Introduction by School Principal, Billy O’ Shea

Thursday, 24 November 2011

I welcome all students to this new section of our school’s website. When we recently carried out a self-evaluation of communications within our school we were very heartened by the overwhelmingly positive response from students, parents and teachers. However, as with any meaningful evaluation in which the “hard” questions are asked, some areas for improvement were highlighted and this is what has led to today’s launch of “Tips for students”.

We want our website to be relevant, useful, easy-to-use , informative and attractive for a wide range of people. To target students in a particular way, we now launch this new section. It will feature material that has a particular relevance for students and will be as good as the level of contributors to it. Views contained in any articles will be those of the authors and may not necessarily reflect a stated opinion of Loreto, Wexford. I hope this initiative will be of use as it develops in the future and I look forward to receiving any feedback on it.

Tips for Students on Curriculum Vitae, Interview, Dress Code

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  1. Good quality and clean paper with matching envelope
  2. Correct name, title and address on envelope
  3. Correct spellings, grammar and punctuation throughout
  4. CV to be extremely neat and well-presented in terms of layout, alignment, font size and type – be consistent throughout. An excellent opportunity to display your I.T. skills.
  5. Passport-size photo is a good addition
  6. Must not be too long but should contain all relevant information under particular headings e.g. personal information, educational record, work experience, areas of interest, referees
  7. Do not leave any gaps in your CV – let us know where you were at all stages
  8. Be sure to give concise and accurate information about your referees – name, title, address, contact number
  9. Obtain prior approval from your referee before giving her/his name
  10. Be extremely careful with regard to social networking e.g. Facebook – what’s out there about you can completely undermine an excellent CV and interview
  11. CV is a first impression given by you and of you to a prospective employer – make a major effort to get it right
  12. CV is your way of getting to the next stage of the selection process – the interview
  13. CV must be 100% truthful – an employment contract may be terminated if it was based on incorrect or untruthful information
  14. It is not essential to bind a CV but this can create a better impression

Interview

  1. Be sure you know the exact location of the interview
  2. Allow plenty of time to get there – factor in the unexpected – arrive 15 minutes before time
  3. Advance preparation:
    1. Know about the company, show evidence of research
    2. Have a very good idea about what the position entails
    3. Practise answers to likely questions
    4. Practise question/s you might like to ask at the end
  4. The interview:
    1. Remember the aim – to show why you should be selected
    2. Assured entrance and handshake (if offered)
    3. Remember interviewers’ names
    4. Maintain eye contact with interviewers
    5. Be concise in your answers, elaborate where necessary and when asked
    6. Be honest
    7. Show personal warmth
    8. The “5 minute rule” – crucial importance of the opening 5 minutes
    9. Show consistency in interview – strong beginning, middle and end

Dress code

  1. Neat, clean and tidy appearance absolutely essential in all interview situations
  2. Basic rule – dress formally for interview
  3. Level of formality of dress in the workplace depends on several factors e.g. nature of job, expectations, culture within the company – investigate this before the interview

Billy O’ Shea,

Principal.

January 2012.

Tips for state exams – Orlaith Farrell

Study Tips by Ríona O’ Connell