CVs and Interviews

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.

Would you pay for a CV Distribution Service to recruitment agencies?

I just viewed a website in the US that offered a CV distribution service for $87.00. Interestingly the website takes jobseekers through a number of steps and actually names the identified recruitment agencies to allow jobseekers the option to deselect. Anyone with initiative could take this list, Google the agencies and apply directly. Just saved $87.00!!

Are jobseekers that use this service lazy or just time poor?

I could be either or it could be that they do not have the country or regional knowledge. But whatever the reason this seems to be a legitimate service. Jobseekers pay for this knowledge and ease of CV circulation.

Do you lack the time to source suitable recruitment agencies?
Do you lack the knowledge of the Irish job market?
Or are you just too lazy?

CV Distribution Service Ireland – Contact for more details

Career Coaching – Counter-Offers – Should I stay or go?

I worked in recruitment for years experiencing the good the bad and the damn ugly from jobseekers, employers and recruitment consultants. The part of the recruitment process that caught my attention was the post offer period. Ask any recruiter and they will tell you that the period between offer received and the jobseeker starting employment is tense. Why? Candidates can get cold feet but also the possibility of the counter-offer.

Employers often fight to keep an employee and will throw money at them or pull on them emotionally. Throw into the mix that any change is a daunting period it is often easy fro the jobseekers to get back into bed with their existing employer. STOP!! You relationship will never be the same. I once knew the reasons not to accept a counter offer of by heart. This was essential toolkit for recruiters. Below are a number of reasons why you should not accept a counter-offer.

Statistics are against you. They prove that if you accept a counter-offer you will have left the company within 6-9 months voluntarily of pushed. A similar opportunity that you turned down may not be available.

Forget about approaching the recruiter again – you will be labeled DNU – “Do Not Use” Also forget about approaching the employer you rejected as that bridge is burnt.

There are many other reasons not to accept a counter-offer. At the end of the day it is your choice. I always tell jobseekers to look after number one. Having said forward steps are daunting but backward steps although easier can be a disaster.

Handing in your notice and dealing with counter-offers is a skill in its self. A Career Coach can help. Other services you may need Interview Coaching & CV Writing Service.

Interview Preparation Advice

There are unlimited reasons why people fail at interview ranging from poor punctuality, lack of enthusiasm to poor appearance. Below I have listed some of the more common reasons why jobseekers fail at Interview

Interview Preparation – Failure – the key reasons!!

Poor Qualifications – Unfortunately many employers are fixated with qualifications. You can disguise you grade on your CV but this may be unearthed at interview.

Lack of clarity in career direction – Many jobseekers cannot illustrate or communicate how a job sits within their overall career plan or more importantly why the role is of interest to them.

Lack of Interest (Or perceived Lack of Interest) – How many times have I spoken to a jobseeker post-interview who is extremely interested in the job only to hear the employer comment that they felt the applicant was not interested.

Lack of Enthusiasm – Linked to the above point. Many jobseekers try to play it cool at interview. They are often told this will benefit them when it comes to salary negotiations. You don’t get to negotiate if you don’t get an offer in the first place.

Negativity – During interview coaching sessions I try to address this. Many jobseekers carry a bag of chips on their shoulders about previous employers. This will often leak out at interview and will not impress.

If you need help with Interview Preparation then Interview Coaching can help. Working with a professional Interview Coach can help improve confidence, performance and results.