due to the financial woes of the company, illness of one of the critical links in a decision-making process, dismissal of a recruiter, or another human component. Undoubtedly, this is not a good reason to keep the candidate in the dark as they are not related to the internal problems of the organization. However, keep these factors in mind the next time you want to overanalyze your career prospects.
Source:businessnewsdaily.com

And yet, how long to wait after an interview?

In most cases, being left in the dark is even worse than a refusal. The candidate does not know whether they should continue to seek work or accept a job offer from another company. And whatever the reasons for the silence, it is difficult to stifle the desire to clarify all the answers and put the things right. If this thought haunts you during the first couple of days, you should still refrain from writing emails or calling the recruiter with questions about your chances of joining the team. Remember the complexity of the selection process and the average timing of providing feedback. But if the silence lasted more than two weeks after the interview, then feel free to take the first step. You can write or call a recruiter, but your message should not be rude, and your tone of voice should not emphasize dissatisfaction. The best ways to steer the dialogue on the right course are:

1. After you have introduced yourself and briefly recalled the background, it will be appropriate to ask a few additional questions about the position. Thus, you not only show up but also prove your serious and responsible approach to the job.

2. Ask if you can help bring the decision closer. For example, maybe the company has questions about your experience, qualifications, or motivation that the recruiter missed during the interview, or you can provide additional references from previous employers. This approach helps you show steady perseverance but not be intrusive.

3. When asking for feedback after the interview result, refer to your previous dialogue with a recruiter and its strong points. It will clarify who you are and recall why you are a worthy candidate. For example, mention that you talked about potential ways the company could develop, or hint that the recruiter noted your achievements.

Valuable tips for all waiting candidates

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  1. Undoubtedly, it is better to clarify the deadlines for providing feedback after the interview. But if you have missed this chance, you need a brief action plan on how to behave in cases when the company keeps you in suspense:
    Keep looking for other job opportunities and attend interviews. Even if you wait for an answer from the company of your dreams, you should be prepared for any outcome. Therefore, it is great to have several options in reserve. Perhaps during your further searches, you will find the perfect vacancy that will make you forget about the would-have-been employer. To increase your chances, double-check your set of application documents, which should consist of a resume and a cover letter. If you suddenly forgot about the latter or you do not have enough time to write it for each vacancy, resort to a cover letter builder. Go to the link and customize each of your documents. Remember that successful self-presentation is half the battle.
  2. If your attempts to contact the recruiter via phone or email were unsuccessful and the period of silence dragged on, then change the question “How long to wait for a job offer?” to the question “Do I need to work with such a company?” Remember that a call or an instant message does not take much time. Moreover, it is not polite to ignore the person who attended an interview and tried to prove his professional aptitude. Therefore, a company that has ignored you and the basic rules of business etiquette is hardly the best choice for employment.

Job search is a stressful and challenging process since you never know which employers you will have to face. Be prepared for failures or long term ignorance. Show perseverance if you feel that you are a worthy candidate for this position, but do not give up if your efforts did not tip the scales in your favor. Some day or another, all these common obstacles will lead you to your vocation.

5 essential preparation tips for acing any job interview

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There can be no doubt that job interviews are nerve-wracking by their very nature. You’re basically being asked to sell yourself as efficiently as possible in a short amount of time, which generally doesn’t lend itself well to forging genuine connections with the people who are interviewing you. If you’re lucky, those will come later. Right now, acing the job interview is your main concern, with the following five steps being an indispensable part of any successful interview preparation:

1. Review the company you’ll be interviewing with

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The first step towards being prepared lies in doing your homework. Spend the days before the interview researching your potential future employer online and see what they’re all about. From the company’s official website to its social media accounts, you’ll likely have your work cut out for you. Don’t hesitate to write things down if you need help remembering them, as this information will come in handy when you’re being interviewed. Once you’ve gotten a clear picture of the company and its services, visit Glassdoor to see what former employees have to say about working there. Don’t take everything they say for granted, but make note of potential issues so you can raise them when you find yourself head-to-head with the company’s representatives.

2. Anticipate potential questions

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Interviews are a bit like oral exams. You’ll be asked a series of questions, the answers of which will determine your final grade in the eyes of your potential employers. However, just like it was possible to practice answering questions in school, it is totally feasible to do that now as well. Inquiries about past educational and work experiences are common, as are questions related to your future plans and interests outside of work. Some companies also ask their candidates to pass specific tests that pertain to future job tasks. There are many ways in which you can prepare for these tests and find out your strengths and weaknesses. So is there a free strengthsfinder test that can help you prepare for your job interview? Always do your best to prepare for a wide variety of scenarios, but don’t be startled if there’s a surprise or two in store as well.

3. Prepare some questions of your own

Too many people forget that job interviews are a two-way street. Aside from being grilled by your interviewers, you too have the option of asking questions related to the position at hand and the company in general. Everything from salary to working conditions should be discussed in detail from the first interview, so you’ll know just what to expect. Of course, remember to always be polite when interacting with your interviewers, and try to not take up too much of their time, as they’ll likely still have plenty of other candidates left to see that day.

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4. Dress appropriately

Whereas once upon a time suits and ties were obligatory sartorial choices for any candidate who hoped to pass a job interview, nowadays things have become considerably looser as far as clothing requirements go. That being said, if you’re interviewing for a more traditional institution like a bank or school, you’ll still be expected to show up dressed as professionally as possible. But if you’re gunning for a position at an informal start-up or a more laid-back company, going with something more casual is acceptable and sometimes even preferable.

5. Clear your head

Going into your job interview, the most important thing to keep in check is your own mindset. While pre-interview preparation is essential, be sure to also take a step back the day before your interview and engage in activities you find pleasurable or relaxing. Simple things like being with your friends or practicing your favorite sport can lower your stress levels and leave you feeling rested and refreshed, two qualities that are essential when facing any significant challenge in life.

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As you can see, there is more than one way to go about preparing for a job interview. By taking the time to integrate the aforementioned steps into your preparation routine, you’ll have a better shot at being relaxed when the big day comes, not to mention increase your overall odds of obtaining the job you desire. That being said, don’t lose hope at the first sign of rejection. Passing job interviews is never a guarantee. It might also take a while before you meet the ideal employer, but when you do, you’ll likely find that it’s been worth the wait.