Candidates

Nextmove Candidates

Candidates

As a candidate, we understand the frustrations that you face when looking for your next career opportunity. It can be really stressful. And if you don’t receive feedback – or maybe worse, are bombarded with irrelevant vacancies – the process can feel futile.

Here at Next Move, we aren’t driven by a ‘fast buck’. Instead, we promise to work tirelessly to match you with the right vacancy. And we support you on every step of the journey. Even after placement, we will stay in touch, just to be sure you are settling in.

This lovely review is typical of what our candidates say:

“I find that after being contacted by recruitment agencies, hardly any of them follow it through and they leave you hanging. This was not the case of Next Move Recruitment. I dealt mainly with Ben and then also with Nigel, both very professionals that kept me updated on every move of my application all the way to the final offer. It’s been a pleasure to deal with such competent professionals and could not recommend them enough.”

 

You can check out more reviews here.

Click to upload your CV

So, are you ready for your next move? Then click here for our current vacancies.

Already spotted one to apply for? Then the key to success is to sell yourself well, research your potential employer and plan your interview – and here are a few tips that might help you in the process.

Your CV

You probably know the basics. When it comes to CVs, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution, but here are a few hints and tips that might be helpful.

  • Tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. Focus on your most relevant job roles, and highlight those career successes most appropriate to the vacancy.
  • Stand out from the masses – this is your opportunity to shine. Use bullet points to focus attention and bold to highlight key buzzwords.
  • Start sentences with positive descriptive words such as ‘led’, ‘implemented,’ ‘achieved,’ and ‘initiated.’ Employers want to clearly see where or how you have added value.
  • Focus on your ‘outcomes’ rather than your responsibilities. Showcase what you have achieved and delivered, and demonstrate initiative.
  • Poor spelling is one of the quickest ways of getting rejected during the initial sift. Don’t rely on spell checker 100%. It won’t pick up the differences in ‘their’ and ‘there’, ‘hear’ and ‘here’, so get a friend to cast their eye over it too. Read, read, and re-read your CV.
  • Aim for two sides of A4 and ensure that it is clearly laid out, concise, positive and honest – after all, it should sell you and increase your chances of being moved to the ‘yes’ rather than hovering over the ‘maybe’ or worse still ‘no’ tray.

Interview preparation

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, we’re guessing it means you’ve reached interview stage.

Here are a few hints and tips to help in the lead up to the interview. There is a common theme – plan and prepare.

  • Plan your journey – if travelling by car don’t rely solely on your Sat Nav to ensure you reach your destination on time and check out where you can park. Carry out a ‘trial run’ remembering that peak periods can vary the journey time enormously.
  • Prepare by looking at the company’s website and arming yourself with what they do, goals, turnover, and how they compare with their competitors. If appropriate, call beforehand and ask for company literature to be emailed or posted – this will demonstrate your initiative and give you a feel for their level of customer service.
  • Prepare a number of intelligent questions for the interviewer such as ‘If I’m successful, what do you think will be my biggest challenge in the first 30 – 90 days?’ ‘What is your staff retention?’ ‘What are the expansion plans for the company?’ ‘What would staff say they most enjoy about working for the business?’
  • Take sufficient copies of your CV to hand out and, if appropriate, compile a summary sheet of your relevant career highlights to leave with them. Demonstrate unequivocally that your skillset and experience match the brief.
  • You may well be asked some of the standard non-technical questions such as ‘What are your strengths, and how are you rectifying your weaknesses?’ There’s no harm in practising your responses so that they flow on the day.
  • Find out who will be conducting the interview – it might be more than one person - and their position(s) within the organisation.

The Interview

Take a deep breath. This is your opportunity to shine. Now you can demonstrate how well you match not only the brief but how you will complement and add value to the existing team. No matter how many interviews you’ve attended, it’s always worth reminding yourself of the following:

  • You are on show from the moment you step through the reception door. The receptionist and greeter may well be asked for their initial impression of you.
  • Dress to impress! Unless advised otherwise, wear a smart outfit in which you feel comfortable and confident. Shine those shoes and reserve the urge to stand out by wearing garish socks and ties.
  • Be positive and let your personality shine through. We do know that’s easier said than done, but relax, use positive body language and be mindful of any personal habits such as fiddling with your pen and avoiding eye contact.
  • When asked questions, take your time to construct relevant answers that best demonstrate your suitability for the role – a slight silence is better than waffling.
  • Ensure that your replies are constructive and if confronted with a ‘negative’ question such as: ‘What are your weaknesses?’ turn your response into a positive.
  • At the end of the interview, don’t be afraid to ask how you have compared with other candidates and seek clarification of the next stages of the selection process.