CVs and Interviews

Just a quick post to let you know about a workshop I am running in April with Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group. There will be separate workshops on the day – a morning session from 10-1 and an afternoon session from 2-5. The workshop wull focus on 3 key areas

Find Jobs – Efiective Job Hunting Strategies

Getting Interviews – Effective CV & Cover Letters

Getting Job Offers – Effective selling at interview

This will not be text book information normally churned out but key advice to stand out from the crowd.

If you are interested read the full details below – email paul@measurability.ie if you want more information (p.s please quote the site you read about the workshop)

The job market in Ireland has changed dramatically. There are less jobs and increased competition for them. Job hunting requires a more dynamic approach to find success.

• Are you struggling to find suitable jobs?
• Are you struggling to get called for interview?
• Are you struggling to convert interviews into job offers?

This powerful workshop is led by two of Irelands leading “on the ground” Career Experts – Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group & Paul Mullan of Measurability. It will enable the opportunity to access expert opinion and advice in three key areas;

• Job Search Strategies – How to access the hidden job market.
• CV’s & Cover Letters – How to market yourself & get more interviews
• Essential Interviewing Skills – How to sell yourself & get more job offers

Workshop & Booking Details

Date:    Sat 25th April 2009
Venue:  Bewleys Hotel Dublin Airport
Address   Baskin Lane Cloghran, Dublin
Workshops: 2 separate workshops – morning and afternoon
Time: 10.00 – 1.00pm & 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Cost: €120

Email paul@measurability.ie for additional information and to secure your place – limited to 15 participants per workshop so don’t delay book today.

Meet the Experts

Paul Mullan is founder of Measurability (www.measurability.ie) a leading Career, Outplacement and HR consultancy. Paul is a leading commentator in Ireland as career doctor for Irish Independent and CV expert for RecruitIreland. He has 15 years career coaching, recruitment, outplacement and HR experience in Ireland and UK.

Jane Downes if founder of Clearview Coaching Group (www.clearviewcoachgroup.com) and practices career and executive coaching. Jane also co – owns Irelands first Development Assessment and Coaching Centre for Emotional Intelligence – EiIreland. Jane is regularly invited to write articles for the National Press in the areas of Motivation/Performance/ Goals/Career & Interview Coaching and Work Life Balance. Jane has a Social Science Degree from U.C.D and Fas Approved Training/Facilitation Qualification (N.U.I). She is a Qualified Life & Business Coach and Career Coach Assessor (fireworkcoaching) and a licensed and qualified Emotional Intelligence Assessor (EQi).

Like anything else you do securing a payrise require effective research and planning to improve your chances of landing that dream figure. Below I have outlined a number of key points to consider when preparing.

Research the market prior to any pay rise review or requests. Review salary surveys, or check the appointments pages in the newspapers and online job boards or ask your recruitment consultant for their advice on the subject.

Consider the following areas to help support your efforts –

Think about and outline any special projects that were noted as being successfully handled by you since your last pay increase.

Think about duties and responsibilities you have taken on outside of your original job specification.

Think about any initiatives or activities that have resulted in improvement or revenue gains or cost saving for the company.

Think about any additional skill, awards or training you have secured to enhance your position.

Taking yourself through the above points will improve your ability to back up any salary increase requests. This process is like any other sales process and backing up your case with hard facts or outlining how you have contributed to the organisation will make the difference.

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.

Microsoft Qualifications

Most CV’s indicate that the owner has good MS Office skills BUT what if you had a recognised qualification to back it up. CVSANDINTERVIEWS can get you this qualification at a discounted price – click

Microsoft Office 2007 Self-Start Learning Kits combine everything you need to learn about Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, Outlook 2007, Access 2007 & Windows Vista – and get internationally recognised qualifications from Microsoft – by following three easy steps.

Step 1: Use the “Step by Step” book from Microsoft Press to learn about your chosen Microsoft Office application. Numbered steps, hints, tips and a useful quick reference section make learning easy. The Companion CD includes “Practice Files” for the book’s step by step exercises and also the complete e-Book.
 
Step 2: Use the Interactive Learning Software to prepare for your Microsoft Office exam. “Learning Mode” provides step by step instructions for each question. “Exam Practice Mode” delivers a simulated testing experience to assess your skills. (A full custom installation of Office 2007 is required to use this software.)

Step 3: Prove your skills – get a Microsoft qualification. Use the Exam Voucher in a Testing Centre nationwide to take your Microsoft Office exam for FREE.  This Self-Start Learning Kit will fully prepare your Microsoft Office exam.

Interested in getting a Microsoft recognised qualification for as little as EUR79.99 – click

I regularly write for the Independent in Ireland offer free advice for their Career Doctor. You will find the Career Doctor column in Thursday’s Jobs & Careers section. I have attached two of the more recent questions and answers as they are quite topical in this market place.

CV & Job Search Strategies explains the importance of getting your CV and Job Search Strategies right.

Upskilling explains why you should upskill and the benefits of upskilling.

I hope you enjoy – you can read my posts every few weeks BUT in the meantime you can find excellent CV, Interview and Career advice on this site.