Career Advice
Application Advice -- A guide to help you create great Curriculum Vitae
Instructions
- Make sure that you read the Job description and make sure that you are suitable for the position being advertised (Remember, if you have no relevant experience it’s unlikely that we’ll respond to you). Highlight information that is directly relevant to the job that you are applying for. Do not use the same CV for every job that you are interested in. Rather, each should describe your relevant experience and education as it matches the requirements of a particular position. This may take careful reworking in between applications, but may improve your chances of landing the job. Only apply for one position, if we think that you have suitable experience for other vacancies we’ll contact you.
- Put your best knowledge, skills and abilities near the top of the document under your name and contact details. For every job opening, Kout Food Group will review multiple CVs and resumes. If the information noted in the beginning is not b, we may not continue and you won't be considered for an interview. Start with a profile that introduces who you are and what you have to offer, then list your most relevant information first, with the least important last.
- Be detailed with your lists of job duties and accomplishments. However, keep your wording short and to the point. Use a bullet list to organize your previous tasks and present the information in an easy to read format, ensuring that you state your former responsibilities in a direct manner.
- Organize your CV in a functional, or skills-based, format. This is ideal for applicants who have several gaps in between relevant work experience. A functional CV lists your most relevant qualifying skills without noting dates or employers, like traditional ones do.
- Use b words and active phrasing. You want your abilities to shine, not your prose. Avoid using first person words such as "I" or "my," as these will clutter your writing and sound unprofessional. Your entire CV will be focused on you, so there is no need to repeatedly indicate this fact.
Note; Your Curriculum Vitae should be provided in Microsoft Word format
What happens next Frequently Asked Questions?
Question; How long before they will hear from us?
Answer; Can we set up an automated response in the first instance, and then contact them one week after the closing date?
Question; How will you contact me? (email - check their junk folder)
Answer; All correspondents will be by email in the first instance.
Question; What will the selection process be etc?
Answer; Depends on the job role, but may include technical, practical and competency based selection processes.
Question; Will I need references?
Yes, two. One of which must be the current or most recent employer
A guide to a great interview
Instructions
- Familiarize yourself with Kout Food Group so you can speak confidently about our organization. Review our website and read through any company material that you have received. Ask friends and relatives if they have information about the company.
- Prepare for the hard questions. Research some of the more challenging questions that are commonly used by interviewers and outline some of your potential answers. Prepare yourself for "Tell me about a time..." questions and make note of some powerful and memorable work experiences. Be prepared to express not only the good points but the challenging points and learning experiences, as employers like to know that their employees are adaptable and able to effectively manage work challenges.
- Dress in your professional best. Wear a suit with clean, polished shoes. Avoid excessive jewelry, cologne and perfume. Both men and women should manicure their nails; avoid excessive nail colors if you are a woman. Ensure that your hair is clean and out of your face, so you can make good eye contact with your interviewer.
- Be prepared to take notes. Take along a writing pad or binder and a black or blue pen. Carry fresh copies of your resume and have your references' contact information available, if the interviewer requests it.
- Plan to arrive early to the interview location. Consider arriving 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This allows time to refresh your attire and gather your thoughts before entering the office. It also allows a buffer, in case additional travel time is required due to traffic delays.
- Initiate your ever-so-friendly and confident demeanor as soon as you enter the door. Smile and be pleasant to everyone, as you never know whom you will encounter.
- Speak to your interviewer in a confident fashion. Sit up straight, make eye contact and always think before you speak. Speak with a moderate pace and pleasant tone. Avoid using slang, incomplete sentences and filler words, including "um," "like" and "you know."
- Answer each interview question with detail and provide examples when asked. Try not to anticipate questions but rather depend on your preparation, research and experience to answer the questions. Provide accurate information and avoid exaggerations.
- End the interview on a pleasant tone. Thank the interviewer for his time. Request the interviewer's contact information or business card to use for your follow-up information and thank-you letter
Good Luck! We look forward to meeting you.