Working with Purpose
The purpose of a CV is not to land you a job, but rather to get you in
the door for an interview. This concept is important because it will
help you familiarize yourself with the CV process. When you feel
compelled to include unrelated experience and clutter a CV with
irrelevant facts, think twice. Don't fill the page with empty sentences
and boring detail. You can avoid this downfall by prioritizing your
accomplishments and identifying pertinent information related to your
new job search.
Strategize
Begin the CV writing process with the end in mind. Before you commit
final words to paper, think about what you want the end result to be.
Nothing on your CV should be done without prior thought and
strategizing. This includes your choice of font, format, keywords, and
action words. Every aspect of your document should serve a distinct
purpose.
Important tip:
Avoid CV templates. Let's face it, almost all home-spun CVs are created
on some form of a Word template. Therefore, they all have the same feel,
taste, and look as every other candidate. Be different. Be powerful. Be
specific. Get INTERVIEWS.
Be Aggressive, But Truthful
A CV is not a time to be humble. Be proud of your accomplishments,
highlight them, and make the hiring manager take notice. But beware:
don't let your creativity get the best of you. Your statements should
always be truthful and results-oriented.
Today's CVs must answer "why you?" Strong, powerful statements will
ensure that your CV does not end up in the "file me" pile.
Build a Network.
Though life can be busy, it’s important to make time for networking.
Social clubs, career-related organizations and job fairs can help you
connect with prospective employers. Networking at every opportunity will
link you to individuals who can help you in your job search.
Land an Internship.
Internships give you more than just on-the-job training; they often lead
to a permanent position within the company. Even if you don’t land the
job at your company, your experience will help your CV stand apart from
other applicants.
Getting the Basics right
We are all aware it's obvious but a Curriculum Vitae (CV) should on all
occasions be typed to give it the greatest clarity possible. It should
also be well presented. Think about how it looks on the page. There
should be clear headings and breaks between paragraphs. A prospective
employer will probably look through loads of CVs for a job so they
should be able to read the important information at a glance before
short listing it for an additional thorough read through.
Personal Statement
Most employers want a CV to start with a personal statement as it allows
them to see straightaway what you are about. What should this include?
-
 Who
are you and what have you been doing in your working
life?
-
What
have you found enjoyable about previous jobs?
-
What
do you want to do? Outline your goals?
-
How
are you going to go about achieving these goals?
-
What
are your key skills? What can you bring to a potential
employer?
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Make sure you give these questions serious thought before you decide
upon the answers as they should be expected to be questioned at
interview. Here's an example of the type of thing could say:
Education
The next section should be your education if it is particularly relevant
to the job to which you are applying. For example, if you have a degree
in French and you are applying for a multilingual position then it is
useful to state this first. However, if you are of the opinion that your
education is not especially relevant and you are applying on the
strength of your experience then it is worth possibly putting your work
history first.
Your education should be put in reverse order with the most recent
education received at the top. It is not necessary to go into vast
amounts of detail here, purely state where you studied and what grades
you were awarded.
Work History
Like education, it must be laid out in reverse order, the most recent or
current employment at the beginning. You should state the name of the
company and the period of time you worked for them (this does not have
to be dates but you should indicate for how long you were employed in
that role). It is also important to indicate where the employer was
based. You should also clearly state what your job title was. Underneath
explain succinctly what your job role was and your main tasks. This
should help a potential employer determine whether your experience makes
you suitable for their vacancy. Try to be succinct and keep it to only
relevant information.
Other Information
It is common for people to put a small amount of personal information,
such as hobbies, on their CV. We would recommend keep this to a minimum.
You should, however, state whether you hold a driving licence and
whether you own your own car etc.
Spelling and Punctuation
It is highly important that you make sure all spelling and punctuation
are perfect. Literacy is often highly valued to employers so use the
'Spell Check' facility on your computer.
Second Opinion
Ask a friend or contact to read through your CV. Ask them to confirm
that it looks presentable and easy to read. You should also ask them to
check your spelling and grammar.
Each Job is Different
Remember that it is not necessarily 'one CV fits all', it is important
spending a few moments reviewing your CV before each occasion you send
it to check it makes the greatest impact for each particular opening.
You may want to think about changing some information, particularly your
personal statement, to suit the job description.
Your Interview
Practice Interviewing.
Interviews can be nerve wracking – but you can gain confidence by
practicing with friends. Practicing interviewing equips you with what to
expect and how to act in a professional setting.
Be Flexible.
Don’t limit yourself in your job search. You could miss out on a great
opportunity if you focus too much on a specific job title or company.
Some companies may offer you the position you want and maybe even the
pay but no growth potential. And the prestige of working for some
companies may come with little incentives such as low benefits and
little pay. Smaller or lesser known companies may offer opportunities
for growth, flexibility and benefits. So make sure you keep your options
open so you can see the full value of what each job opportunity has to
offer.
Prepare for interviews.
Once you land an interview, make sure you research the company and its
industry. Also, make sure you know where the company is located. It is
equally important to dress appropriately. When in doubt, call the
company and ask a receptionist or HR rep what the dress code policy is.
Being prepared will give the employer a great first impression of you.
Show your personality.
During the interview, let the interviewer see a little bit of your
personality. Tell them a funny story about when you were younger, or
share about your interests or hobbies outside of work. Letting
prospective employers see a little bit of who you are differentiates you
from other candidates. But, make sure you stay focused and professional
during your interview, don’t reveal too much information or details that
would make potential employers uncomfortable. Be sure to highlight your
credentials and qualifications above anything else.
Practice
Practice answering interview questions and practice your responses to
the typical job interview questions and answers most employers ask.
Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing
evidence of your successes is a great way to promote your candidacy.
Prepare
Prepare a response so you are ready for the question "What do you know
about our company. Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job
interview. If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the
interview. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering
questions.
Get Ready
Make sure your interview attire is neat, tidy and appropriate for the
type of firm you are interviewing with. Bring a nice portfolio with
copies of your resume. Include a pen and paper for note taking.
Be On time
Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early.
If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you
know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there.
Stay Calm
During the job interview try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a
moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to
the entire question before you answer and pay attention - you will be
embarrassed if you forget the question!
Show What Your Know
Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions.
When discussing your career accomplishments match them to what the
company is looking for.
Follow Up
Always follow-up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the
position. If you interview with multiple people send each one a thank
you note.
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