Candidate Services
The team at Morgan Parkes Recruitment offer a consultative approach to their candidates and are dedicated to offering an informative and supportive service. We understand that it is a big decision to leave a place of work to pursue career progression or a whole new career direction. It is our job to help candidates to successfully find their ideal next position.
Our registration process will always involve an initial telephone conversation, followed by the completion of a short form and finally an informal meeting with their designated consultant. Within the service, we can offer CV advice through to job interview techniques, whilst ensuring that all potential job opportunities are catered around our candidates and their preferences. The candidate service is completely free of charge.
To find out how our team can help you to progress your career, please call us on 0121 296 5766 or email careers@morganparkes.co.uk.
Competency Interviews
Turn your experience into clear, memorable answers.
What are they?
- Competency questions explore whether you have the skills needed for the role.
- Employers often ask for real examples of how you handled situations.
Skills to think about
- Teamwork, communication and responsibility.
- Decision-making, leadership and problem-solving.
- Organisation and working towards goals.
- Use examples from work, education, sports, groups or everyday life.
The STAR approach
- Situation: Set the scene.
- Task: Explain what needed to be achieved.
- Action: Describe what you personally did.
- Result: Share the outcome and how you achieved it.
Practise these questions
- Tell me about a difficult customer or a problem you solved.
- When did you go the extra mile or achieve exceptional results?
- Describe working to a deadline or towards a team goal.
- Tell me about a difficult decision or influencing someone else.
Before you go
Pick out key skills from the job description and prepare a truthful example for each. Be specific, vary your examples and be ready for follow-up questions.
CV Writing Tips
Make the right first impression, before you even meet.
Make it count
- Include your name, current contact details and a concise personal statement.
- Add education and qualifications, work history, then hobbies and interests.
- Put your most recent job first and use short bullet points for duties.
Keep it relevant
- Aim for no more than two pages.
- Tailor your standard CV to each vacancy.
- Check spelling and grammar, then ask someone else to check it too.
What to avoid
- False or misleading claims, or negative reasons for leaving a job.
- Excess personal details: your name, town, phone and email are enough.
- References without permission; unusual fonts, clipart, emojis or an unprofessional email address.
Using AI?
- Always check AI-written text for factual and grammatical errors.
- Your CV should still sound like you and reflect your actual experience.
The final check
Does an employer need this information? Is it relevant rather than filler? Does it sound like something you would write?
Interview Tips
Feel prepared. Be yourself. Make the conversation count.
Body language
- Smile, make eye contact and greet your interviewer confidently.
- Sit upright or slightly forward and respect personal space.
- Avoid folded arms or leaning on the interviewer's desk.
Questions to prepare
- Tell me about yourself: keep it relevant and around two minutes.
- What do you enjoy or dislike about your current job? Keep it constructive.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses? Give examples.
- Why are you leaving, and why do you want to work here?
Show your experience
- Prepare examples of adapting to difficulties, problem-solving and making decisions.
- Think about communication, managing relationships and overcoming obstacles.
Ask them too
- What are my main objectives in the first three months?
- How is performance measured and what training is available?
- How would you describe the culture? How could I add value?
Other points to consider
Practise aptitude tests, listen carefully and ask if unsure. Answer personality questions honestly. Bring a notepad for your own questions.
Online Interview Tips
Look professional, feel confident and avoid technical surprises.
Tech check
- Confirm the meeting platform and download the software in advance.
- Use a laptop or PC if possible; practise with a friend or family member.
- Know how to switch your camera and microphone on and off.
- Charge your device and check your internet connection.
Set the scene
- Find a quiet, well-lit place without interruptions.
- Choose a tidy, professional background rather than distracting effects.
- Plan a professional outfit and minimise on-screen notifications.
Be ready to talk
- Research the role, duties, business and your interviewer.
- Look towards the camera rather than watching yourself on screen.
- Sit upright, avoid fidgeting and put your phone out of reach.
Keep notes brief
- Have questions ready, but avoid reading from a script.
- Keep notes out of camera view and stay focused on the conversation.
One last thing
Make sure you have fully left the meeting and closed the application before making unrelated comments. Then call Morgan Parkes and tell us how it went!
Solihull Office: Lumaneri House, Blythe Valley, Solihull, B90 8AH
