Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/649887
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 MARCH 2016 VI Careers & Training Finding the perfect job with SpotOn Connections A helping hand in finding a new career can make all the difference, whether you're fresh out of school or looking for a change. SpotOn Connections prides it- self in offering invaluable support, every step of the way. Who is SpotOn Connections and what is your role in the career market? SpotOn Connections is a recruitment agency that specializes in the finance, technical, legal and multilingual job sec- tors, providing support for some of the top firms both in Malta and internation- ally. Our team of 15 recruitment experts and career consultants, working from our office in Sliema, come from a recruit- ment background, particularly specialis- ing in these industries and services, therefore having a broad understanding of current markets and people we work with. This is what makes us experts in what we do, through bringing people to achieve their full potential and making that perfect match between jobseekers and employers. Where do I start when looking for a job? Creating your CV is the first step into the world of job seeking. Even if you've just graduated, a good CV highlighting your studies, knowledge, skills and addi- tional abilities is important. An employer wants to see who you are and what skill sets you have to see if you are suitable for a particular role. Once you have completed your CV, register on our website and one of our consultants will be in touch to get to know you a little better. In these initial conversations our aim will be to re- ally get to know you and your personal requirements. We will also listen and learn about your experiences, motivation and ambitions. This process will provide us with the information and foundations that are needed to help you find your perfect job! How do I know what jobs are available and if they are suitable for me? Our recruiters will provide you with op- tions of available roles that match your skills and experience and provide you with information about the company that is hiring. You will be asked whether you wish to apply for a particular role and if you agree, your CV will be sent to the hiring manager. We will never send your CV to any company without your prior consent. That is something we pride ourselves in and is a promise we make to all of our candidates. How do I know if my CV is good enough? Together with you, one of our recruit- ment specialists will take a closer look at your CV, its layout and content. We will then advise and help you to optimise your CV. This process will ensure your CV stands out and highlights all of your strengths, giving you the best chance of securing that all important first interview. How can I ensure that I am prepared for an interview? We offer all of our candidates com- prehensive interview coaching sessions prior to the scheduled interview to en- sure that your personality and your skill set really stand out. During this coaching, we will tell you about the company you are applying for, possible questions you might be asked as well as advice on how to approach the interview, what to research before- hand, do's and don't's in an interview, as well as providing you with guidance and directions about where you need to go for the interview prior to the meeting and on the day itself. We also have advice tips for general interviews, which you can find on our website under our 'career advice' page which has been written by our career experts as a guide for all interviewees. How will I know if the interview went well? You generally always have an idea of how an interview goes, even if you were nervous, you were present throughout the meeting. Did you sell your skills well? Did you answer the questions pro- fessionally and honestly? Did you feel you did well? We will always ask you to contact us the minute that you leave the interview to ask you for your feedback. Following that, we will give you com- ments from the interviewer and advise whether you have made it to the next interview stage or if you've got the job! Will I need to pay for SpotOn recruitment services? No, it is totally free of charge for all our candidates. How do I contact you? You can register on our website on www.spotonconnections.com or give us a call on +356 2720 4518 and speak to one of our consultants to find out more about how we can help you find your dream job! How to prepare for a job interview (in a day) EVEN if you have less than a day before your job interview, you can outshine the competition with a little interview preparation. The following four tasks will take you about four hours (plus five min- utes) to complete, making this the best approach when it comes to how to prepare for an interview. 1. Conduct basic interview research To prepare for an interview, find out as much as you can before- hand. Call the person who sched- uled your interview and ask: Who will you be talking to? Will you meet the manager you'd work for, or will you just talk to HR? What are the interviewer's expectations? What's the dress code? Dress better than suggested. Most times, it's best to wear a professional suit. Get directions to the office. Plan to leave early. Keep a phone number to call if you get stuck on the bus or in traffic. If you arrive late and stressed, the interview will not go well. If you don't have a detailed job de- scription, ask for one. 2. Learn about the company online Do some fast research, which will give you something to talk about in addition to the job description. Go to the employer's website, or Google information such as: How big is the company in terms of annual sales or employees? What does the company say about its products or services? What recent news (such as a new product, a press release, an interview with the CEO) can you discuss? If the company is public, the boilerplate at the bottom of its press releases will tell you a lot. 3. Think of some stories Be ready to answer typical interview questions with a story about yourself. To prepare, write down and memorize three achievement stories. Talk about times you've really felt proud of an achieve- ment at work or school. These stories demonstrate all those hard-to-measure qualities like judgment, initiative, team- work or leadership. 4. Pick your outfit, and go to bed early Lay out your interview outfit the night before, get a good night's rest, and always get an early start. The last thing you want is to waste all of your interview preparation by arriving flustered and panicked because you couldn't find a parking space.