Application and CV Tips

Top recruiting tips

Research, research, research

Make sure you do your research – check out our Gradcracker Hub.

Whilst you’ll be working in an entirely practical environment and earning money at the same time as gaining valuable experience, you will need to consider which option is right for you. Look into the modules that will be delivered. Working in construction offers a vast array of roles and different career paths and opportunities – investigate what you want to do and where it can take you.

Explore the company benefits we offer, in addition to the professional qualification you can gain.

Know the role

• Look at the criteria included in the wording of the job advert for what qualifications you need to apply against the role.
• Read the job description – this may generate some questions at interview stage.
• Think about why you want the role.

Don’t make multiple applications

An important piece of advice is to not apply for multiple positions, instead compare your skills and experience with the job descriptions to determine which role would be best suited for you and apply for that position.

Attention to detail

If you decide to apply, take time over your application. Check your CV and see where you can refine your résumé, as well as develop a solid pitch about why you are the leading candidate for the role. Check your CV for spelling and grammar. Common errors include not using capital letters, missing punctuation, incorrect spelling, and text speak.

Prepare and practise

Look at the job description and think about the questions you may be asked. Look at the essential and desirable criteria and think about examples where you have been able to demonstrate these.

CV tools and tips

What you should include in your CV?

The structure is flexible to your skill set and experiences. These are the sections you see within your CV:

• Name
• Contact details including email and mobile number. You can list your town/county instead of including your full postal address.
• Add in a personal statement which should be no more than five sentences, explain who you are, why you are interested in this particular position, what you can offer and your career aspirations.
• If you struggle with your personal statement, try to answer this question… how will you benefit Tilbury Douglas?
• List any experience you have and any employment history in chronological order providing the most recent at the top.
• If you have not had a paid job, this is a fantastic opportunity to discuss any unpaid or voluntary work you have under your belt. Detailing previous work experience is a great way of providing evidence of the key skills you have said you possess.
• List your education and qualification including the names of where you studied along with the dates you were there. 

Additional sections

• Key skills – identify any abilities you feel you can demonstrate, provide a summary of your strengths. Some examples could be time-management, excellent verbal and written communication, working as part of a team…
• Hobbies and interests – this can show how you utilise your time and what you enjoy doing – think about any relevant to the role.

Should you provide a cover letter?

A cover letter could separate you from another equally qualified candidate, so it’s important to have one ready to submit along with your CV.

Cover letters need to be brief, and should include the following:

• An introduction of yourself and your skills
• A summary of your experience
• An explanation about why you want to work for Tilbury Douglas and why you are passionate about it

Prepare great questions for your interviewer

Don’t dread the question of ‘Do you have any questions for me?”; instead think about what you are going to ask and prepare some questions in advance. Remember some may be covered during the interview itself so try not to repeat, as it may appear you have not been listening.

Use this opportunity to ask thoughtful questions relevant to the role. It is a great way to make a lasting impression and learn more as well as discovering any essential information about the job that you couldn’t find out in job description or perhaps was information missing from the interview itself.

Prepare questions about the role, growth opportunities, the team you’d be working with, Tilbury Douglas, its goals, and competitors. This multidimensional approach is a great way to learn as much as possible during the interview and make a lasting impression on the interviewer.