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Job Seeker Resources

Performing well in an interview

Some tips are obvious. In most cases please use common sense and your best judgment. The following are some of the things you should do before and during and interview and some you most definitely shouldn't.

	Find out as much as you can about the job and the company. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. Have a look at their website or network with a friend who has information regarding this company.

	Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time. With the traffic in Bangladesh getting worse by the day, allow yourself extra time for traffic and transport problems.

	Dress smartly. First impressions are very important. Little things like dirty nails or shoes, bad makeup or too much perfume can be very negative sign to an interviewer.

	Take 2 copies of your CV with you even if you have already provided one. It's always useful to have one to refer to during the interview.

	Be prepared to explain why you left your previous jobs and why you are looking for a new one now.

	Try to keep your answers to the point. Be aware of the interviewer's body language and try to pick up any signals that you are losing his or her interest.

	Prepare some questions to ask at the end.

	On your way out make sure to thank the interviewer for seeing you. Confirm that you are interested in the job (if you are) and ask when you can expect to hear from them.

	Don't criticize former/present employers or colleagues or blame them for any problems you might have experienced.

	Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you are unclear what the interviewer is asking.

	Lastly, do not answer your mobile phone. Please turn it off or put it on silent mode before entering the room.

Writing a Good CV

Most employers will spend an average of 60 seconds deciding whether your CV fits well with their requirements. So it is very important to follow the below:

Layout

Your CV should be typed in a business-like font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Avoid fancy fonts, bright colours and formatting such as coloured backgrounds and decorative borders. Try to keep to no more than 2-3 A4 pages.

Personal Profile/Objective Statement

Start with a profile of who you are, your key achievements and your plans for your career.

Personal Details

Name, home address, cell phone number, email address and date of birth.

Work Experience

List your most recent jobs first. Include the name of your employer, your job title and the dates you started and left. Use bullet points to list your duties. You will probably be asked to explain the reasons for any gaps in your employment so you should be prepared for this.

Education

Include the name of your school, college or university and the dates you attended. If you are just beginning your career you should mention qualifications gained at school and university including grades. Any professional qualifications should be included.

Interests

You should only include these if they are of interest to an employer. "Reading, Shopping and Watching TV" is not very inspiring and is probably best left out. However, any activities where you have leadership or responsibility or which involve you working with others in a team are worth mentioning as is any voluntary work you have done.

Skills

Computer skills including the software packages you have used are essential for most jobs. The obvious ones are Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, Power Point). Do not make false claims of proficiency. You may be tested on it. Foreign languages, ability to drive and any other relevant technical skills should be included.

References

Supply the names and contact details of two referees, preferably previous employers and, if possible, your current employer. Check with them first that they are willing to do this for you.