Cv For Interviews

Posts Tagged ‘Period Of Time’

When you get to the interview, be prepared to discuss your resume.  In addition to
explaining why you left previous companies and chit chat about the position, if you have
any gaps in employment be prepared to explain them.  Many people are scared that an
interviewer is going to discover that they were without a job for a period of time.  It is not
necessarily a bad thing, but you do have to be able to tell the interviewer why in the best
possible light.

You should always be honest when explaining any absence from working, but you do
have license to spin what you did do in the best possible light.  For instance, if you were
laid of your job and had a hard time finding a replacement but spent a lot of time with
your children you could say, “I took an opportunity to spend a few months with my
children in between jobs.”  If you took any courses or classes that adds value to your
skills as an employee be sure to mention that as well.  You may find it beneficial to add a
brief explanation on the resume itself or in a cover letter.  Most times it is hard to get to
an interview if there is a lengthy and unexplained employment gap.

If you are unsure what possible questions could be generated from your resume, have
another person look at it.  It is best to be prepared for certain questions and scenarios that
will likely come up in an interview.  You do not want to be caught unaware or
floundering for an answer.  Give yourself time to figure out the best explanation for times
of unemployment so an interviewer sees it as reasonable or even beneficial to them in the
case of additional education and classes.

Okay, you have made it to the end of your interview and the interviewer says it is now
your turn.  They want to know if you have any questions for them.  And most likely you
do:  “How did I do” and “Are you going to hire me” – unfortunately you can’t ask either
one.  But there are questions that you can ask to glean some information on how you
performed and to determine if the company is a right fit for you.

Although it is not acceptable to ask how you did in an interview, it is okay and
encouraged to ask what the next steps are and the timeline for them.  Depending on how
this is answered, you may be able to figure out their reaction to you.  But this is not full-
proof and is not a guarantee.  If they take the time to explain all the checks they need to
go through, how many people they have left to interview and so on, they are probably
interested and want you to understand that there is still steps left in the process.  If they
only tell you that you will hear from them within a certain period of time via letter, well it
isn’t as promising.

Look at the opportunity to ask your own questions as your chance to interview the
company.  Of course you have done your research prior to attending and have made up a
list that you wrote down before attending.  Show your preparedness and pull out the list
to ask your questions.  Things like company direction and expansion show an interest in
the business.  Feel free to take notes; it can earn you brownie points.  Ask questions that
are important to you as well, if vacation time and benefits are a deal breaker for you, find
out now what the company has to offer.