Proper Planning Prevents Poor Preparation – confirm the date, venue and time of the interview in advance. Take pride in your appearance and dress in a professional manner – first impressions count. Eliminate the unknown – plan your route, allow time for traffic and finding a parking space, arrive early! Leave your mobile phone in your car – this will ensure that the interviewer will have your undivided attention

• Always be open and honest with your recruitment consultant.
• If you have any concerns or fears, then please share them with your consultant.
• If for any reason you cannot make an interview, let your consultant know immediately.
• Give your consultant feedback after your interview or if the client contacts you directly
• Ensure that you update your C.V. regularly on our database – and advise us of changes
• Always be honest with your consultant if you have been dismissed, left companies off your CV or if you have any criminal offences
• If you have not completed a qualification or course – make the consultant aware

• Dress professionally. Ask us if in doubt.
• Switch your cell phone off
• Be punctual – ensure that you have the directions in advance and allow for traffic.  Take the consultants phone number with you in case there are any problems getting to the interview.
• Prepare for the interview.  Try and anticipate what questions would be asked based on the relevance of your experience to the job and prepare answers, which must be honest and sincere.
• Make eye contact and know the interviewer’s name and introduce yourself in a warm and friendly manner with a firm handshake
• Answer questions concisely, giving a positive account of yourself, whilst being sincere- be honest and humble
• Ask relevant questions that will help you assess whether this is the right job for you.

• Don’t smoke just before your interview.
• Don’t spray deodorant or perfume on just before the interview.
• Don’t chew gum.
• Don’t criticize your previous employers.
• Don’t bring up salary or working hours– wait for the interviewer to raise it.
• Don’t be rude to anyone you come in contact with at the client.
• Don’t fidget during the interview.
• Don’t be shy to ask the right questions.

• Be available for interviews
• Make sure you have your supporting documents that are needed
• Ensure you have all the necessary information that will be asked: Payslips, Proof of qualification, Copy of your ID, references that can be contacted

• It must be professional looking – so avoid using graphics, art clips and borders with frills.
• Have clear headings separating the sections of your CV  You could have bold headings or a shaded box across the page to highlight your headings.
• Stick to plain colours like black or grey.
• A photo of yourself is not essential, but if you choose to include a picture of yourself it should be from the shoulder up and you should look neat and professional.  Avoid low cut tops, T-shirts and distracting backgrounds.  No wedding photos, party photos, etc.
• The content must be accurate, to the point and up to date.
• ALWAYS spell check and correct errors. Ask someone you trust to read over your CV and check for errors.
• Use bullet points for easy reading.
• All dates should be accurate with no time gaps.

Personal Particulars

• Full name
• Address
• Telephone number (landline and mobile)
• E-mail address
• ID Number
• Nationality
• Gender
• Home language and other languages
• Drivers license
• Own transport

Educational Qualifications

• Name of School
• Highest Standard
• Year completed
• Subjects

Tertiary Education

• Name of Institution
• Qualification
• Dates started and completed
• Major subjects
• Other subjects

Short Courses and Certificates

• Name of Institution
• Name of course or certification
• Professional memberships
• Name of membership

Employment History

• Start with the most recent and work backwards.
• Preferably state your entire career or a minimum of ten years of your career should be reflected.
• Name of Employer and type of business.
• Start and end dates of employment – include month and year.
• List duties – using bullet points.
• Reason for leaving
• Don’t leave gaps.  If you worked on a temporary basis, travelled or were unemployed, then you should include this.

References

• Ensure that contact details for references are current and list employer’s name, name and position of immediate superior and contact number.

Your company does not want to lose you.  Whilst the offer of promotion is no doubt sincere, ensure you explore the real reasons why you want to leave and ask yourself, “has anything really changed?”  If it hasn’t, then graciously turn down the opportunity.

Colleagues are often distressed or saddened at a team member leaving and may try many levels of persuasion to get you to stay.  If you have been with a company for a long time, it is possible you have made good friends with certain colleagues and this security can often be difficult to leave behind.  However, there is nothing to stop you from keeping in touch with your colleagues socially when you start a new role elsewhere.

If you hear worrying information about your new company, please call us to dispel the rumour.  We have committed to only work with companies whose core values match our own and we would never place you in a company we did not trust to look after their employee’s well-being.

Some companies feel that making an employee work their notice can upset or demotivate the rest of the workforce.  Try not to take this too personally, it is probably for the best and you can now join your new company much sooner.

If you have any worries or doubts during this transition, please talk to us.  Moving to a new company is challenging and exciting but can still feel daunting.  We will support you as much as professionally possible during this process and beyond.

Keep this short and concise. Include the notice period you will serve and any outstanding pay, including: holiday pay, bonuses and expenses or commissions owed.

It is best practice to type this letter, not hand-write, and deliver the letter in person by arranging a meeting. If for any reason you’re going to email this letter save it as a PDF document first.

Don’t leave it on your desk for your boss or another colleague to find and don’t give it to them and go back to your desk without a conversation! This is one letter that will need to be discussed.

Companies are often shocked and upset to lose a good member of staff and they can be caught unaware when you hand in your resignation. Try to remember however that your new company will be keen for you to join them and not to let your current employer drag out the leaving process for longer than needs be.

Dear XXX

I thrust this email finds you well.

The purpose of this email/ letter is to formally announce my resignation from XXX. My last day of employment will be the XXX as per the responsibilities set under the terms of my employment contract.

During the past XXX years at XXX, I have learnt more than I ever thought I would, the guidance and mentorship I have received has been instrumental in the way I see myself going forward in my career and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities you have given me in my time at  XXX

I wish you and the XXX team all the best and I do hope our paths cross again in the future.

Yours sincerely,

John Smith