CV Examples Ireland
Many jobseekers visit onlines sites to support their efforts to produce a CV for job hunting. The question often remains – Are these free CV examples worthwhile?
If you Google the tem “CV Examples” you will find unlimited pages. CV Examples & CV Templates gives a view. Potentially biased but a view all the same.
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”.
Need a CV or Interview Service in Ireland?
Here are two articles that offer information on CV & Interview Service Costs and How to choose a CV or Interview Service.
Good Luck
Interview Coaching – Another Interview MISTAKE!!
If you google interview mistakes the popular mistakes will all surface including poor preparation, lack of focus during interview, lack of industry knowledge, arriving late to interview, poor interview fashion advice, bringing your mother to interview and not asking questions at interview. There is many articles on this site to help you with the above areas. One area I do not see mentioned that often in inappropriate language.
Why is it that Interview Advice rarely mentions poor language?
I guess it is because it is assumed that interviewees will have the cope on the watch their P’s and Q’s and F’s. I wonder would Gorgon Ramsey struggle at interview. My advice (everytime) is to keep control of your language as I have many examples of this derailing job hunting efforts.
What if the interviewer uses the F word during the interview?
This is not a signal for you to relax your language. In fact it could be a ploy by the interviewer to trick you into using inappropriate language. Anyway you should not be using that sort of language - what would your mother say?
So my advice is to leave the F word to Mr Ramsey!!
INTERVIEWS & CVS BLOG with loads of CV and Interview Advice for jobseekers in 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
“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!!
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 Advice – Writing a professional CV for success!!
The thought of writing a CV can be daunting. I believe that CV’s should be focused putting emphasis on what the reader is looking for. This is the first of a few articles offering some key points to consider when writing a CV.
Writing a CV – Personal & Contact Information
Typically this information is found at the top of the CV and will include your name, your address, telephone numbers, email address, date of birth and marital status. This stuff might seem basic and straightforward but you would be surprised how many jobseekers mess up. Below are a few points to consider.
Address – If you relocating to live and work in another region then use the new address. An employer may reject your application because of location.
Phone Numbers – Are they correct? I review CV’s everyday and you would be surprised how many include incorrect or old contact numbers. Remember to include country codes if you are applying for jobs in a different country. Make it easy for the employer to contact you.
Email Address – Use a professional email address to send out the right message. Using email addresses like whacker@hotmail(.)com may send out the wrong message. It is very easy and free to set up a new email account for job hunting. If you are using a work email address ensure that others will not be reviewing you mails.
Marital Status & Date of Birth – With new legislation you are not legally obliged to include this information. If however you feel it will be to your advantage then include it.
You will find other posts on Value Statement, Career History, Education & Training, Hobbies & Interests, Additional Information and References.
CV Writing Service in Ireland
A professional CV Writing Service can save you time and help you create an impact CV. CV Writing Service Ireland will ensure that you get the results you wand with an IMPACT CV.
CV & Interview Preparation
I regularly bang the “CV & Interview Preparation” drum but other famous people believed in the value of preparation. I have highlighted two of these individuals Roy Keane & Abraham Lincoln and their words of wisdom. Perhaps you will listen to them!!
“Fail to Prepare – Prepare to Fail”
This quote may not have originated from but was certainly made famous by Roy Keane during the Irish preparation for the 2002 world cup. He was unhappy with the Irish team preparation and made his views known. The rest is history. OK we can debate Roy Keane and how he handled this event but there should be no debate about the importance of preparation. CV & Interview Preparation is essential and we can change the above quote to “Fail to Prepare for CV’s or Interviews – Prepare to Fail in the Job Market”.
“If I was given six hours to chop down trees, I would spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
This is a famous quote from Abraham Lincoln. He obviously believed in the importance of preparation and used the task of chopping trees to highlight his point. You can transfer this example to CV and Interviews. Writing the CV is not the hard part. Even those with two finger typing kills can do this. Preparing the content is the essential part. Likewise sitting the interview is made easier when you have spent time preparing properly.
It is no secret that jobseekers who prepare properly get better results. It is no secret that most successful people prepare. Whether it is exams, public speaking or making a meal – preparation will improve results. CV Service can help you develop an impact CV and Interview Coach Ireland will enhance your Interview performance and results.
CV services are provided by many professionals in Ireland. If you are choosing CV services you need to research the market and not just go with the 1st provider you see (Yes – that means me too!!). There are a number of areas to consider and this article on CV services to help you with identifying the CV Writing Services for you.