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Job Interview Tips - How To Write A Killer Personal Statement or Cover Letter





Follow these Job Interview Tips when writing your personal statement.

Questions to ask yourself before you put pen to paper:

Normally when I provide some job interview tips I consider the following points.

What is special, unique, exceptional, and/or impressive about you?

What details of your life (personal or family, history, people or events that have shaped or influenced your goals) set you apart from other applicants.

When did you become interested in this area and what has motivated your interest and reinforced your belief that you are suited to this field?

How have you learned about this field? Was it through courses, journals, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with other professionals?

If you have worked a lot during your university years, what have you learned (leadership or managerial skills, for example), and how has that work contributed to your growth? What are your career goals?

Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic or employment record that you feel you need to explain?

Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles (for example, economic, family, or physical) in your life?

What personal characteristics (for example. integrity. compassion. persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in your field or profession? Can you demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?

What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess?

Why might you be a stronger candidate for this post--and more successful and effective in the profession or field than other applicants?

What are the most compelling reasons you can give to the interview panel for them to be interested in you?

General Job Interview Tips

Answer the questions that are asked.

If you are applying to several organizations, you may find questions in each application that are similar.

Do not be tempted to use the same statement for all applications. It is important to answer each question asked of you, and if slightly different answers are needed, you should write separate statements to accommodate the question. In every case, be sure your answer fits the question being asked.

Give a good account of yourself

Think in terms of showing or demonstrating through experience if you can. One of the worst things you can do is to put the interview panel to sleep. If your statement is fresh, lively, and different, you will be putting yourself ahead of the pack. If you distinguish yourself through your account, you will make yourself memorable.

Be quite specific

Do not, for example, state that you would make an excellent doctor/sales manager/management graduate etc. unless you can back it up with specific reasons. Your desire to become a lawyer, engineer, or whatever should be logical, the result of specific experience that is described in your statement.

Find an approach that suits you!

If you are like most people, your life story may seem to lack excitement, so figuring out a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle or providing a storyboard is vital.

Focus on your opening paragraph

The opening paragraph is generally the most important. It is here that you grab the interview panel’s attention or lose it. This paragraph becomes the framework for the rest of the statement.

Tell them what you know

The middle section of your statement might detail your interest and experience in your particular field, as well as some of your knowledge of the field. if appropriate. Be as specific as you can in relating what you know about the area and use language the professionals use in communicating this information. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.) and conversations with people in a particular profession, books you have read, seminars you have attended, or any other source of information about the career you want and why you are best suited to it.

There a some things you should not include

There are certain things best left out of personal statements. For example, references to experiences or accomplishments in primary or high school or earlier are generally not a good idea. Do not mention potentially controversial subjects (for example, controversial religious or political issues).

Do your research

If an employer wants to know why you are applying to them rather than another organization, do some research to find out what sets them apart from other organizations.

Be meticulous

Type and proofread your personal statement very carefully. Many interview panels outline that good written skills and the correct use of the English language are important. Express yourself clearly and concisely. Adhere to stated word limits where outlined.

A good job interview tip: It is a very good idea to memorize your personal statement, as you never know when or where you might meet a potential employer.

How much have you prepared for interview success? Have you seen the short guide to interview success or further interview strategies on job interview tips. If you want a complete guide to the whole interview process and answers to over 120 job questions and much much more look no further than the complete job interview success guide just click on the link and you can go straight there. In this success book you will be provided with numerous job interview tips to help you get the job you really want.

For the most comprehensive cover letter templates and ideas you will find anywhere you must visit the cover letter samples site for professional advice and guidance.

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