‘Could do better.’

Three words guaranteed to strike fear into the heart of any pupil.

But what if your job search came with a school report? Would your CV get an A*? Would your interview skills score a solid B? Or would your approach to interview preparation have your recruiter writing ‘needs improvement’ in red pen?

At RE Recruitment, we speak to candidates every day, so we know what can make the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked.

Grab your imaginary report card and see how your job search is performing, as we help you to turn ‘could do better’ into ‘top of the class’!

CV Writing – C

Your CV is your first chance to make an impression, so make sure it’s doing you justice. Keep it clear, concise and relevant. Recruiters and employers don't want to search through pages of information to find your key skills and experience.

Take the time to tailor your CV to the role you're applying for. Look at the job description and make sure your most relevant experience is easy to spot in relation to what the employer is looking for.

Don't just list your responsibilities. Show what you achieved. Did you increase sales? Improve a process? Manage a team? Include the results where you can as this shows tangible, example-based evidence of your abilities that you can elaborate on at interview stage.

Finally, check your spelling and grammar. A simple typo can make a CV look rushed, and this is what will bring the overall grade down significantly.

Teacher’s comment: Check, check, and check again!

Interview Preparation – B+

You wouldn't sit an exam without revising, so why go into an interview without doing your homework? Research the company, understand the role and think about why you want to work there.

Read the job description carefully and prepare examples that demonstrate the skills the employer is looking for. Use cues from your CV (you can take a copy of it to interview; this is not a closed-book exam!) to build on and give examples of your achievements and accolades.

It's also worth preparing some questions of your own. Remember, an interview isn't just about the employer deciding whether you're right for them – you're deciding whether they're right for you, too.

And please don't leave it until five minutes before your interview to check where you're going! Plan your journey, and do a test-run if you’re nervous, so you don’t end up lost or late!

Teacher’s comment: Good effort, but more preparation could improve your grade further.

Interview Performance – A

Preparation is important, but now it's time to put it into practice.

Try to use real examples when answering questions. A useful way to structure your answers is to explain the situation and task, what action you took, and the result. This is the STAR technique.

Don't worry if you're asked something unexpected. Take a moment to think before answering – there's nothing wrong with a pause.

Remember the basics; arrive on time, dress appropriately, be engaged and show enthusiasm for the opportunity.

But most importantly, be yourself. Employers aren't looking for a robot who's memorised the perfect answers. They're looking for someone who is confident, genuine and right for their team.

Teacher’s comment: A confident performance – well done!

Communication – A*

Good communication is one of the most valuable skills you can bring to a workplace – and it starts during your job search. Keep your recruiter updated. If your availability or circumstances change, or you receive another offer, let them know. Your recruiter is there to support you, but they can only do that if they know what's happening.

Communication isn't just about what you say. It's also about how you say it. Being professional, positive and responsive can make a great impression. You never know when an opportunity can arise out of a connection you’ve networked over the years, so always be your very best self!

Teacher’s comment: Sets an excellent example to others.

Organisation & Reliability – A

Found the perfect job? Great! Now make sure you don't miss the interview because you forgot to put it in your diary… Add interviews to your calendar, check the location, plan your journey and allow plenty of time. If it's a video interview, test your technology beforehand. If something unexpected happens and you can't attend, let the recruiter or employer know as soon as possible.

Teacher’s comment: It’s always good to be prepared, keep up the good work, and remember your recruiter is an additional resource to help you with this!

It’s very rare for someone to achieve an A* in everything, and your job search is no different.

If your CV needs a little work, your interview confidence could be stronger, or your LinkedIn profile has been gathering dust, don't panic. These are all things you can improve.

And that's where a good recruitment consultant can help.

From CV advice and interview preparation to finding opportunities that match your skills and ambitions, we're here to help you put your best foot forward. So, before your next application, take a look at your own job-search report card. What could you improve?

Sometimes, a little extra homework is all it takes to turn “could do better” into “outstanding.”

Class dismissed!