CSE1304 - Job Applications

Job Applications

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But First Let Me Say This

Make it easy. Make it easier for the selection process to choose you than to choose any other candidate.

Make it easy for the person reading your application to see why you are well suited to this role.
Make it easy for the interviewer to remember you and why you are well suited to this role.

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Copyright ©; Monash University, Semester 1 2005 Job Applications - the beginning

Preparing your Application

An application does not consist of showing that you are good, it consists of showing that you are good and are well suited to the likely roles the company has to offer.

research the company!

What do they do? (Think beyond the obvious)
Who are their customers?
Who are their competitors?
What is the gossip in the industry? (What is the Financial Review saying about them?)
What are the big challenges facing them?
... and so ...
what are they going to be looking for?

Write your application

Match your strengths to their needs
Be concise - every word should add value
Give up to date and relevant information
Include a short cover letter
Get someone to check it for errors
The style of language should be respectful, but not artificially formal

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Copyright ©; Monash University, Semester 1 2005 Job Applications - Preparing for the interview

Preparing for the interview

The interview can be won or lost before you even walk into the room. Make sure you're set up to win.

Prepare your content

Think about your selling points, ie. your strengths that match their needs
Think about how to highlight your selling points
Figure out what questions they're likely to ask
And work out your answers!
Think about what questions you want to ask

Prepare yourself

Dress ... birds of a feather will flock together

Be relaxed & '100% present' for the interview

Don't be stressed, thinking about something else, or let yourself start behind the 8-ball
Make sure you know where to park & where to go (Scout it beforehand if necessary)

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Copyright ©; Monash University, Semester 1 2005 Job Applications - When you arrive

The Art of the Interview

Your behaviour counts from the moment you enter the building

The opening of the interview

Smile!
A firm handshake with eye contact
Meet & greet - and remember names

Don't drop the ball (for long)
There are many chances in an interview to fumble, to mis-step. Don't let anything distract you from showing these people how lucky they'd be to hire you.
- Don't let one poor answer throw you;
- Don't get psyched out by a panel of interviewers;
- Don't worry if one interviewer is silent.

Give concrete examples, not hypotheticals

Develop a pattern (or a few patterns) to structure answers.
One example is a Situation-Action-Outcome answer :
- What was the situation ?
- What action did you chose to take?
- What was the (presumably good) outcome?

Make it easy for the interviewers
- Be responsive and communicative.
- They want to know how good you can be - so show them
- Use every question as a chance to show off your good features

Make them remember you!
- Concrete answers (as discussed) told in memorable terms
- Consider visual, audio, somatic, etc styles of memory

Your Basic Attitude : think of your interviewers as future colleagues
- It's a positive attitude!
- This is the interviewers' first chance to see what you'll be like dealing with clients etc
- Sell yourself as hard as you can live up to (remember - you want to work with these people)

Ask questions

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Learn, Learn, Learn

Interviews will be a permanent fixture in your life. Learn from every one!

Debrief yourself
- Think about (take notes on?) any questions or styles you'd never seen before
- Think about what questions you answered well or could have answered better

Above all: don't take it personally

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