GA Global - Recruitment Retention Results : Jobseekers

Whether you are contracting or working as a permanent employee within an organisation, you are critical to the success of that organisation. As a contractor there is an increased importance on ensuring that everything you do throughout the course of an assignment runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

This section will provide you with guidance on how to guarantee a successful career as a contractor.

The importance of tailoring your CV for separate assignments cannot be underestimated in the majority of cases. Clients are only ever interested in whether you have suitable skills and experience, guaranteeing them the results they are looking for with minimum effort. Your CV is the first step in demonstrating this!
Ensure that gaps are not left unaccounted; that you can demonstrate successful completion of assignments and that there is as much detail as possible concerning skills and duties specifically tailored for each assignment.

Interview

With the vast array of techniques employed to evaluate suitability for a job or company it's never been more important to be prepared for the interview process and to create a positive impression. You will need to consider how to approach each individual interview, demonstrating honesty, integrity and an ability to get the job done. All answers should be justified with past experience and answers should remain as succinct as possible.

Agencies

This is an area that is worth researching. It is in your best interest to ensure that the agency you register with pays necessary time and attention to your identifiers. Developing a partnership with your agency will ensure the submittal of your CV to roles, which are both suitable and attractive opportunities. Therefore make an effort to display your full skill set, while working to a defined career path and timescale in collaboration with your agency, remaining as proactive as possible throughout!

Assignments

Remember that gaining an assignment is only the first step and it is from there on that you will begin to make the first vital impressions which will build your reputation and assist you in gaining future contracts. It is therefore crucial to ensure strong organisation and planning from the start. A complete itinerary is essential, including required contract details, legal documents, company location details, contact details, and arrival time. Ahead of your first day it is critical that you are aware of the process for obtaining signed timesheets, providing invoices and payment terms. Comprehensive management of all aspects of your assignment and requirements from inception to completion will ensure the successful completion of all your assignments for the specified contract duration.

Presentation & behaviour

You must ensure that you are presented appropriately in accordance with the dress code specified by your employer. Company rules must be adhered to and conduct should remain professional at all times. Phone calls, emails and internet usage for personal reasons should be kept to an absolute minimum and avoidance of office politics is always advised wherever possible.

Problems

As your chosen agency, we are here to handle any problems encountered throughout the duration of your contract. We see ourselves as your first point of contact and are trained and experienced in handling all manner of issues encountered on your behalf. It is essential to contact us as soon as problems first occur in order to discuss the situation and attempt to resolve the issue in a manner which best suits both you and the client.

Your CV is the first impression you give of yourself and is the most important tool in securing yourself an interview. This section will demonstrate how to give your CV a concise and polished feel.

It is clear that not one CV could ever appear perfect to all employers, as not everyone looks for the same criteria. However with time spent on layout, content and language you can ensure that your CV acts as an excellent marketing tool for your skills and experience.

Structure of your CV

Personal details should appear first including your full name, date of birth and contact details, including all telephone numbers. Excessive information such as your spouse's name, your religion etc. should be omitted. Details of academic attainment and professional qualifications should follow, documenting the name of each institution, dates attended and results achieved in reverse order. The importance of this section depends on the stage of your career and newly qualified candidates would need to emphasise this more so than a candidate with 10 years commercial experience. Details of computer skills, foreign languages and any additional courses completed should also reside in this section.

Work history is the next section and as far as contractors are concerned this is the single most important section. Roles should be presented in a chronological fashion, listing duties and achievements for each role written in the past tense. Extended detail should be provided for more recent positions or positions directly related to a specific opportunity.

Hobbies and interests should remain brief and under references it is advisable to make them 'Available on request'. Refrain from listing salary details and adding photographs unless specifically requested to do so. Once complete, be sure to read over it several times looking for any spelling or grammatical mistakes as well as paying attention to how it flows and ensuring that there is as much relevant detail as possible for each of your commercial assignments.

Once you have completed this exercise you will find yourself in a much stronger position to secure an interview

General Tips

Read all details provided on the job description carefully ensuring your skills are a match for the role requirements. Use the job description as a tool to assist you with tailoring your CV to the individual position. Highlight the required and desired experience and use these as key areas to emphasise your specific experience; enabling you to present yourself more accurately and attractively to the potential employer
Match words or phrases used in your CV to those used in the advert / job description / person specification - this automatically gives an employer confidence in your skills and abilities
Print your CV using black ink on a laser printer, ensuring that you have used a clear, traditional font and high quality white paper
Omit pretty borders and photographs of yourself as they will not be instrumental in securing an interview
When applying by email, ensure the email is laid out clearly and reads well
Use bullet points as much as possible throughout your CV as this will focus the reader on your key skills and experience
Ask somebody to read through your CV prior to sending it
Explain any career breaks or gaps within your work history
Omit reasons for leaving but be prepared to discuss these at interview stage

Personality and presentation are extremely important at this stage! When there is more than one suitable applicant on paper, these will often be the factors that swing it one way or the other. This is why it is so important to create an excellent impression throughout.

Practical tips

Remember to take all details with you to interview including: who you will be meeting with; the time of the interview; the address details; travel details and any documents or certificates specifically asked requested. Ensure that you have a copy of your CV and are entirely familiar with the version that was sent across to the employer.

Plan what you are going to wear the day before and ensure it is ready to put on in the morning. Make sure the outfit is appropriate, presentable and comfortable.

Research your journey and, if particularly awkward, review alternatives or complete a trial of the route in advance of the interview day. This will ensure that you avoid rushing on the day, becoming hot and bothered in the process. If something unavoidable occurs on the day, it is essential that you call your consultant as soon as it occurs in order that your interviewer is aware and can plan around this. On arrival make sure your phone is switched off and it is also a good idea to carry a pen and notepad in case this is necessary throughout the interview.

Arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before your interview, leaving enough time should you wish to go to the toilets and freshen up.

Be polite to the receptionist and any other staff you meet prior to commencing your interview as this is the beginning of making your first impression on the company. More often than not their opinions are sought throughout the recruitment process.

Research

Read through as much information as possible regarding the organisation ahead of your interview. The web is a fantastic place to start as company sites are often crammed with highly relevant company information that your interviewer will be impressed that you know. Ensure you are aware of mission statements, core values, company performance and aims for the future. Failure to do this may put you at a serious disadvantage should this get explored at interview.

Other means of researching an organisation are provided via national newspapers and industry journals, which have online archive material. If you know anyone who has worked for the organisation, a discussion with them will prove extremely useful, and use your consultants in depth knowledge of the client to guarantee that you are fully prepared.

The interviewers' aim is to find the suitable candidate for their role and to this effect it is important you understand that they will not be attempting to trick you. They will attempt to spark a rapport with you in order that they can discover you strengths and weaknesses. It is likely that throughout this process they will explore your qualifications, experience and intellectual ability. This will also form an opportunity to assess your ability to communicate, your attitudes and opinions, underlying motivational factors and willingness to commit to a role.

As at CV writing stage, it is once more important to ensure you are familiar with the job description and person specification. This will provide you with a clear understanding of what it is they expect. Preparation of these areas of experience prior to interview is key, enabling you to develop examples of situations in past positions where you have performed or demonstrated the desired qualities; allowing you to be in extremely good stead going into interview. Confidence is key and coupled with clear and concise answers will provide the employer with confidence in your ability to perform in the role, team and company.

Interview tips

Arrive around 15 minutes early, but no earlier than 20 minutes
Any forms should be filled out neatly and to the best of your knowledge
Ensure you are aware of how to pronounce their name and if not, ask
Appear confident, smile, offer a firm handshake and settle down as calmly and quickly as possible
Wait to be offered a seat, look interested at ALL times and demonstrate the ability to listen as well as talk
Make eye contact with the interviewer as much as possible as this will help them to trust your answers
Let the interviewer lead, however the more they can tell you about the organisation and the role from the off, the more you will be able to tailor your answers
Ensure you get across your strong points in a calm, effective and trustworthy manner, justifying all your answers with skills and experience
Don't be shy to talk about your achievements, remember you are there to sell yourself
Act in an interested and determined manner, showing that you are keen to succeed at getting the job

Interview dont's

Avoid smoking or chewing gum even if offered by the interviewer
Don't rely on your CV to answer questions. If that was all they needed, they would have employed you without an interview
The worst thing you can do is lie as these things have a nasty habit of being found out
Avoid being negative about past employers as this doesn't portray professionalism.
Try not to get into political discussions where opinion may differ vastly
Don't get drawn into rate discussions. When you are with an agency, they are ideally placed to negotiate most beneficially on your behalf

Employer's Viewpoint

The following factors are best avoided and will not serve in your favour throughout the course of an interview. They are therefore points to bear in mind ahead of your interview:

Poor appearance
Arrogance
Inability to communicate effectively
No evidence of thought behind decisions affecting you career
Unassertive, care-free attitude
Nervy appearance throughout - interviewers expect this at first but not throughout
Too money focussed
Failure to accept blame when things have gone wrong
Impoliteness
Derogatory remarks about past employers
Lack of eye contact
Weak handshake
Failure to appreciate the importance of experience
Not asking questions about the job
Arriving unprepared

A Lasting Impression

Impressed and attracted to what you've seen and heard about the company and those you have met? Ensure that you have clearly communicated this before leaving the interview
The interviewer has not discussed what happens next. Be assertive and ask what the next stage will be while reaffirming your interest
Always portray a positive attitude and be sure to show enthusiasm for the role, as this will make a big difference

What now

At the end of your interview be sure to offer thanks for the interviewer's time in going through the role and considering you. Call your agency as soon as you have left the clients' site and talk through your account of the interview in as much detail as possible. You initial interview feedback and thoughts will be discussed with the client to assist their final decision. If you are interested in the role, your consultant will be able to ensure quick complete client thoughts and coordinate your recruitment process professionally and efficiently to assist you in securing the position.

The minute you are thinking of relocating for a position be sure to contact us and let us know. Our consultants can then begin researching relevant positions within your chosen location on your behalf.

We will be able to provide you with realistic market expectations, timescales, coordination of interviews to coincide with your arrangements and the provision of assistance when settling in to your new surroundings.

In order for this process to commence, you will be required to verify your commitment and fixed plans for relocating, relevant documents / permits for employment in the chosen area and present your experience within your chosen field.

If you would like more information about how GA Global can assist you in progressing your career, please contact:

GA Global Consulting Ltd
+44 (0) 8453 313 485 +44 (0) 8452 808 822 info@gaglobal.eu

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