Secure the right future

This section of the web site is designed to help you promote yourself in the most positive and productive way.

We also provide you with an insight into how our database searches key skills in order that you will be contacted about the right roles. 

Interview tips give you information to help you prepare for a successful interview.

Finally there are some really useful and interesting links to additional websites that offer further information and advise for CV writing and interview techniques.

CV Preparation

Your CV is the means by which you will obtain the opportunity to present your credentials at an interview. This document should be well presented, easy to read, informative and should never be hand written.   
 
When preparing your CV use the following points as a guideline:

  • Length: Try to keep the document length below 4 pages.
  • Gaps:  Please ensure that no gaps are left on your C.V. in terms of your employment record. If you have had a period of unemployment, taken time out or had an extended holiday etc. please list them.
  • Qualifications: Ensure that you list your qualifications, most recent first, working backwards, display results and grades where possible.
  • Profile: An opening paragraph, which describes your work style and aspirations, should be included on the first page of your CV.  You may get some ideas from the profiling section on this site
  • Skills Summary: List all of your technical skills and include the degree of exposure / years experience you've had for each. This should preface your employment history.
  • Order: Ensure that your employment history starts with your most recent employer and work backwards in time from there. Each position will require a job title, description of your duties, skills acquired and used for that work period and any achievements or awards
  • Presentation: Finally always check your CV once completed.  Remember if you are submitting your CV on line, spelling and grammar mistakes will be highlighted to the reader.

Omnium search technology works by searching for key words in your CV.  For example if we were looking for a Project Manager who is Prince II qualified with experience of local government, we may search on the following key words - "Project Manager", "Local Government" or "Council", "Prince 2" or "Prince II"). It is therefore imperative that you ensure your entire spectrum of key skills can be 'found' in your CV when submitting to us. 

Wherever possible submit your CV in word format attached to an e mail, detailing salary or rate required, preferred work locations / maximum commuting distance considered, preferred sectors (if any) and any other necessary details. 

Try to keep your CV up to date.
There are many websites providing general CV advice - a selection are listed here -
www.businessballs.com - section on CV writing and examples
www.mycvoncd.com - multimedia and interactive CV presentations - the revolutionary way to make your CV stand out from the crowd.
www.e-cvs.net - free instant CV builder.

Want more?  Search for "CV advice" on Google.

Tips on Interviews

Do your research

Check out the company's website and, if possible, talk to people who have worked there before. Where possible try to get access to the company's sales brochures/literature, a trade magazine covering the company's market sector, and a serious newspaper for the few days before the interview so you're informed about world and national news. Also worth getting hold of: company 'in-house' magazines or newsletters, competitor leaflets, local or national newspaper articles featuring the company.

  • Prepare your documents: (And take enough copies to the interview for each interviewer on the panel). You should include photocopies of any good written references and qualification certificates. Also provide a hard copy of your CV. (As Agency applications are usually via email.)  If possible assemble hard evidence (make sure it's clear and concise) of what you've achieved in the past and how - proof will put you ahead of those who merely talk about it.  Before the interview: Read all documentation presented by Omnium. For example, the job description, interview letter, interview tips, etc. Also ensure you know where to go and if possible do a 'dummy run'.  If you need directions www.multimap.co.uk is a really useful website.  Just click on 'directions', enter the postcode you are leaving from and the postcode of your destination, and multimap gives you the route / approx time taken and mileage. The RAC website also offers a similar service
  • You should always arrive at reception 15 minutes before the appointment is scheduled.
  • Think about common questions and prepare your answers.  Make personal notes as prompts if necessary. Prepare your answers for the type of questions you'll be asked, especially, be able to say why you want the job, what your strengths are, how you'd do the job, what your best achievements are.
  • Review your personal goals and be able to speak openly and honestly about them and how you plan to achieve them.
  • Try to get some experience of personality tests. Discover your personality strengths and weaknesses that would be indicated by a test, and be able to answer questions positively about the results. (Do not be intimidated by personality testing - expose yourself to it and learn about yourself.) Go to our Profiler page for more information and access some of the free tests.
  • Get into an enthusiastic, alert, positive mind-set. Your attitude and manner will be apparent to the interviewer.
     

At Your Interview

Think about your body language:

  • Ensure your handshake is firm, and smile - this can help to set the tone for the interview.
  • Look at all of the interviewers on the panel when responding to questions. Make eye contact. It shows that you are focused and confident.
  • Posture is important, relax but don't slouch in your seat.
  • Try not to cross your arms, nor should you gesticulate too much.
  • If you are uncomfortable, ask to move your chair/remove your jacket/close the blinds etc.
  • Dress professionally. Whether the company's dress code is formal or casual, make an effort to look presentable and well groomed.
  • Ensure you speak clearly and loudly enough for the interviewer to hear your answers. Do not mumble or speak with your hand up to your mouth.

Useful link to read more about body language -
http://www.bizhelp24.com/personal_development/body_language.shtml


Prepare some good questions to ask, for example:

  • How has this vacancy arisen?
  • What is the staff turnover like within the IT function?
  • How would you measure my success as an Engineer/programmer etc?
  • What is the company's management style?
  • If I'm successful, what career prospects may I have here?
  • What are the company's plans for growth?

Sharp questions will show that you are proactive and want to make sure that this company is the right place for you.


Responding to the interviewers questions:

  • Try to make your style mirror the style of the interviewer, e.g. if they speak quietly, and naturally you speak loudly, tone it down.
  • Make relevant references to your own achievements, ensuring that you refer to yourself rather than your team.
  • Ensure you understand the questions before launching into your response. . If you are unclear about a question, ask the interviewer to clarify.
  • Be assertive without being aggressive, your opinions do have value.
  • Remember this is your opportunity to sell yourself, remain energetic, and positive throughout the interview. Be prepared to discuss how what you've done in the past will affect how you'll perform in a future role. Give examples that demonstrate your value.
  • Ensure you don't waffle, but also ensure that your answers are not too short by asking the interviewer how detailed they require the response to be.


General questions:

1. Tell me about yourself.

  • If you have a profile or personal statement at the top of your CV use this as your starting point. Remember don't waffle - be concise and to the point.
  •  Be prepared to talk about your strengths - ensure they are all positive, and your weaknesses. (Try to have positive weaknesses e.g. 'My attention to detail', 'Not suffering fools gladly',  'Inability to Ice-skate' - interject some humour where possible and appropriate)

2. What do you know about our company?

  • Research the company's products, size, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, skills, history and philosophy.
  • Be informed and interested. Let the interviewer tell you about the company, let them define their business in their terms.

3. Why do you want to work for us?

  • Don't talk about what you want; first talk about their needs.
  • You want to be part of an exciting forward-moving company.
  • You can make a definite contribution to specific company goals.

4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can't?

  • Relate past experiences that represent success in working for your previous employer.
  • Talk about your fresh perspective and the relevant experience you can bring to the company.
  • Highlight your track record of providing creative, workable solutions.

5. What do you find the most attractive about this position? Least attractive?

  • List a couple of attractive factors such as the responsibility the post offers and the opportunity to work with experienced teams that have a reputation for innovation and creativity.
  • Say you'd need more information and time before being able to make a judgement on any unattractive aspects.

6. Why should we hire you?

  • Because of knowledge, experience, abilities, and skills.

7. What do you look for in a job?

  • An opportunity to use skills, to perform and be recognised.

8. Please give me your definition of a ... (the position for which you are being interviewed).

  •  Keep it brief and actions/results-oriented.

9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?

  • Very quickly - after a couple of weeks getting to know your system and clients and a brief period of adjustment on the learning curve.
  • Highlight that you're a quick learner and are used to adapting to new situations.

10. How long would you stay with us?

  • As long as we both feel I'm contributing, achieving, growing etc.

The Topic Of Salary

If you are asked about your salary expectations in the interview, do not be tempted to discuss actual figures in a potentially pressured situation. This may lead to you either underselling yourself or ruling yourself out from an offer completely. Without discussing this important subject, you do need to take control and guide the interviewer away. Some examples of what you could say follow:

  • Omnium have explained that any offer you make will be a reasonable one.
  • My current salary is £____________ and I'm sure that if you feel I'm the best person for the job, the offer would reflect an improvement on that.
  • Omnium are aware of my expectations and I understand that they become involved in any potential offer you'd make.

If the interviewer pursues, don't avoid the conversation, it may only serve to frustrate them.
Finally, if you think that the role is right for you, ask for it and if a salary is offered that is satisfactory, then shake and confirm your acceptance.

If the offer is not as high as you'd like, don't say no immediately, explain that you'll get back to them. Omnium will then contact them to negotiate something more appropriate.

Our Useful links page has lots more information for you