MAKE YOUR CV STAND OUT

As a graduate recruiter, NFU Food Chain Adviser Christine McDowell went viral earlier this year on social media when she shared her top tips for graduate job applications and interviews. Here’s what she has to say:

1It sounds obvious, but please get someone to read through your CV and covering letter. It needs to be legible. If you’re asked supplementary questions in the application, please answer them.

2Don’t spam your CV out to every graduate scheme going; tailor it to the job. It’s hugely obvious and will be a waste of your time.

3Stand out! You’re competing with hundreds of others. Show that you want the job, using your experience. Selling yourself goes a long way.

4Transferable skills are a big deal. Take some time to understand yours, and explain specifi cally how you use these skills in other situations.

5Examples, examples, examples – I love them! Bring to life what you say. If you tell me you’re good at communicating, tell me more. Give me a specifi c example of when you’ve communicated well.

6It’s all about YOU. If you are asked to describe your role in a successful team, tell me what you did, how you did it and how you contributed to the team’s success. Be clear and specifi c. My pet peeve is too often the word “we” is used, and I don’t know where you fi tted into the team success. It will not come across as cocky, it will come across as confi dent.

It will not come across as cocky, it will come across as confi dent.

BONUS TIP: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. So what if it goes wrong? Failing is okay too you know! Learn from the mistakes you made and move on. Asking for feedback

7Be a STAR. In an interview use the STAR method to give your answer structure and to help you land your key points.

Situation: Describe the situation and when it

Task: Explain the task and what was the goal. Action: Provide details about the action you took

Result: Conclude with the result of your action.

8Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Think about the types of questions you might get asked and rehearse your answers. Have a variety of examples up your sleeve you can draw on. If you have used an example to answer one question, try to not use it again to answer another. Do not try blagging it, it won’t work.

9Questions are your opportunity. If you fi nd an interviewer probing you on your answer, nine out of 10 times they are willing you on to demonstrate a core competency they are looking for (this may feel like you are being challenged).

10 Finally, get comfortable being uncomfortable. It is how we grow. We all get nerves, and that's okay. Give yourself permission to feel comfortable with them and learn how best to control yours. I control mine before how best to control yours. I control mine before they kick in by doing some deep breathing well in they kick in by doing some deep breathing well in advance of the day as I go about everyday life – advance of the day as I go about everyday life – driving in the car, watching TV etc. If driving in the car, watching TV etc. If I feel myself tensing up on the day, I take I feel myself tensing up on the day, I take a deep breath in and out slowly. a deep breath in and out slowly.