Jon's Top Tips for successful CVs and Interviews

Meet Jon Franklin....... Jon Franklin at Stockland

Jon Franklin was selected as a HR intern at Stockland as part of the Stepping into... Summer 2011/12 Program.

After completing school Jon was training as a chef. Unexpectantly in mid 2008 he had a motorbike accident resulting in paraplegia. After re-evaluation of his options he is currently studying a Bachelor of Business and Commerce majoring in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the University of Western Sydney.

Jon's found the experience working in HR at Stockland to be invaluable and has reaffirmed his desire to pursue a career in HR. While working he has been exposed to many different areas of the field including recruitment and selection, performance management, disciplinary processes and learning and gaining an understanding of how a HR department operates. Fortunately after the internship finished, Jon was offered a role on a casual basis whilst completing his degree.

As well as Jon's university and work he is currently competing in the 2012 National Handcycling Series held in various states. Fortunately Stockland was able to accommodate his needs with part time employment.

Jon has continued to be an affiliate with the Australian Network on Disability by offering his professional HR advice to future students wishing to apply for a Stepping into... internship, as well as an ambassador for the Stepping into... Program.

 

On this website page, there will be sub sections on the left tab-navigation bar, divided into Jon's tips for; Interviewing, Resumes, Cover letters and Applications. These sections will be published and released from time-to-time, so please keep checking for updates. Updates will also be posted on our Facebook page, so please like us on Facebook to be notified of updates and useful information.

Here are some of Jon's Top Tips for successful CV's, Cover Letters and Interviews:

  1. Address your cover letter with the person’s or company's name and mention the position you’re applying for. Try and differentiate yourself from the large amount of people applying for a position with generic emails. It shows you have actually looked at and read the advertisement before applying.

  2. Spell check. Especially because you're submitting your resume online, it automatically underlines any errors when the person opens your file. Check grammar. NB - know differences between their/there/they're, your/you’re, then/than.

  3. Ensure your CV reflects information that is relevant for the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for an accounting role, provide information about your skills/experience/qualifications that is relevant for an accounting role. Outline skills that may be relevant for the potential role, such as excel spreadsheet skills, other software skills, previous exposure to cash flow management and financial record keeping).

  4. When invited in an interview, do not arrive more than 10 minutes early. The interviewer may have back to back meetings, and waiting a long time in the reception prior to the interview will make you start feeling more nervous. And of course, never arrive late!

  5. In preparation for an interview, think about behavioural style questions that may be asked and prepare some responses. For example, a behavioural question that may be asked could be "Describe a time when you had to figure out a difficult problem on your own. How did you go about it?". Think about what a good response may be, and practice this type of behavioural answers.