Finding a job

Finding that all important first job needn’t be as difficult (or scary) as it sounds.   Anderson Hoare will always offer those taking their first tentative steps on the career ladder the open, honest and useful advice that they need to ensure that that first job decision is going to be the right one.   Please call us on 020 7824 8821 and speak to one of our friendly consultants who will be happy to guide you through the process and help you in your search.

• Always research the company where you are having an interview. 
• Make sure that you have a couple of copies of your current CV to take with you (the interviewer may have mislaid his/her copy or there may be two interviewers.)
• It is vitally important to present yourself well.  Appearance and presentation are paramount in terms of first impression.  Look professional and smart - preferably wear a suit, skirt or trouser, as it’s better to be overdressed than looking scruffy, even if the company may have a less formal approach to their dress code. 
• If possible always arrive at an interview with time to spare, making sure that you have the full details of the individual, the company, their address and telephone number, and have checked the nearest underground station before the interview itself. 
• Ensure your mobile phone is switched off and never smoke immediately prior to interview.
• It is important to smile and always shake hands firmly with a warm “Good Morning” or Good Afternoon.  Also, try and keep regular eye contact with your interviewer or interviewers.
• If you are genuinely keen on a particular job or company, don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm come across.   A positive “can do” attitude will count for a lot
• Try to keep your answers concise and to the point whilst not being afraid to illustrate by example and stress your achievements.  .
• Interviewers like to see an inquiring mind, so make sure that you have a few questions that you would like to ask prepared in your mind about the job and the company. Try to avoid asking about company benefits, holiday entitlement, etc, leave that to us!
• At the end of the meeting, smile and shake hands with the interviewer(s), however well or badly you think the interview has gone and thank him/her for their time.  In most situations, you will be given some indication as to the procedure and timing of decisions but if you are still keen do not be afraid to stress that you are very interested in the position

• A well written and presented CV is absolutely vital.  A single spelling mistake or grammatical error and the reality is that you will struggle to even get an interview
• You cannot proof read your own CV enough times, although don’t rely on spell-check to do the work for you.  Remember that Microsoft packages use American spelling of words, for example Zs often replace Ss.   A British company with British clients wants to know that you know the difference.
• Whilst accurately conveying your experience to date, try to be concise and waffle free wherever possible.  Less is more. Bullet points can be a very effective way of achieving this.
• Your main interests may well be travel, shoes, fashion, fine wines and socialising but it is probably not wise to highlight all of them on a CV.  If in doubt play safe with two or three interests like cinema and reading and then throw in your genuine love of fashion or white water rafting etc at the end. If you have hobbies that include other people – it demonstrates the fact that you can work as a team and are not too insular in your private life. 
• Make your CV look like a proper reflection of you and personalise it if you can.  Anything too bland can look dull and uninspiring.  There has to be something on your CV that is memorable and makes it stand out from the crowd.  Remember – a good agency will support your CV with a written or verbal testimony, but when you apply direct to a role the only aid you have to getting an interview is your CV and it has to leap out from what could be a very large pile.
• Without stretching the truth too far do not be afraid to amend a CV to suit a particular job, company or individual.  If think you need to emphasise PA/Communication/IT/Diplomatic/ Team Player skills and experience etc, then do so.

• Here are links to some example CV’s:

• CV1
• CV2
• CV3

• General guide to filling in documents
• AH Registration Form
• Skills Assessment Form
• Bank Registration Form
• Temp Terms and Conditions
• Timesheet ( No timesheet, no pay!)
• P46
• Tips for Temping

What is the procedure of Registration at Anderson Hoare?
You need to send us your CV to enquiries@andersonhoare.co.uk   with a covering note saying what job/jobs you are interested in from our website. If we believe we can help you, we will call to arrange an informal interview at our offices.

What do I need to bring for my interview and how long does it take?
You need to bring your passport and a hard copy of your CV with you. The informal interview will last around 20 – 30 minutes.  Depending on availability and time constraints you may meet more than one consultant, so it is probably best to allow up to an hour for the whole process.

Is it necessary to wear a suit?
It is entirely up to you.  However, although our interview process is friendly and informal, we would recommend being relatively smart as first impressions of appearance, punctuality and attitude are always important.

Will I need to complete any tests when I register with you?
When you arrive you will be asked to fill in a “Skills Assessment Form” to ascertain your skill levels in the three main Microsoft packages of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.    Depending on the role that you may be interested in and your level of experience we will usually test your typing after you have met with the consultant(s).   If you want to fill in the Assessment From prior to your interview then you can download it from our Useful Documents section

How important are IT skills in securing a job? 
Good IT skills are increasingly important in securing good jobs in good companies.  When did you last see anyone who wasn’t behind a computer in an office?  So at the very least a good working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint and/or Excel are an absolute must.  It needn’t be expensive or difficult to learn these skills to an advanced level, as nearly all local authorities will offer free or subsidised training courses.   There are also a number of private colleges offering excellent training, some of which you will find in our Useful Links section.

How long does it take to get a job after I have registered with you?
It really depends on how many jobs are available which match your requirements.  It is then of course a matter of what speed our clients wish to proceed in filling a vacancy.  This can vary enormously.  It is not unknown for a new candidate to register with us in the morning, be interviewed for a position in the afternoon, and be offered a new job by tea time!   However the norm is likely to be anything from 1 to 10 weeks from registering with us, depending on how specific your requirements are.

Do you offer Career counselling at Anderson Hoare?
Yes.  We are very happy to offer long term career advice to our candidates.

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