Candidates

Resume Format

Candidates often make the mistake of presenting resumes that are often too verbose or too abbreviated.

Your resume should take the format primarily of a factual and historical description of your work experience. (Maximum 4 pages) (Highly embellished resumes rarely impress). The following information should include : -

• Personal details

  Include a residential address, email and phone numbers. ( Further personal information is optional.) Your ability to do the job you are applying for, should be based on your experience, qualifications and work history.

• Summary Statement

  Should be concise and needs to include your length of experience, your relevant skills and their significance and a description of your character, personality and management style. Listing career objectives can sometimes short circuit opportunities that may be available in an alternative career path, that you had not previously considered.

• Work History / Professional Experience.

  Don’t go beyond 20 years. (What you did 20 years ago has little relevance to your current professional experience, even though it may have played an essential part of your personal formation. The reader could also be subjective about your age.)

  • Key accountabilities for each position.
    (What were you responsible for?)
  • Key achievements for each position.
    (How did you perform?)
  • Key Performance Indicators for each position.
    (What were your objectives and how were they measured?)

Additional Information

Include :

• Formal Education Qualifications
• Profession / Management training
• Membership, affiliation
• Languages, licences
• Personal interests, pastimes, clubs, hobbies
  

Interview Methodology

As soon as you are put forward as a candidate, commence research on the company / organization. Gauge their performance if they are publicly listed. Conduct an internet search. Familiarise yourself with their culture, objectives, direction, size, growth and competitors.

Prepared questions

From your company research, compile a list of questions (no more than 6 - Don’t turn the interview into counter-interrogation).

Your ability to demonstrate a concise corporate understanding of the company’s operation will make a sound impression.

Questions to expect

• Why are you wanting to exit your current job ?
• How would you describe your management style / personality ?
• What is one of your most notable achievements ?
• How have you developed professionally in the last 3 years? What skills have you acquired?
• Why have you applied for this position?
• Tell me about yourself ? (Verbalise your summary statement. Emphasise your strengths. Keep it short and job related.)
• Tell me about a time when you have had to perform under pressure
• How would your peers describe you?
• Describe a real situation where you have had to performance manage or terminate an employee.
• Describe the management style and personality of the person you report to
• What are your career aspirations at this point in time?

Interview Conclusion

If you have a strong positive feeling about the interview, tell the interviewer. Ask if there are concerns / doubts.

If salary package is not mentioned, don’t be concerned. Other candidates may need to be considered. Other colleagues must be consulted, before moving to a second interview.

Remember : Saying too much is as bad as saying too little.
“Being over-stocked is as bad as being understocked.”

Job Offer / Counter Offer

Job Offer

As the candidate receiving the job offer, it is critical that you negotiate all aspects and benefits, after thorough perusal and discussion. Ensure you understand exactly what is on offer.

If you push your potential employer beyond their expectation of what they are prepared to pay, you had better be prepared to perform to meet their revised expectations of your worth to them.

Ensure that they are paying what was originally set down and that you are not employed at a compromised rate.

Never be in a hurry to sign an employment contract. ‘Haste makes Waste’.

Counter Offer

It is highly likely that you could receive a counter offer from your current employer.

Before making a decision to accept a counter offer, consider these questions :

• Is your employer buying time by keeping you there only until another is employed to replace you?
• Can you expect an increased workload and responsibilities?
• Is your loyalty going to be under scrutiny and as a result your career path stymied?
• Will you receive a favourable salary increase and / or bonus following your next performance review?

Recruitment statistics in Australia indicate that 50% - 60% employees who accept counter offers leave within 12 months, because of dissatisfaction with their employer and their declining employment conditions.

Accepting counter offers, complimentary as they are to your professional demeanour, can often weigh negatively on your career prospects and advancement.