CV Services Blog

To get an interview at a company where the job was only advertised inhouse or not at all may not be all that easy.  One way to get an interview is to work your way from the top. This method is not to be used for every company, but if you are sure your CV is good and that you are the person for the job, then you can do the following.

Call the company and find out who the MD is or the head of the department where you want to work. As an alternative get the details of the HR head. Your next step to get an interview is to speak to that specific person. Scary I know, but not to be concerned - that person is going to be your referrer.

Very important - prepare your words well. Once in contact with the person ask about the job opening or whether there is a job opening in ….. Give a concise background and motivate why you would be the best person to work for them.

The person most probably will say he/she isn’t the right person to speak to and that you should speak to so and so.  Ask the contact details and say thank you.

Your next step to get an interview is to now call Mr/Me X and say that MR Y the Head of …. referred you in terms of job opening …. That is called name dropping. The person will immediately recognize the importance of the other person and will be more willing to speak to you. What you can do is to say that MR Y said that you should deliver your CV to … and then proceed to give a short background. Now you need to hand deliver the CV if possible. The same technique can be used in your cover letter.

Delivering the CV is another important step. This will give you an opportunity to get your foot in the door. Don’t deliver it at reception. Deliver it to the person in question. 

How to get an interview?

Simple, confirm the time when you will deliver the CV and then be there on time. When at reception ask to speak to Mr… for a document that must be delivered in person. Once you have succeeded in getting past reception, you are one step closer to get an interview. Be prepared. Hand deliver the CV to the relevant person and while doing so thank them for their time in considering it. State that you would like the opportunity to just quickly discuss the content of the CV and would appreciate it if the person could see you for five minutes. Be well prepared to make a good impression in those five minutes as it is in fact a screening interview. If the person is too busy say that you will contact him tomorrow to hear his opinion on the CV. Do so promptly and then send a thank you note via email as well as delivering it at reception. You should also follow up immediately after delivering the CV with a thank you note.

Bad things happen to good people as well. Some of the bad things happen because of our own actions. The job interview blunder of the century is still to be listed, but one that I find particularly bad is that of combing your hair during an interview. Yes it did happen and needless to say the girl didn’t get the job. Another job interview blunder often made by applicants is that of badmouthing their former employer. You never know - your former employer and more specifically boss, may be the interviewer’s best golf buddy and that will certainly close the door on any future jobs in town. Before you comb your hair, pick your teeth,chew gum or badmouth your former employer think about how a simple job interview blunder may close the door on your future.

One of the common job interview mistakes is that of coming late. Life isn’t perfect and being on time isn’t always possible even when it is an important appointment. Avoiding job interview mistakes as far as possible should be your priority. If for some reason you do end up late don’t apologise with a lengthy explanation of why you are late. It will irritate the interviewer even more. Many applicants are guilty of this and other job interview mistakes.

How to handle such job interview mistakes:

Rather than coming up with excuses such as the dog ate my CV or the train failed to stop at the correct station, get on with it. Greet them and simply say ” My apologies for being late, I appreciate your patience and willingness to interview me.” If they want to know more they will ask.