CVs and Interviews

There are many posts on this website to support jobseekers with CV writing. These articles will help you improve your CV content, understand the key principles of CV design and help your CV stand out in the crowd.

There is much you can do to your CV to improve layout, content, format and design BUT sometimes hard facts will give you the edge. The areas of Education, Training & Qualifications fall under the “hard facts” category. This is an area you cannot fake – you either have them or you don’t (assuming you are the honest type). This means that additional training or education can enhance your CV and improve your chances of landing more interviews (assuming the training and qualifications add value to the potential employer). I would also point out that additional training and education can improve your attractiveness to your existing employer to those worried about job security.

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When a CV is not doing its job it may need additional work to make a greater impact. BUT what if it has been reworked and it still does not create the results you want? Perhaps you need to try to take the emphasis away from the CV. It is likely that you lack a key component for the job like a qualification, relevant work experience or relevant industry experience. Does this mean you should stop? Most will but you can do more. This is a recent article I wrote for RecruitIreland about strategies to get the job you want – “CV or not CV – That is the Question”.

CV Writing Services - BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE

I have just completed CV work for a client. This is normal as it is a big part of my service offering. Not this particular case though. You see this individual was coming to me straight from the arms of another CV competitor. They paid out for a service which did not get them any results. If you saw what was produced you would know why.

Now I am not saying that I am the best and I know some other very professional CV writing services across the country. What I will say is that jobseekers need to do some investigation before they fork out any money for CV or any other Career Service. There are many service providers popping up each day to service the demand for CV, Career and Interview advice. This choice is creating confusion.

Below are a few points to consider before you part with any hard earned cash.

Background & Experience – This is essential. There are many proclaimed experts with no background or experience to back this up. One professional said to me once if the company cannot put profiles of themselves or associates on a website – beware!! Recruitment & HR are two key popular backgrounds (Having said this I regularly write CV’s for HR professionals).

Online presence – This is a great indicator of reputation. Google the company or the professional (if they have revealed themselves on the website). Companies using Google Ads will be relevant BUT investigate them further. Does the professional or company have good online presence?

What others say – Get referrals from trusted friends and contacts. References on websites are fine but I have seen providers spring up recently with a lot of testimonials accumulated very quickly. You see this profession takes time and energy to build up a reputation and with this in mind I question the references on some sites.

Geography – Just because you live in Clare does not mean that you have to use a local provider. I do CV’s for clients nationally and in fact I refuse to meet clients for CV assignments (only Interview Coaching & Career Coaching). CV’s can be completed via phone and email. This should give you more choice of services.

Cost – I guess it all comes down to the dollar. Cheapest is not best BUT equally neither is the dearest. You want someone who will stand by their work and refund if individuals are not happy. On average I spend at least 2/3 hours on a CV. Anyone charging below EUR100.00 beware about the amount of time and effort they will put into the document. (A quick point – You may get less than EUR100 price from regional providers but certainly should not from greater Dublin providers).

Happy job hunting.

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CV Tips – Content is King!!

For me “Content in King”. CV content is critical and without doubt the most important aspect of CV writing. Most jobseekers fail miserably when it comes to developing content for their CV. (1) Most jobseekers write a CV about themselves and focus on information they think is important and ignore the fact that it should be information important to the reader that is important. Tip: CV is a marketing document focused on the reader. (2) Most jobseekers “can’t see the wood for the trees” and fail to communicate their duties and responsibilities effectively. Tip: If you are having difficulty outlining duties and responsibilities then brainstorm with some friends or cheat and review descriptions of similar jobs online (3) Most jobseekers fail to bring their CV to life with facts, examples and achievements. Tip: Back up any statements on your CV with facts.

CV Service Ireland – Get better results with your CV

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CV Tips – Help the recruiter find what they need!!

You will find mixed views about CV layout/format. Most CV “professionals” will tell you the exact information information to put in your CV and in what order. I find much of this information is dated. A CV is a marketing document and is fluid rather that tied to strict format or layout.  You should think of a newspaper when you consider a CV. With a newspaper the most important information makes headlines on the front page. This should be the same with your CV. I have created a CV with the References on the first page and another CV with the Hobbies & Interests section on the first page. Why did I do this? It was relevant information for the recruiter. You should never leave it to chance that the reader will review the second page of your CV. It is likely that they will only take the time to review the first page before making a decision to call you to interview.

CV Service Ireland – Get better results with your CV

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CV Tips – If it looks good chances are it will get read!!

The visual appearance of your CV is important and the impact of your CV will improve if it is easy on the reader’s eye. The visual appearance of a CV would not rank as my top priority but it certainly cannot be ignored. Think about it – visual appearance initially attracts us to most things – clothes, food and the opposite sex. Equally a sharp document will draw the reader to examine your CV. I do not mean “Bells & Whistles” like fancy paper, coloured paper or fancy designs. I am a fan of the “Clean & Simple” CV. I strongly believe that you can produce a professional document without extravagance. There does not have to be anything too fancy just effective us of white space, clear headings, bullet points, uniformity of font type and size.

CV Service Ireland – Get better results with your CV

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CV Writing Tips – Bring your CV to life!!

Never has a CV required more attention than the current job market in Ireland. The landscape has changed dramatically over the last 12-18 months. Redundancy has replaced new job creation BUT judging from there 1st two weeks of the year there are still many individuals moving on in their careers. If you are out of work, facing redundancy or just moving on in your career your will need a strong CV. Below I have outlined a few key points to consider. Get this right and you will improve performance in the job market.

• CV should be changed and tailored to the specific needs of different jobs.
• It is likely that the recruiter/hiring manager will only take 20-30 seconds to find what they need – help them find this information through effective positioning.
• On solution is to start your CV with a series of relevant key achievements. Don’t use sweeping statements but instead focus on fact and results.
• You CV should show how you increased sales, reduced costs, improved team performance, implemented new technology. How you will add value!!
• Throughout the CV use every opportunity to bring life to the CV through effective use of language but also effective use of results, achievements and deliverables. This will help your CV stand out.
• Power verbs work and help add impact to your CV. Basically any word ending in “ed” is useful to begin descriptions of your duties and responsibilities.
• Good CV’s talk the talk but great CV’s walk the walk. Show the evidence with every statement – including hard skills and soft skills.

Professional CV Writing Service Ireland.

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Just a quick note to wish all our readers a Happy 2008. Here is to landing that new job. We hope that the CV & Interview tips help. You will find more posts added shortly.

CV Writing Tips & Help

Quite often employers sift CV’s by focusing on negative points or weaknesses helping them to reduce potential candidate shortlists. This means that they are looking for reasons not to call you for interview. The unfortunate thing is that a weakness for one employer can be potential strengths for another. Weakness will be determined by the job description but some include:

• Lack of managerial experience or skills
• Inadequate or absent skills, knowledge or experience
• Very patchy work history
• Gaps in employment
• Too many jobs
• Only one previous employer

The best way to hide weakness is through effective CV design, layout and content. For example if you lack qualifications drop this section to the end of your CV giving the employer the chance to read your relevant work history. Alternatively if you are new to a position the opposite is true. Perhaps put emphasis on your relevant qualifications and training. Ensure that you make the experience you have look visually bigger. You can also highlight interests or additional information to support your case.

CVSANDINTERVIEWS offering excellent CV, Interview and Career advice to jobseekers in Ireland – Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Clare, Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Westmeath, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Louth Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Antrim, Down, Dublin

For other jobhunting tips and advice — CV writing tips — Cover Letter Tips — CV Templates — CV Examples Samples — Interview Skills Tips — Competency Based Interviews — Interview Questions & Answers — Career Guidance Advice

Jobseekers need to change their focus when thinking about their CV. If you are thinking “story of my life” you are in trouble. Start thinking “sales”, “sales brochure” and “customer”. When you make this transformation you will transform your results. You see a CV is not a story of your life, work experience, education and interests. Instead it is a sales brochure focused on the employer identifying how you meet their needs and requirements.

Most jobseekers jump to find CV templates, sample CV’s, CV layout and CV format. My advice is to ensure that you understand the above point before you take any steps. If you don’t get this point you won’t get the interview.

For other jobhunting tips and advice — CV writing tips — Cover Letter Tips — CV Templates — CV Examples Samples — Interview Skills Tips — Competency Based Interviews — Interview Questions & Answers — Career Guidance Advice