Here are some of the questions most frequently asked. If you have a question please send it to us.

Your CV
How long should my CV be?
Why do I work backward from my present job?
What other types are there?
Should I lie on my CV?
Should I include interests?
Should I prepare a different CV for each different vacancy?

Interview Skills
When they ask me about my weaknesses, what should I say?
Should I ask for a decision there and then?
When they ask me if I have any questions, I never know what to ask.
Should I write a follow-up letter?
The interviewer said the interview was over, but then kept me chatting for another ten minutes. Why was that?

Your CV

Your CV is the most important document that you ever write about yourself.

At the first stage it is the only means by which a company can choose to interview you or discard your application for a job.

How long should my CV be?
There are those who believe that one page is the absolute maximum for a CV. This may be true for senior positions where the job title says it all, but we believe that between two and three pages will do justice to most careers, especially if the CV is clearly structured and easy to read.

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Why do I work backward from my present job?
This is simply because your present job says most about what you are skilled at, experienced in and right for at the moment. Prospective employees have less and less interest in what you were doing before that. Remember, however, that the chronological CV is only one of three types.

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What other types are there?
The functional CV lists skills rather than jobs, relating various positions to their dependence on each skill. Your job history is listed separately. This type of CV can minimise any gaps in employment. The targeted CV nominates your chosen position and relates all your skills, experience and interest to that end.

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Should I lie on my CV?
Emphatically, no. It is surprising how the industry grapevine can trip up those who exaggerate their skills, achievements or positions. Concentrate on emphasising your successes, stress your positive strengths and minimise your weaknesses.

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Should I include interests?
Unless they are directly relevant to the job, no. If you are studying a foreign language, for instance.

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Should I prepare a different CV for each different vacancy?
This should not be necessary, unless you are changing direction. What is probably better is to include a covering letter with your CV, in which you bring out why the qualities that you have make you ideal for this position.

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Interview Skills

Many people work extremely hard to get an interview, and then throw it all away by failing to do the basics in preparation for it. We all know people who did no preparation for their interview, partied too hard the night before, turned up late and still got the job...or at least we all know people who say that's what happened.

More often, a successful interview is the result of good preparation - some research, a bit of thought and a clear idea of what you want to achieve.

Like CVs, most people know the basics, but here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions we get asked.

When they ask me about my weaknesses, what should I say?
This question can be a problem, but only if you have not prepared for it. Choose a trait of yours that is a fault but which will not impact on the job. Describe how you have overcome it. Confirm that it is no longer a problem with a short recent business anecdote. Shut up and leave it at that.

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Should I ask for a decision there and then?
Most interviewers would view this as pushy and are unlikely to comply. So, unless you are going for a sales job, and you can try and 'close' the interviewer in a polite way, content yourself with asking when the decision will be made.

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When they ask me if I have any questions, I never know what to ask.
This again comes down to preparation. Many people do not prepare and end up asking embarrassingly limp questions about canteen facilities or fitness club membership. Research the company that is interviewing you; be aware of their position, their products and their recent history; be prepared to ask a few simple questions about the company - and your possible position with in it - that do not sound as if they are just showing off your knowledge. Ask them because you really want to know - if you are going to be working for this company, then you surely should.

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Should I write a follow-up letter?
In general, yes. Unless a different action has been agreed then it is good to confirm in your interviewer's mind your strengths and your fitness for the job. Do not make it too fawning, but be positive and make one or two detailed observations that show you were paying attention and were interested in what was said.

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The interviewer said the interview was over, but then kept me chatting for another ten minutes. Why was that?
Many interviewers want to see what candidates are like off their guard. It is all too easy to accept those words at face value - "Right, that's it. Interview's over." - relax too much and let your real, possibly unsuitable self show! It is one of the oldest tricks in the book. The interview is not really over until you are out of sight of the building. An interviewer will learn more about the 'real you' in that ten-minute chat then in the preceding hour of clipped dialogue.

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Any questions you have email us:
mail@bcprecruitment.co.uk

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