Helpful Hints

• Working with your Recruitment Consultant
• Preparing a Winning Resume
• Preparing a Winning Covering Letter
• The Job Interview – the TOP 10 secrets of success

Working with your Recruitment Consultant

Here are a few tips to help you develop a rewarding relationship with your Recruitment Consultant:

• If you respond to an advert by telephone, make sure you are prepared for the call! Have the advert in front of you and think about your strengths and achievements that match the requirements of the role. Use the conversation to 'sell' yourself to the Consultant – be clear, confident and concise.
• If the advert asks you to submit a written application by email, then do so as soon as possible. A well-written covering letter accompanying a well laid out resume become your primary marketing tools, so make an effort here! Spelling mistakes and poor grammar are unlikely to impress the Consultant.
• If you are invited in for an interview, arrive a couple of minutes early because there are usually some forms to complete.
• Wear a business suit and ensure you are well presented. We operate in the financial services industry – formal and conservative is your safest option.
• Be honest with your Recruitment Consultant – he or she can't really help you if you are not open about what you are really looking for.
• Be open to constructive criticism. Our Consultants have worked with our clients for a long time – benefit from their knowledge and advice.
• Co-operate with your Consultant by being as flexible as you can about attending interviews with clients and giving feedback to the Consultant after the interviews.
• Keep your Consultant informed of any changes to your circumstances – anything ranging from a new phone number, to holiday dates that impact on your potential start date, to your job search activities.

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Preparing a Winning Resume

Your resume is your most valuable weapon in your hunt for the perfect job. A well -written resume that is clear and informative will make you look professional and endear you to Consultant and Client alike. Here are a few tips on creating a winning resume or use our resume template for further help:

• Always check spelling and dates (include months and years)
• Ensure there is a logical sequence
• Don't include copies of every certificate and diploma you have ever completed – these can be submitted on request later in the process
• Try to stick to a 2 to 5 page limit. Most resumes should be between 2 to 3 pages long – anything longer and you run the risk of either including too much irrelevant detail or losing the interest of the Recruitment Consultant along the way. Recruitment Consultants may receive and read as many as a hundred resumes a day – so think about how you can make your resume stand out from the crowd – but avoid graphics, photos and fancy fonts that are impossible to read.
• Include your full contact details (you'd be surprised how many candidates forget to include a telephone number!)
• Outline your educational and professional qualifications and computer skills, including basic Microsoft packages through to trading systems.
• Create a job summary and then a section for each employer – with clear details of employment dates, job title, responsibilities and achievements.
• Include hobbies, sports and interests but don't include pointless activities like 'shopping' and 'eating'.
• Even if you don't include your reference details in your resume (and offer to supply them on request later), make sure you have warned your referees that they may be contacted by Recruitment Consultants and/or potential employers. This is simply good manners.
• Keep your resume up to date.

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Preparing a Winning Covering Letter

If your resume is your main marketing tool in the battle to win your dream role, then your covering letter is the attractive packaging that makes the Recruitment Consultant eager to read your resume! Here are some tips to consider:

• Always tailor the covering letter to suit the role you have applied for. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Take time to consider the requirements specified in the advertisement and tailor your covering letter to highlight the match between job requirements and your strengths and achievements.
• Indicate in your letter why you are interested in this particular role.
• Check spelling and grammar – your letter helps to make that all-important first impression.
• Include the job reference number if one has been quoted in the advert.
• Keep it concise. If the letter is longer than one page, you have gone into too much detail.
• Don't just repeat your entire resume in the letter – rather, focus on a few key points to entice the Consultant to read more.
• Make sure the letter is addressed to the correct person. You would be surprised how often we receive letters that are addressed to rival recruitment companies – talk about a great first impression!

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The Job Interview – the TOP 10 secrets of success

The job interview is your 'window of opportunity' so make sure you do yourself justice and PREPARE TO WIN! Here are 10 top secrets that could just help swing the hiring decision in your favour:

TIP 1: Do your homework!

Find out as much as you can about the company – its history, its philosophy, its services and products, its key personalities. The Internet and industry publications are invaluable sources of information. This research will enable you to formulate some intelligent, open-ended questions that will make you look interested in the job and provide you with additional information that will help you make the right decision for your career if you are offered the role.

TIP 2: Be on time for the Interview!

Confirm the date, time and location of the interview. Find out about public transport or the nearest parking. Give yourself plenty of time to make the journey and to catch your breath before the interview. Know who is going to be interviewing you and make sure you know how to pronounce any difficult names.

TIP 3: Preparation is Key!

Review your resume and think about your achievements and accomplishments. Have some answers prepared to those inevitable questions about your strengths and weaknesses. Review the position description or the details you have been given about the role. Show how your experience will benefit the company.

TIP 4: Look the Part

Try to match the professional standard of dress expected in the financial services industry. A business suit is best, but a smart jacket is acceptable. Polish your shoes and keep accessories to a minimum. Carry out 'running repairs' if the weather is wet or windy. This may seem obvious but you'd be surprised how often good grooming is overlooked.

TIP 5: Mobile Phones

Turn them off!

TIP 6: Salary

Don't discuss salary with the interviewer at the first interview with the client company. It is best to leave the question about salary to your Consultant, but if the subject does come up, give an indication of your desired salary range, as discussed with the Consultant, but don't get bogged down in detail. Your Consultant will assist you with negotiations at offer stage.

TIP 7: Your Consultant as a 'Sounding Board'

Be careful not to voice any reservations about the job during the interview. They may prove to be unfounded and you can always turn down further interviews or any prospective offers if your reservations are not dealt with satisfactorily. Use your Consultant as a 'sounding board' and they can assist with further investigations if necessary.

TIP 8: Think Before You Speak!

Never make negative or derogatory comments about your previous employers and never tell a lie – it will come back to haunt you! Always be honest in your responses. Never say you have other options to consider if you don't.

TIP 9: Co-operation is Critical

Always co-operate with your Consultant – they are there to help you too. Always turn up for interviews they have set up for you – and don't be late! Keep your Consultant informed of developments and give them feedback on interviews as soon as possible while your thoughts are still fresh in your mind.

TIP 10: Just Ask!

Finally, if you really want the job – tell the interviewer! Don't be too arrogant, but you may just get the position if you ask for it!

 

 

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