Knowledge

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, knowledge is understanding of or information about a subject that you get by experience or study.

Skill

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, skill is an ability to do an activity or job well, especially because you have practised it.

Competency

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, competency is an important skill that is needed to do a job.

Mindset

Mindset of an individual includes:

• Self-concept
• Character traits
• Motives

Competency

More comprehensively, competency is the combination of knowledge, skills and mindsets that individuals have and use appropriately and consistently to achieve specific outcomes or performance.

Competency records and portfolios

Specific situations and demonstrations of specific outcomes or performance provide the most accurate indications of competencies.

Important steps before writing a curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letters

Important steps before attending interviews

Important steps after attending interviews

Main sections of a CV

1. Your name
2. Address, phone and email   (include your personal website if you have one)
3. Education
4. Employment   or   Experience
5. Activities and achievements

Main formatting categories of a CV

The choices of formatting should emphasize the top categories before the lower categories.

1. Your name
2. Labels for each section of the CV
3. Organization name
4. Role / position / programme name
5. Relevant dates
6. Everything else

Organisation of a CV

Most CVs are organised in a chronological manner with the most recent dates first. This is also the easiest way to write a CV.

In some circumstances, a functional organisation may be useful to reduce emphasis on weaknesses that are difficult to explain.

Descriptions for each academic achievement, previous employment and other experience

Write the descriptions in a consistent manner:

• If you use bullet lists for one description, then, use it for all descriptions.
• If you use bullet lists, make sure that each bullet starts with strong action-oriented verbs.
• If you use paragraph format, then, use it for all descriptions.
• If you use paragraphs, check for complete sentences.
• Describe and provide examples of your competencies rather than just a list of facts.

Main sections of a cover letter

Use cover letters as opportunities to show your personality, research and writing skills.

1. Address
2. Date   (spell out the month, e.g. 5 April 2013)
3. Name and position of a person at the company
4. Company name and address
5. Salutation
   1. Use colons (:) ending rather than comma (,) ending
   2. Research to find name of a specific person or position to send your letter
6. Indicate the reason or purpose of your letter in the first paragraph
   • If you are responding to a specific job posting or advertisement, indicate the reference code and where you read it
   • If you are not responding to an advertisement, then, indicate a specific purpose, such as applying for a summer placement, sandwich placement or full time employment
   • Mention any previous contact you may have had with specific people at the company
7. Emphasize why you are a good fit for the position or the company in the next 2 to 3 paragraphs
   • Highlight the most relevant qualifications, skills or experience
   • Look for opportunities to highlight connections to the company
   • Bring in information that demonstrate your research skills
8. Conclude with 1 or 2 sentences providing contact details and simple thanks for reviewing your application
9. Use either With regards, or Sincerely, in your signature block at the bottom of the letter

Use one blank line to separate each section of the letter.

When sending a cover letter via email, exclude the date because it is already part of the email.

Write with confidence

1. Keep a mental image of yourself that you want to get across in the CV and choose words that support that image
2. Use active voice and strong action verbs to emphasize skills and accomplishments
3. Use facts rather than comparative adjectives

Common writing practices

1. Use past tense, present tense and future tense at appropriate times
2. Consistently use bullet lists or paragraph format
3. Find a way to write sentences that do not overuse the pronouns I and me
4. Avoid the use of colors and images unless there is a functional purpose
5. Use spell check utility while writing and revising drafts
6. Have 2 or 3 different people proof read printed copies when you are finished

Prepare different versions of your CV

1. Adobe Acrobat PDF document formatted for printing
2. Online web page or website for convenient access and supporting evidence
   • Add relevant links to support work experience, skills or activities
   • Test display on mobile devices
   • Optimise display to load quickly
   • Optimise formatting for scrolling
3. Plain text document formatted for computer scanning or import
   • Left justify everything
   • 80 to 90 characters per line
   • Remove tab spacing
   • Do not use columns or tables
   • Name in all uppercase and everything else in normal sentence case
   • Replace accents and symbols with basic ASCII equivalent characters
   • Use empty lines to separate sections and items

Common types of interviews

Identify the type of interview in order to make suitable preparations.

• Structured interviews are commonly used at early screening stages of the application process to verify facts, gather more details and manage the pool of applicants
• Group interviews are similar to structured interviews, but, provides more information about the interpersonal skills of the applicants
• Assessment interviews are intended to produce a consistent range of performance results for the company to evaluate
  • Skills and knowledge related to the work
  • General cognitive and critical thinking skills
  • Analysis and response to specific scenarios or situations
  • Reflection on previous experiences
  • Hands on demonstration of specific skills or tasks
• Open-ended interviews are more likely in the later stages of the application process and used to evaluate potential fit to the company, interpersonal skills and professional judgment

Checklist when interviewing

1. Before the interview
   • Review details about the company and the position
   • Review reasons why you are a good fit for the company and the position
2. At the start of the interview
   • If the interviewer makes small talk, then, politely respond without becoming distracted
   • Watch the body language of the interviewer to indicate whether a handshake is offered, where to sit and when to sit
3. During the interview
   • Talk as you do in conversation without being too casual
   • Ask questions to show interest in the position and the company
   • Ask clarifying questions to show that you are listening
   • Answer question honestly without being defensive or evasive
   • If you make mistake, apologize to acknowledge the mistake, then continue in a positive manner to demonstrate your composure and character
   • If the question is unlawful or makes you uncomfortable, just say that you would like more time to think about it and will follow up after the interview
4. Towards the end of the interview
   • Watch the body language of the interviewer to indicate when the interview is finished
   • Thank the interviewer for the interview opportunity
   • If possible, ask about the next step in the application process

General interview questions

• Why do you want to work here?
  • Describe a specific example that demonstrate your interest in a product or service sold by the company or related to the company
• What do you like about this product and how would you improve it?
  • Describe a specific example that demonstrate your interest in a product or service sold by the company or related to the company
• What was the most difficult decision you ever made?
  • Describe a specific example and explain how you turned that experience into a skill or strength
• What is your worst weakness?
  • Describe a reasonable, but relatively harmless, weakness and explain steps you are taking to improve the weakness
• What is your primary strength?
  • Describe an example situation that demonstrate a skill or personal quality
  • Avoid being arrogant or negative about others
• What didn't you like about your previous job?
  • Describe one situation that you did not like without mentioning individual names
  • Avoid placing blame on others
  • Describe how you learned from that situation
• Where do you want to be five years from now?
  • Describe a realistic goal to demonstrate your ambition and awareness of careers in that industry
  • Describe your goal in terms of skills and responsibilities rather than in terms of income
• Is there something you would like to add that is not on your CV?
  • Repeat your description of a skill or personal characteristic that is most relevant based on the conversation during the interview

Remember to practice questions that are specific to the job, such as software, hardware or computer networks.

Possible questions to ask the interviewer

• What personal qualities do you prefer in the person who fills this position?
• How do you measure success for someone in this position?
• What would be the initial priorities or responsibilities when someone starts in this position?
• Who would someone in this position work with on a daily basis?
• Are there opportunities for additional training or education?