Career Days has started off with sector information sessions and will be continuing with a Career Fair on March 3, company promotion meetings, company visits, and interview days. Accordingly, Bilkent students should prepare themselves ahead of time to increase their chances of landing a job or an internship. When attending the meetings and interviews, remember to bring extra copies of your CV, extra passport size photographs, as well as a pen and notepad for taking notes. The screening of CV's and the interview are the two most important steps toward the goal of employment. Here are some useful tips for CV writing and interviewing:
Your CV
A CV should state clearly who you are and what you are offering a potential employer. It should be positive and truthful, as you could easily be caught out at the interview. The CV should be easy to read and focus on your achievements, not just on the tasks you have performed. You should be concise and aim for no more than two A4 pages. You should use power words, such as "achieved," "produced," "established," "implemented," and "formulated." Be sure to thoroughly check for accuracy, spelling, grammar, and typing errors.
Your Interview
The purpose of an interview is for the potential employer and employee to learn more about one another. The employer wants to get an idea about how you would "fit into the organization," but it is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the company. Here are some tips for interviewing: First, familiarize yourself with the company (e.g., how big it is, what its major products and/or services are, what its history and future goals are, who the key people are). Dress well-a sharp-looking candidate leaves an excellent impression and projects the image that he or she really cares about the interview.
Introduce yourself and give a firm handshake. Maintain good eye contact throughout the interview. Be aware of nonverbal body language.
Generally, questions will be about you, your qualifications, experience, skills, and motivation. Listen carefully to each question and take your time in responding. If you are not sure about the meaning of a question, ask for clarification.
Last of all, be relaxed and confident. Good luck!
Hande Yedidal (IR/IV)
