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Prepared by: Mohamed el Feky

Contents
CV writing Tips
Interview skills

CV Writing

CV Writing
What is a CV? Types of CVs

What to include
Do Dont

What is a CV?
Selling tool Outlines your skills and experience Opportunity to present yourself in the best possible

light

Know Yourself !

How to Present Myself?


Show your education & related training

Highlight your experience


Show personal attributes & achievements Make yourself attractive, interesting & worth

considering
Make the CV short & easy to read Do not oversell yourself !

Types of CV
Chronological

Information included under general headings: education, work experience, etc., with the most recent events first. Skills based Skills necessary for the job are highlighted.

How to Start?
EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS What do I have to offer? - what am I selling?
List down: technical knowledge, managerial skills, IT

skills, languages, etc... Personal strengths & interests Example:


Dont Write: Sold books to clients abroad Write : Increased sales by 17%

Sequence of Headings
Objective Personal information

Work experience
Education Personal characteristics Interests

Objective (Profile)
Phrase a realistic objective or leave blank: Examples: "An executive creative position where extensive marketing, writing, management, design, and technical skills are required, preferably within Database Management. Desire a position in the office management, secretarial area. Prefer a position requiring responisbility and a variety of tasks.

Personal Information
Date of Birth
Nationality Address

Tel. No.
E-mail

DONT FORGET YOUR NAME!

Work Experience
Reverse chronological order!
Include relevant experience and results Grants (honors) awarded

Work Experience -Example:


2009 to date Quality Assurance Technician Created computer applications with the help of a programmer to monitor the factory environment. Analysed the quality assurance system and made recommendations for improvements. These were incorporated into the current quality assurance system. Examined equipment in the factory to check that it met the company standards. Investigated new equipment installed in the factory to make sure that it would comply with quality assurance procedures

Words Describing Responsibilities:


Planning
Implementing Reviewing Negotiating Providing Managing Coordinating Evaluating

Informing
Facilitating Inspecting Training Producing Executing Developing Directing

Education
Listed with the most recent first, including results
Professional development courses, again listed

with the most recent first

Skills
Languages (fluency) Specific skills (Computer programs or other technical

skills)

Words Describing Personal Abilities


Creative
Efficient Proficient

Persistance to work under

Systematic
Hard worker Prefer to act Well versed in Willing to take initiative

pressure First hand knowledge of Having a desire to learn Like to work in one place Enjoy Challenging experience

Interests & Activities


Optional
Outside university responsibilities and interests Show that you are responsible & team player

Examples:
Sports

Travelling
Participating in charity or civil activities

CV DOs & DONTs

CV DOs
Write job description (skills) in bullet point form
CV should be tailor-made to the job
Treat your CV as an advertisement for yourself

CV DONTs
Avoid lengthy and boring job

descriptions
Avoid Gaps in employment Job experience/overqualified Unprofessional e-mail Unprofessional photo

The Interview

Be Prepared for the Journey


Once you have the Interview secured

Dont walk-in without keys

PREPARATION IS THE KEY!

Going to the interview


Your route: PLACE Know how to get there How long it will take. Always allow for extra time. Arrival: TIME Five minutes early is about right. Always be polite and friendly to everybody

Preparation

Collect information of the company


thats interviewing you.

Collect information about the specific post youre being interviewed for.

Always bring an additional copy of your rsum with you.

Turn off your cell phone.

The Big Day

Because FIRST impressions LAST

Interviewing tips Context Matters


7 Appearance 38

55

Speech

Word

Dress for Success


Plan what you are going to wear the day before the interview.
Ensure your clothes are clean, fresh and well pressed. It is better and safer to be slightly conservative. Both Men and Women should wear comfortable shoes, that look good

Body Language
Handshake
Eye contact Facial expressions

Sitting
Gestures

The Handshake
Be firm but do not crush someones hand

Facial Expressions
Smile and provide a warm greeting. Interested Expression Eye contact projects confidence, keep eye contact

but without staring

Gestures

Body Language Tips Contd (Gestures)


Do Dont

Sit up straight Lean forward (emphasis) Spatial gestures Appear confident Relax!

Touch your face Lean towards the door Stare back in blank Touch your nose Fold Arms Rest back in your seat

Verbal Expressions
Watch your language!
Dont use street language Speed Talking Your voice sould be clear

Common Interview Questions


The first question in any interview is ALWAYS

Could you introduce yourself? Now you have 5-10 minutes to introduce yourself to the interviewer , highlight your strengths and take the initiative. Prepare: Experience Skills Education Ambition

When the good CV is useful


The interviewer will start asking you about your

achievements and how did you make them which will give you the chance to highlight your strengths again.

Common Interview Questions- Contd


Another very common question in interviews is Tell

me a situation where.? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work here? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Why did you leave your last job?

How can you answer these questions? (STAR Technique)


SITUATION TASK

RESULTS

ACTION

From where can you get these situations?


Mini Projects
Graduation project Extra curricular activities

Answers to prepare What are your Weakness/Strength points? Contd


Mention your weakness. Discuss what you have done to overcome it. Criteria of the chosen weakness:
Real. Understandable.

Relatively harmless.
Work-related.

Answers to prepare What is your Weakness/Strength points? Contd


Its an opportunity to scan your skills Mention the strengths that are relevant to the job Talk about your strengths confidently and dont shy

off. Example Being able to plan & organize information.

Answers to prepare Why Do You Want to Work Here?


Show passion for the job
Be balanced Answers may include:

- Companys reputation - Growth opportunity - Increase of experience

Answers to prepare Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years


Show ambition Be realistic

Examples:
Become a team leader

Answers to prepare Why did you leave your last job


NEVER speak about your -

past employer in a bad way Answers may include: looking for growth Looking for a change Looking for something new to learn

Handling difficult interview situations I Don't Know how to answer !!


Dont use the ummms &

ahhhs. Ask for clarification for the question or a difficult part of it. Simply say, Dont know the answer, its not the end of the world

You Are About to Finish Your Big Day

Do you have any questions for me?


You should have one or two prepared questions. It will show that you:
Have been listening. Made your research about the company.

Switch the focus from yourself to the interviewer. Let the interviewer do some of the talking. NEVER ask about the outcome of the interview.

NEVER ask about salary, vacation days or other

benefits in the 1st interview.

Do you have question for me? Contd


Examples: I'm very interested in this job. It's exactly the kind of job that I'm looking for. What is the next step in the interview process?
If I got the chance what will be the career pathway

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