Career tips and tools

Who are you, what are your capabilities and what do you want to achieve? This tool provides a solid foundation for the other career tips. You will take a look at yourself, explore what is important to you in a job and formulate your own career profile and action plan. The Career Profile will help you to figure out how you want to develop yourself in your career and work out which direction you wish to take.

Download the Career profile working document

Would you prefer to work directly with people to find out what is important to you and what suits you? Then this workshop is for you. During this workshop, you will learn which activities energise you and when you are in your element. You will also discover what your core competencies and core qualities are.

Register for the workshop

In this working document, note down keywords of interesting positions, roles, organisations and themes/sectors for yourself so that you can make easy use of this when you get to work.

Download the Job Market Orientation working document

Globally, LinkedIn has more than 690 million accounts, with more than 8 million of these based in the Netherlands. You can use LinkedIn effectively to support your career. This professional platform is ideal for finding out about the job market, building up valuable networking contacts and increasing your visibility so that employers can also find you. 

LinkedIn is a/an: 

• Online network focusing on the job market, where employers and jobseekers can come together.
• Online CV that is available 24/7 and offers more scope than a traditional CV.
• Networking channel: it is easy to make contacts via personal connections, groups and organisations.
• Online business ‘address book’: the background and contact details of your connections and others are available or can be requested.
• Vacancy database: vacancies, internships and projects are shared by people and organisations via networks and groups. Sometimes you can apply directly via LinkedIn!
• Social business platform: commercial objectives are pursued via connections, groups and organisations.
• News channel: specialists and organisations share updates, articles, news and research with their network or in groups. 

LinkedIn as a source of information and network 

LinkedIn offers valuable information about careers and organisations. You can see where people with a similar background have got to and how they have built their careers. In addition, you can see who from your network works for an organisation that you are interested in. By clicking on a business logo, you can see information about that organisation, including any vacancies.   

Tips for success on LinkedIn 

• Increase your findability: Make your profile as complete as possible and optimise it for search engines by using relevant keywords. Analyse vacancies to identify terms that are often used.
• Share changes to your profile: You can choose whether or not to share network updates concerning changes to your profile. You can manage this via 'Settings and privacy’ and avoid sharing unimportant changes.
• Make contact: Once you have created a profile, you can easily make contact with new people, even if you do not know them personally.
• Look up alumni and see their career paths. Make contact and ask for advice.
• Make contact with recruiters, if relevant, and show your interest.
• Follow companies, people and interesting (discussion) groups within your specialist area. 

Your LinkedIn profile

Do you want to find out how you can create a strong LinkedIn profile? Use the handy Job application by LinkedIn profile checklist by Aaltje Vincent to improve your LinkedIn profile!

Want more tips? Check out the E-learning in gROW. 

LinkedIn for professionals

Career networking is when you make contact with people to gather information in preparation for future steps. 

Why is networking valuable when it comes to finding a job?  

• Networking: test your profile in practice
• Networking offers you the opportunity to test your career profile (including skills, values and ambitions) in a specific organisation, position or sector. It helps you verify your image of the reality: does what you want and what you can offer match what is being asked for in practice?
• Networking is a form of orientation, offering knowledge and insight 
  Talking to experts gives you ‘inside information’ about different positions and the sector as a whole. You gain a better understanding of what is happening, what people are concerned about, and what problems, issues or developments there may be in the short and longer term. You acquire new information.
• Networking allows you to introduce yourself in a relaxed setting 
  A conversation when you are networking is more informal compared to the formal setting of a job interview. It also allows you to make yourself known before an official vacancy opens up. Having network contacts can therefore give you a head start in application procedures and recommendations from others can open new doors.
• Networking helps you expand your network 
  On average, one conversation can generate two to four new contacts, bringing you ever closer to your ideal job and organisation.
• Many vacancies are never published 
  Research shows that the best way to get information about available jobs is from people you know.
• Networking is proactive and inspiring 
  Networking enables you to take action rather than simply waiting or only responding to vacancies. You can have interesting conversations and acquire useful tips from someone with valuable experience.  

Your network mapped 

On average, everyone knows around 350 people. This means that 10 acquaintances, who also know 350 people each, can quickly bring you into contact with 3,500 people who could potentially be of help to you! Ask the people around you about the work they do or ask questions about the business or organisation they work for. Talk about what you want in your career and what you find interesting or important. Often you will then get suggestions for things you haven't thought about yet and you will be referred to people who could be of interest to you.

Expanding your personal network

Try to network with people who do something that appeals to you.  
Networking opportunities come up at career events, but you can also try to arrange a networking conversation via social media, email or a ‘contact of a contact’. Following interesting people and organisations on LinkedIn, for example, can also help you expand your network. Make use of the people around you who can introduce you to new discussion partners who may be of interest to you.  
When you make contact, explain who you are, how you got the name and contact details of the person you are contacting and why you would like to arrange a meeting with them. Make it clear that you are not asking for a job, but that you are trying to find out about the job market and would be grateful for some further information. If the other person agrees, make the appointment and thank them.

Conducting a networking conversation

• Beforehand: 
  Prepare well by looking at the website of the organisation concerned and looking up the person you are going to speak to on LinkedIn, for example. Think about the questions you want to ask.  
  Consider how you will introduce yourself in a way that is tailored to your intended discussion partner. Use the Career Profile for this, if you wish.
• Opening: Begin each conversation by saying who you are and opening with some informal small talk.
• Introduction: Don't forget to briefly introduce yourself. Take a few minutes to say a bit about yourself and your background, and end with the direction you would like to take in your career. In this way, you will make sure that you also come into the picture. State clearly that you are not expecting the other person to offer you a job, but you are hoping they can help you with information and advice.
• Exchanging information: Show genuine interest in what your discussion partner has to say and ask lots of questions. Respect the other person's time by keeping within the agreed time slot. If there are things that the person you are speaking to could help you with (e.g. by sharing an article or name), mention this to them. Ask whether they can introduce you to others who may be able to help you further.
• Rounding up: Briefly sum up what was important to you in the conversation. Ask whether they would like a copy of your CV, but only if the conversation lends itself to this. Arrange how you might stay in touch (e.g. by email/LinkedIn) and how you should contact the people you have been referred to.
• Once the meeting is over: Send an email thanking the person once again for meeting with you and for their time, as well as any follow-up steps. You could also do this via LinkedIn, and refer to the meeting in your connection request.  

Do's: 

• Target professionals who work in the position or specialist area that interests you.
• If you have become interested in a particular position, consider asking whether it would be useful to get in touch with a manager (a decision-maker) to find out more.
• Prepare well.   

Check out the E-learning Networking in Grow

Possible questions for a networking conversation 

• Can you tell me something about your background? About your career to date?
• How did you decide that you wanted to go into this line of work?
• What did you do to get into this line of work?
• What type of person does well in a job like this?
• What developments are you facing in your position?
• Do you ever think about what you will do next? If so, what might a logical next step be for you? 

Content and tasks:  

• What are your tasks and responsibilities?
• What activities and duties do you perform in your work?
• What does an average working day look like for you? 

How do you find your work?  

• What is the most attractive aspect of this job and why?
• What do you find least attractive about it and why?
• What do you find most difficult and why?
• How do you find the work-life balance? 

Organisation: 

• Where is your position placed within the organisation? Who are you responsible to?
• How are decisions that affect your work made and who makes them?
• What influence do you have in this respect?
• Do you work in a team?
• Who are you dependent on for your work?
• Do you have many contacts internally and externally?
• What developments is the organisation facing? 

Conclusion  

• Do you have any advice for someone who wants to work in this field? Or, having spoken to me, do you have any different advice for me?
• Can you give me any names of people and contacts who I could talk to further? If so, would you be happy to introduce me to them? 

A curriculum vitae (CV) is an essential document when applying for jobs. Its purpose is to ensure you are invited for an interview. This handout highlights the fact that there are many different guidelines and tips on how to draw up a CV. There is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ CV or cover letter, as preferences differ. Before you start applying for jobs it is useful to do some self-examination first: “Who am I, what do I want, what can I do?” The Career Profile tool can help you with this.  

Selection process: CV first, then cover letter 

Selectors usually start by quickly scanning your CV (a ‘reference document’ all about you) to gain an initial impression. If they like it, they will take a closer look at the cover letter. This initial scan of your CV often takes just a few seconds, so it is important to make a strong impression immediately. 

General guidelines  

• Preparation: Analyse the vacancy advertisement and find out more about the organisation before you start writing your CV.
• Tailoring your CV to the vacancy: Tailor your CV to each job you apply for. Use keywords from the vacancy advertisement: this will not only help in cases where ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software is used, but also if selectors are looking for specific skills and experience.
• Be careful what you include: Emphasise achievements and skills that are relevant to this vacancy and provide additional explanations where necessary. Leave out what is not relevant and describe less relevant aspects more briefly.

Sections of a CV 

A CV is a way of introducing yourself and is made up of several sections that describe your career. It comprises a number of standard sections, which can be supplemented with other, optional sections depending on the vacancy and your experience. 

• Personal details: State your name, telephone number and email address. As an option, you may also include your date of birth, nationality, address or LinkedIn profile, if relevant to the position.
• Personal profile (elevator pitch): This is a description of yourself that should be brief and to the point. In no more than five sentences say who you are, what your ambitions and strengths are, and what value you can add for the employer. Although it is not compulsory, a well-written profile can help you make a positive impression right away. Your profile sets the tone for your CV.
• Work experience: List your work experience in reverse chronological order (a reverse chronological CV is suitable in particular if you have a number of years’ work experience).
  • For each position you have held you should state the period, job title and employer.
  • State the name of the employer in full, as it is currently known, and avoid abbreviations.
  • Use the job title that is most descriptive (this is not always the title found on your employment contact).
  • Focus on your most recent work experience, unless you want to make a career change. You can write about older experience more briefly, unless this older experience is more relevant to the position you are applying for.
  • For each position, outline the essential information using bullet points; think about the most relevant tasks, results or specific achievements. Use figures if possible, e.g. measurable successes and percentages.
  • Do not use reverse chronological order if you have a good reason not to, e.g. a career change. In such cases you can write a thematic CV, for example.
• Education and training: Education and training are also presented in reverse chronological order. If you haven't been on the job market for long, you can mention any relevant courses, internships or theses, especially if they relate to the position you are applying for. You can also place the heading ‘education and training’ above ‘work experience’.
• Ancillary activities: These activities may be of value in relation to the vacancy. Use the same formatting as for work experience and state which skills you have acquired.
• Skills: Mention your skills, qualities and competences with your work experience, or create a separate section where you list all your skills. Don't do both.
• Language skills: Describe how good you are at which languages, potentially breaking this down into speaking, reading, writing and listening skills. If language skills are important for the position you are applying for, specify them more precisely using CEFR levels.
• Digital skills: Mention software or tools that are relevant to the position, such as Photoshop, SPSS or programming languages such as Python.
• Interests: State your hobbies and interests if they are relevant to the position or if they show you in a good light, e.g. you can demonstrate leadership skills by mentioning that you are the captain of a sports team. 

Layout and formatting 

Selectors get a first impression of your CV from the layout, so it is crucial to make sure it is clear and well structured. 

• Legibility and layout: Make sure your CV is clearly laid out and easy to scan over. Use clear headings and position the most important information where it can be found quickly. Use bullet points to make lists and make sure the text is easy to read. Avoid long paragraphs.
• Length: Try to avoid making your CV any longer than necessary. Keep it concise: no more than 2 pages long.
• The first page is crucial: The top half of the page in particular is often looked at first. Make sure you stand out right away in this part by presenting relevant information and your expertise.
• Heading: At the top of your CV you can state your name only or also add the words ‘Curriculum Vitae’.
• Photo: In the Netherlands a photo is not compulsory, but including one is increasingly becoming the norm. This can make your CV more personal. Make sure you use a professional, representative photo. If you are applying for a job abroad, check what is customary there.
• Colours: You may wish to add some colour, but an overly creative layout is not always desirable, depending on the sector in question. The layout is there to serve the content.   
• Using templates: Templates like those offered by Canva can help you draw up a CV that matches your personality and the vacancy in question.
• Do's: Make sure your CV file is correctly named, e.g. Firstname_Lastname_CV. Save your CV as a PDF to avoid formatting problems. 

If you would like to learn more, explore this e-learning module in gROW.

E-learning 'I want that job!'

A curriculum vitae (CV) is an essential document in many application procedures. Its purpose is to ensure you are invited for an interview. This handout highlights the fact that there are many different guidelines and tips on how to draw up an academic CV. 

General guidelines 

• Detailed: Your CV provides a comprehensive overview of your education and training, professional appointments, research, policy and teaching experience, publications, awards, lectures given, subsidies and grants received, and other relevant achievements.
• Tailoring your CV to the vacancy: Tailor your CV to each job you apply for. Use keywords from the vacancy advertisement, as this will help selectors who are looking for specific skills and experience.
• Highlight the important things: Emphasise achievements and skills that are relevant to the vacancy and provide additional explanations where necessary.  

Sections of an academic CV

An academic CV is a way of introducing yourself and is made up of several sections that describe your professional career in detail. It comprises a number of standard sections, which can be supplemented with other, optional sections depending on the vacancy and your experience. 

• Personal details: State your name, telephone number and work email address. As an option, you may also include your date of birth, nationality, address or LinkedIn profile, if relevant to the position.
• Personal profile: This is a description of yourself that should be brief and to the point. In no more than five sentences say who you are, what your ambitions and strengths are, and what value you can add. Although it is not compulsory, a well-written profile can help you make a positive impression right away. It shows why you would be a good fit with the organisation and position.
• Research objective: The research objective is a short, snappy paragraph in which you describe your research plans. It is particularly important if you are applying for research funding.
• Work experience: List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent position first). A reverse chronological CV is suitable in particular if you have a number of years’ work experience.
  • For each position you have held you should state the period, job title and employer.
  • Use bullet points to describe the main activities or results achieved for relevant positions. You can add emphasis by mentioning specific achievements. State the name of the employer in full, as it is currently known, and avoid abbreviations. You may wish to break your experience down into separate sections:
  • Research experience: State the research positions you have held, including research appointments and relevant research projects. Provide a summary of your current and previous research topics, methodologies and any future interests. Add your supervisors’ names.
  • Teaching experience: State your teaching experience and your experience of developing and/or coordinating education.
  • Professional appointments: State the academic positions you have held, including your responsibilities, the period and a brief description of these responsibilities.
• Education and training: Education and training are also presented in reverse chronological order, including the year of completion of the course, the degree, the field of study, any awards and the title of your thesis or dissertation. If you have recently obtained a PhD, in addition to your PhD thesis you can also mention any relevant courses, internships or other theses, especially if they relate to the position you are applying for. You can also place the heading ‘education and training’ above ‘work experience’. For a CV in the Netherlands you can choose whether you include your PhD under the heading ‘work experience’ or ‘education and training’.
• Prizes and awards: If you have received funding or have won prizes or awards, you can highlight your achievements here. This information demonstrates that your research is innovative and valuable. State the year and the awarding body.
• Grants and fellowships: State any grants and fellowships received, including the awarding body and the period in which you received the grant.
• Lectures at conferences
• Transferable skills: Besides research, skills such as teaching, project management, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking are important ones to mention.
• Publications: Divide this section up into peer-reviewed publications and others. Stick to a consistent citation style. Add publications in a separate list if there are a lot of them and mention any conferences you have participated in or lectures you have given.
• Ancillary activities: This information may be relevant to the vacancy. In this section you can add any additional experience you have, such as non-academic positions held, voluntary work, memberships, professional services and media appearances. Use the same formatting as for work experience and state which skills you have acquired.
• Skills and IT knowledge: State any technical or scientific skills that are relevant, e.g. knowledge of technical tools or software such as SPSS or programming languages such as Python.
• Language skills: Describe your language skills. You may wish to specify these skills more precisely using CEFR levels.
• References: If you wish, finish off your CV by including references. State the full name, title, position, telephone number and email address of your referees. Ask referees for their permission in advance and send them a copy of your application. Choose referees who are familiar with different aspects of your expertise, to ensure a diverse range of recommendations. Your head of department can talk about your professionalism and collegiality, for example. Also consider including external referees, such as professors from other universities.

Layout and formatting 

Selectors get a first impression of your CV from the layout. Make sure your CV is clearly laid out and easy to scan over. Use clear headings and position the most important information, such as research and achievements, where it can be found quickly. Use bullet points. If you would like to learn more, visit the Academic Transfer website. 

Are you ready to really start working on your next career move? You can take part in this workshop after attending the ‘Self-Insight: the key to your career’ workshop or after completing the Career Profile working document. The Get To Work On Your Career workshop will show you how to turn your ambitions into concrete steps. Discover new opportunities within and outside your position, practise meaningful conversations and bring your network to life. Find out how colleagues tackle the same challenges and inspire each other in a safe setting. With proven guidance and tips you can use straightaway, you can get to work with confidence.

Register for the workshop here

A well-written cover letter is tailored well to the vacancy and demonstrates your enthusiasm, motivation and suitability for the position. The purpose of the cover letter is to pique the reader’s interest to ensure you are invited for an interview. 

Selectors often start with a CV first to check whether you meet the main requirements, before switching to the cover letter. Like your CV, the letter will be scanned over, so make sure that relevant information stands out quickly by including it at the beginning or end of a paragraph, for example. 

Preparation 

The first step to achieving a strong cover letter is thorough preparation. 

• Analysis of vacancy: What is the organisation asking for? Read through the vacancy advertisement carefully and underline keywords (such as required competences, job requirements and experience). These are the points you need to focus on in your letter.
• Gather information:
  • About the organisation, for example via its website, annual report or LinkedIn. This will help you align your letter more closely with the company’s culture and needs.
  • If you know someone who works at the company, try to obtain more ‘inside information’ from them. This will help you align your letter even more closely with the company’s culture and needs.
  • It may be useful to contact the employer in advance to gain a greater insight into the position and the organisation. This conversation will not only provide you with valuable information, but will also give you a chance to make a positive impression. You can mention this conversation in the opening paragraph of your cover letter to draw extra attention to your commitment and interest.
• Think about the following before you start writing:
  • What motivates me about this position and this employer?
  • What personal characteristics, skills and experience do I have that are relevant to this vacancy and what examples can I give to illustrate them?
  • What do I want the employer to know about me? 

Structure

A cover letter has a clear structure and includes the following paragraphs:  

1. Opening (1st paragraph): Start your letter with an engaging opening sentence or personal experience that will immediately capture the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself in one sentence and say which position you are applying for.
2. Motivation (2nd paragraph): In this paragraph say why you are interested in and motivated to apply for the position. Set out your motivations, interests, ambitions and any philosophy or vision. You can support this information with examples from your CV, such as prior work experience. Also show that you have studied the organisation and say what appeals to you about the company’s mission, vision or approach and how this aligns with your own values.
3. Suitability (3rd paragraph): Say here what makes you suitable for the position. Use keywords from the vacancy advertisement: this will not only help in cases where ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software is used, but also if selectors are looking for specific skills and experience. Provide concrete examples of relevant experience and achievements, and make these as specific as possible.
4. Closing words (4th paragraph): End your letter with a proactive sentence, such as: “I would be happy to explain my motivations in more detail during a personal interview.” This demonstrates self-confidence and initiative.  

Important tips 

• Keep it short: Make sure your letter is no longer than one side of A4 (for a non-academic position).
• Enthusiasm: Show that you are keen to get the job and use a positive tone and style.
• Adapt your letter: Each vacancy calls for a unique, tailored letter.
• Be relevant: Focus on the most important points and avoid irrelevant details.
• Avoid repetition: Do not repeat what is on your CV, but supplement it with new information.
• Check your letter: Check through everything carefully and ask friends or family for feedback to avoid any mistakes.
• Use active language: Write clearly, specifically and directly, and avoid clichés such as “I am a team player”, unless you provide examples to support these statements.
• A pitfall to avoid: negative comments about previous jobs or colleagues. 

Want to know more? Check out the E-learning in Grow!

The gutsy way to get the job!

Information for scientific staff

Application letter for an academic position 

Include the following in your application letter: 

• A brief summary of your research and its relevance to the vacancy
• Your future research interests (if applicable)
• Your qualifications and interests in the area of research and education
• Why you are interested in this particular lab/department/university
• The contribution you could make to the university in general (if applicable) 

Application letter for people who wish to move from academia to a non-academic position 

In addition to the regular points to include in a cover letter, you could also consider the following: 

• Only provide a brief description of your research if this is relevant to the position
• Highlight skills that could be important for the organisation and position. Demonstrate that you have skills that are not typically associated with postgraduates (so-called transferable skills)
• Emphasise your involvement in grant proposals (if relevant)
• Make sure you use the language and terminology appropriate for the sector 

Unsolicited applications are applications sent when no specific vacancy has been advertised. State which department or role you are keen to work in and why this particular position appeals to you. With an unsolicited application it is even more important to make clear why you would add value to the organisation. 

Tip: Before you write an unsolicited application letter it can be useful to network with someone from the organisation you are interested in. You can then refer to this conversation in your letter. It is also likely to result in some interesting information that you can use in your letter.

Opening section

Make sure you have a strong opening sentence. Say that you would like to be considered for the position you have in mind if it should become available in the near future. This can be done in various ways, of course: 

• Focus on the company: Explain convincingly why the company is such a good fit for you and why you want to work there
• Focus on the position: Based on your own experience of the position you know what skills are important and what else you have to offer. And, who knows, your career may mean you are suitable for a number of different positions in an organisation
• Focus on yourself: Another option is to focus more on yourself. Think about what you could contribute in a specific position within the organisation and emphasise this in your letter.  

Middle section 

Describe the qualities and experience that set you apart from others and make you suitable for the organisation and position. 

Closing section

Be proactive: make sure you end the letter enthusiastically and make clear that you are available to provide additional information. Say that you will get in touch in a few weeks’ time to find out what opportunities are available within the organisation.

You have achieved your aim with your CV and cover letter: you have been invited for a job interview!  A job interview is more than just a formal introduction: it is all about interaction and the impression you make. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in this. A firm handshake, eye contact, a sincere smile and an open posture can make a big difference. You only have a few seconds to make a strong first impression, after which you will have around thirty minutes to an hour to present yourself. During the interview it is important not only to answer questions, but also to ask questions yourself and take an active approach. This will demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the position. Don’t forget that a job interview is also an opportunity for you to get to know the organisation better and decide whether the position is really right for you. 

Preparation tips

Careful preparation can make all the difference. Here are a few tips: 

• Read your application: read through the vacancy advertisement, your CV and your cover letter carefully. Know what the job requirements and responsibilities are.
• Know your interviewers: Look up the names and positions of the people you will be talking to so that you have a better idea of their background.
• Ask questions: Think about which questions you want to ask yourself, for example about the job content, the team, the organisation and the steps in the procedure. Also think about what you want to make sure people know about you at the end of the interview.
• Plan your journey and what you will wear: Make sure you arrive in plenty of time and choose an outfit that you feel comfortable in and fits in with the organisational culture.
• The STARR method as a way of giving examples: Prepare some practical examples using the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) method. Think back to situations in which you demonstrated skills that are relevant to the position. 

Standard parts of the job interview  

A job interview often consists of a number of standard parts. An interview for an academic position may deviate from this format.  

• Introduction: A brief introduction of both the applicant and the committee, during which each person introduces themselves.
• Explanation: of the position and the team.
• Questions about your motivations: Why have you applied for this position and what appeals to you about the organisation? Use the STARR method to support your motivations and experience.
• Questions about your CV and background: Here your personal and professional experience will be discussed. Expect questions about specific experience that is relevant to the position, but perhaps also about the content of your CV: why have you made certain choices? What have you learned from your experiences?
• Questions about work experience and suitability: The committee will enquire in more detail about your skills and how they are relevant to the position. Often you will also be given case studies to solve.
• Your questions to the employer: This is your chance to find out more about the position, the team and the corporate culture.
• Conclusion: The next steps in the application process are discussed here. 

Job interview for an academic position 

This interview can vary depending on the specific institution (university, research institute) and the nature of the position concerned. Nevertheless, there are a number of common elements that you can expect: 

• Introduction
• In-depth interview about academic background
• Skills and expertise
• Future research plans
• Aspects relating to teamwork and collaboration
• Discussion of a case study or presentation
• Questions about education (if applicable)
• Questions from the candidate
• Conclusion and practical information 

Follow-up interviews

The content of a second job interview can vary from one organisation and position to another, but you can generally expect the following: 

• More in-depth questions about your experience, skills and expertise
• An interview with immediate colleagues or team members
• A more in-depth interview about your motivations and how you will fit into the team as an individual
• A case study or practical assignment
• A discussion of employment conditions (usually after the second interview) 

What should you do after the interview?   

If you have not heard anything after two weeks, take the initiative yourself and enquire about the status of your application. Have you got through to the second round? Congratulations! Ask what the next steps are and what exactly is expected of you. Have you been rejected? See this as an opportunity to learn and ask for feedback so you can prepare for and do better in future interviews. 

Declining an offer professionally 

If you have to decline an offer, it is important to do this professionally: 

• Be clear about your reasons: Make a list of the reasons why the position is not for you.
• Remain professional: Thank the company for making the offer and briefly explain your reasons for declining it.
• Future possibilities: Say that you may be interested in taking up a position with the company in the future, so you maintain a good relationship. 

Practising and learning 

Applying for jobs is a skill that you can sharpen up by practising. This will help you prepare better and will increase your confidence during the application process. If you would like to learn more, explore this e-learning module below.  

The Elevator Pitch 

Practice questions and assessment example job interview  

Are you ready to really start working on your next career move? You can take part in this workshop after attending the ‘Self-Insight: the key to your career’ workshop or after completing the Career Profile working document. The Get To Work On Your Career workshop will show you how to turn your ambitions into concrete steps. Discover new opportunities within and outside your position, practise meaningful conversations and bring your network to life. Find out how colleagues tackle the same challenges and inspire each other in a safe setting. With proven guidance and tips you can use straightaway, you can get to work with confidence.

Register for the workshop here