Employment

Guide

www.europelanguagejobs.com
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Here at Europe Language Jobs we have put together an employment guide
in order to aid our candidates in their job search and give them the best
chance of success that we can. We deal with both sides and directions of the
job search process, so we know what the companies want to see and,
importantly for you, we know what the candidates should have to offer.

Throughout this guide, you will find exclusive information to help you secure
that dream position. We cover preparing the perfect CV and cover letter,
start-ups and multinationals, job search tools, personal branding, essential
interview advice and much, much more.

We sincerely hope you find this guide to be a useful resource and we wish
you the very best of luck in your job search.

Lets begin...
GETTING
STARTED
How to face the job process
The world we live in is in a period of profound change. Changes are succeeding each another faster than ever before in
history. During the industrial revolution an advancement could last for 70 or 80 years, nowadays an innovation may only
last a few months; and if you dont innovate further you might lose your position in the market. What does all this mean for
you as a candidate? Does this scenario manifest itself as an opportunity or a threat?

It means that we are living on a curve of exponential change and Do you think your abilities match with what the market needs?
innovation plays a huge role in our society. That is why we need to be Next we will go through some of the most important skills that
flexible and resilient. We must to be curious and creative. And maybe recruiters demand from candidates:
even more importantly, constantly learning.
1. Key abilities that companies are looking for:
We are the most well educated generation in history. A much bigger
percentage of young people go to university than those from our Flexibility
parents generation. Thanks to the internet we have all kinds of Curiosity
information just a click away. Technology has changed the way we Innovative
learn things. Nowadays its more important to be a quick, adaptable Eagerness
learner, than to be great at memorizing information. Ability to listen
Languages
The importance of chasing your dreams
In such a varied, competitive and complex professional world the pressure is really on to find the right career path, but
the most important thing is to find a job that motivates you.

As Confucius said Choose a job you love, and you will never
have to work a day in your life. Doing something that we What are your
genuinely like is the only way to keep learning and improving passions?
day by day. Because innovation plays such a big role, we need
to be flexible and able to adapt to new situations.
What What
Maybe you havent found what you truly love yet, but thats ok,
will they does the
normally it takes time to find our passion. If you havent found it
pay you world
yet our advice is for you to keep trying new things, be curious, for? need?
travel and dont stop investigating; follow your intuition.

We recommend that you watch this video: Steve Jobs Speech at

Stanford
What are you
good at?
Things to consider before getting started
Its important to know oneself before you start looking for a job how else are we going to effectively
present ourselves to potential employers and recruiters? We should reflect and ask ourselves questions
before jumping into the process of job searching. Here are a few questions to consider:
Why am I searching for a job? What direction do I want to take my career in?
First and foremost, you need to know your reasons for However vague your plans for the future may be, it is worth
embarking on a new career path. Is it simply a financial necessity comparing possible paths and deciding which step will take you
or professional advancement? Are you trying to better yourself towards something that will make you happy. We need to be
or is your job simply to facilitate other activities? Once we know flexible when we are starting our career but it is important to have
the answers to these it is much easier to recognise the jobs we a plan and ask ourselves where we want to be in few years.
really want and, often crucially, the ones we dont want.
What are my strengths and weaknesses?
What gets me out of bed in the morning? A recruiter will probably ask you to give some examples of these
Again, think about what motivates you and let your passions in a job interview but thats not the only reason why you should
shine through when completing applications. If you dont question yourself. Learn what your skills are and in which aspects
understand what gets you going, you will struggle to regain you need to improve. If they are key for the job you are applying
motivation when you lose it - and we all lose it at some point! for, make sure the recruiter knows you are improving them. In
terms of strengths its not enough to list the things youve done
and that you can do. Analyse the actual value of each experience
and skill, determining how this makes you an asset.
Where am I and what am I looking for?
Answer the following points to help define your profile:
Where do you want to start your career? Have you considered
relocating for work?
Which industry and position could fit with your profile?
Research the companies and find a working environment where
you can fit in.
If its your first job maybe you should consider an internship in
order to gain essential experience.
Keep in mind the possibility of going abroad. An experience in
a foreign country could be very beneficial and will stand out
on your CV for future employers, as well as other opportunities
this may provide, such as learning a new language.
Where will you fit in best: a multinational company or in a
startup? In a startup you might be able to do many different tasks
and be given certain freedoms and responsibilities that you
wouldn't enjoy in a multinational. Whereas, in a multinational
company you can gain great experience in a more concrete
environment.
What does my desired place of work look like?
Do you want to work in a city or a small town? Are you willing to
relocate? What ethics do you value in the work space? It is
essential that you know the answers to the simple questions
before you walk into an interview.
CV&
COVER LETTER
Prepare a good CV
Type of CV
Think about the type of industry you want a job in and determine what you need
the most to succeed, or at least, get started in this field. If it is for a designer
position make sure your CV is creative or if you are looking for an accounting
position, make sure the structure is more formal and to the point.
Make your CV easy to read
It is often said that recruiters only spend 7 seconds reviewing a CV before
deciding if they want to interview the candidate or not. Your CV should be
attractive enough to catch their attention, alongside being structured and easy
to read so that they get a proper idea of your skills and experience.
Needless to say, that you should avoid any spelling mistakes by proofreading
your rsum a couple of times before printing it. You should also get someone
else to proofread it, as there are often mistakes you may struggle to recognise.
Focus on what is important
Dont put irrelevant information, dont include personal information not related
to the position. For example, marathon running may be beneficial to include
on your CV, as it is a hobby that demonstrates motivation, perseverance,
endurance, commitment etc. However, your marathon times, and even the
marathons that you have run, can be omitted. Focus on what you want to
highlight about your profile and what idea you want to show to the recruiters .
Dont use an embarrassing email address.
Have an email with your name and last name and make sure you are not using your
current job email address.
Avoid any gaps
Being unemployed or on sick-leave for some time should not be something to hide.
However, recruiters usually dont like the fact that a candidate has spent long
periods of time unemployed. Therefore it is better to avoid those gaps on your
rsum:
One way to do so, is by referring to your work experience in terms of years instead
of months. For instance, if you worked for a company for two years (from February,
2012 to November, 2014) and then you were unemployed for three months, you
could say you worked for the first company from 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 you
found a new job.
However, the best way to avoid any gaps on your CV is to do something
constructive in the meantime. Some good examples are, a course or language
lessons. This way you make the recruiter aware that you were trying to improve
your profile while you were unemployed.
Later on in this section, we will be sharing some examples of effective
structures that you should use for your CV. Also, once you have uploaded it to
ELJ you will be able to ask for a free professional CV review, so make the most
of this opportunity to get some expert advise so your CV doesnt get
rejected.
 CV Dos and Donts
Your CV is one of the most important elements of the job search process. It portrays your lifes work in a page or 2 and,
therefore, has to include as much relevant detail as possible without it being your autobiography. Here are some
suggestions to help create or update your current CV.
Do's Don'ts
Keep your CV to max. 2 pages.
Send an impersonal mailshot. Sending a general message to
Use subheadings to separate the main sections. This feature will help all recruiters on your list is very impersonal and noticeable.
you keep each section short, precise and to the point. If you are really interested in a job, make sure to apply
Write in a clear, professional and positive style. It's imperative that directly with a recruiter
the language and style of writing are as professional as possible. Send document formats that are not compatible with the
recruiter's software. Make sure they work by sending them
Put your most important skills at the beginning. to a friend.
Show keywords that match the position requirements. The more field Dense block texts, large blank spaces, lots of different fonts
knowledge you show the employer, the more likely you are to get and italics. Dont overcomplicate things. Concise
the job. information that is straight to the point is better.
Use jargon or abbreviations. Language is important in a CV.
Give an example for each skill you list.

These simple suggestions can help you to make or break it when it comes to looking for a job, so sit down and have a look at that CV you've
been sending around and take some of these tips into consideration: you might be a spell check away from landing your dream job.
 Important details to include in the CV
Whichever style you choose, most CVs include the following sections. The order and presentation may vary.
Personal Information:
Essential Skills
The advert and job description will highlight the skills needed. You
Full name
need to identify your most appropriate skills specifically for that job.
Address
Organise them under relevant headings, detailed examples of when
Telephone and/or Mobile Number
you have used them.
Email address (keep it professional)
Nationality
Education and Qualifications
Optional Start with the most recent academic experience, including university
Date of Birth details with qualifications obtained.
Gender Dont list course units. Include projects or dissertations that might
Marital Status be relevant to the job. Consider skills you might have gained during
Picture your studies that might be transferable to the job.
Career Statement or Career Profile
A positive and concise summary of 2-4 sentences or bullet points.
The purpose is to provide a broad overview, highlighting what
you are looking for and your relevant skills and experience related
to the position you are targeting.
Employment and work experience
Additional skills/ Training (not specified anywhere else)
Focus on your relevant and recent experience; avoid long lists of
short-term work. Eg. IT proficiency, foreign Language level, state you level of
Include paid and unpaid work and show the level of fluency in speaking and writing
responsibility.
Driving licence
Promote your skills and responsibilities which best show your
suitability to the job you are applying to. Student volunteering Project

Choose positive action words to illustrate your experiences.

Bullet points to summarise key duties, responsibilities and
achievements.
Interests/activities/ achievements
Use this section to show attributes you have not described
anywhere else - best if they are related to the job.
Show specific examples and detail to make it more interesting.
If you like sports, specify which one and the level of involvement.
References (not obligatory)
It is usually one academic and one employer.
Check with your referees before you give their details.
Choose people who can comment on your ability to
undertake the role.
You can include available upon request.
CV Template
 Cover letter
What is a cover letter? Why should you use a cover letter?
This is a letter that you send to a Company with your CV or application form. It is
a positive document outlining to an employer why you are eligible for the Because, it...
position you are applying for. Gives a good first impression as you are marketing
yourself and promoting your skills.
When do you use a cover letter? Persuades the employer to read your CV.
Introducing a CV Introduces your current situation .
Always send a cover letter with your CV , it will often be the first
Emphasises specific information from your CV or
document the recruiter sees. The letter should encourage the employer to application related to the position.
take a look at your CV and set the readers expectations on what they are Reinforces your contact details with the employer and
going to read. keeps you fresh in their minds.
Accompanying an application form.
You can also include a cover letter when completing an application form.
The letter is useful if the form hasnt given you the opportunity to
mention the essential facts and to make your case efficiently.
Speculative Letter
Whenever you are sending your CV to a company without any specific
target vacancy . After doing some research into possible positions you
send a speculative letter proposing your eligibility and catching the eye
of the employer.
Preparing a cover letter
Design and presentation
It should be the same format and design as your CV including
font and font size.
Keep it brief and to the point, and on one side of A4.
Make sure the letter is well formatted and centred on the
page. Sending a cover letter by email
Check the spelling. Maybe ask a friend to check it for you.
Emailing a CV is now common practise. Its important to use an
Content introduction either in the text or in the attached cover letter.
Make sure you personalise each letter. Do not write addresses at the top of your email.
Avoid clichs and generalisations .
Put the heading in the subject line and place your contact
Be accurate and make sure you use British spelling.
Dont forget to sign the letter.
information underneath your name (including email address).
Use formal English and make sure you proofread the letter.
Addressing your letter Sign Best regards or Kind regards .
Always address your letter to a named person, if possible.
Make sure to do some research into the person in charge of
recruitment.
Letter starting with, Dear Ms Smith, should end with, Yours
sincerely.
If you dont know the name of the person write Dear Sir or
Madam and end with Yours faithfully.
Cover letter template

Cover letter template by reed.co.uk

WHERE TO
START LOOKING?
Where to find a job and some useful search tools
First of all, check your personal connections. One in three people find a job through their own network: family, friends,
university colleagues

Spend time networking and going to events related to your interest. A substantial percentage of positions are filled
through a recommendation, so it is always within your own interests to improve your professional network. Sites like
LinkedIn are the obvious way, and you should take advantage of these tools by joining groups and getting involved in
the online community. LinkedIn works as a window to the world of work; a link between you and your potential
employers.

Before calling you for a job interview recruiters will check your LinkedIn profile so its worth having it up to date and
professional looking. This takes us to the first point we want to share with you in this section:
Personal brand
As we mentioned earlier, nowadays, hiring companies are going to check you out on social media before making a decision. Just make
sure that you are projecting the desired image of yourself on each channel and be aware of what information is public.

Your Linkedin profile should be professionally completed and well-structured. Take advantage of some of the features of the social
networks: Get recommendations, add skills and build an active and interesting network. The picture should be appropriate for the industry
youre aiming to enter. But general rules include smiling, looking presentable, no one else in the photo, and good quality its worth
making an effort as this is likely the only image they will associate with your application.

Facebook, Twitter, etc: You dont have to keep them professional you are not a robot - but at the same time you should be aware that
they may well be sought out by potential employers and recruiters too. Each network has a different purpose. A recruiter will like to see if
you an interesting and social person. Just avoid having incriminating photos.

Personal blog: In many industries, like journalism, marketing or communication its very useful to have a personal blog that recruiters can
take a look at, and get some idea of your ability, style and creativity.

In general our message is: use Social Media to your advantage.

Job boards
In Europe alone there are hundreds of different job boards. So, where to start? Each (Steps to have an outstanding ELJ profile)
country has its own main job board and many others who try to compete with it.
Each country also has many specialized job boards, dedicated to a specific industry. Include the most important information, so
that employers dont have to dig deep for it
It is important to be in the main job board of your country and maybe in some of the Your profile will be more prominent in the
others if you find some interesting vacancies. Check if there are specific job boards Candidate Search as you earn points for
for your sector. There you will find positions that match with your profile more closely. filling in information
Make sure you have filled out your
We noticed that each country has a main national job board and that there was a lack preferences, and your perfect jobs will
of transitional opportunities to help candidates relocate from one country to another. appear automatically
Thats why we created Europe Language Jobs, an online job board specialized in Be aware of keywords and take advantage
multilingual candidates around Europe. Here you will find positions for candidates of opportunities to draw employers to your
willing to have an experience abroad. profile by using them wisely
View your profile as a whole: remember that
Our recommendation is to be active in applying to offers in job boards and also to this is how recruiters will first be introduced
have a complete profile in each one. Keep in mind that companies do database to you before seeing your CV etc.
searches and the only way they can even find you is if you have a well written profile
with a complete information section. Put a special focus on keywords, languages,
professional experiences etc.
Recruitment agencies
Apart from job boards, you might want to be aware of which recruitment agencies fill positions within your sector. In many cases, they will
be doing the interviews and the intermediation process for the final employer. This means that they work with different positions at the
same time and you want to give a good impression so they can keep you in mind.
Some recruitment agencies that deal with multilingual positions are:

Hays
Randstad
Manpower
Talent Search People
Approach People
Adecco

You will find positions from recruitment agencies in job boards such as Europe Language Jobs but if you are especially interested in a
position posted by a recruitment agency, its always good to register your CV on their website or get in touch with some of their
recruiters.
Other interesting sources
Other than main job sites it could be helpful to work with other student networks and governmental pages.

Universities: Each university has a careers page or center where they help students find their first job or internship. Especially if you are
looking for a job near you this could be an interesting possibility.

Student networks: Some student networks help members with the job search, finding internships and entry level jobs for them or
advertising them in their site. Also, there are organizations that arrange events, trips and parties for all those new expats in the city.
Some of these student organizations include:

AIESEC
AEGEE
ESN
Internations
Erasmusu

Official pages: Corporative pages and government sites usually also help candidates to find employment. One that we would especially
recommend is:

EURES: https://ec.europa.eu/eures/public/homepage
Interview advice
You have prepared yourself, written a good CV and applied to several positions on various different sites. After a lot of
effort, your hard work has been rewarded with an interview!

But what now..?

In this section, we will give you some advice on how to face and survive a job interview.
Some basics to start with
BEFORE: Be prepared
Research
Prepare the killer Questions
Plan everything to arrive on time
Dress properly for the position
Arrange a suitable timing. According to Glassdoor 10:30am is the perfect time.

DURING: Be confident
Body language and attitude
Make them remember you. Share your story!
Ask Questions

AFTER: The follow-up

Thank you note - reference the interview
Answer follow up questions
Maintain contact with the company
Plan your next step
Self-evaluate
Types of Interview
The interview process often consists of different phases; in most cases, you will have to go through more than one interview before you get the
position. You might do a preliminary Skype or phone interview, then a group assessment and finally, a face-to-face interview.

SKYPE INTERVIEW Have a Skype account only for job interviews. Or at least make

Nowadays it is common practice for companies to interview their sure that your username sounds professional; a good example

candidates via Skype. It makes a lot of sense for employers to use a would be a combination of your first and last name. You should

Skype interview as a filter for candidates they can meet the applicant also think about changing your current image and uploading

and nobody has to travel anywhere. Or perhaps the candidate lives too one that is similar to that on your resume.

far away to commit to a face-to-face interview. If you have never done Have a rehearsal interview. Ask a friend or a relative to help

this kind of interview before its important that you take into account the you by practicing some of the recurring questions one gets

following advice. asked in a job interview. By doing this you will also ensure that
the speakers and the internet connection work perfectly and
you will avoid any technical issues during the actual interview.
 Mind the surroundings. Make sure the room you are planning to Be on time. Be sure to download the latest version of Skype
use as a location for your interview is well-lit, clean and tidy. You and be online ahead schedule so that you can accept the
should also avoid any possible interruptions by telling your interviewers contact request and start the interview on time.
partner, family or housemates that you are having an interview; Sit properly and make eye contact. Avoid looking at yourself
this way you make sure that there wont be any yelling, playing during the interview. Act as if you were in a real face-to-face
video-games or loud music while you are being interviewed. conversation and keep focus on the interviewers questions.
Dont get distracted by your own image.
Dress smart. It doesnt matter that you are at home, you should
be wearing appropriate clothes to make a good first impression.
The rule you should always follow is to dress as you would to a
face-to-face interview and that includes wearing trousers too.
Bear in mind that patterns such as checks and stripes may appear
distorted on camera.
Group assessment interview
This is an interview with a small group of candidates (normally 8-10 people). It involves group questions and exercises that will help
the interviewer analyze how you respond to real time situations. Normally the assessment will be set to rate the performance of
certain key competences for the positions, such us: Leadership, team work, enthusiasm, commercial awareness.
Here are some key points to take into account and to perform well in a group exercise:

Listen to other members and contribute. Do not be over dominant in
the discussion. Its important that you listen to the opinion of others
and discuss their responses. Use, for example I agree with [name] in
but disagree in
Follow the instructions. Dont go outside the line of thought the
interviewer has given you. Make sure you understand the exercise.
Keep track of the time and prioritize the most important ideas.
You might find different types of group exercises:
Case Study Exercise: You will get a brief business scenario and
a challenge to overcome. You will have to work as a team to
give a satisfactory conclusion to it.
Leadership Exercise: You might be asked to take turns in
different roles to see how you behave as a leader and if you
are able to recognize the strengths of others.

Tr y to show your understanding of the company
If possible tr y to establish a lead role early on. Bring other people into
the discussion, use the whiteboard (if available), set the pace and be
aware of the timings.
Discussion Exercise: You will be asked to discuss specific topics,
often news related. In order to prepare it is usually good to
have read the newspapers and watched the financial news to
be aware of the most recent events.
Face to face interview

Dont be late and give a firm handshake.

Have the typical interview questions well prepared (we will go through some of the most common ones in the next section of this
guide).
Remember to highlight your strong areas through the conversation.
Dont small talk too much, recruiters are normally quite busy and they just want to focus on what is important.
Ask relevant questions. Try not to ask something that you could have easily found the answer in Google. But do ask questions.
Make sure you understand the questions.
Try not to interrupt the interviewer.
Maintain a positive attitude throughout the conversation.
Most common interview questions 1/4
We cannot know exactly what questions we will face in a job interview but here are some likely candidates:

Can you tell me a little bit (more) about yourself?

You should have a short pitch prepared for this question. Dont share your complete employment history just the main key points that
define you.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Mention your true skills, not what you think the recruiter wants to hear. Try to choose the ones that can be relevant to the position. Try to
follow up your skills with example of situations.

About weaknesses. We all know this is a tough one. The recruiter will like people who have undergone self-reflection and are able to
identify their weak points. Its not a great idea to answer like: Nothing, I am perfect so try to come up with some weaknesses, on which
you are looking to improve. For example: Ive always been scared of cold-calling by phone but in my previous job I asked my colleagues
to help me with the calls so I could boost my confidence
Most common interview questions 2/4
Why do you want to leave your current company?
Try to keep things positive and speaking about how much the new possibility motivates you. Dont to be negative about your past
company or employers.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

This question is designed for the employer to know more about your career goals and aspirations. Try to keep the answer gener al and if
possible speak about a long career interest in the company.

What do you know about the company/position?

Prepare for the interview, read about the company: who their CEO is, how they make money, how many countries they operate in
Check their website and social media channels and describe things about the company that seem appealing to you.
Most common interview questions 3/4
Tell me about your proudest achievement.
This is your opportunity to speak about one of your greatest achievements, its the perfect chance to sell yourself. Try to explain a situation
that you can relate to the position that you are applying to.

Tell me about a time that you made a mistake.

Its ok to make mistakes, we all do. What is important here is that you are able to acknowledge them and explained what you have learned
from them.

What would you look to accomplish in your first 30/60 days at this job?
For this question, you might need to know more details about the position so its ok to ask and give some suggestions on the things that you
feel are more relevant or where you think you can make more progression. But you can give more general answers such as learn a lot,
form an effective relationship with my new colleagues.
Most common interview questions 4/4
Lets go through your CV
This question is an opportunity to tell your story. Typically, you would start with your current job and go down. Emphasize your
biggest achievements and those experiences that seem more relevant. You dont need to go through every single point just the
most important information.

Why should we hire you?

There's no better setup for you to sell yourself and your skills to the hiring manager. Your job here is to craft an answer that covers
three things: that, not only can you do the work, but that you can deliver great results; that you'll really fit in with the team and
culture; and that you are more eligible than any of the other candidates.

Do you have any questions for us?

Keep in mind that an interview is also your opportunity to find out more about the position and find out if you are truly interested in
the opening. Ask as many relevant questions as you have, it will prove your interest in the company and show them that you are
curious. Again - avoid questions that you could have easily have answered with Google.
 ELJ
ADVICE
 Find out what you truly love and chase your passion. Your
job is going to fill a big part of your life and the only way to
do great work is to love what you do. Steve Jobs
Prepare yourself to live under uncertain circumstances. We
live in a very changeable environment and getting too
comfortable could be counterproductive. You must learn new
things all the time and keep your skills up to date.
Have a winning plan of action. We need to be flexible and
able to adapt to the different circumstances but it's important
to have a plan and follow a strategy. Envision where you
want to be and what you would like to be doing and focus
on your career in the long run.
Be the change you wish to see in the World. (Mahatma
Gandhi)
It's important to develop your creativity, remember,
there are so many types of creativity, you can be creative
in any area. We are in the Era of Innovation, and this era
rewards the creative.
The job searching process is not always easy. It takes time
to find a suitable job, so dont lose motivation and be
prepared to receive some nos. It is important to
maintain a positive routine while searching for a job.
From all of us in the ELJ team, we wish
you the best of luck!