General advice

Do not hide anything from your CV! Be very exhaustive, there should be no surprises which you are leaving for the reader to find in your cover letter but not your CV. Given the volume of applications employers get, the reader/ evaluator almost always focuses on the CV and then, if of interest continuous with the cover letter. You want to put your best foot forward by convincing on each and every step you can!

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State your motivation: Why you? Why this position? Why this company?

Stay away from generalisations, which you can't provide a concrete track record for.

Think about what the company would get if they recruited you, tell them how you approach your first 100 days - the more precise the better, as it shows you have spent time on thinking about the role. 

Show excitement! Hiring managers love to see enthusiasm and excitement about this position and company. 

 

Would you hire yourself?

Closely review the job description and think about core skills and experience which overlap. You have 3/5 required skills? Excellent! It all depends on perspective, as the other applicants might only bring 2/5. 

Imagine interview questions, which will certainly arise and try to answer out loud. 

Prepare with bullet points, don't learn whole sentences by heart. In the heat of the moment, short key words are easier to remember.

Erase any potential stress factors which are in your power.

Arrive early. Make sure you know your way how to get there. Lay out your clothes the day before. Arrange for improbable happenings (such as a back up babysitter), a strike or other incidents. Think about how you will greet the interviewers and what will be your first words. 

A smile on your face opens up the conversation. A short ice breaker is a great way to win the other person over. 

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