Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Getting to Interview
Finding work in Italy wasn't as easy as I thought - but not for the reasons I had imagined.
Mistakenly, I'd assumed that the job application in Italy would be the same as in England - only the language would be different.
But getting to grips with what tense to use and whether I was using the right adjective were the least of my worries. Instead, what I should have been focussing on was ensuring my job application didn't get chucked in the bin.
Eleven years on and I've got the art of seeking work -whether it be for a full-time position or a freelance contract - down to a fine art.
And here are my tips:
1) Tailor your application to the sector you want to work in. For the fashion world, be wildly creative to make your CV jump out. For a secretarial position, be formal and reserved.
2) Attach a colour photo so that your prospective boss can see the type of person you are. Italy is a land where the 'bella figura' and first impressions count. So if you are a secretary, look precise and serious but approachable. A sales person should convey their persuasive personality.
3) When applying for creative positions, write an opening paragraph explaining who you are and what work you are looking for. Leave this out if you are applying for a secretarial or PA position.
4) Don't give examples on your 'curriculum'. You will have a chance to talk about these when you are called for interview.
5) Remember the phrase ‘Autorizzo il trattamento dei miei dati personali ai sensi della legge 675/96 anche con modalità elettroniche e/o automatizzate, per le finalità di ricerca e selezione di personale.’ Unless you authorise your prospective employer to use your data, your application is void under Italian law.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
Mistakenly, I'd assumed that the job application in Italy would be the same as in England - only the language would be different.
But getting to grips with what tense to use and whether I was using the right adjective were the least of my worries. Instead, what I should have been focussing on was ensuring my job application didn't get chucked in the bin.
Eleven years on and I've got the art of seeking work -whether it be for a full-time position or a freelance contract - down to a fine art.
And here are my tips:
1) Tailor your application to the sector you want to work in. For the fashion world, be wildly creative to make your CV jump out. For a secretarial position, be formal and reserved.
2) Attach a colour photo so that your prospective boss can see the type of person you are. Italy is a land where the 'bella figura' and first impressions count. So if you are a secretary, look precise and serious but approachable. A sales person should convey their persuasive personality.
3) When applying for creative positions, write an opening paragraph explaining who you are and what work you are looking for. Leave this out if you are applying for a secretarial or PA position.
4) Don't give examples on your 'curriculum'. You will have a chance to talk about these when you are called for interview.
5) Remember the phrase ‘Autorizzo il trattamento dei miei dati personali ai sensi della legge 675/96 anche con modalità elettroniche e/o automatizzate, per le finalità di ricerca e selezione di personale.’ Unless you authorise your prospective employer to use your data, your application is void under Italian law.
Emma Bird is the co-director of www.howtoitaly.com
Our book 'Starting a Business in Italy: how to set up and run a successful business in the Bel Paese' is coming soon.
