1. The Perfect Candidate - You

2. Candidate: What did you want to be?
Growing up doesn’t have to mean growing out of your childhood ambition. At Benchmark, we
employ super recruiters with the power to make dream careers come true. We’re connected
with South Yorkshire’s leading companies and organisations and right now, we’re brimming
with great opportunities.
A helping hand
Our selection process is rigorous, but once you’ve made it through, you can expect a range of
great benefits, all with the aim of helping you secure your dream job.
From us you will get access to all our live jobs, a consultant that will proactively call compa-
nies on your behalf to find jobs for you, CV advice, useful and constructive interview tips and
techniques, and most importantly pre interview preparation.
We will have always visited the client before you so we can give you an accurate heads up on
what to expect. Inside information can make all the difference to your performance in an
interview, keeping you on track to what is relevant to the person that makes the ultimate
decision whether to hire.
A head start
With an exclusive client base across South Yorkshire we have jobs that you won’t find on
recruitment websites, or with other recruitment agencies. We work on an exclusive basis with
many clients so sometimes you can go up against only 4 other people instead of the usual 150
people applying per job advert at the moment. With those odds you stand a much better
chance of nailing it!

3. CV Guide: Look good on paper.
Start with your work history
Start in reverse chronological order - i.e. with your most recent job first. This should be
followed by your educational details, other skills and any hobbies or interests.
Use short sentences and bullet-points
You can always expand on these at the interview. Make your CV flows, is easy to digest and
appealing to the eye.
Use your CV to highlight a broad range of skills
This will enable you to go for a wider selection of roles.
Concentrate on any differences
These can be differences you’ve made to your company or department, responsibilities and
achievements. Evidence these and give examples.
Only use one typeface
Ensure the headings are consistent in style and size.
Don’t use humour
What you find funny might not appeal to a potential employer!
Account for gaps
Travelling or taking a few months off is fine - you don’t need to hide or ignore it.
Lastly, get someone to check through your CV

4. Interview guide: Our guide to flourish at your interview.
Research the organisation
Start by looking at their website, paying close attention to the products and services that they
offer. If you really want to impress, why not look at the websites of their main competitors and
highlight positive differences in the interview? Or their latest press releases.
Rehearse your answers
Use specific examples to illustrate your suitability and note questions that you may want to
ask - make sure you take your notes into the interview!
Go over any of your weaknesses that may come out in the interview. No-one is perfect, and
you’ll come across much better if you are confident and well practised. Be positive about why
you want to leave your current job and highlight the confidence previous employers have
placed in you.
Be on time
It may sound obvious, but often people don’t leave enough time to get to their interview. You
must allow for travel delays or getting lost. Make sure that you go on a “dry run” prior to your
interview. This will also help you to be more relaxed when you arrive.
First impressions
Never be tempted to dress down for an interview. You never get a second chance to make a
first impression. An average interviewer will take a maximum of 4 minutes to make their
decision so it is essential that you make your first impression count. Always offer a good firm
handshake, smile and keep eye contact will all help to build your rapport.
Frame of mind
Focus on being energetic, assertive, confident and positive. Make the position you’re inter-
viewing for your chief objective. Let them know why you are suitable. Use you body language
to your advantage, look to your interviewer and use the mirroring technique.

5. Any questions?
At the end of the interview use this opportunity to sell yourself, we recommend that you
prepare questions you might want to write these down and take them with you, which also
show that you are organised and keen.
Tell them that you really enjoyed meeting them and reiterate why you feel you are suitable.
Thank them for their time and ask when you will hear if you have been successful.
Follow up
Once the interview is over, make sure you phone or email your consultant to let them know
how it went.

6. Interview guide: Getting the most out of your interviews.
We have prepared a selection of interview questions to help you ascertain who is the right
candidate for you. These questions should help you understand the candidates skills, person-
ality, experience and aspirations. You will also find enclosed a feedback form which will help
you score the candidates according to your impression of them at interview. We will provide
the feedback on your behalf to the candidates not selected.
1. Current situation.
Can you describe your current duties and responsibilities?
Describe how you spend a typical day?
Why do you want to leave your current job?
2. Core Competencies.
Explain how you would handle a heavy work load and what are you coping strategies?
Tell me about a time you have worked under pressure and how you dealt with the stress?
What duties do you enjoy most and why?
What drives you to succeed?
Give me an example of a time when you showed initiative?
Describe the last time you missed a deadline and why?

7. 3. Achievements
What has been your greatest achievement in your present role?
Describe a time when you feel you went above and beyond your area of responsibilities?
What do you feel has been your greatest challenge and why? and how did you overcome it?
4. Personal Attributes
What is your greatest achievement outside of the workplace?
How would your best friend describe you?
Who would give you the best reference and what would they say about you?
5. About us.
What do you know about the role?
What do you know about the company?
Why are you suitable for this position?
Why do you want to work for us?

8. Benchmark awards: Recommend a friend
It works like this... once you are registered with us if you recommend someone that we place
in a permanent position, as a thank-you we’ll give you both a £50 voucher for the store of your
choice - it’s as simple as that!
benchmarkrecruit.co.uk