The cv and the interview.

Pauline Gatimu

• In preparation for an interview ,a fully prepared interviewer will have gone through your CV, comparing its contents with the job description for the role in question .A key aim of theirs will be to assess your suitability and fit against the roles and requirements of the postion. To be successful, you should aim to make their task as easy as possible when it comes to your cv.
• Wherever possible your statements should lead the interviewer to ask a question that gives you an opportunity to further demonstrate the fit between your skills and experience and the requirements of the role. I should add this ,Each statement you include in your CV should indicate to the reviewer that you meet the requirements for the role.
• In framing statements to go into your CV,think how you would answer questions such as: Tell me more about the work you did at.... : What particular challenges did you face in this role? : And the famous one tell me about yourself.
• Interviewers will use a range of open questions such as the above examples. It will add to your chances of success if you are able to relate while being able to expand on them further . It should go without saying that a person who does not know their way around their own cv at interview will fail to impress .

Have you ever had about SMART technique.

SMART acronym is used to structure your achievement examples rather than just a straightforward description of your employment activities .

Specific: Make your example specific to a particular requirement of the role for which you are applying. Identify this requirement from the job description.

Measurable: Include figures such as budgets, cost savings and percentage increase in sales to quantify your achievement .

Achieved :Make it clear what the achievement was and how it can be related to the new role. Address why the stated achievement demonstrates your suitability for the new role.

Relevant : Are you able to verify the achievements you describe as well as your central role? Decision making-making or involvement cannot be realistically used to demonstrate your impact on the new role .

Timescale : Include the time period within which your particular achievement was attained.