Advice for propective employees

P

polarserv international

Security Directors
Due to the over whelming number of people submitting CV's, I feel it it necessary to offer a few pointers to prospective candidates seeking employment within the industry.
  • Research the relevant field of operations.......Al-Amarah differs tactically somewhat from the Al Hambra.
  • Fulfill all the criterion listed in the vacancy description..........If the employer request that the candidate is SIA/or otherwise registered, then make sure you are in possession of the relevant registration. If the employer specifically requests that candidates speak fluent Cantonese, then it means just that. Keep the CV short and concise.
  • Tailor your CV to suit the field of operations and the requirements of the vacancy.........Having a Blackwater Sniper pedigree is not a good prerequisite for escorting Mrs X for afternoon tea at the raffles hotel.
  • Employers tend to speed read CV's; what you think is an impressive CV, turns into an odious task when the employer is presented with dozens of applications. Keep the details for the interview.
  • Only list relevant/appropriate qualification's........As an employer in the security industry, we really aren't interested if you attended the local catering college or you were a swimming pool attendant for Billy Butlin.
  • Unsolicited applications normally get ignored. Repeated submissions will only perplex the employer and generally lead to any subsequent appropriate applications being binned. As most experienced operators know, employers tend to recruit by personal recommendation.
 
Can I add a couple of things:

As said - keep it to two pages if possible. If you are not good at English, get someone else to read it through

Do not bulk post applications, seeing a big list at the top of the screen is offputting and surely not all those companies are looking for the same thing?

Most recent history first - a most basic rule often ignored. so you worked in Tesco in 1981 , whooppe doo

If there are fundamental changes to your cv, re-send with a covering e-mail. Do not send the changes through on an e-mail and expect the employer to edit your existing cv

I have read hundreds of cv's over the last two years and only about 25% are really acceptable. It is your shop window and the only way prospective employers have of judging you before interview.
 
So true gents,

I am amazed by the amount of people who blanket send CVs ... I accept that many are looking for work and I sympathize having been there myself on many occasions but seriously dont have a list of recipients akin to shindlers list at the top of the page ... it looks like desperation.

Another is, if you are going to write a covering letter ... make it short , to the point but not like a randsom demand.... we get many that have one line , 'Send me details of work' or similar.... come on!!! I dont mean that the CL needs to be penned by Stephen King but make it a tad more polite.

Last but not least , I dont care if you have been working in the automotive industry or as a checkout assistant at Sainsburys.... RELEVANT INFO... christ I had a paper round when I was 12 but it doesnt appear on my CV !!!

I am not suggesting hiding it or denying any outside the industry work , but if I call you for interview I will ask you to fill the gaps in your employment....If I am interested!

Dont BS .... There is always someone who knows you or knows someone who does... this industry is the worlds largest village.... keep this in mind if you get the urge to be economical with the truth... (small whities I can live with ... but great big monster spoofs ???)

Good Luck
 
Agree with the above. A bit more to add though.

Consider the following point;

What benefit will YOU bring the employer!"

Make sure you have an answer to that question, both for your application and interview- I used it once in an interview and the bloke couldn't gve me an answer. The number of times I've interviewed someone and they act like they are doing me the favour sparing their time to come and see me, and that they expect me to give them the job. I have news from the recruiters side, I'm the one with the job, you are the one who wants it. Now I'm not a complete cnut, I can accept a measure of arrogance from a BTDT of the "Them" or the "Superbooties"- even their colonial brethren and he knows I need his skills, but from guy who has just passed his SIA CP or DS or doesn't even have security experience, it gets a bit much.

Talking of arrogance that brings me to.... job posts on forums. A common thing on networking forums just like Close Protection World are posts advertising jobs, you know XXX guys wanted for.... If the post author says PM or email if interested, please do not put you details there and ask the person to contact you.
1st the poster may be a 3rd party and not be the recruiter, so they can't respond other than their post.
2nd if they are the recruiter, then by you saying please PM me, you're really showing the arrogance I mentioned above. From the recruiters side you doing that ends up with your CV and details going in file 13 in the corner of the room.

Do not make the recruiter chase you, do not even try, because unless you are totally outstanding and have a super reputation recruiters won't bother.
The argument of I can't PM I've not made enough posts doesn't work in your defence either, what have you contributed to the community? Ok some people can't contribute from their experience, they haven't got any, in which case ask questions, learn from the advice ask for assistance- oh and don't bother applying because one of the job requirements will undoubtedly be "experience."

Oh and don't fall into the trap of thinking I've nearly the got the qualifications, or experience. Recruiters as a rule accept more not less, there may be exceptions, 3 years SF instead of 4, or 7 years regulars instead of 8. But for the most part you need to be an outstanding candidate for these allowances to be made.

Also when or if you reach the interview stage, then remember the interviewer does not know, he is not your mate and unless you are lucky will not be your mate. So remember to use sir or ma'am, unless told otherwise. Oh and definitely don't wear white socks or scratch or fidget!
 
Interview brings up so many topics mate ....

Agree with all you have said RH, sounds like you suffer the same irritations as I do???

Interview no nos as far as I am concerned go as follows:

Bring the paperwork and other pieces of bumpf outlined in the joining instructions... don't turn up saying 'I couldn't get two Passport photo on time' etc it shows lack of interest and makes you look a donut when you can rest assured the other candidates will all have it.

Be punctual, early if necessary (don't mean greet the milkman or the dawn chorus but never arrive late) especially for a company introduction day. everyone understands that the transport system in the UK is not exactly reliable so make an extra effort. To me a late arrival shows no fore thought, arrogance, and reflects the possibility that the candidate may show this lack of judgment on task.

Don't fall asleep during presentations or briefings, remain focused and alert to the HR personnel. Might sound simple but I have seen it!!

Arrive looking good (suited and booted), this is a chance to impress via appearance and last I heard no one is going to employ, tracksuit, tea stained T-Shirt, Jeans, or disco Stu types.... even if it is a HE task ... you don't need to go in 511s and dessy wellies!

Listen to the interviewer and answer their questions , know your CV nothing worse than confusing yourself on questions asked regarding previous employment/ deployment ... it reaks of spoof! Know something about the company and the task prior to going to the interview and always plan your possible answers ... there are very few real sticky questions employers will ask... what can you bring to the table is one and another is what makes you a better candidate than the others??

Be polite , confident but as mentioned leave your arrogance at the door .... we all know or should know our stuff so that attitude is not going to impress the employer. remember the employer or HR person may be a wench (as I have heard in the past) but she holds the key to your paycheck ... and she has probably seen every type of candidate from the bluffer to the aforementioned 'super trooper' ... so you will not win points by showing attitude !

Finally always ask a few well thought out questions if invited to do so .... it shows interest in the position and the company and might separate you from the others in the interview... steer away from cash . leave and Gucci kit as again that IMO is a negative.... and don't start to give problems regarding deployment... you can leave today if needed to do so.... HR will often chose the path of least resistance so if you are as good as another candidate , don't tell me about the holiday you have booked for next month and need time off for!!! Sort that when you are employed!!

I have heard all these things in Interview in the past and it beggars belief. Mate, Bro and Mucker are also bits of lingo to leave behind!!!
 
Well said Roadhog, hows things brother? for those that dont know, what the BTDT is, its ex sf ,so for the been their done that , Roadhog not seen much of you on the other site ,how you doing m8 ? stay safe ram out.
 
polarserv international said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by nozzer
Always use a spell check...

For example: "Propective" is spelt "Prospective ;0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickworldwide
Interview brings up so many topics mate ....


Be polite , confident but as mentioned leave your arrogance at the door ... so you will not win points by showing attitude !



Some people never learn!!!
Click to expand...

Correct me if I'm wrong but that guy used emoticon "with a wink" on the end of his sentence ";0)" which usually in any posting/forum comunity clearly indicates that it was supposed to be a FRIENDLY joke.
So bringing here a quote about "leaving the arrogance at the door" is in my humble opinion a bit of an exaggeration.
I maybe new to CP comunity but certainly not to the internet forums as I co-admin some of them myself.
I will probably be looking one day for a job myself, and if I have any arrogance I will certainly leave it at the door, as - I hope - my interviewer will do...
 
Marian,

As you can see I didnt quote myself as a reply to Nozzer, Polar did???

The comment of leave your arrogance at the door was directed as a general comment, and to be exact, the employer usually will not be arrogant, but then again, if they chose to be they can... after all they hold the gold!!!
 
I might also point out that an interview technique often used is to appear a little arrogant to the applicant in order to try to get their back up a little and raise the ante.... see if the person reacts well to adverse attitude...

It is used less and less these days but is often done in a friendlier manner ... such as asking seemingly difficult questions with no real right or wrong answer... such as the famous , why should we hire you ...

Truth is gents we might all be in a position to need a new job some day so I am sure that Polar, Marian , and all of us are not talking from glass houses.
 
mickworldwide said:
Marian,

As you can see I didnt quote myself as a reply to Nozzer, Polar did???

The comment of leave your arrogance at the door was directed as a general comment, and to be exact, the employer usually will not be arrogant, but then again, if they chose to be they can... after all they hold the gold!!!
Click to expand...

Mick, sorry if I caused some missunderstanding here by copying and pasting diferent quotes, my reply was entirely regarding Polar's answer, who has quoted you in his post in certain context, and that's why I answered, but I was an answer to his post.
 
mickworldwide said:
such as asking seemingly difficult questions with no real right or wrong answer...
Click to expand...

Ah yes the open questions, always a good option to ask at least 1 or 2 as an interviewer, gives some idea as to how the interviewee thinks. The "why should we hire you?" is a good one, but I always liked "Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the standard required of you...." or "Tell me about a time when you were brave....", the best one of all to ask, especially of guys with combat experience," Do you consider yourself a hero?" There are countless others.
 
In addition........

Whilst some very good points have been raised, guys remember not to lie!! Recently there have been operatives who are padding out their CV by saying they have qualifications that they haven't. Employers are looking more closely at the content of CV's so don't risk it, it is not worth it long term..........the industry is quite small and someone somewhere will find out.


Anjee
 
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