Hi Raj. Thank you for making these videos, I'm finding them really helpful. It would be great if you could make a video on applying for public sector roles. As these usually involve completing a form rather than submitting a CV, I'd love to know your opinion. I recently completed one where the main section was called 'supporting information' and the limit was 1,500 words. Should I aim to write 1,500 words? Should I be writing in longer paragraphs or short, snappy bullet points like on a CV? Should I use headings??? Thank you!
Thank you kindly for the comments @AA89647 and I'm super happy to hear you're finding them helpful. I've made a note to work on a video on application forms specifically for the new year (thank you). Regarding your question, if the "supporting information" section is indeed the main and early section to the application process, I'd essentially treat this like a cover letter (see my cover letter video for detailed guidance). I'd look to write perhaps 3-5 paragraphs of a maximum of 8 lines each, targeting the top listed things from the job description. You needn't fill out the whole 1,500 words - it won't be seen as laziness or disinterest for this kind of situation. Alternatively, if the "supporting information" bit comes after already being asked things like "why do you want this role" / "how do your skills connect", then I'd use it for anything you haven't been able to say already, or use it to further emphasise your familiarity with their work and why you're drawn to it. Paragraphs rather than bullet points would be the way to go with this, and no need for headings; anything else might be considered a little unusual! I hope this helps! Raj.
Hi Raj. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment. The application forms I've come across are more like the former you describe, where the 'supporting information' bit is there to capture everything except your education and employment history. Public sector jobs also tend to have multiple documents to refer to: a JD but also a 'Person Specification' and occasionally a 'Context Statement'! It would be great to hear how you'd tackle this. I'm looking forward to your video on this in the new year! James@@rajsidhu
Hi Raj, Great content! Appreciate your short length videos , absolutely love it. Just wondering what would be the right length you would suggest for a Research Assistant Position lets say in Biology field. My CV currently stands at 4 pages long, most of it comprised of my research projects and laboratory experience. I would really appreciate your opinion on this. Thank you!
Hey Krish, good question. You can definitely go longer than a page for a Research Assistant Position - and 4 pages might well be fine as long as each line is delivering value to the reader and you're applying to an academic institution (including conferences, publications etc depending on you level of seniority) - I'm not sure I'd go to 4 pages for a Research Assistant Position for a corporation - sticking to 2 or an absolute maximum of 3. I hope this helps! Raj
Hi Raj, thanks for making this amazing video. I am now preparing for video interviews (Hirevue), may I know if there is any tips for that? Thank you so much!
Great @chucklelee3! If you haven't already seen my preparing-for-interviews video I'd start there... th-cam.com/video/BT1Vqr6WY5o/w-d-xo.html I'd recommend practicing building out the answer/response grid I show - which will then inform the structure of your interview answers (makes the whole process way easier). Aim for answers between 2m30 to 3 minutes (if it's a live interview) and honestly you can't practice enough. You're looking to outsource as much of the thinking away from the interview (into your prep) so that you're sharp for the interview itself.... and definitely practice for questions that can't be anticipated (again covered in the video link above). Let me know how this goes and if you have any other questions :-) Raj
Hey @bronocorik2268 both are super important. I'd always recommend using your experiences to showcase the skills the employer wants. So if (for example), the job description asks for 'analytical skills' - you're featuring analytical skills as a bullet point in most of your experiences. I show this in this video here... th-cam.com/video/rM4lDSxwW_g/w-d-xo.html ... the idea is to bring the 2 together: skills and experience, rather than skills or experience. Let me know how this sounds... Raj :-)
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Hi Raj. Thank you for making these videos, I'm finding them really helpful. It would be great if you could make a video on applying for public sector roles. As these usually involve completing a form rather than submitting a CV, I'd love to know your opinion. I recently completed one where the main section was called 'supporting information' and the limit was 1,500 words. Should I aim to write 1,500 words? Should I be writing in longer paragraphs or short, snappy bullet points like on a CV? Should I use headings??? Thank you!
Thank you kindly for the comments @AA89647 and I'm super happy to hear you're finding them helpful. I've made a note to work on a video on application forms specifically for the new year (thank you). Regarding your question, if the "supporting information" section is indeed the main and early section to the application process, I'd essentially treat this like a cover letter (see my cover letter video for detailed guidance). I'd look to write perhaps 3-5 paragraphs of a maximum of 8 lines each, targeting the top listed things from the job description. You needn't fill out the whole 1,500 words - it won't be seen as laziness or disinterest for this kind of situation. Alternatively, if the "supporting information" bit comes after already being asked things like "why do you want this role" / "how do your skills connect", then I'd use it for anything you haven't been able to say already, or use it to further emphasise your familiarity with their work and why you're drawn to it. Paragraphs rather than bullet points would be the way to go with this, and no need for headings; anything else might be considered a little unusual! I hope this helps! Raj.
Hi Raj. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment. The application forms I've come across are more like the former you describe, where the 'supporting information' bit is there to capture everything except your education and employment history. Public sector jobs also tend to have multiple documents to refer to: a JD but also a 'Person Specification' and occasionally a 'Context Statement'! It would be great to hear how you'd tackle this. I'm looking forward to your video on this in the new year! James@@rajsidhu
Hi Raj, Great content! Appreciate your short length videos , absolutely love it.
Just wondering what would be the right length you would suggest for a Research Assistant Position lets say in Biology field. My CV currently stands at 4 pages long, most of it comprised of my research projects and laboratory experience. I would really appreciate your opinion on this.
Thank you!
Hey Krish, good question. You can definitely go longer than a page for a Research Assistant Position - and 4 pages might well be fine as long as each line is delivering value to the reader and you're applying to an academic institution (including conferences, publications etc depending on you level of seniority) - I'm not sure I'd go to 4 pages for a Research Assistant Position for a corporation - sticking to 2 or an absolute maximum of 3. I hope this helps! Raj
@@rajsidhu Thank you so much, Raj. That is really helpful
Hi Raj, thanks for making this amazing video. I am now preparing for video interviews (Hirevue), may I know if there is any tips for that? Thank you so much!
Great @chucklelee3! If you haven't already seen my preparing-for-interviews video I'd start there... th-cam.com/video/BT1Vqr6WY5o/w-d-xo.html I'd recommend practicing building out the answer/response grid I show - which will then inform the structure of your interview answers (makes the whole process way easier). Aim for answers between 2m30 to 3 minutes (if it's a live interview) and honestly you can't practice enough. You're looking to outsource as much of the thinking away from the interview (into your prep) so that you're sharp for the interview itself.... and definitely practice for questions that can't be anticipated (again covered in the video link above). Let me know how this goes and if you have any other questions :-) Raj
Should we be focusing more on skills or experiences ?
Hey @bronocorik2268 both are super important. I'd always recommend using your experiences to showcase the skills the employer wants. So if (for example), the job description asks for 'analytical skills' - you're featuring analytical skills as a bullet point in most of your experiences. I show this in this video here... th-cam.com/video/rM4lDSxwW_g/w-d-xo.html ... the idea is to bring the 2 together: skills and experience, rather than skills or experience. Let me know how this sounds... Raj :-)