Tell Me About Yourself

                        CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

YOUR APPLICATION

TELEPHONE APPLICATIONS

EXAMPLE OF TYPICAL APPLICATION FORM

YOUR INTERVIEW

SELECTION TESTS

APPENDIX 1 - INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

APPENDIX 2 - CURRICULUM VITAE AND COVERING LETTER

Having spent several years as a personnel officer,

involved for a great deal of that time in the recruitment

of staff, it seems to me that there is much that can be

done by really determined job-hunters to improve their

chances of finding a job. True, whilst there are

insufficient jobs to go around, there will always be a

'dole-queue', but nevertheless on so many occasions I

have found myself or colleagues saying, "so-and-so was

very close to getting this job.  If only......"

But being close is as good as being a million miles away

when there is only one job on offer.

In my experience a lot of these 'near misses' could so

easily have made the grade, had they tried just a little

bit more.

But getting a job is not as easy as it used to be. 

Employers now have the pick of many people, and

recruitment can be likened to the process of choosing the

very best piece of wheat with which to start one's

harvest.  In considering the applications received, the

personnel officer is sorting out the 'wheat from the

chaff'.  When he or she interviews, the matter then

becomes one of selecting the best piece of wheat from

that which has survived the first sorting out.

The moral then is easy!  If you don't get past the first

stage, you will remain a piece of chaff.  But so much can

be done to prevent this from becoming a regular

occurrence.

Successful job-hunting is now a skilled occupation in

itself.

                YOU CANNOT RELY ON LUCK!

Naturally the first step is to decide on the job you

want.  But where do you look?  Remember that you should

really consider only those jobs which you are qualified

to do, and those you are likely to be happy in. Don't

apply to become a student teacher if you don't like

children.  You will probably hate the job, and you'll

only deprive someone else of a much-coveted college

place.

Careers officers, careers teachers and job centres are

excellent sources of advice and inspiration, even if you

haven't the slightest idea of what you want to do.

Newspapers are an ideal medium for job vacancies, but if

you have a definite career in mind, you would be

well-advised to read careers books, or write to the

appropriate organising body for the profession concerned.

But the purpose of this booklet is not to advise you as

to the type of job to apply for.  Rather, I would prefer

to guide you in the technique of actually applying for

the job.

YOUR APPLICATION

It is at this stage that most people tend to slip up. 

Reading some applications can, unfortunately, be a source

of great amusement, but they won't get the applicants an

interview.  In completing an application form, or writing

a letter of application, you must be prepared to give it

a great deal of thought.  You must THINK before you

prepare your application.

If you are completing an application form, it is a good

idea to write down your responses onto a separate piece

of paper or a photostat of the form, before committing

them to the form.  If a letter of application is

required, make a rough draft before you prepare your

final letter.  Then, if time allows, put your ideas and

rough notes to one side for a day or so.  When you look

at them again, this refreshed approach often serves to

highlight any errors or omissions.

In completing your letter or form, you must THINK.

THINK:

What sort of person/qualifications/experience are they

wanting?

What do I have to offer? (AND let them know about it)

What does this question mean, and how do I answer it?

What special qualities do I have to offer?

Why do I want this job?

Don't answer the questions 'Any old how', just because

you're in a hurry to go out!  If that's how much you

think about applying for the job, you don't really want

it, and you CERTAINLY Don't deserve to get it.

Some examples of how NOT to respond to questions on a

form will serve to highlight the kind of silly mistakes

some applicants make.

SURNAME:                         Carol

CHRISTIAN NAME/S                 Jones

MARITAL STATUS                   Female (or Miss)

AGE                              10.5.71

SEX                              Miss

DATE OF BIRTH                    Monday

NATIONALITY                      Church of England

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?        The Dole man sent me

                                         or

It'll do until something better turns up

or

Never really thought about it (This last answer is

perhaps the worst of all)

And when considering this last question, believe it or

not, but, it really riles some personnel officers to see

this space left blank.  You must have some reason wanting

the job.  And if you really want the job because it's

what you've always wanted to do, don't be afraid to say

so.  A personnel officer likes to think that his company,

or whatever organisation, is the best to work for.

But let us put sarcasm to one side for a moment.  I

cannot overstress the importance of a carefully planned

application.  Remember, it is usually the first contact

that the personnel officer is likely to have with you. 

If he doesn't consider you as potentially suitable at

this stage, he won't interview you.

Your application must be neat and tidy, and pleasant to

read.  Always check your application before you post it -

you'd be surprised at the number of applicants who forget

to include their addresses.

If you are submitting an application form and there is

something which you consider relevant to your

application, which is not covered on the form, a letter

to accompany your form can be a useful remedy. An

accompanying letter also shows that you have taken care

and pride in your application.  I would suggest that you

always enclose one with your form even if only to state

that fact, i.e. You are enclosing your application for

the job in question.

If you are asked to make a written application, this can

often be tougher than completing an application form. 

What do they want to know?  Where did you see the

advertisement?  Which job is it?

So we have a starter:

Dear Sir,

Clerical Officer

I wish to apply for the position of clerical officer as

advertised in the 'Everyday News'.

But that's not all!  You must now tell your potential

employer everything he may want to know about you.  How

old are you?  What are your qualifications and hobbies?

Have you worked anywhere before?  Why do you want the

job?

Always draw attention to anything unusual or special that

you have done, since this will be likely to stand out in

the reader's mind and lead him to want to know more about

you.

Always write clearly and concisely.  It is often more

difficult to read a letter than an application form since

the latter is designed to aid clarity and speed.  You may

put all of your particulars into letter form, but

personally I would prefer to receive a covering letter

with a curriculum vitae.  This rather awesome sounding

item is a written account of your personal details set

out in an organised manner, and is therefore much easier

to read than a long and detailed letter.  Please see

appendix 2 for an example of how to prepare a curriculum

vitae and covering letter.

Don't use scrappy pieces of paper.  They'll probably end

up in the waste paper bin!  Your application must look

and sound good, or else your interest in the job will be

doubted.

You must always be absolutely honest when making your

application.  Since questions at interview are often

based upon what you have put in your application, it

would be disastrous if an 'untruth' were to be discovered

at interview.  So don't say you enjoy the works of

Shakespeare if you think 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is

something to do with altering the clocks in Autumn.

TELEPHONE APPLICATIONS Sometimes you may be asked to

telephone to arrange an interview, or to discuss the

position, and you must still prepare for what you are

going to say.  Speak clearly, and have full details of

your qualifications with you.

You may be asked a few questions over the telephone, most

likely of the type you would normally be asked at

interview.  The way in which to prepare to answer such

questions is dealt with in the section on the interview. 

Appendix 1 gives details of the type of question you may

be asked, either at interview or sometimes over the

telephone.  It is better not to use a telephone kiosk if

possible, since you might run out of change, or perhaps

be 'put off', or even 'cut off.' If you don't have access

to a private telephone, then take plenty of change with

you to the kiosk.

The next two pages show a typical application form and

suggested format for its completion.

YOUR INTERVIEW

Now let us assume that you have been asked to attend for

interview.  Your chance of getting the job is now much

nearer to fruition, but, you can still fall down at this

hurdle, and many do!

At the interview the person or persons you will see, will

be deciding whether you are suitable for the job, and you

will be given the opportunity to decide whether or not

you still want the job , and to ask any questions you may

have.

Being on time for the interview is important.  Allow

yourself plenty of time and make sure you know where the

place is and how to get there - before the day of your

interview.

You must bear in mind that the person who will interview

you is human and there are many faults that he or she

will overlook at interview, but sometimes it will not be

possible to do so.

No-one minds you being nervous.  It's to be expected, so

don't let it worry you into a far worse state.  A little

nervousness will not ruin your chances - looking untidy,

or even dirty will!  I am not suggesting that you go to

your interview in a tailored suit for nowadays casual

attire is usually suitable - if the overall impression is

one of cleanliness.  By this I mean that if you must wear

jeans, then please make sure that they are clean and

tidy.

Having worked in a catering environment for some time I

can recount numerous interviews with people the thought

of putting them into contact with food has put me

completely off eating for days.

I have seen people come for interview for jobs in food

preparation with hands black enough to shame a chimney,

or with hair looking as though they thought that shampoo

was something for cleaning cars with.  I have also seen

people with cigarettes hanging from their mouths in a

manner somewhat reminiscent of Andy Capp's wife.

It is always a good idea to ask yourself (if you were

carrying out the interview) how you would like your

interviewees to look.  A quick press of your clothes and

a little polish on your shoes go a long way to creating a

good impression.

Now let's assume that you do look the part.  Have you

thought about the questions you are likely to be asked at

the interview? Do you know anything about the job?  Do

you know anything about your potential employers?  Do you

know why you want the job?  NO? Well, unless you end up

being the best of a bad bunch, it looks as though you are

about to trip over your next hurdle.

At virtually every interview, certain questions are

inevitable.  For example:

Why do you want the job?

Why do you think you are the right person for the job?

What do you think the job involves?

What do you know of the organisation involved?

If you can't answer these questions, however briefly,

then you haven't done your homework.  Appendix 1 lists

questions you should consider before you go to any

interview.

Usually the interview will commence with the interviewer

telling you something about the job and the organisation,

and then he will probably ask you some questions.  You

may then discuss the job and its prospects.  The final

stage will probably be an invitation to you to ask any

questions you may have.

It's always extremely good policy to find out something

about the job and its environment before you go to the

interview.  How?  Ask friends, ask relatives.  Ask the

organisation itself for information (a nice one this -

shows you are interested ).

Don't sell yourself short at interview.  If they ask you

why you want to be, say a nurse, if the answer is "I

never really thought about it", I'm afraid you'll

probably have had it!

If they ask you what you think a nurse does, don't say "I

don't know", unless you really don't know.  And it all

you know about it is from watching those hospital

programmes on telly, you will have something to say,

won't you?  So make use of the people and things around

you, and prepare for that interview, before you go.

Remember at the interview to speak clearly, be polite,

and look at your interviewer, or interviewers.  Thank

your interviewer when you are about to leave.  This

always creates a good and friendly impression.

You may have noticed that I mentioned the word

'interviewers'.  You may on occasion be interviewed by a

panel of interviewers.  Don't worry!  The same basic

rules apply.  When one person asks you a question, direct

your answer mainly to him, but don't let the others think

you have forgotten about them.  If your answer is a long

one you can direct it to all of the panel, looking at

each person in turn.

Naturally, you too will have some questions to ask. 

Don't be afraid to do so.  The interviewer/s will

appreciate your interest.  Decide before. and during the

interview, what questions you would like answered.  We

all know that 'practice makes perfect' and this could not

be more true than in the case of interviews but it's

disheartening to learn merely from unsuccessful ones.  A

good way to find out how you respond to questions and how

you present yourself at interview, is to get your

parents, relatives and friends to give you a 'mock

interview'.  The type of questions they could ask are on

appendix 1.  If you can, have someone else watch the

interview noting comments on your performance, which they

will tell you of later.  Then go through the interview

again, and again, trying to improve your performance each

time.

SELECTION TESTS

Sometimes you may have to take part in such a test, eg. a

shorthand and typing test, mathematics test or a general

knowledge test.  Don't be afraid, for the test is not

designed to trip you up.  It is merely intended to test

certain abilities required for the job in question.

                  _____________________

If you follow the guidance in this booklet, you should be

equipped to stand a good chance of getting the job you

want.

Practice at being interviewed by your friends.   Ask them

how convincing are your answers to the interviewer's

questions.  Ask them how tidy your handwriting is. 

Remember that this type of criticism is constructive,

rather than destructive.

Always remember that in applying for a job and in being

interviewed for it, there is no room for excessive

modesty.  The interviewer wants to know all about you, or

else he wouldn't ask to see you.

Careful planning, a lot of thinking, practice and a lot

of hard work will almost certainly reward you in the form

of getting you the job you want.

                        GOOD LUCK

                 _______________________

APPENDIX 1

QUESTIONS WHICH MAY BE ASKED AT INTERVIEW

Tell me about yourself, your hobbies and so on.

What do you know about this organisation?

Why did you apply for this job?

What do you think the job entails?

What experience and qualifications can you bring to the

job?

What do you think you would enjoy in this job?

How relevant are the subjects you studied at school to

this particular job?

If you get the job what would you like to see as your

future prospects?

Why are you changing your job?  (If appropriate)

What plans do you have for further education?

How well do you get on with other people?

How important is salary too you?

What are your main ambitions in life?

What do you do in your leisure time?

What sort of books do you read and why?

What else can you tell me to convince me that you are the

person for this job?

APPENDIX 2

CURRICULUM VITAE AND COVERING LETTER

                                         21 Any Street.

                                         Middletown,

                                         County Whatnot.

                                         the date

The Personnel Officer,

Betterplace,

Paradise Lane,

County Whatsitsname.

Dear Sir,

Clerical Assistant

I wish to apply for the above vacancy advertised in the

'Daily Knowitall'.

I enclose personal details and shall be pleased to

provide any further information you may require.

Yours faithfully,

John Smith

                    CURRICULUM VITAE

         POSITION:_____________________________

NAME:

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

DATE OF BIRTH:

AGE:

NATIONALITY:

SCHOOLS ATTENDED:

QUALIFICATIONS:             GRADE OBTAINED:    DATE:

INTERESTS AND HOBBIES:

FURTHER EDUCATION PLANS:

EXPERIENCE:

PRESENT JOB:  (if appropriate)

REFERENCES:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

(eg why do you want the job? What do you have to offer?

What do you know about the job?)