How to Master Behavioural Interviews

How to Master Behavioural Interviews

Behavioural interviews are the most feared but the most important part of a job selection process as they delve into past behaviours to help predict future success in a role. So, why are they so feared, and how do you overcome your nerves to master this type of interview?

What is a behavioural interview?

First, let’s begin with a definition. Behavioural interviews are a type of job interview where the interviewer asks questions about how you have behaved in specific situations in the past.

What is the purpose of behavioural interviews?

The purpose of a behavioural interview is to understand your skills, abilities, and traits based on your past experiences and actions in other workplaces or situations. It’s an ideal way to predict your future performance.

In a behavioural interview, the questions are designed to prompt you to provide detailed responses about your past behaviours and actions. It’s an excellent way to avoid hypothetical or theoretical responses which may not match your work behaviours.

The core idea of the behavioural interview (and your responses) is that past behaviour is a reliable predictor of future behaviour. By asking about specific situations you have encountered in your workplace, the interviewer gains a clearer understanding of how you will navigate challenges, solve problems, work individually and as part of a team, and determine if you have the crucial skills that are relevant to that particular job.

What type of questions will I be asked?

The phrases you’ll often encounter during a behavioural interview typically begin with “Tell me about a time when …’ or ‘Can you provide an example of …’, prompting you to share a specific experience you’ve encountered.

When asked these types of questions, it’s vital to provide as much detail as possible to describe that particular situation, the action you took, and the outcome. The STAR method is a great framework for structuring your responses to these types of behavioural interviews.

Your responses tell potential employers a lot about your competency, interpersonal skills, adaptability, problem-solving ability and leadership potential and many other qualities relevant to a particular role. It’s real-life examples that will help you demonstrate how you handle various work-related situations and challenges.

Preparing for behavioural interviews

So, you have an upcoming interview and want to know how to prepare for these behavioural questions. How do you prepare? First, you’ll need to reflect on your past experiences and identify any relevant examples that relate to the role you’re applying for.

You should practice your responses to potential questions in a structured and concise way. A great way to pre-empt what might be asked is to review the job description and identify the core skills and competencies the employer is seeking. Be sure to demonstrate the impact of your actions and the results you achieved in your previous role, and highlight any relevant transferable skills.

You can incorporate storytelling techniques to keep the interviewer engaged. Basically, this involves revealing the facts, creating a narrative, and then restating the facts (however, this is a blog unto itself).

You should also research and ask thoughtful questions about the values, culture and team dynamics of the company. Understanding and incorporating the company’s culture and values into your responses show enthusiasm and genuine interest in the organisation.

Do you have a mentor? This person is preferably someone with knowledge of the industry or company you’re seeking to gain employment. They can help you rehearse for an interview. Their feedback on how you handle behavioural questions will be valuable.

Body language and communication tips

Once you’ve rehearsed your responses to potential behavioural questions, it’s time to turn your attention to non-verbal communication. Make sure you maintain good eye contact and have good posture, which demonstrates confidence in yourself. You should also show engagement by using positive and assertive language and active listening skills. Don’t forget to smile and nod!

Final tips for success

If there’s ever a time to dress for success, it’s at the interview. Make sure you’re wearing suitable attire that’s clean, ironed and fits you well. Depending on the job, keep make-up, jewellery and strong fragrances to a minimum.

Finally, arrive early and have some prepared questions to ask the interviewer at the end of your interview. Follow up in a few days with a thank-you email or note.

Remember, the goal of a behavioural interview is to provide proof of your abilities and aptitude for the role. You’ll need to show this based on your past behaviours. So, emphasise relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills. You will boost your chances of making a good impression and winning the job!

How to Write a Good Resume – Strategically!

Your resume is a critical marketing document — in any career at all levels — and is typically the first impression a recruiter or potential employer has of you and your study and/or career achievements. It can also set the tone for the rest of the recruitment process. In our digital world, there are some scenarios where a resume may diminish in importance compared with other factors.

In the IT space, demonstrating on-the-job skills may land you a job without you submitting a resume. For example, Google often uses Code Jams to hire developers. In the digital marketing space, an active Twitter profile can often lead to job offers. And in many fields, LinkedIn is a valuable business tool for recruiters, giving them faster access to relevant professionals. However, a concise and accurate resume still plays a vital role in recruiting. It allows a recruiter and prospective employer to find out more about you, your skills and your background in a “digestible” manner.

In terms of how to write a good resume strategically, it involves going beyond including short-term, “tactical” elements (designed to gain an objective) to longer-term “strategic” elements (like complex activity, operational patterns, activity and decision-making) that lead to the execution of tactics. Factors to consider include:

Length

According to Indeed, a one-page resume is a standard length for students, new graduates and professionals with up to ten years of experience. Multi-page resumes can be acceptable if you have many years of experience, achievements, projects and other relevant information.

However, it’s a delicate balance, as you don’t want to frustrate recruiters and potential employers by including pages of irrelevant information to make you appear more qualified. The key is to create the most relevant, concise and easy-to-read document possible. Length is secondary to high clarity and quality content.

Structure

In terms of how to write a good resume, most resumes are typically organised into the following sections:

Heading and contact details

The main heading should be your name and contact details, including your phone number and email address. You don’t need to include the word “resume”, as it’s safe to assume recruiters will know what they’re reading! Ensure your email address and phone voice message are professional. You may also want to include the following:

  • Your current job title if it is relevant to the job you are applying for. Alternatively, you could indicate your career goals. For example, “Aspiring chartered accountant”.
  • Links to your professional online profiles, including LinkedIn, Twitter and your personal website if you have one.
  • Your location. A full residential address isn’t required. You only need to specify your city or region.

You don’t need to include the following:

  • Your age
  • Your gender
  • Your date of birth

Summary

Often called a “personal profile”, “overview”, or “career objective”, a summary is used by experienced candidates to tie together their years of experience into a common theme. It should be concise, relevant to the potential employer, and include a clear value proposition in line with the position requirements. You should also avoid subjective terms (like “team player”, “detail-oriented”, and “effective communicator”), as they usually come across as bland or generic and rarely add value to a resume.

Education

A critical factor in how to write a good resume, this section can include qualifications or other relevant training, licenses or accreditations such as industry certifications. If you graduated within the last ten years, you could also include your school results if they reflect your academic success.

You should list qualifications in order of their timing, importance and relevance. The amount of information you include will depend on the role you are applying for. Generally, you should only delve into subject-level detail if it’s relevant to the job. For each qualification, you should include information on the following:

  • the institution
  • start and completion dates
  • degree grades
  • any relevant academic awards
  • any subjects, dissertations, research projects etc. that are relevant.

Experience

You don’t need to list every role you have had. Instead, focus on highlighting experience relevant to the position you’re applying for.

List your employment in reverse chronological order, and include the following:

  • the organisation name, including a description
  • your job title
  • your role and responsibilities, including what you contributed, accomplished or learned. The “STAR” framework(Situation, Task, Action, Result) is useful for clarifying these details.
  • start and finish dates
  • a short description of what each experience involved.

Other examples worth mentioning, if relevant, include:

  • voluntary positions
  • fundraising positions
  • contributions to University clubs, societies or other membership bodies
  • roles in sporting organisations
  • freelance assignments
  • part-time work
  • internships
  • temporary, freelance or contract work.

Try to focus on your actions and results, and back up your claims by using direct action words (like “designed” or “organised”), and include evidence you can quantify, like data or statistics that show how much, how many and how often. Don’t use industry jargon to show off your knowledge, and again, avoid vague and subjective buzzwords like “detail-oriented”, “effective communicator”, and “team player”.

For example, instead of “Detail-oriented data entry and analysis in Excel”, consider “Modelled 20 years of historical financial data in Excel to determine the relationship between commodity prices and profitability”.

Instead of “Launched internal team productivity reporting dashboard”, consider “Liaised with senior leadership and colleagues to develop a productivity reporting dashboard that cut team task allocation time by approximately 50 per cent”.

Instead of “Researched CRM options”, consider “Collaborated with a team of four to evaluate alternative software platforms to drive sales productivity, ultimately saving an estimated $500,000 per year”.

Skills and attributes

This is another important factor when it comes to how to write a good resume. This section gives you the opportunity to list all of your relevant skills, and group them into themes that will enhance your resume’s readability.

Your skills may include “hard” skills, which are technical skills that help you perform a specific task, and “soft” skills. According to LinkedIn, the top 16 in-demand soft skills for 2022 are adaptability, communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, time management, initiative, teamwork, leadership, proactivity, networking, life-long learning, negotiation, self-care, emotional intelligence, confidence, and resilience.

In terms of a specific role, evaluate the job description. Hard skills are normally listed explicitly in job ads, but you should also consider your education, qualifications, certifications, training, other languages you speak, machinery you can use, software you are familiar with, and industry or role-specific knowledge you have gained over your career.

Soft skills are also increasingly being listed on job ads. If they’re not, develop your own list of what might be required by considering the company’s culture, your past experiences in similar positions, and networking with those who are currently in similar roles. Any awards, accolades or achievements you’ve obtained in your career can also often mirror your strongest attributes. You can also include any extracurricular interests or activities, including sports, travel, volunteering and hobbies — but make sure they are relevant!

Format

Knowing how to write a good resume is only part of the process. Formatting is also essential, and although resume layout and design can vary greatly, the primary consideration should be readability for the recruiter or prospective employer. Some guidelines to consider, include:

  • Keeping it simple and consistent. Consistent formatting, in particular, will help recruiters with “skimming”. They will also know where to look if they need to refer back to something.
  • Considering the font you use. A safe default font is Calibre, which is clear and scales well for both content and headings. An 11 or 12-point font size will ensure readability, and you can use bold and italicised text to draw attention to headings and key points.
  • Including bullet points, subheadings and white space. These can enhance clarity, readability and visual style.

15 Valuable Job Interview Tips

Congratulations! You’ve spent hours fine-tuning your resume and you’ve managed to land an interview! However, now you need to deal with the actual interview process. One of the most valuable job interview tips? Be prepared. Whether you are looking for a job in the education, creative, medical, retail, IT or hospitality sectors (to name just a few), interviews typically follow a basic process.

However, the nuances of an interview can differ depending on the industry, the organisation and what the company is looking for in an employee. Here are 15 valuable job interview tips that will ensure you are primed, prepared and ready to face the interview head on!

1. Research the company and the industry

Interviewers will often probe to discover how much you know about the organisation. In other words, if you’ve done your research! So before your interview, find out as much as you can about the company, its competitors and your role in the business. Keep your research specific to the industry so your answers are as relevant as possible.

2. Clarify the reasons you want the job

One of the most valuable job interview tips is to prepare to go into every interview with your top “selling points” in mind that will outline what makes you the best candidate for the position. You should also be prepared to tell the interviewer job-specific details, including what abilities it requires that you possess, what interests you about it, and what rewards it offers that you find valuable.

3. Anticipate the interviewer’s reservations

Multiple candidates are often interviewed for the one position, so interviewers will screen interviewees to pinpoint those that will be most suited to the job. One valuable tip is to put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes and ask yourself why they may not want to hire you. Anticipating their reservations will allow you to be prepared with a defence.

4. Prepare for common interview questions

There are ton of interview questions that you might be asked and also a ton of websites that will provide their own recommendations on questions you should be prepared to answer. (Here is Seek’s take on the matter – Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them). But with so much advice on offer, how do you prepare? Think about your age, work status, the job you’re after, and the organisation you’re hoping to work for. Then it’s just a matter of narrowing the list down!

5. Prepare questions for the interviewer

Another one of our job interview tips is to prepare a list of questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the organisation as well as your serious intent. Interviewers almost always ask if you have any questions. If you don’t have any, they might assume you’re not really interested in the role. One good all-purpose questions is, “If you could design the ideal candidate for this position, what would he or she be like?”

6. Practice, then practice again 

You may be all over your preparation in terms of having answers to possible interviewer questions. But will you answer them in a confident and convincing way? A great tip is to practice with a couple of friends. Practice interviewing each other in a “round robin” process where one person acts as the the observer and the interviewee gets feedback from both the interviewer and the observer. Do this a few times, switching roles as you go.

7. Have good presentation and body language 

One of the most important job interview tips is to make sure you have good hygiene, are presented well and display positive body language. You should be aware of the company culture and dress code. When in doubt (and depending on the job), men should wear a suit and women their best professional attire. Even if it’s a more casual environment, a good rule of thumb is to dress up a notch. Better to be safe than sorry! You should also have good posture, make eye contact and speak clearly.

8. Make the most of the “Tell me about yourself” question

Many interviewers begin interviews with this question, and the response shouldn’t necessarily be about your family, your fur baby or your favourite Netflix series (unless they ask you specifically of course!) The best way to respond is to list things you think they will find important and relevant for the role, and then mention that you are happy to expand upon them if required.

9. Aim for success in the first five minutes

Some studies have shown that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview! The rest of the time, they look for reasons to confirm their decision. So what can you do to set yourself up for success in those five minutes? Enter the interview with enthusiasm and energy and thank the interviewer for their time. Then start with a positive comment about the company and express how excited you are to be possibly joining it.

10. Make your selling points clear

Even if you do communicate your selling points during an interview, does the interviewer truly understand what they are? To ensure they do, don’t bury your selling points in long-winded comments. Be precise with them and then give examples. It’s also important you don’t dwell on past negative experiences during an interview. Even if asked specifically about them, round out your response with a positive by admitting that although a certain job or experience was tough, you embraced the challenge … and you’re now after a new one!

11. Be on the same side as the interviewer

Some interviewers view job interviews as adversarial — candidates are hoping for an offer and the interviewer is trying to hold back on giving one! It’s your job as an interviewee to transform this “tug of war” into a relationship where you’re both on the same side. It could be as simple as expressing that you are happy to have the chance to learn more about the company, and the interviewer learn more about you.

12. Be assertive but not overbearing

Usually assertive candidates sometimes become overly passive during job interviews, often in the effort to be polite. However, politeness doesn’t equate to passivity. An interview should be just like any other conversation — a process in which you and the interviewer both input and respond to each other. Ultimately though, it is your responsibility to make sure you walk away with the interviewer knowing as much as they can about your key selling points.

13. Be ready to handle inappropriate questions 

In a perfect world, no interviewer will ask illegal or inappropriate questions, however it can happen. Questions about your age, race, religion, gender and marital status are often taboo. One of the important job interview tips is to be prepared. With your response, it can be as simple as saying something like, “I’m not sure how that’s relevant to my application” or  “I’ve not decided about whether children will be part of my future, but I can assure you, that at this stage, I’m committed to my career”.

14. Close on a positive note

If you get to the end of the interview and decide you really want the job, make it clear. Tell the interviewer you are really interested in the role and would be excited about working for the company. You could say something like, “I know my strongest abilities are (insert them here) and I see these as being the abilities you most need for this position”. If you follow this tip, you’ll not only be explaining why you think the job is a good match, but subtlety saying you’ll accept it!

15. Follow up with a thank you  

To write a good thank you email, spend time after the interview jotting down a few things you and the interviewer discussed. Customise the email by referring specifically to some of the conversation points. For example, “I was particularly excited about what you said about …”.  Also write down what you could have done better in the interview and make adjustments before you head off to the next one! 

12 Easy Ways to Boost LinkedIn to Advance Your Career

LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool to boost your career prospects, but if you’re not using to your advantage, you may be missing out many valuable opportunities according to two leading recruitment specialists.

Recruitment expert Em Pescott says there are many ways to maximise your LinkedIn profile to increase exposure and land your dream career.

 

  1. Ensure You Turn on the ‘I’m Available’ Button.

If you want recruiters to know you’re interested in new job opportunities, make sure you turn on the ‘I’m available’ button on your LinkedIn profile.

“It’s not obvious to your network so your boss won’t see it, but recruiters, who pay LinkedIn big bucks for recruiter access, can see it as a big green flashing light.

“Since recruiters are constantly looking for amazing talent, making it that much easier for them to find you is a real opportunity for you. To let recruiters know you are ready for new opportunities, you turn ‘on’ your signal.

“You can do this from your LinkedIn home page by clicking on the “Jobs” tab on the  toolbar.”

 

  1. Pack Your Profile with Relevant Keywords.

If you want recruiters to find you easily make sure your profile’s up to date with relevant keywords.

“It’s important that if you have numerous skill sets or different job titles, you include these in the ‘headline’ section of your profile. That way I’ll turn up in numerous job searches.

“The recruiter function in LinkedIn uses Boolean strings in their search functionality.  This means that recruiters can use keywords, phrases and words such as “and”, “or”, “not” to broaden or limit their search.  That way they can narrow down the candidate pool when they’re looking for something specific.

“So, ensure you have specific keywords throughout your LinkedIn profile that  matches roles you’re interested in.  That way you’ll be found in recruiter searches much faster.”

 

  1. Connect and Interact with Influential People.

Connecting with recruiters, hiring managers and human resources professionals in your field is essential to advance your career. If you have a paid LinkedIn account, you can write InMail to introduce yourself.

“Don’t forget the rules of networking. It’s about what you can provide first. It’s not just about asking them for their help straight away.  You’ve got to build a relationship first.

“Maybe share an interesting article or praise them for something they’ve posted recently.”

 

  1. Get Endorsed!

There’s nothing more powerful or persuasive than a personal review from someone who has worked with you using the ‘endorsements’ function on LinkedIn.

“Ask past managers or colleagues to endorse your top skills and write a review for you.  This adds credibility to your profile and builds trust quickly.”

 

  1. Post Interesting Content.

Another way to build your network and remain relevant on LinkedIn is to regularly post content to the platform that will assist or be of interest to your contacts.

“Find and post interesting and relevant content for your industry.  That way, all those influential people you’ve connected with can see that you’re passionate and you’ll hopefully show up in their feed and be top of mind.”

Human Resources and Recruitment Specialist Hilary Callaghan says LinkedIn is like unicorn dust for advancing your career if you know how to maximise your profile.

“Simply having a profile on LinkedIn will help your career, but to get your career into the fast lane make sure your profile is complete, shows your strengths, knowledge and a little sparkle,” said Callaghan.

 

  1. Add Everyone.

You can increase your exposure simply by adding all the people you know, whether it’s a professional or personal connection, to your LinkedIn network.

“I add everyone I work with, and when I go to networking events, I add people at the event. If I’m at a family event you bet, I’m adding long lost Uncle Bart.

“You never know where your connections will get you.  I also follow inspirational leaders I’d like to work with, sometimes they even follow me back!”

 

  1. Nurture Your Network.

You need to do more than accumulate lots of connections on LinkedIn if you want to use this career tool to boost your career prospects. You also need to nurture those connections to start conversations that add value.

“There’s no point building a big network if you do nothing with it. I selectively re-post jobs by others, articles, news and anything I think would help my network.

“I comment on relevant articles, by my network or others, and I send relevant articles directly to my connections.”

 

  1. Ask for Help.

If you need help, it’s helpful to ask your network for assistance.

“When I’m looking for a new challenge or have a new problem at work, I ask for help. This can be as a post or direct message.

“If my connection doesn’t know they always share it with someone that can. My network knows they can come to me anytime too.”

 

  1. Use LinkedIn Career Advice and Learning.

If your network can’t help with a challenge, it’s helpful to use LinkedIn Career Advice or LinkedIn Learning.

“There are times my network couldn’t help, but LinkedIn Career Advice and LinkedIn Learning became the hero on the day. Career Advice has leaders that have put their hands up to support people, free of charge.

“I do all this on my commute a couple of days a week, just a few clicks, and then I’m back on Instagram for the rest of my ride. Easy!”

 

  1. Build a Well-Developed Network.

When you invest time in developing your network, you open career pathways to companies that align with your career development.

“Keep working on your network, the time you put in now will pay off in dividends in the future.

“Use the ‘follow’ feature for people and companies that you find interesting so you can see what they’re up to. They’ll get a notification, and sometimes they’ll follow you back!

 

  1. Advice and Support.

LinkedIn is vital to find advice and to receive recommendations. Once you’ve built your network, you have your list of people to as for advice or recommendations.

“I guarantee many connections are willing to help you; you just need to ask. When asking for help, be specific.

“If you don’t have anyone in your network with the right background, you can post on your feed and ask people to share or use LinkedIn Career Advice to approach people that have put their virtual hand up to help people.”

 

  1. Create an Engaging Profile.

When developing your LinkedIn profile, think about what you write to engage your audience.

“If you’re stuck on what to write, look for others with strong profiles and similar experience to you. Look for someone aspirational.

“Make sure you highlight your achievements and make them relevant to someone outside your industry.

“This doesn’t have to take your whole weekend, as just a few clicks on your commute in the morning will help push the needle.  Remember, the more you put in, the more you get out!”

 

Australian Online Courses

Australian Online Courses offers hundreds of unique professional development courses designed to boost your career prospects in any industry.

When you study with Australian Online Courses, you have access to an eLearning platform that allows you to study where and when you choose. This self-paced learning environment will enable you to plan your study around work, life and family commitments.

So, if you’re serious about taking your career to the next level, enrol in a flexible, online professional development course today.

How to Write a Formal Email for a Job Applications

Today communication is fast and diverse. We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to communicating in writing in both our personal and professional lives, from Facebook Messenger and LinkedIn Messaging to text messages, email and more. It’s not always necessary to be formal so you may have developed a habit of writing quickly and casually, after all time is precious, but when it comes to sending a cover letter via email, you need to write professionally.

This written professionalism is not exclusive to email communication either; it’s essential that you maintain formality across all platforms, including LinkedIn Messaging. This professional social media platform is a powerful tool for interacting and networking with potential employers, but don’t be fooled by the social nature of LinkedIn – the key word is ‘professional.’

We spoke to Nina Mapson Bone, of recruitment firm Beaumont People, who enlightens us on what’s expected in the email cover letter.

 

5 Tips for Writing an Email Cover Letter

 1. Personalise Your Cover Email

If you’re tempted to rehash your last application letter, don’t, as time-strapped recruiters and prospective employers will notice this sneaky corner cutting and won’t be impressed. Instead, make sure your email cover letter is adapted specifically for the role and hiring company. Nina says, do not, under any circumstances, use a generic email that you have sent before.

It’s also important that your email cover letter is addressed to the individual doing the hiring, says Nina. You may have to do a bit of research by calling the company or LinkedIn stalking for details, but people love the sound of their own name, so it’s worth the effort to make a personal and professional first impression.

2. Address Selection Criteria – Be Specific

The keywords in the job advertisement, or the criteria in a job description, should be addressed with specific examples of how you have displayed those traits – but keep it snappy- address no more than three criteria in your cover letter email.

You can go into greater detail in your resume but cover emails should be specific and punctual. Make sure you edit your work to cut out as many unnecessary words as possible. If you can say it in few, do!

3. Do Not Repeat Your Resume

The cover letter allows you to display your personality and a few detailed examples of your achievements, it shouldn’t just repeat your what you have on your resume. Remember, these documents are sent together, and unnecessary repetition will only bore or frustrate a hiring manager or recruiter.

4. Make Your Contact Details Easy to Find

If you’ve sparked an employer’s interest you want it to be easy for them to reach you. Don’t forget, the person reading through applications will be time-poor, so any obstacle that’s put up will be enough to move on to the next applicant.

You could include your contact details after your name at the end of your cover letter. This way, the hiring manager or recruiter doesn’t need to click on a search through your attachments to find your phone number.

5. Re-Read Before You Hit Send

As with any important document, make sure you check for typos – both grammar and spelling. Good written communication skills are necessary in almost all roles, and this is your first test. You don’t want to fail in the first five minutes, so check and double check your work.

Don’t just rely on spellchecker either, as these programs are notorious for missing errors that are not necessarily incorrect but are wrong in the context of your message. You should have at least one other person read your email cover letter and application to ensure its one-hundred percent perfect before you hit send.

 

More Important Tips

  • Do not use an unprofessional email address. If you’re sending an email that says crazychristine@snailmail.com you’re not sending the best impression, for obvious reasons. Make sure you open a new account with a professional email address to apply for jobs.
  • Do not use emoticons! Your smiley face won’t put a smile on the face of the hiring manager or recruiter; it will only make your application seem frivolous and unprofessional.
  • Do not use images. Unless you are applying for a job that depends on your appearance, such as acting or modelling, the person receiving your application doesn’t need to know what you look like; save that for the interview, which is a covered in the blog The Colour You Must Wear to Your Next Interview.

 

Example of an Email Cover Letter

Dear Hiring Manager (or name, if you know it)

In applying for position of (insert job title) I’d like to highlight my skills and why I’m suitable for this role.

With regards to (insert trait a) my experience is (insert specific example) and is summarised by

  • Insert specific example of trait in action
  • Insert specific example of trait in action
  • Insert specific example of trait in action

In relation to my exposure to (insert trait b) I have the following achievements:

  • Insert specific achievements
  • Insert specific achievements
  • Insert specific achievements

I would welcome the chance to discuss this position with you in person to find out more if I am a good fit for your organisation. I can be contacted on 04xx xxx xxx.

 

Kind regards,

 

Your name.

Your contact details.

How to Write a Winning ‘Career Change’ Cover Letter

If your career path is no longer fulfilling, embarking on a completely new career is important; however, it can be overwhelming.

You may have consulted with a career advisor who gave excellent career planning advice, you probably considered many career choices and you may have reskilled with an online education while you continued to work.

But even with a solid online education, career advice and a mountain of enthusiasm, applying for a job in a new field is hard! The fact remains: you’ll have limited work experience on your resume. So how do you get noticed? You write a winning career change cover letter: that’s how! Here’s how you do it.

Natalie Scanlon, Founder of Written Communications, says by following these five steps your cover letter won’t be left at the bottom of the pile.

 

  1. Transferable Skills

This is at the top for a reason. When you are changing careers, there will be many skills that you can transfer to a new position. Review the ‘Job Tasks and Responsibilities’ of each individual role and allow this to dictate what you should or shouldn’t include in your cover letter. For example; ‘organising travel and accommodation arrangements’ could indicate that you need to be able to manage tasks for others. This is something you should explain in your cover letter and is skill that is transferable across industries.

 

  1. Edit Carefully

Always remember to edit your cover letter for every job you apply for. This is a tedious task, but every role is different, and this requires some care and attention.

 

  1. Keep it Short

Don’t make your cover letter more than one-page long. In this day and age, there are hundreds of applicants for one role. The longer the cover letter, the less likely the employer is to read it!

 

  1. Write a Letter

Your cover letter and your resume are two ‘different’ documents. Use the cover letter as a tool to explain why you are the best candidate for the role; in comparison, use your resume to show your experience and education where applicable.

 

  1. Pay Attention to Details

ALWAYS re-read your cover letter. If you have ‘pays attention to details’, or ‘Microsoft Office Expert’ listed as one of your ‘skills’ on your resume, you need to show that you know how to spell and write accordingly. Rather than telling your potential employer what you do, show them! It works wonders.

 

7 Inspiring Ways to Fill a C.V Gap

You don’t need to worry about that two-month break you took back in 2001, but if you’re headed for a significant employment gap, whether via redundancy or to raise children, consider the following options to keep your C.V in top shape.

 

  1. Education

Could you up-skill with a certification or professional development course that relates to your industry? Employers value initiative so seek out opportunities to expand your skill-set. Time spent learning new skills and gaining knowledge that help you perform better will be worth the investment. Australian Online Courses has hundreds of professional development certificates, across a multitude of industries. These online, self-paced courses are flexible in delivery, affordable and are industry-approved to give your C.V the competitive-edge when you’re ready to return to work.

 

  1. Contract Work

When a full-time, permanent position isn’t on the horizon consider contracting. Working as a contractor can be lucrative, but keep in mind that you will be responsible for superannuation, workers’ compensation and insurances, so you’ll need to work out the costs involved and negotiate your salary accordingly. You’ll also need to budget for times when you are in-between contracts. It may not be the security you’re looking for in a career, but it will lessen the stress and urgency of finding a job and will keep your skills up-to-date.

 

  1. Volunteering

In addition to the feel-good factor of working for a charity you’re passionate about, you can also put your skills to work and build your experience and portfolio. If you’re in marketing, you could use your skills to create a digital marketing plan for a charity you care about. Or if your specialty is IT, upgrade a website. Take a look at Volunteering Queensland for opportunities in your industry to keep your skills fresh during time off from a paid position.

 

  1. Temporary Work

Taking on a temping job is an excellent way to bridge the gap between being out of work and finding a permanent position that’s a perfect fit. This type of work takes the pressure off taking the first job that comes along. You are being paid without the commitment, so you can take your time to seek out the best opportunities. A temping job is different to contracting, as you are a temporary employee of a company, so you are paid entitlements, such as superannuation, workers’ compensation and insurances. If temping work appeals, submit your C.V to one of the many temping agencies Australia-wide, such as Side Kicker.

 

  1. Freelancing

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a business now is an excellent opportunity to make it a reality. The benefits of freelancing are numerous, including flexibility in working hours – perfect for families – you choose your projects, no commute – work from home – and the potential to choose how much you earn. Whether you’re interested in turning your freelancing into full-time business or a casual hobby, you can keep your skills fresh while making extra money in-between permanent work.

 

  1. Speaking Engagements, Consulting or Writing

If you have a skill or specialised knowledge that others would like to learn you might find work teaching, coaching, lecturing, consulting or writing manuals. You could talk to university students about your work experience or industry, present at industry-related seminars or consult with businesses that require your expertise. If you write well, there is also opportunity to turn your experience and knowledge into books or training manuals. When you’re looking to fill C.V gaps it pays to think outside the square!

 

  1. Community Involvement

Don’t underestimate the value of contributing to your community, whether it’s coaching your daughter’s touch football team, assisting in your child’s classroom or tackling environmental issues in your neighbourhood. These projects all add value to your C.V by showing potential employers that you are positively contributing to society. If your community involvement is not directly related to your industry or job description you can put in in a separate category, such as ‘Community Involvement’.

 

It can be difficult to get back to work after significant time away but keeping your hand in by volunteering, accepting contract or temporary work or becoming involved in community work shows potential employers that your skills are still relevant. So, start filling those gaps to capitalise on your future employment opportunities.

7 Ways to Land That Entry-Level Job

You’ll need a competitive edge to start your career according to a new report by Anglicare. Across Australia, there are now an average of 4.8 jobseekers for every entry-level job advertised (ABC News report). So how can graduates and new jobseekers give themselves the best chance of success?

Australian Online Courses spoke to Darleen Barton, bestselling author and performance coach at DIPAC & Associates, for advice on how entry-level jobseekers can increase their chances of being hired.

 

  1. Build a C.V

“Demonstrate your skills, your character and your personal value system,” says Barton. As an entry-level job-seeker you should include any humanitarian interests, including voluntary positions that you have held.

It’s also important to ensure your C.V clearly demonstrates your accomplishments and the results achieved, adds Barton.  “Employers are looking for ‘action-oriented’ people who can learn fast and deliver results.”

Of course, she adds, make sure your C.V is free of spelling and grammatical errors.

 

  1. Deliver Your C.V and Dress to Impress

If you can deliver your CV in person take the opportunity, says Barton. “First impressions count. You will be judged in the first thirty seconds of your arrival.  You might as well make it positive.  Make sure you’re neat, tidy and professional.”

 

  1. Research the Job Market

Keep in mind that recruitment companies work with thousands of candidates, says Barton.  As a new job-seeker you need to conduct your own research.  Try to find out as much as possible about the organisations you are looking to work.

 

  1. Create a Social Media Presence

Barton says a social media presence is important for jobseekers, but it should reflect a professional image. “Your online footprint should be clean, issue free and professional.   Establish accounts on key sites such as LinkedIn and sanitise or even remove personal accounts with sites such as Facebook that can be viewed by prospective employers.”

“Go one step further and create a mini website for yourself.  There are many web-building services such as WIX, which enable you to build great websites fast and for free.  Get your profile up and out in the market and ensure your site is looks professional.”

 

  1. Be Persistent and Reliable

Being persistent is paramount to your success, says Barton. “If you want to get your foot in the door don’t send an email requesting an appointment. Pick up the phone and ask for an appointment to see the human resource manager, relevant manager, or person hiring.  Follow up phone calls are important to ensure your enthusiasm is noticed.”

You should also demonstrate that you are reliable. “Employers are sick of no-shows and unreliable people.” They want to be impressed, which leads to the next important step – the interview.

 

”6.  Nail Your Interview

“Arrive to your interview early and bring hard copies of your C.V and references.  If necessary, bring materials to support your interview.  Dress well, be considerate, answer questions clearly, use positive body language, avoid ums and ahs and overuse of the word like.  Ask relevant questions and focus on the role – not how much money you will get,” advises Barton.

 

  1. Learn the STAR Principal

The STAR principal is a behavioural interview technique based on discovering a candidate’s past behaviour in a specific employment-related situation.

It stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. You should prepare a few examples of situations that arose, the task you carried out, the action you took, and the results achieved.

As an entry level job-seeker, you can use situations from your internships, short courses, school projects, activities, team sports, community involvement, hobbies and any work experience.

 

Grow in Confidence

“Remember with every no, your confidence must grow,” says Barton. You should learn to pick yourself up and try again despite setbacks.

She says it’s also important to monitor self-talk, as confidence comes from within.  “You have just completed your study and you are heading out to get your first job – so take it easy on yourself!”

A technique she recommends is to look yourself in the mirror every day and use the mantra ‘I can do this.’   “We all started somewhere!”

6 Popular Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

We have the inside scoop on what questions you’re most likely to encounter at your next interview, including the interview questions. Director of JustMums Recruitment and expert recruitment consultant Rachel Perkins shares her favourite interview questions and how to answer them for interview success.

  1. What Has Attracted You to this Company?

For a recruiter, this gives an insight into the candidate’s level of preparation, company research was undertaken and knowledge of the employer. To answer this, the candidate could talk about the success of the company or brand including any news or media reports, the company values and how these align to their own or how the employer best fits with their work-related preferences and career plan. Being able to talk about the employer and what they do is impressive and shows that you are keen and interested.

  1. What Does Your Ideal Role Look Like?

As an agency recruiter, this is the perfect question to ask to identify the candidate’s motivations, interests, passions, preferences and career goals. Your answer will allow us to assess whether you are suited to the role you are applying for or other potential opportunities that are managed by the recruitment agency. It goes without saying that if you are applying for a role, make sure your response aligns to that role and that role only.

  1. So, Tell Us About a Time When…

An oldie but a goodie, this behavioural question allows the interviewer to hear about the candidate’s previous work experience and determines their skills and capabilities against the requirements of the position they are applying for. Always read through the position description or job advertisement prior to an interview and be sure to have some work examples to share with the interviewer that match the requirements of and tasks associated with the role.

  1. What Would Your Colleagues Say About You if I Asked Them?

This question is always a light-hearted one and allows the interviewer to get some insight into the interviewee’s personality, level of self-awareness and general perception of themselves. It can provide information on how they work in a team and is a good question when considering the best cultural fit for a team or organisation.

  1. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job/Why are You Looking to Move On?

This is commonly asked so candidates must have this question covered. Honesty is the best policy here as reference checks will cross-check the information you have shared at the interview. Conflict at work or bad experiences with employers sometimes can’t be avoided however please be professional and mature in the way you approach this at interview.  Speaking disrespectfully or negatively about your former or current employer or colleagues will go against you. Similarly, if you have significant gaps between jobs on your resume this can be a “red flag” for hirers so that said, it is worth being honest and ready to answer questions around this too.

  1. Do You Have Any Questions?

This question will almost always be asked at the end of an interview and it is crucial to have a few up your sleeve. Candidates often forget that an interview is a two-way street and just as much your chance to assess whether the employer is the right one for you. So, get your questions together and you’ll appear interested, engaged and prepared by doing so. You could ask the interviewer what they like most about working for the company or a question around their workplace culture for example.

4 Critical Mistakes to Avoid on LinkedIn

Your social media footprint is critical, irrespective of the position you’re applying for, according to Sue Parker, Founder of CV Dynamix.  “LinkedIn is the go-to social media platform used by human resources, recruiters and hiring companies,” she says.

If you have Facebook, set your account to private and keep in mind your profile picture and banner are visible and should be professional. See How to Keep Your Facebook Account Private.

A professional LinkedIn presence ensures you maximise your job prospects, says Parker, but most people get it wrong. She shares the four critical mistakes that damage your personal career brand and the solutions.

  1. An Ineffective Headline

Your headline is crucial. ‘Looking for work’ or ‘Looking for the next opportunity’ smacks of desperation and laziness.   Remember, LinkedIn has a powerful search algorithm facility rendering these headlines useless.   Without any further description in the headline, you will not easily be found nor considered in the best light.

Solution Amend your header to be powerful and on tone with what you are seeking and offering.   Start from a what and how perspective – make your headline identify what you do, the problems you solve and how.

Examples:

Media & Digital Programmatic Manager – Seeking a new role to bring life to service-based clients

Logistics & Supply Chain Manager – Seeking opportunities to re-align efficiencies and customer experience for the engineering sector

Retail Fashion & Merchandising Sales Manager – Available for new opportunities

  1. Using an Unprofessional Photograph

A photo speaks a thousand words.  Use a clear picture of yourself smiling. Ensure it’s a professional and a true representation of your ‘business self’ (whatever that is).  It is LinkedIn not Facebook and judgements will be made instantly.

  1. A Dull & Disconnected Summary

A summary should be an authentic introduction to your career story. It should be written in first person to engage and build trust. To ensure prospective employers keep reading, demonstrate your problem-solving ability and USP’s (unique selling points of difference).

Solution Write in first person and avoid clichés and corporate waffle. Write about how you solve-problems while sharing your unique personality.   Show who you are, don’t tell.

  1. Having No Recommendations

If you don’t have a list of recommendations you minimise your credibility.  Many people are reticent to ask others for recommendations but it’s a must to build trust and referrals.

Solution Ask for recommendations and send requests from a ‘can you please help me with a favour based on your positive experiences with my work’ perspective.   Identify the managers, colleagues, suppliers and clients who can provide honest testimony to your work, attitudes and skills.

This will boost your self-confidence as often the recommendation content comes as a lovely surprise. Also think about who you can recommend. It brings good LinkedIn karma and elevates your brand visibility.

4 Interview Formats and How To (F)Ace Them!

You may be an excellent candidate but if you get it wrong in the interview you don’t get a second chance. Bernadette Innes, Director of Proven Recruitment Results, says in addition to rehearsing answers to standard questions, understanding different interview formats is the key to success.

Standard Questions to Expect

Can you tell me something about yourself?

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

How would you like me to remember you after our interview?

Do you have any questions?

 

Behavioural Interviews

This type of interview is based on the logic that past behaviour predicts future behaviour.

Behavioural interviewing also known ascompetency-based interviewing explores behavioural skills such as conflict resolution, analysing and finding solutions to issues. For example, describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or team member?  What was the outcome and what would you have done differently?

How to Prepare

If you expect a panel interview (more than one person) you need to prepare using the S.A.O approach. This is where you’ll be asked to describe a Situation, the Action you undertook and what the Outcome was. Make sure you have at least five examples or stories to share using the SAO approach.

 

Telephone Interviews

This type of interview is usually used to narrow down the initial pool of job candidates to a more manageable number for a face-to-face interview.

The prospective employer will be able to determine how well the candidate is able to speak English.

 

How to Prepare

Expect an initial screening so make sure you are prepared and not shuffling paper while on the phone. Prepare by ensuring all information is laid out on the table. You should not smoke, eat or drink while talking. Make sure your phone is fully charged and if you are not in a good area offer a landline alternative. Ensure young children are settled and there are no pets in the background.

 

Panel Interviews

This type of interview tends to be more detailed and can vary in numbers usually from two to five people from different departments all asking interview questions.

Each person on the panel will have a different role.  For example, the Human Resources Manager will confirm you fit with the company, culture and people and the Department Manager will ensure you have job-related skills and abilities to undertake any task the position requires.

Panel Interviews are usually used in the public sector.

How to Prepare

See Behavioural Interview. Use the S.A.O approach and research, research and research!

 

Group Interviews

This type of interview is held with other candidates who are applying for the same position as you.  Usually this is a panel interview where the Human Resources Manager, Department Manager and Supervisor will be undertaking an initial screening of the candidates as they observe your behaviour, communication and interaction with others.

Group interviews may require role-play including problem-solving workshops and work-related task activities.

How to Prepare

Expect competition as you are competing for the same job. Be nice, be respectful and SMILE. Pay attention when spoken to and take notes if there is a presentation. Prepare by researching the organisation and be interactive in the role plays. Listen to others and join in.

 

Practice Makes Perfect

Interviews are purposefully difficult and can be stressful. If you need more help to prepare consider an interview coach. The practice with a professional will make you feel better prepared and more confident.

 

Australian Online Courses

Australian Online Courses offers a comprehensive array of courses, developed in consultation with industry experts, to give you the skills and knowledge to pursue new roles or enhance your C.V for career advancement.

Our flexible study timeframes, affordable prices and unmatched customer support from our administration team and tutors are at the heart of what we do.

A state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, sign up with Australian Online Courses today and get the skills and confidence to discover a career you love.

Competing for a Job? 8 Easy Steps to a Stand Out C.V

Director & Head Recruiter at Purple Squirrel Recruitment, Anna Hodges, says the most common question she’s asked by applicants is how can I stand out? “Surprisingly, my top tips aren’t the newest or trickiest ideas. They’re about going back to basics and making sure you are remembered for the right reasons,” she says.

  1. Check Spelling and Grammar

This sounds simple and I can already see the eyes rolling! But you wouldn’t believe the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors I read in C.Vs. Get a friend or family member to double-check it. The last thing you want is a mistake when saying you have “excellent verbal and written communication skills.”

  1. Use Easy-to-Read Font

Apple Chancery might be your absolute favourite font because it looks so pretty, but if human resources or a recruitment manager can’t understand the writing, your C.V is going to the bottom of the pile!

  1. Correct and Visible Personal Details

Ensure your name, address and contact details (mobile number and an email address) are included and on the front page. If I can’t find these details within a few seconds, it’s all too hard.

  1. Include a Cover Letter!

This will make you stand out, as many candidates can’t be bothered. Personalise the letter and explain why you have applied for the role and why you’re suitable. Make it relevant. This is especially important if you are changing roles, careers or are moving locations; you need to explain your story and why you are applying for the role.

  1. Personal Summary or Profile

There is debate amongst recruiters about the need for a summary but I say it’s a must! It’s a short summary (one paragraph) that explains who you are, where you have come from and what you are looking for. It should be on the front page of your C.V after your personal details. It gives the employer one more reason to call you.

  1. Keep it Short and Sweet

Three pages (maximum) is ideal. You don’t want to bore the reader and remember that if they’re searching through a pile of C.Vs, they won’t have time to read it all. A great format includes:

  • A Summary
  • Education History
  • Work History
  • Other Relevant Volunteer Work or Hobbies

  1. White Space

Just like silence in an interview, it’s ok to have a bit of space. Cramming everything onto one page in 8-point font just to squeeze it all in isn’t a great idea! Remember, someone needs to read it!

  1. Make it About YOU!

This is your chance to sell yourself. Use your skills and experience to show your strengths and make them relevant to the role you’re applying for. If you’re applying for an administration role and you only have experience washing dishes in a café, use it! You could say you work towards required targets (those dishes don’t clean themselves) and you can manage many priorities from different people within a short time-frame.

Your C.V is Your Marketing Collateral

The aim is to get the reader to call you to organise an interview to find out more about you. That’s the goal, so keep that in mind when writing or updating your C.V.

Have someone read your C.V for a different opinion and to make sure it’s relevant. Or better still, chat to a recruiter in the field you want to work and ask for their advice.

 

Australian Online Courses: Graduate Careers Package

When you study with Australian Online Courses you give yourself the best chance of finding a career you love.

That’s because our courses are developed in consultation with industry experts. It’s because you’re a person to us. Our tutors and administrative staff know you by name and are available seven days a week to answer any questions you have about coursework or simply to offer advice.

Find your new direction today!

Follow a manual added link

1300 76 2221

Link to: Contact Us

Chat