The Jobseeker’s Guide

There are a variety of aspects of the job search a job seeker just doesn’t have any control over. Even with the great amount of effort you put forth, there’s no guarantee your experience level will impress your potential employer or you’ll make it past a phone interview.
But there is one part of the job search you do have complete control over — your attitude — and it’s arguably the most important piece of your job search.
The job search can do a significant amount of wear and tear to your mental outlook. The mixed range of emotions that job seekers experience on a daily basis can sometimes stretch from frustration to an overall lack of lack of confidence — neither of which lend themselves to any sense of positivity.
While it’s no simple feat to overcome the negativity you’re faced with, there are many reasons why upholding a positive attitude allows you to remain powerful and resilient in the face of common struggles during your job search.
Aside from simply pushing you forward when you’re feeling worn down, your positive attitude can be used as leverage to help you stand out from the competition–you’ll be able to accept criticism and handle rejection better, and it will even help you search harder and potentially help you secure a job faster.

In this guide, you will learn :
Information Required to Complete a Job Application

List of Information You Need to Apply for a Job
An application form is designed to bring out the essential information and personal qualities that the employer requires and does not allow you to gloss over your weaker points as a CV does. In addition, the time needed to fill out these forms is seen as a reflection of your commitment to the career. When you complete a job application, regardless of whether it is a paper application or an online job application, there is information you will need to provide in order to complete the job application and submit your application for employment.

In addition, to providing personal information, work history, education, qualifications and skills, you will also be asked to attest to the fact that all the information you are giving is accurate.

Not telling the truth, fudging employment dates, leaving out information, and other inaccuracies can be grounds for not being hired or for being terminated in the future if the company finds out you misrepresented your background or lied on the job application. The following is the information that is required to complete a job application :

Personal Information
Education and Experience
Employment History (for both current and prior positions)

Information Required Completing a Job Application

Sample of Application letter

From:
John Donaldson
NHDC Road,
Moka

To: HR manager 
XYZ Company
8th floor Sterling House
Port-Louis

Dear Sir,
I am writing to apply for the Programmer Position advertised in the Le Matinal. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume and three references.

The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include:
  • I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications
  • I strive for continued excellence
  • I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers

With a BSC Degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a software development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies as needed.

Please see my resume for additional information on my experience.

I can be reached anytime via email at dan.maryson@emailexample.com or my cell phone, 7654321.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

Sincerely,

Danny Maryson
What is a CV ?
A CV is the most flexible and convenient way to make applications. It conveys your personal details in the way that presents you in the best possible light. A CV is a marketing document in which you are marketing something: yourself! You need to "sell" your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience to employers. It can be used to make multiple applications to employers in a specific career area.
Sample of CV

Name :
Address :
Telephone :
Cell Phone :
Email :

Personal Information
Date of Birth :

Optional Personal Information
Marital Status :

Education
Include dates, majors, and details of degrees, training and certification
Secondary School
University
Graduate School/ Technical Institution

Academic qualifications :

Secondary level :

Tertiary level :

Technical qualifications :

Additional qualifications :
e.g computer literate

Employment History :
List in chronological order, include position details and dates
Work History
Academic Positions
Institution / company name

Interests :


Resume Do’s and Don’ts

DO’S DONT’S
1. use numbers where appropriate to clearly describe your accomplishments, as in "led a team of nine sales reps." 1. use vague qualitative terms such as "large" or "many," which leave the reader with questions about specifics
2. Distinguish the important from the trivial in your background to fit the most relevant and significant elements onto a single page or so. 2. Waste resumes space with frivolous information, such as "Voted mostly likely to succeed in high school."
3. stick to a basic, clear format that helps the reader glean information quickly and with minimal effort 3. try to differentiate yourself with an unconventional format or tactics such as graphics and colored paper, unless you are applying for jobs in arts-related fields
4. make your resume a document that focuses on your accomplishments and skills 4. include reasons for leaving your jobs, salary information, or references on your resume
5. Discuss your two or three most relevant strengths and illustrate them with experience and achievement statements. 5. Refer to yourself as a subject (first or third person) in your resume: "I helped prepare correspondence," or, "Applicant wrote outreach letters to prospective clients.
6. Present yourself as a professional, with a straightforward email account and, if applicable, a website that showcases relevant skills and achievements. 6. Include email addresses or websites that have the potential to reveal controversial or inappropriate personal information: Avoid addresses such as sxybb@imacutiepie.com or queenoftheraccoons@hotmail.com.
7. Be aware that employers are interested in your eligibility to work legally and may ask for documentation. Take the time to learn about your rights and responsibilities in the workplace. 7. Include personal information such as ID number, age, race, or marital status on your resume (unless you're writing an international CV).
8. Use your current home address, a personal email address, and telephone number with a professional outgoing message. Be sure that prospective employers can easily reach you; check your messages regularly. 8. Use your current work email or phone number as contact information. This indicates that you are job searching on your employer's time, something no prospective employer will view positively.
9. Do remember that your resume is aimed at time-poor professionals. Make it easy for them to conclude that you are a strong candidate. 9. Don’t lie or embellish the truth. It's much easier to check qualifications these days. You'll ultimately be caught out, and then what was a small untruth is likely to blow your chance of success.
10. Do keep your CV to a reasonable length. One page is almost certainly too short, two pages may not be enough to cover the essential detail for someone who has had a full career, and three pages is probably the upper limit. 10. Don’t be tempted to shrink the font or reduce the margins to get more information in. Keep it easy to read. If you need to say more, use another page.
11. Do include details of higher education degrees, such as MBAs, or executive programs attended. 11. Don’t include long lists of obscure courses you've attended on how to be a better time-manager.
12. Do explain all significant breaks in your career or education. Recruiters hate unexplained gaps. 12. Don’t include pages of obscure testimonials, references, newspaper cuttings and brochures.
13. Pick out key words from the job description and repeat them in your resume. If specific skills are mentioned, you want the employer to know you have them. 13. Do not include personal information such as age, or religion. Your interviewer may make a subconscious judgment that could affect your chances of getting the position.
14. Include references. Make sure your references are aware you are using them so they're prepared to talk about you. Share a copy of your resume with them. Try to find references with credentials -- past employers, teachers and professors as opposed to friends and neighbors. 14. Don’t Write The Same Thing Again N Again: Avoid writing or repeating the same thing in your CV/RESUME which you have already mentioned, even if it is written in the form of bullets, because it will use the important space and take your other achievements far away. It also doesn’t give a good impression on your CV/RESUME.
15. Interest: Keep this section simple and brief except for where an interest is relevant to the opportunity i.e. Play poker both online and with friends 15. Don't put anything down under "interests” unless it has some relevance to the job or you can passionately talk about it for hours.

Preparing for an interview

How to prepare for a job interview?
3 Categories for Preparation of Interview
Interview tips
What do I need to do before an interview ?
Give yourself plenty of time to :
You should also :
How do I make a good impression at a job interview ?
What should I take to a job interview ?
Types of Interviews
It's important to be aware of the various types of job interviews, so you're prepared to effectively interview. Here are all the details on Individual interview, Phone and Video interviews.

Individual interviews
Even though you're probably going to be really nervous when you go on your first job interview, the key to a successful first interview is to prepare for the interview, practice interviewing, dress appropriately and try to stay calm.
Remember, your interviewer is mostly likely used to interviewing first time job seekers. Plus, everyone has a first interview in their work history. After interviewing the first time, it will get much easier. Since you don't know exactly what situations you will be asked about if it's a behavioral interview, refresh your memory and consider some special situations you have dealt with or projects you have worked on. You may be able to use them to help frame responses.

Phone interviews
Employers use telephone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are also used as a way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town candidates.
While you're actively job searching, it's important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moment's notice. You never know when a recruiter or a networking contact might call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk.
During the Phone Interview