What hobbies and interests should I include on my CV?

If an employer has already been unimpressed by the time they get to the Hobbies and Interests section, the information that you include at the end of your CV will not persuade them to change their mind about offering you an interview. However, that doesn't mean the information included here is not important. A few brief words could catch the employer's eye and persuade them to take a second look through your skills and experience. Add some personality Conventional career advice has been to only include information directly relevant to the job in hand. However, modern day business practice often involves much more than employees simply going to the office every day, and many organisations especially clientfacing seek as diverse a range of candidates as possible. We've all heard of how some of the biggest business deals are completed during a round of golf, particularly in the worlds of accounting and law. Outside interests enables a potential employer to gain an understanding of what motivates you, what personal skills you may have and how you will integrate into the team. Look at how job advertisements stipulate certain personality traits required for positions. Identify what they are and how your hobbies can relate to their requirements. If, for example, you are applying for a management trainee position but have never held a senior position in your work life, then the fact that you captained your football team, ran training sessions and led your side to the cup final will demonstrate your leadership and organisational ability. The truth, the whole truth Avoid trying to portray yourself as some amazingly adventurous or gregarious individual because, to be blunt, most recruiters couldn't care less. A little white lie here and there may seem innocent enough, but stating your love for the opera to try and make yourself sound more cultural could lead to problems if you're being interviewed by a big opera fan. You'll look stupid and untrustworthy if you don't know your Pavarotti's from your Puccini's

Although there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. Heres a list of the most common questions and a guide to the kind of answers your interviewer wants to hear. Tell me about yourself - This is usually the opening question and, as first impressions are key, one of the most important. Keep your answer to under five minutes, beginning with an overview of your highest qualification then running through the jobs youve held so far in your career. You can follow the same structure of your CV, giving examples of achievements and the skills youve picked up along the way. Dont go into too much detail your interviewer will probably take notes and ask for you to expand on any areas where theyd like more information. If youre interviewing for your first job since leaving education, focus on the areas of your studies you most enjoyed and how that has led to you wanting this particular role. What are your strengths? - Pick the three biggest attributes that you think will get you the job and give examples of how you have used these strengths in a work situation. They could be tangible skills, such as proficiency in a particular computer language, or intangible skills such as good man-management. If youre not sure where to start, take a look at the job description. There is usually a section listing candidate requirements, which should give you an idea of what they are looking for. What are your weaknesses? - The dreaded question, which is best handled by picking something that you have made positive steps to redress. For example, if your IT ability is not at the level it could be, state it as a weakness but tell the interviewer about training courses or time spent outside work hours you have used to improve your skills. Your initiative could actually be perceived as a strength. On no accounts say I dont have any weaknesses, your interviewer wont believe you, or I have a tendency to work too hard, which is seen as avoiding the question. Why should we hire you? or What can you do for us that other candidates can't? - What makes you special and where do your major strengths lie? You should be able to find out what they are looking for from the job description. I have a unique combination of strong technical skills and the ability to build long -term customer relationships is a good opening sentence, which can then lead onto a more specific example of something you have done so far in your career. State your biggest achievement and the benefit it made to the business, then finish with Given the opportunity, I could bring this success to your company. What are your goals? or Where do you see yourself in five years time? - Its best to talk about both short-term and long-term goals. Talk about the kind of job youd eventually like to do and the various steps you will need to get there, relating this in some way back to the position youre interviewing for. Show the employer you have ambition, and that you have the determination to make the most of every job you have to get where you want to be. Why do you want to work here? - The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates youve given this some thought. If youve prepared for the interview properly, you should have a good inside knowledge of the companys values, mission statement, development plans and products. Use this information to describe how your goals and ambition matches their company ethos and how you would relish the opportunity to work for them. Never utter the phrase I just need a job. What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? - This is a great time to brag about yourself through someone elses words. Try to include one thing that shows your ability to do the job, one thing that shows your commitment to the work, and one thing that shows you are a good person to have in a team. For example, My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can always rely on me, and he likes my sense of humour. What salary are you seeking? - You can prepare for this by knowing the value of someone with your skills. Try not to give any specific numbers in the heat of the moment it could put you in a poor position when negotiating later on. Your interviewer will understand if you dont want to discuss this until you are offered the job. If they have provided a guideline salary with the job description, you could mention this and say its around the same area youre looking for. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be? - Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer a bunny, you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer a lion, you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality will it take to get the job done? You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

General hints Wherever possible, highlight your responsibilities, strengths, skills and achievements. General sections on the form, such as other Information' will offer an extra opportunity to sell yourself. Anything you have gained over your career such as award s and accreditations will all be useful factors to get you invited for an interview. If you're asked to post the form back to the employer, it's wise to include a cover letter within the envelope to introduce yourself and give a quick overview of why you're the best candidate for the job. Always aim to follow up your application with a phone call a few days after it has been sent or submitted online. Be careful not to be too hasty or pushy though, employers may be impressed with your enthusiasm, but you could potentially come across as desperate.

Five essential points to get across in an interview

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Even the most confident person is likely to experience some nerves in an interview situation. In fact, research from our training partner Home Learning College shows that 55% of Brits think interviews are the worst part of finding a new job. While its completely normal to feel nervous, the more preparation you do, the better you will be able to show why you are the right person for the job. With that in mind, here are five key things you should always try to communicate to an interviewer: 1. Company knowledge Employers want to believe that you have a genuine desire to work for their organisation and will be a committed member of the team. Theres nothing worse than being faced with a candidate who hasnt got a clue about the business and just wants any old job. Thats why its essential to demonstrate you understand the companys history, plans and culture. An internet search will usually reveal all you need to know about the main people in the business and whether there have been any major changes recently, such as the launch of new products or services. You dont need to remember tons of information - a few facts and figures are enough to show youve done your homework. Related skills and training Your CV will contain the highlights of your education and career history but this is designed to be a concise document, so there may be other relevant points to discuss face to face. Before going into the interview, make a list of the less obvious but equally important skills youve acquired over the years, whether through formal training or self -development. These could include proficiency in different software programmes, or internal training specific to your current or previous organisation. Having this list handy will allow you to easily demonstrate competency in a particular area, such as the ability to learn new systems and processes. Measurable examples of success Its highly likely that your interviewer has already met several other candidates for the role, so you need to make sure you stand out from the competition. When discussing your abilities and experience, try to steer clear of over-used phrases that your potential employer has probably heard a million times before, such as Im a real people person or I pride myself on my work. Instead you should discuss situations where you demonstrated these qualities with a positive effect. For example, if you do pride yourself on your people skills then you may want to talk about a time when you led a team, helped a colleague or were commended for your excellent customer service. Positive attitude and flexibility In most roles, there are times when you will be expected to go above and beyond the call of duty, or do something that doesnt technically fit within your remit, in order to get the job done. This is all part of the natural ebb and flow of work ing life and not something to be shirked. Businesses need people they can rely on, so interviewees who demonstrate a willingness to be flexible and stretch themselves are more likely to be hired than those with rigid expectations or working habits. Manners If theres ever a time to be on your best behaviour its in an interview. This may seem an obvious point but its something all too many people forget. Be polite to everyone you meet, from the receptionist to your potential boss. Smile, say please and thank you when appropriate and show that you would be a friendly and valuable member of the team. When it comes to making a final decision between two equally qualified candidates, the one who comes across as most personable is bound to get the job! If you remember all these points when preparing for an interview then you can feel confident you will perform to the best of your ability on the day. If you dont get the job then try not to feel too disheartened. Instead try to think about where you could do better next time and take steps to fill any knowledge gaps or work on your interview technique with a friend.

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For more information on gaining professional skills and qualifications visithttp://www.homelearningcollege.com.

6 REAL reasons you didn't get the job

"What the...why...." that kind of goes through our head when we sit there staring at the screen with yet another rejection e-mail from that job you thought you'd have been perfect for. The interview went awesome - there was a definite vibe going on...so then what gives? Why do you keep receiving the same generic "too many applicants - good luck for the future" mail of doom?! Sometimes if you're really lucky you may get some form of direction in the e-mail or phone call. However, even these are fairly cryptic and run along the lines of them "finding someone with more experience" or "you did great but we were just looking for something a little different". Definitely not the most helpful ideas when it's time to do some prep work for the next interview. So here we've put together 6 reasons on why you didnt land a job that seemed like a sure thing. Sure, no employer will ever really admit to these officially but sadly it happens more often than you'd think. If you suspect its why you find yourself still poring over job postings, keep on looking for a place that values you for you.

People are different and teams that have been together have learned to function in a particular way. Likeability isn't something that comes across on a CV and to truly find out if you're a good fit for an organisation - the face to face meet up has to be done.

ADVICE: There's not much point in putting on a personality you think others will like. It'll be hard to keep up such a convincing
act beyond the first month of landing the job. It's been said before a gazillion times but we'll say it again - be yourself (the best possible version of yourself). If the interviewers don't understand or get you - it's better to keep hunting for a place you'll be comfortable.

Wait wait wait...so people actually judge a book by its cover? Let's not be totally naive here - employers are human and much like humans - they are swayed by superficial elements. This is not true for everyone and a true professional will always pay more attention to what you're bringing to the office instead of being just a pretty face.

ADVICE: Make the effort before you head on in for an interview. Look your sharpest and give it your all. If you feel like you
didn't get the job because of the model look-alike sitting next to you waiting to go in - chances are you've just done yourself a favour and walked away from working in an organisation where productivity is more of an afterthought.

The exact opposite of the scenario mentioned above could happen as well. You could very well be the model that walked into the interview room and didn't get the job because - well you were much too attractive. So why is looking good costing you a job? Quite simply the interviewers may feel the dynamic in the office might change and you would prove to be a distraction to existing employees even if that is the thing farthest from your mind.

ADVICE: Sure, if the job you were going in for was a modelling one - you're gold. But few jobs would really require stunning
good looks. If you want to be taken seriously and prove you have a mind under your hat - bring along a track record of strong performance in previous roles and/or endeavours.

Once the jobs posted, it is a bit of a free for all. An old friend or ex-colleague who an employer once worked with is bound to have a bit of an edge over you.

ADVICE: You can't take something like this personally. It happens now and again, and if you were in the same position where
you knew how someone works and have an established chemistry with - it would be hard to pass up especially when experience is matched to a tee.

A set up from the get go? How dare they! If they wanted to promote someone internally what was the point of tantalizing you with promises of this awesome job? It happens and we're not fans of it either...

ADVICE: C'est la vie right? Just like Reason 4 you can't take this personally. Let it wash over you and vent with some
friends. It's near impossible for you to know what's going on in the deepest depths of the company so no sense in stressing about it.

Ah experience. Seems like everyone wants it but how to get it without being given the opportunity. Some employers are willing to

make a trade off. Little to no pay in exchange for you filling up your CV. Hardly fair but in today's cut throat market - it's one of the easier tactics for an employer to deploy in order to cut back on costs.

ADVICE: Find a place that respects your rights and strengths. Good focussed employers will not rely on short-termism and
wish for development to be an integral part of your time at the company. It's out there and the search can be disheartening and daunting. Try and remain as positive as possible and give it your all.

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What skills are Retail employers looking for?

Retail is a popular industry, so it's imperative to find out what the in demand skills are, acquire these skills and give yourself a competitive advantage over your fellow applicants. Some roles will require a very specific set of skills. For instance, Visual Merchandisers will need to have a creative flair with an eye for three-dimensional design and the ability to translate design concepts into tangible displays that will woo potential customers. Buyers and Merchandisers need to be analytical, numerate and commercially astute. Whilst Store Managers need to be good allrounders sales people, team leaders, target driven and the ability to juggle a number of different tasks simultaneously. Luckily, most of the skills that are required for each position will be learnt on the job but, you may have already acquired some of them during your career or work placements. Regardless of whether you enter your career via the graduate or non-graduate route, the retail industry recognises a set of four key competencies that anyone serious about carving out a career for themselves in this sector will need.

Business Focus Personal Effectiveness Relationship Management Critical Thinking

These competencies include a range of typical skills that employers are looking for in applicants, such as:

excellent communication and interpersonal skills good standard of IT and numeracy effective influencing and negotiation skills strong customer focus ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines analysing and problem-solving skills commercial awareness flexibility strong time-management skills attention to detail demonstrable leadership and management qualities
Above all else, employers are looking for people who can use their initiative to look for ways of improving the way things are done, are committed to their employer and are passionate about their sector whether it be fashion, food or cars. Wondering what to do now? Check out our expert career advice, find out more about the Retail industry or search for the latest Retail jobs.