Acing Your Resume and Job Interview: Essential Tips and Guidelines

Let’s run through one of the most important tools in your job-hunting toolkit: a great CV, or resume.

Your CV should be clear and easy to read. Your contact information - including your name, email address, and phone number - should be at the top so employers know how to get in touch with you. All the information included should be professional, so if you have an informal or silly email address you made when you were younger, it’s worth making a new one.

Your CV should also include a personal statement, information about your education, your previous work experience, volunteering or internship experience, and skills.

In the work experience section, use bullet points to describe your duties and accomplishments in your previous roles. Don’t hesitate to use detail here; highlight measurable achievements and explain how your tasks made a valuable contribution to your organisation.

Your spelling and grammar should also be flawless. Be sure to read and re-read your CV to spot any mistakes before submitting your application. You may even want to have a friend or family member read your CV as well; getting a fresh set of eyes on it can help you identify any errors you might have missed.

You also need to remember that relevance is key. Anything you put on your CV - whether it’s a skill, an example of work experience, or a past volunteering position - should be related to the position that you’re applying for. If it’s not relevant, don’t include it. 

What are the best job interview tips for UK job seekers?

When it comes to getting ready for a job interview, there are a few key steps you’ll want to take to ensure your success. 

Before your interview, make sure you do your research on the company, its mission, its values and who works there. The more informed you are, the more you’ll be able to answer the interviewer’s questions. 

You can even practise your answers to common interview questions ahead of time to make sure you appear as confident as possible. Not sure what these questions might be? In Pearson’s 2023 Live Career Series, Luke Priddy guides you through some of the trickiest ones. Be sure to check out the full video on the Pearson Languages YouTube channel before your interview.

On the day of your interview, dress for success. Wear clean and well-fitting clothing. Don’t wear anything too casual, such as ripped jeans or gym clothes. You only get one chance at a first impression, so make it count.

When you get there, greet your interviewers in a friendly and professional way. In general, a smile and a “nice to meet you” can go a long way. To the best of your ability, speak in an even, confident tone of voice. Sure, interviews can be nerve-wracking - but you made it to the interview stage for a reason! Don’t doubt your abilities or what you have to offer the organisation.

All of these principles are just as important whether you’re doing an in-person interview or an online interview, which are very common these days. If you are doing an online interview, you should follow all the steps we just mentioned and a couple of extra ones. For example, we recommend testing your technology ahead of time to ensure everything is running smoothly on the day of your interview. You’ll also want to ensure you pick a location that is quiet and free from distractions.