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Employers are now frequently using performance based interview questions and it is important that you are well equipped in the interview .
1.    Practice describing and demonstrating each of your strengths with an example (about 4 ) Keep the answers short - interviewers mostly remember the examples you give. Practice this at home before the interview so that it ties together and becomes real i.e. add dates, facts and specific details.
2.    Think about your weaknesses and describe how you overcame each and how you are dealing with your weaknesses. Saying you do not have any weaknesses means you cannot become better at whatever you currently doing.
3.    Be honest and do not fake your achievements.
4.    Ask the interviewer about critical challenges involved in the job you are being interviewed for. Think about any of your achievements that required solving as similar problem.  
This will help you get the job you deserve!

The recruitment process is a long process and the following tips will help in employing the very best candidates for your company.
1.    Do not make unreasonable demands.
2.    Do not make snap judgments
3.    Give unemployed people a chance, do not assume that the unemployed are not good employees.
4.    Do not judge by appearance
5.    Do background checks

If you are looking for good employees the employment process needs to be done with a positive attitude and an open mind. We at Elchemie will make recruitment easier for you by screening and short listing only the best candidates, interviewing them and conducting reference checks

To all jobseekers:

I recently received an application from to a position from a candidate, who was already on our database, I had sent his cv to a client previously, but he was unfortunately not included in the client’s shortlist. He did not have the required experience for the position he applied for and I emailed him asking why he applied for this job, it is a waste of time. Below is the email correspondence.

The moral of the story is:

• We are recruiters
• Our business is placing people in jobs, for which our clients pay us
• So of course we READ ALL cvs we receive, even if we receive 395 unsuitable ones and only 5 suitable ones
• Our clients expect us to send them only cvs that comply with their jobspecs, which are usually very specific (if the client needs extensive experience in and understanding of mining processes but you have only worked in the food industry – THAT IS NOT A MATCH)
• If you do not hear from us after sending your cv, please consider that it is impossible for us to respond to 395 candidates telling them their cv is not suitable.
• And the candidates whose cvs are a match to the job advertised – you know we contact you. And we have placed many of you in great new jobs!

We would love to find jobs for EVERYBODY who send us their cv, but the day is only so long…. But we really try and it is very disheartening if jobseekers swear at us like this candidate did.

Cheers, the Elchemie team

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I recently received an application from to a position from a candidate, whose cv was already on our database, I had sent his cv to a client previously, but he was unfortunately not included in the client’s shortlist. 

He did not have the required experience for the position he applied for and I emailed him asking why he applied for this job, it is a waste of time.

This was his response
thank god you replied evin if i qualify you dont treat my applications fair i believe you should jst send my application to the recruiters dnt screen them cos ur unfair in most cases. well i believe i can do the job so what!!!!

To which I applied:
The client requires the following for this position:
I listed the requirements for the position as provided by the client.
Please state your experience and if you can prove that you have the required experience, I will forward your cv.

Please remember that fair discrimination centres on the requirements for the position, if extensive knowledge of and experience in the pulp and paper industry and chemical sales (at least 5-10 years) is required to carry out the position then rejecting a candidate not possessing that experience is fair discrimination in the eyes of the law.

Please do not accuse me of treating your applications unfairly without reason, just think about this – I receive up to 400 cvs for many positions I advertise, and I read ALL of them.

And usually only very few, maybe 3-5 candidates actually match the client’s requirements.

That is a lot of work for me, which is wasted time.

So if candidates only apply for positions that they actually qualify for I could possible market some candidates to clients instead of having to read unsuitable cvs!

Then he replied:
i dnt need your position anymore your attitude sucks!!!! and remember your ATTITUDE DETERMINES YOUR ALTITUDE  thank u!!!!!

My final words to him:
Thank you for your response, which unfortunately is not very professional. There is no need to use rude language. We will remove your cv from our database.
And my email had nothing to do with attitude, just facts, and the fact is that you are applying for positions you are NOT QUALIFIED FOR.

Then he replied:
thnx go ahead n remove me  check whr did this rude arrogant language started from before you talk about being professional i dont need you to succeed in my career  check all the positions i have applied through you n tell me which one i ddnt qualify n how was your judgment  if realy you are to help me u should have done that long time ago your not the only agency if i may remind u go ahead n thnk u very much for your extrmly very bad service

This candidate is unemployed

What you should never do in an interview

For a successful interview there are certain things that you should never do, if you are serious about getting the job, take the following to heart.

1. Do not be late or too early for the interview: make sure you allow ample time, taking traffic into account to arrive on time for the interview. If something unforeseen happens, a roadblock, an accident in front of you etc make sure you call the client or your recruitment consultant to inform them that you might be late. If you are 10 to 20 min early, wait in reception, read your interview notes, relax.

2. Make sure you prepare for the interview: make yourself familiar with the job specification and the company. Get as much information as you can from your recruitment consultant.

3. In the interview focus on what you can do for the company not what they can do for you: explain how you can add value to the position you applied for and to the company using examples from your experience. Listen carefully to the question and answer the question, your answer should be short and concise and to the point.

4. Strengths and weaknesses: try and come up with genuine strengths and weaknesses, use an example to demonstrate your strength, explain that you are working on improving your weaknesses.

5. Do not lie in the interview: do not exaggerate experience or knowledge, do not claim credit for achievements that are not yours.

6. Do not ask about salary, benefits, working hours, perks etc in the first interview: this is usually addressed in a second interview, but be prepared just in case the interviewer does ask the question. Make sure you understand your salary package (many people do not), add some payslips to your interview folder.

7. Do not ask why they should not hire you: keep it positive, ask when you can expect feedback, ask if you should phone them, but do not be too pushy

Spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes tell employers that you don't pay attention to details.
Simply running a spell checker over your resume isn't enough. You could end up with a sentence like this: "Please find the attached resume that highlights all my kills."
In an International survey, 76 percent of executives said that one or two typos in a resume are enough to nix an applicant's chances.
"Reading your resume out loud line by line makes it easier to catch mistakes". "It only takes a few minutes but it could make a huge difference."

Using buzzwords like results-oriented, team player and motivated could kill your chances.
Adjectives like innovative, motivated and dynamic have been used so often that they've lost their impact. Steer clear of these words whenever possible and focus on quantifying your contributions instead.
Top 10 overused buzzwords
1.Extensive experience
2.Innovative
3.Motivated
4.Results-oriented
5.Dynamic
6.Proven track record
7.Team player
8.Fast-paced
9.Problem solver
10.Entrepreneurial

Mistaking responsibilities for accomplishments will greatly reduce the impact of your resume.
Simply listing your responsibilities without illustrating how you have made a difference at a company won't cut it.
"I'm particularly surprised by senior executives who just list their positions and responsibilities without quantifying their accomplishments". "If you want attention, explain how you brought value to a company. Don't just tell me that you did your job."

Paragraphs that are packed with long sentences are a pain to read.
Breaking up your sentences with bullet points makes it easier for readers to scan your resume. But keep it short. "Stick to 3 to 5 bullets per job and try not to exceed 5 sentences per bullet".

Irrelevant hobbies could make you appear strange rather than well-rounded.
"Unless it is a hobby or activity that complements the position, there's really no reason to include what you do on your spare time". "Charities that you support or a membership in a professional association are a better fit."  Other executives said they mainly focus on the applicant's work history or skills, so think twice before listing your interests.

Using an unprofessional email address is childish.
Using a humorous email address full of nouns and adjectives might be fine for your personal correspondence, but not for a job application. "For a professional email address, just use your name".

Submitting a resume on colored paper is often a red flag to employers not to hire you.
Although most applications are now sent online, following up with a printed resume on colored paper is rarely a good idea.
Colored paper can make it difficult to read the text and is simply irritating. Stick with white or maybe even cream to be safe

You'll kick yourself if you forget your contact information.
Don't forget to include a phone number and current address. "You'd be surprised, but sometimes even something as simple as a phone number gets overlooked".

Nothing sends a resume to the shredder faster than addressing it to the wrong company.
Whether you're sending it via email or snail mail, make sure you address your resume to the right company.
"It all comes down to how much care you take when replying to a job ad". "Mistakes happen but it's easier for an employer to just set your resume aside."

http://www.businessinsider.com/worst-resume-blunders-2011-5#mistaking-responsibilities-for-accomplishments-will-greatly-reduce-the-impact-of-your-resume-13

 

1. Is the company financially sound?

People often join a company that’s expanding without having much knowledge of their financial security. If it crashes, it takes you down with them. Investigate as much as possible.

2. What are the company’s objectives in the short, medium and long term?

Will you be working for a forward-thinking or a plod-along company? If the company is not innovative and creative with its competitors, it probably won’t be around for long. Check this out.

3. How long has the department in which you’ll work, been in existence?

If it is a new department, then you’ll have to prove yourself with the rest of the team - teamwork, challenge and creativity should be your key words, to prove success long term.

4. What is the management style of your new boss?

If your prospective boss makes comments during the initial interview, such as “I do this, my staff won’t do that…” then he/she is clearly a bureaucrat who gives orders and won’t be keen on employee input.

Bosses should use the term “we”, “us” and “the team”. Insist on meeting the manager. If you can’t, don’t join the company - how can you report to someone you have not met. There could be a personality clash.

5. What is the staff turnover in the company and/or department?

If it’s high, it indicates that it is not a very happy place to work at - keep out.

6. Ask to meet members of your prospective team and see the office you will be working in.

If e.g. Susan had done this, she would never had taken the job that landed her in a warehouse, instead of a smart office she expected. And you might just pick up a vibe, a culture, peculiar to that team, which differs from yours.

7. If possible, ask to meet the person who is presently holding the post.

If they reject your request, they’re either hiding something or it is impossible because she/he has e.g. left the country or moved on to another company. Then ask why he/she left and how long did he/she hold the post.

If you can speak to the previous employee, ask the person questions such as: What is the boss’s management style, does he/she make unfair demands, does he/she expect one to work late etc. These are important indicators whether you will cope in that environment.

8. What is the company’s policy concerning increases, reward systems and incentive schemes? Is there a good performance appraisal system?

Will it make a difference if you work 8 or 18 hours? Or is everyone paid the same, regardless of input? If the company e.g. doesn’t pay overtime or offer increases, it kills initiative and commitment and you’re likely to get frustrated.

9. What career advancement is available for you in the company? What is its policy regarding training and development?

One of the main reasons people leave companies, is because of a lack of career development/training.

They are challenging for the first couple of years and then…nothing. Look on the bright side - people with well developed skills will always find jobs. Ensure that this matches your idea of career advancement.

10. And always remember:

You have the RIGHT to ask questions.

Now make that crucial decision:

Are you going to take the job or not?

Some broad tips on the overall layout of a good resume/CV:

• Your resume/CV should be neatly typed and clearly laid out.
• Use a reasonably sized font (e.g., size 10 or larger) and allow some margin around the text for reviewer’s notes.
• Do not be overly creative with the formatting—it will only distract from the real focus of the document, which is you.
• Write clearly and don’t forget to check your grammar and spelling.
• Include your name and contact details at the top, with daytime and evening phone numbers and an e-mail address.
• Lay out your prior jobs (if any) in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role at the top.
• It is best to list dates on the left hand side. You should be able to explain any gaps in your career or educational history.
• The length of your resume/CV will depend on you and your achievements—but don’t pad it out! The trick is to be concise, but not incomplete.

Remember, the person reading your resume/CV may not be familiar with your specific credentials. Avoid using any jargon. Ask friends from different backgrounds to read it for you. If they're impressed without being confused, you're looking good.

The first part of the candidate screening process is a resume review. Employers use a resume to help them determine whom to invite to the interviewing process. Therefore, it is important for your resume to be the best possible reflection of you and of your achievements to date.

Your resume should not only accurately reflect your achievements to date, but also provide some sense of the scale of those achievements. A successful resume will also give the reader a sense for who you are as a person, as reflected in the activities and achievements you view as important in your life.