CVs and Interviews

CV Writing – CV Preparation & Advice

There are many reasons why jobseekers fail when searching for a new job and quite often it is because their CV is not working. The CV is an important tool for job hunting and if you get this wrong you will miss out on interviews and fail to land that dream job. It is surprising how little time and energy jobseekers invest in creating their CV. This article will explore why most CV’s fail and how you can change your CV to make a bigger impact with employers.

CV content for success

It is estimated that 90% of CV’s fail because they have a lack of focus. A CV is all about the reader and not you. A CV is a marketing document which should focus on the employer. It will contain information about your skills, experience, education BUT the relevance of this information and where it will be located on the CV can change. Identify the employer needs and then tailor your marketing document (CV) to meet those needs. Concentrate on relevant education, training and work duties and responsibilities.

CV’s – Format & Layout

I believe that CV’s are like newspapers. The front page sells the paper and the first page of a CV sells the jobseeker. If information does not make the front page then it is not important to that reader. Some employers do not take the time to read beyond the first page. Like a paper your CV has about 20 seconds to make an impact. I have written one CV with Hobbies & Interests near the top of the first page. Traditional CV writers would frown at this but my argument was that this was very relevant information for that particular application. A CV is a fluid document. You should stay clear of rigid advice about how to structure your CV. I often read that Education should be at the top of the first page of a CV. What if you do not have the exact qualifications BUT very relevant experience? Follow that advice and you can kiss an interview goodbye.

Personally I do not like CV’s that try to use gimmicks or fancy paper to stand out. This is a tactic many jobseekers try but fail with. You need to remember the rule in property – magnolia sells houses. Jobseekers can create and excellent CV that makes impact without being flash. Flash can turn off potential employers. Keep it simple and consider some of these key points; ensure that you have enough white space on your CV, ensure that you use bullet points and ensure uniformity of font size.

Conclusion

A great CV will get you over the first hurdle of the recruitment process and enable you the opportunity to sell yourself at interview. It will also do much more that that. Great CV’s wet the appetite of employers. They create a positive impression and expectation which can give an edge even before you have met the employer. Little things like this are often the difference between success and failure.

If you need a professional CV contact CV WRITING SERVICE IRELAND

Personal Details – This information should be clear and accurate. I have experienced many occasions where I could not contact a job applicant because of inaccurate contact information. Normally this information will be found at the top of a CV and include name, address, phone numbers, and email address.

Value Statement – This should not be confused with a personal profile. A value statement is not about what you want BUT instead what you can offer the employer. It is a short statement which captures how you are a suitable applicant for the role. It serves the purpose of making the recruiter read your CV

Education & Training – Education should always be listed in reverse chronological order. Were it is situated on the CV will depend on circumstances. For example – if you have the required education and qualification then highlight this at the top of your CV before work experience but if you do not meet the requirements then drop this section to the end of your CV to give the employer time to read all you relevant work experience.

Work History – Normally this will be listed in reverse chronological order, and must include the date of employment, company title and job title. Beneath this you will list your duties, responsibilities while incorporating achievements. There are exceptions to the reverse chronological rule. For example if you have very relevant work experience but it was some years ago. The recruiter needs to see this but you cannot leave it to chance that they will read it on the second page of your CV. You could introduce a section “Relevant Work Experience” and the follow this by the section “Other Work Experience”

Additional Information – A section to capture information that can add weight to your application. For example other training, skills and achievements.

Hobbies & Interests – There are mixed views about having this section on CV’s particularly more senior CV’s. My thoughts are this. This section is an opportunity to sell yourself as your interests and hobbies may demonstrate relevant skills for the role or your passion for a particular area. Another reason is that many interviewers will glance here and use hobbies and interests to start an interview. Remember people like people like themselves so if there are common interests then you are off to a good start.

References – You can list these at the bottom of your CV but I normally prefer “References available on request”.

Lets just say you get caught sleeping on the job. Normally this means that you have to get your CV and Interview skills sorted as you are for the highway. Maybe not!! Below are some creative responses to that situation. Try one of these excuses if you get caught sleeping at work BEFORE you come back to our site for excellent CV & Interview advice to help you find that new job……..

“The blood bank told me this might happen.”

“This is a 10-minute power nap just like they raved about on the time-management course I attended.”

“As you can see I was working smarter and not harder.”

“Thank God! I must have left the lid off the glue.”

“Just pacing myself for the work all-nighter tonight!”

“That flu medicine I am taking just won’t wear off!”

“Sorry boss but I thought you were gone for the day.”

“Damn! Get to work at 6am and look what happens!”

“Research has indicated that this is one of the 7 habits of highly effective people.”

“This is to make up for the 7 hours I dreamed about work last night!”

“Why did you interrupt me? I had nearly solved our biggest problem!”

“Somebody must have put decaf in the wrong mug.”

“…and lastly I thank you for my wonderful boss, Amen!”

“Is a CV that important when job hunting in the current job market in Ireland?”

Unemployment has reached new heights with the biggest rises in unemployment since records began.  There has been a 42% increase in people claiming dole in the last year bring the new total of unemployed to 247,384 or 6.1%. Alarmingly unemployment has been increasing at 10,000 per month which looks set to continue as FAS predicted that unemployment could pass the 300,000 mark.

The male population seems to have been hardest hit with making up 80% of the increases in the last year. This can be explained by the collapse of the construction sector. Foreign nationals now account for 16% of the live register an increase from 2% two years ago.

Increase in unemployment rates has an obvious effect on the job market. The most obvious is an increase in competition for jobs as the supply of labour far exceeds the demand. This also has a potential impact on wages with downward pressure.

“Is a CV that important when job hunting in the current job market in Ireland?”

YES YES YES!!!!!

There are now more applications for jobs which gives the employer the luxury of more choice. Employers are busy people so cannot interview everyone. Your CV has about 30 seconds to make an impact. If it does not make an impact you will not get called for interview. Not only do CV’s help secure interviews but they also serve the purpose of heightening the interest of the employer before you meet them at interview. If an employer likes what they read on your CV and you impress at interview this can contribute favourably to salary negotiations.

Do not cut corners when preparing your CV or filling out job applications!!

Paul Mullan (www.measurability.ie) and Janes Downes (www.clearviewcoachgroup.com) are two of Irelands leading Career Coaches. They have developed a career workshop which will be held on 18th October in Dublin 2.

The workshop will cover two key areas

CAREER CHANGE

This programme will teach you the 8 Golden Steps in this process of discovery:

Some of these steps involve a healthy measure of introspection, soul-searching, self-exploration. By taking these steps, you have sensitised yourself to your true values, goals, needs, motivators and talents.

Then armed with the results of this ‘self-research’, you now turn outwards by engaging in some serious job-research and prepare to “face the market” and learn the skills involved in creating the right message and how to market yourself effectively.

MARKETING TOOLS – CV, COVER LETTER & JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

This section of the workshop is about helping participant reach their career goal. This will need an innovative approach maximizing the potential of existing tools like the CV and Cover Letter. It will require creativity when approaching the job market with an understanding key job search strategies.

You will get an new insight into CV and Cover Letters moving them away from career summary to impact marketing documents. You will also get an insight into proactive job search strategies which will help you drive forward towards your careers goal. This section is also about motivating you into action and navigating career hurdles or roadblocks.

For more information email info@measurability.ie. CONTACT NOW to book a place!!

This is a short post BUT an important one. I had an interesting conversation with a journalist today about CV writing and CV advice. She asked me the following question

If you could only give one piece of advice about CV writing what would it be?

Lucky for me this is a question I answer everyday.

There are many important areas to consider when writing a CV (Layout, Format etc) but this should all be underpinned by one key element.

Understanding the reader (hiring manager / employer) and their requirements and focusing your content.

Need a CV service in Ireland – Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Galway, Limerick an other counties. CV Writing Service can support you and ensure your CV makes an impact!!

CV – Job Search Strategies – Newspapers

CV looking good so now all you need is to find the jobs and employers. There are many job search strategies available for jobseekers in Ireland. This fall into two categories -proactive strategies and reactive strategies. Searching newspapers would fall into the reactive strategies category. Although newspaper advertising is in decline you can still find many key employers advertising their jobs through this medium. I guess the good thing about the newspaper adverts is that you can just pick it up without the need of a computer.

There are a number of key publications if using this strategy.

Irish Independent – Although the paper carries job adverts on other days Thursday is the important day to read the Indo as they have a Jobs & Careers supplement. Loads of great jobs and excellent career articles.

Irish Times – Friday is Jobs day for the Times.

Sunday Papers – The Sunday Tribune, The Sunday Times and The Sunday Independent. Personally I do not think that there is anything new on a Sunday that you cannot find in the Indo on a Thursday and Times on a Friday.

Another article about Job Search Strategies.

Need CV Writing, Interview Coaching & Career Coaching?

Preparing a cover letter

I believe formal cover letters are becoming like the dinosaurs. There is less emphasis on them for a number of reasons. Firstly change in technology means that most applications are online application or emailed applications. Therefore cover letters are now in the form of a few lines to support the CV. The other reason is that most cover letters resembled solicitor letters rather than sales pitch documents. Most jobseekers used standard letters and language regurgitation their CV.

Cover letter for impact

Having said all of this I still deal with employer who put emphasis on cover letters. It is important to use them properly. I rarely read a cover letter because of the second point above. I find them all the same and very boring to read. I normally go straight for the CV but I guess that is because I have review millions of the applications over the years.

A cover letter is an opportunity to get your personality across and to provide information not appropriate for the CV. You can get as risky as you need but this will depend on you and your circumstances. For example if you have sent off many applications without any response you might try a riskier or creative strategy. I heard of one jobseeker that crumpled up his cover letter before he put it in the envelope. His opening line on the cover letter was “I took the liberty to crumple up this cover letter to save you time before you threw in the bin”. I like it!!

Cover Letter Template

Below is an idea about what you should include in the body of the cover letter. Please not that I am not providing information on the layout, salutation etc. You will see that the middle paragraph is your license to get creative.

Cover Letter – Opening Paragraph
You should state the reason for writing the letter (try and catch the eye)
You should state the position / type of work you are applying for.
You can mention how you heard of the position or company.
Mention the enclosed CV

Cover Letter – Middle Paragraph
This is your opportunity to sell yourself.
Your CV has the detail so just point out key skills and unique selling points.
Explain why you want to work there (try to mention something relevant about the organisation – i.e. recent market performance, new product or its recent expansion).

Cover Letter – Closing Paragraph
Indicate your availability for interview with times when you can be contacted.
State when you will follow up.
Thank the reader for the time and consideration given to your application.

CV & Cover Letter Writing Service – Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

CV Service – Many jobseekers are new to the idea of professional CV services. The popularity of these CV services is increasing like most other services. Ten years ago it was rare to have cleaners or a professional laundry service. With so many jobseekers new to the concept there are a number of considerations when choosing a provider and selecting services.

CV Service – choosing a provider

As with choosing and interview coach there are a number of considerations. I have posted previously about choosing a CV expert

Other services on offer from a CV professional

Cover Letter writing & design – Most CV services will also provide cover letter design. If you have done your research you may as well get your cover letter from the same provider. Personally I don’t value cover letters BUT it is a document many employers expect. Worth it!!

CV Education & Knowledge – Catch a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he will eat forever. What I mean is as follows. If I design your CV you will be able to apply for a job BUT if I teach you the principles behind CV design you won’t need me ever again. As part of my CV design I educate clients on the principles of CV design. This is because the likelihood is that each job you apply for will involve some tweaking or changing your CV. Very worth it!!

Job hunting strategies – Check this out as it is no good having a great CV if you don’t know how to get it to the audience. This will cover – how to use recruitment agencies, online job boards, newspapers, speculative applications, networking and much more. Worth it!!

CV Distribution service – waste of money!! I think one company charged EUR25.00 to distribute your CV to 10 agencies. Rip off!!

Interview Coaching – Many career professionals can help you with CV design and Interview Coaching. Let’s face it if they are good enough to get you the interview it is worth a punt on their interview coaching skills. Very worth it!!

CV Services Ireland – Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

CV Expert – looking for one?

CV Expert search is like seeking any other service. You have a problem and need a solution so go get a professional – Simple!!

The situation is complicated by the fact that there are quite a few “CV Experts”. Well – that is what they all claim but unfortunately the level of service can vary quite dramatically. Below are a few considerations for your search.

CV Expert – The cost!!

The first question most jobseekers ask me is the cost. OK everyone has a budget BUT remember you get what you pay for. As the famous quote says “I price was everything we would all be driving Lada’s”. I have nothing against this model of transport. Shop around but consider some of the below points and do not just make a decision on price alone.

The background of the CV Professional

This is very important. I review many sites offering CV services. Some do not have any profile. It is important to know the background of the professional. I also see many sites where the professional does not have a HR, Recruitment, Career Coaching background. Professional qualifications are not important as much of the modern views on CV’s are not taught in a classroom.

CV Expert – References/Recommendations

These are often on many websites (mine included) but are they real!! You could ask for the opportunity to talk to a satisfied client. An interesting way to find out more about a professional is to “google” their name. Many recruiters/employers use this technique to investigate potential employees.

CV Expert