Applications and Interviews
This section covers Applications, CVs, Interviews, Assessment Centres and Psychometric Tests. Much of the material held in the Careers Service at 388 Glossop Road is available to take away or may be borrowed for up to one week. We also have a number of DVDs which can be borrowed or viewed in the Careers Service.
You should also refer to the Making Applications section on our website which contains advice and information to help you apply for work or postgraduate study.
What's On Diary - the Careers Service offers centrally delivered talks and workshops on Applications, Interviews and Psychometric tests. A full programme is available via the What's On Diary.
Applications, CVs and Covering Letters
CV and Application Checking Service - available at the Careers Service. To book an appointment call 2220910.
| Books, files, videos, leaflets, CD-ROMs & DVDs | |
|---|---|
| Title | Shelfmark  |
| Career skills: opening doors into the job market - how to promote yourself to employers through your CV and covering letter and how to prepare for interviews | 3.0 |
| Conquering the college admissions essay in 10 steps: crafting a winning personal statement - tips on writing a personal statment for college entry, with examples; relates to the USA but useful for anyone writing a personal statement for further study or job applications. | 5.0 |
| Creative CV guide - advice and examples of CVs for creative arts and design graduates | 3.1 |
| Creative CV Guide - CVs for the creative industries, with many original examples | 3.1 |
| CVs for other countries - File | 3.1 |
| CVs for research students - Leaflet | |
| Get into medical school: write the perfect personal statement- effective techniques and over 100 examples of successful personal statements. | HEA |
| Get the job you really want - a guide to standing out in the job market, including the use of direct approaches | 3.0 |
| Global resume and CV guide - how to present your CV for 40 different countries, plus country info, jobsearch sites, visa, interview and cultural advice | 3.1 |
| Great personal statements for Law School - tips and examples for applying for US law schools; the advice may be adpated to help anyone producing a personal statement when applying for further study or work. | 3.1 |
| How to complete an application form - useful booklet on how to do a good application, including personal statements and dealing with difficult questions. Gives sample answers and how they can be improved. | 3.1 |
| How to complete your UCAS application - takes you through the whole process. Useful for those wishing to apply for a second or different undergraduate degree | 3.1 |
| How to write a Curriculum Vitae - booklet with advice about CV content and layout, examples and coping with different circumstances | 3.1 |
| How to write a great CV - examples of different kinds of CVs, how to tailor your CV to the job advert, the role of your CV at interview | 3.1 |
| How to write a winning UCAS personal statement - step by step guide to writing a successful personal statement. Includes top tips, things to avoid, examples of good and poor statement. A subject by subject guide gives an overview, what admission tutors are looking for, what a good personal statement for that subject looks like and recommended reading. Useful guide for anyone applying for a different or additional undergraduate degree. | 3.1 |
| Instant college admission essay kit: how to write a personal statement essay that will get you in (revised ed.) - tips on writing a personal statement for college entry, with examples from many disciplines (notably medicine); relates to the USA but useful for anyone writing a personal statement for further study or job applications. | 3.1 |
| Job hunting 3.0: secrets and skills to sell yoursel effectively in the modern age- practical tips to cover all aspects of job-hunting. | 3.0 |
| Making applications - Leaflet | 3.1 |
| Making wizard applications - snappily written booklet covering where to find jobs, when to apply, how to complete applications and write a CV | 3.1 |
| Perfect CV | 3.1 |
| Perfect CV - small book containing useful tips, do's and don'ts of CV writing | 3.1 |
| Personal statements: how to write a UCAS personal statement (3rd ed.) - a highly-recommended guide to composing a personal statement, whether applying for a first degree, further study or a job. | 5.0 |
| Peterson's perfect personal statements: law, business, medical, graduate school (3rd ed.) - tips and examples of personal statements; written for US undergraduates applying to graduate and professional courses, this is still a useful guide for anyone writing a personal statement when applying for further study or work. | 5.0 |
| Readymade CVs - overcoming CV problems, CVs for specific jobs and tricky situations | 3.1 |
| Readymade job search letters - general advice plus specific examples, eg speculative enquiries, requesting help or advice, asking for a reference, following up after an interview | 3.1 |
| Selection success in one - DVD - includes 'Your job's online' (online applications), 'The assessment centre video' and 'Why ask me that' (typical selection interview) | |
| Standard application forms - Leaflet | 3.1 |
| Ultimate CV book - general advice plus 100 samples for different jobs and special situations | 3.1 |
| Why you? CV messages to win jobs - advice on planning, composing and using your CV | 3.1 |
| Winning cover letters for first-time job hunters - how to write a targeted cover letter, how it works with your CV or application, top tips for creating first-class cover letters, with lots of examples | 3.1 |
| Winning CVs for first-time job hunters - examples of different kinds of CVs, eg work experience/part-time, first job, gap year, graduate, online, creative | 3.1 |
| Writing a CV that works - how to identify your skills and achievements and communicate these effectively through your CV | 3.1 |
| Writing a UCAS personal statement in seven easy steps: a really useful guide to securing your place at university - an accessible workbook with a series of activities to help produce a personal statement for UCAS (or further study). | 3.1 |
| Writing an effective personal statement - how to write a UCAS statement with examples for various subjects and vocationally oriented courses | 3.1 |
| You're hired! CV: how to write a brilliant CV- a very readable CV guide with plenty of examples, not just for recent graduates but all types of use. Career Management Skills text. | 3.1 |
| Websites | |
|---|---|
| CVs and covering letters - an online talk which looks at the content and format of CVs and covering letters (8 minutes) | |
| Iagora - jobs and internships in 26 European countries. Includes advice and examples of CVs for other countries. | |
| Prospects - applications, CVs and interviews - information and advice on applications, interviews and selection tests from Prospects, the national graduate careers website |
[Back to top]
Interviews and Assessment Centres
Careers Advice - Careers Advisers are available for 2 types of appointment, depending on student's needs. Brief appointments can be booked for brief questions concerning interviews. Longer appointments may be used to discuss interview preparation in more depth and could include role play or practising answers to questions.
Contact the Careers Service on 2220910 to book a short appointment. You may then be referred for a longer appointment if required.
Departmental Talks - some Departments work with Careers Advisers to offer sessions on interview preparation. Check within your department for details.
| Books, files, videos, leaflets, CD-ROMs & DVDs | |
|---|---|
| Title | Shelfmark |
| A practical guide to assessment centres and selection methods: measuring competency for recruitment and development - employer's perspective on assessment centres, which may help applicants understand what to expect and what employers are looking for. | 3.3 |
| All about psychological tests and assessment centres - sections on role plays, in-tray exercises, group activities, presentations and other assessment centre techniques, as well as practice intelligence and personality tests. | 3.3 |
| Be prepared getting ready for job interviews - pre-interview research and preparation, how to present yourself on the day including dealing with nerves, body language, and unexpected questions | 3.2 |
| Career skills: opening doors into the job market - how to promote yourself to employers through your CV and covering letter and how to prepare for interviews | 3.0 |
| First interviews sorted - snappily written small booklet to help you prepare for interview | 3.2 |
| Going for interviews - Leaflet | 3.2 |
| Great answers to tough interview questions (7th ed.) - includes hundreds of sample questions with tips on how to answer; as well as advice on all other aspects of applying for jobs. | 3.2 |
| Heard on the street: quantitative questions from Wall Street job interviews - sample mathematical questions for finance-related job interviews | 3.2 |
| How to succeed at an assessment centre: essential preparation for psychometric tests, group and rol-play exercises, panel interviews and presentations (3rd ed.) - advice on how assessment centres are conducted, how to behave, how to prepare for different forms of assessment. | 3.3 |
| How to succeed at interviews and other selection methods - booklet containing basic interview advice, including different types of interview (eg second, panel, telephone) and tests (psychometric, in-tray, group, etc) | 3.2 |
| Interviewer - Software - an interactive programme which allows the viewer to work through a series of interview questions, video their responses and practise them again and again, comparing their answers with what the Interviewer is looking for. Laptops with Interviewer installed on them are available for loan to current students for a £5 deposit. For further information contact the Careers Service on 0114 222 0910. | |
| Job hunting 3.0: secrets and skills to sell yoursel effectively in the modern age- practical tips to cover all aspects of job-hunting. | 3.0 |
| Job interviews: top answers to tough questions - covers 200+ of the most common interview questions, including the rationale behind each question and the best possible response, together with advice on interview preparation, non-verbal communication and chapters on personality, competency and experience-based questions | 3.2 |
| Medical school interviews: - a practical guide to help you get a place at medical schoolConsisting of 150 sample interview questions analysed | HEA |
| Now you've been shortlisted: your step-by-step guide to being successful at interviews and assessment centres - covers psychometric tests, interviews and assessment centres, with advice on group, written, and in-tray exercises, presentations and role plays. | 3.3 |
| Presentations - small book to help you prepare and deliver an effective presentation | 3.2 |
| Promoting yourself at interview | 3.2 |
| Questions of degree- a no-nonsense pocket-sized guide to how to impress a potential employer, and how not to. | 3.0 |
| Second interviews and assessment centres - booklet with brief advice on preparing for group exercises, presentations, aptitude tests, panel interviews, case studies, interviews and role plays | 3.2 |
| Succeeding at assessment centres for dummies - Guide to maximising your chances of success at an assessment centre; tips for the various types of activity. | 3.3 |
| Succeeding at interviews | 3.2 |
| Succeeding at interviews in a week - popular small book to help you prepare | 3.2 |
| Succeeding in your medical school interview - what selectors are looking for, and lots of advice on preparing for interview, with many sample questions and how to tackle them- | HEA |
| Successful interview skills: how to prepare, answer tough questions and get your ideal job (5th ed.)Expalins types of interview, what employers look for, preparing, giving presentations, answering tricky questions. | 3.2 |
| Successful interviews every time | 3.2 |
| Top interview skills for students - CDROM - CD and workbook to help you prepare | |
| Ultimate interview book - make a great impression and get that job | 3.2 |
| Winning interview answers for first-time job hunters - how to be confident, understand what you're being asked and tackle tricky questions. Contains many example questions. | 3.2 |
| You're hired! Interview answers: impressive answers to tough questions- examples of good and bad answers to competency-based interview questions. Career Management Skills text. | 3.2 |
| You're hired! Interview: tips and techniques for a brilliant interview - techniques for boosting confidence and self-esteem, advice on body language and presentation, dealing with nerves and answering questions well | 3.2 |
| Websites | |
|---|---|
| Practice in-tray exercise - PDF file freely available on the Assessment Day website. Please note that this is a particularly difficult example of an in-tray exercise. | |
| Prospects - applications, CVs and interviews - information and advice on applications, interviews and selection tests from Prospects, the national graduate careers website | |
| Strength based interviews - from Kent University Careers Service - strength-based interviews are increasingly being used as part of selection processes. While competency-based questions focus on what you 'can do', strength-based interviews focus on what you 'enjoy doing'. | |
| Understanding interviews (part 1) - an online talk to help you prepare for interviews (14 minutes) | |
| Understanding interviews (part 2) - the second part of the talk provides tips on what to expect at interview and how to make a good impression (11 minutes) |
[Back to top]
Psychometric Tests
Profiling for Success - the Careers Service provides University of Sheffield students and graduates with free access to this online assessment package, comprising three practice aptitude tests (abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning), and two personality type indicators.
| Books, files, videos, leaflets, CD-ROMs & DVDs | |
|---|---|
| Title | Shelfmark |
| 10 career essentials: excel at your career by using your personality type- provides ten career success strategies based on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Career Management Skills text. | 1.1 |
| Critical thinking for students - learn to identify and analyse arguments, explore weaknesses and strengths in arguments and assess credibility of evidence. Can be useful for preparing for verbal reasoning psychometric tests. | 1.4 |
| Get into medical school: 600 UKCAT practice questions- practice questions for quantitative, abstract and verbal reasoning, and decision analysis; with a full timed mock exam. | HEA |
| Graduate psychometric test workbook - includes one graduate personality questionnaire which is a bit limited as no real interpretation of the profile is possible, and only one style of questionnaire is provided. Section 2 - verbal reasoning tests requiring analysis of passages of information. Section 3 - numerical based tests, comprising two with individual maths questions and one using tables and graphs. Provides answers and explanations plus help interpreting your scores. | 3.4 |
| How to master personality questionnaires - information on what personality is, how it is measured, and some of the types of personality questionnaires used, with examples. Also help with analysing your own personality and changing your behaviour. | 3.4 |
| How to master the UKCAT: over 700 practice questions for the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (3rd ed.) - general advice on preparing for the test, with practice questions and explanations. | HEA |
| How to pass advanced aptitude tests: assess your potential and analyse your career options with graduate and managerial level psychometric tests. 2nd ed. - tests and explanations for visual logic, numerical insight, verbal concepts, extrapolation, technical and analytical; as well as personality and career analysis tests. | 3.4 |
| How to pass advanced numeracy tests: improve your scores in numerical reasoning and data interpretation psychometric tests (rev.ed.) - includes lots of example questions in quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, and using business–related data, plus four mock tests with answers and explanations. | 3.4 |
| How to pass diagrammatic reasoning tests: essential practice for abstract, input-type and spatial reasoning tests - practice for abstract, diagrammatic, and spatial reasoning tests, with answers | 3.4 |
| How to pass graduate psychometric tests - includes glossaries of Maths and English grammar terms. Provides mainly Maths and English practice questions and practice tests. Maths: different types of individual sums, sequence questions, and data based questions using tables and graphs. English: Mainly checking knowledge of English grammar, eg identify the grammatical error, or the grammatically correct sentence, punctuation errors, etc Includes verbal reasoning based on understanding passages of text. Also, speed and accuracy tests and domino sequences. | 3.4 |
| How to pass numeracy tests: intermediate level (3rd ed.) - tips and practical advice to improve numerical skills and increase confidence. | 3.4 |
| How to pass numerical reasoning tests: a step-by-step guide to learning key numeracy skills; intermediate level (rev. ed.)Review of the maths basics, with explanations and examples of fractions, percentages, rates, ratios, proportions. | 3.4 |
| How to pass professional level psychometric tests (2nd ed.) - includes tests for IT, finance and management, as well as common verbal and numerical tests. | 3.4 |
| How to pass psychometric tests (3rd ed.)- "this book gives you the threethings you need to pass a psychometric test - information, confidence and plenty of practice." (including 35 SHL tests). | 3.4 |
| How to pass technical selection tests - looks at tests commonly used in selection for ‘technical’ industries, eg construction and engineering. Covers what tests are, how to prepare for them, and information on different types of technical tests. Also has a glossary of technical terms. Includes practice technical tests in: verbal, numerical, diagrammatic and mechanical reasoning. | 3.4 |
| How to pass the Civil Service qualifying tests - includes over 450 practice tests, answers and explanations and expert tips and insights. | 3.4 |
| How to pass the new police selection system - covers all aspects of the selection process | 3.4 |
| How to pass the QTS numeracy skills test: essential maths and statistics practice for the Qualified Teacher Status skills test - practice exercises for the compulsory numeracy skills tests for trainee teachers. | EDU |
| How to pass verbal reasoning tests (3rd ed.) - examples of various types of tests to measure understanding of written English. | 3.4 |
| Management level psychometric & assessment tests: everything you need to help you land that senior jobIncludes 35 SHL tests, and various tips for passing tests for managerial posts. | 3.4 |
| Passing the ICT skills test (3rd ed.) - covers the subject knowledge needed by trainee teachers to pass the compulsory ICT skills test. | EDU |
| Passing the literacy skills test (2nd ed.) - subject knowledge and practice tests for the compulsory QTS literacy skills test. | EDU |
| Passing the numeracy skills test (4th ed.) - subject knowledge and practice tests for compulsory QTS numeracy skills test. | EDU |
| Practice tests for diagrammatic & abstract reasoning (2nd ed.) - timed practice tests with answers and explanations. | 3.4 |
| Practise and pass professional numeracy tests - tips for achieving your best possible score in numeracy tests, with practice tests. | 3.4 |
| Practise and pass professional verbal reasoning tests - practice tests and extensive advice on peparing for tests. | 3.4 |
| Prepare for tests at interview for graduates and managers - psychometric tests (with answer key): personality, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, clerical, non-verbal reasoning, mechanical reasoning | 3.4 |
| Psychological testing: the essential guide to using and surviving the most popular recruitment and career development tests (2nd ed.)- describes 15 of the most frequently used psychological tests covering factors such as personality type and critical thinking skills. | 3.4 |
| Psychometric tests (The testing series) - practice tests in verbal, numerical and spatial reasoning; also work rate, concentration, mechanical comprehension and fault analysis tests. | 3.4 |
| Psychometric tests for graduates - old edition | 3.4 |
| Psychometric tests for graduates - the book with the biggest variety of tests including: verbal, numerical, abstract and diagrammatic, spatial, mechanical, accuracy and management tests. Management test examples include: scenarios, brainstorm and ‘fast track’ tests. The book also includes very brief examples of personality questionnaires. The practice tests are from the test publishers SHL Group plc | 3.4 |
| Strengths finder 2.0 - explores 34 strengths in the workplace with advice on how to use them most effectively. | 1.4 |
| Succeed at psychometric testing - practice tests for diagrammatic and abstract reasoning | 3.4 |
| Succeed at psychometric testing - provides an explanation of test types including general maths tests, tests using tables and graphs, and ‘quantitative relations’. It includes timed tests, answers and explanations of the answers, plus further suggestions for improvement and preparation. | 3.4 |
| The aptitude test workbook: discover your potential and improve your career options with practice psychometric tests (2nd ed.)- over 400 practice verbal, numerical, perceptual, spatial and practical tests. | 3.4 |
| The numeracy test workbook: intermediate level - 800 intermediate level practice questions. | 3.4 |
| Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal- critical thinking tests covering inference, recognition of assumptions, deduction, interpretation and evaluation of arguments | 3.4 |
| You're hired! Psychometric tests: proven tactics to help you pass - sample tests at 3 levels, with advice on how to perform at your best and what employers are measuring | 3.4 |
| Websites | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Day - contains free verbal, numerical and inductive reasoning tests, plus additional priced tests | |
| Civil Service self assessment - fast-stream entry for the Civil Service | |
| Cubiks - verbal and numerical practice tests at manager / graduate level and business support level. Diagrammatic reasoning practice leaflet also available. | |
| eFinancial Careers - three sample numerical tests with feedback | |
| Graduate Jobs Numeracy Test - graphs, charts and data interpretation. Questions are based on a pool of 200 questions. | |
| Job Test Prep - range of priced and free practice tests with tips, including psychometric tests, aptitude tests and UKCAT. | |
| Keirsey temperament sorter - career planning and personal development tools for students | |
| Numeracy refresher booklet - booklet to help you brush up your maths | |
| OPP - consulting, training/development and psychometric testing services | |
| Practicetests - includes verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests of varying levels of difficulty, plus a ‘sales personality’ questionnaire | |
| Previsor - publisher of psychometric tests | |
| Prospects - applications, CVs and interviews - information and advice on applications, interviews and selection tests from Prospects, the national graduate careers website | |
| SHL Direct - assessments, feedback and practice tests | |
| Situational judgement test (European Commission) - SJTs are a type of psychological aptitude test that assesses judgement required for solving problems in work-related situations. There is a practice test on this website (from the European Commission's Personnel Selection Office). | |
| Situational judgement test (TalentLens) - SJTs are a type of psychological aptitude test that assesses judgement required for solving problems in work-related situations. There are some example questions on this website (from the publishers Talent Lens). | |
| Situational judgement test (Wikijob) - this entry on Wikijobs includes an article and 3 example questions | |
| Watson-Glaser critical thinking appraisal - sample questions and other information about these particular tests. Please contact the Careers Service for the answers to the questions, which are in the reference booklet of the same name held in the Careers Service. |
[Back to top]