CV Tips

GETTING AN INTERVIEW IS DEPENDANT ON HOW WELL YOU SELL YOURSELF
IN YOUR CV

ONLY 38% OF ALL CVS SUBMITTED GET THROUGH TO INTERVIEW STAGE

Writing an effective CV is probably one of the hardest aspects of finding a job, you will ever have to do.
You have one chance to make an impression with your CV and it needs to SELL your attributes and not just to TELL!
Using the same CV in the same style and format, may have worked years ago, but in today's competitive market you need to convince the Employer why they should interview you, over and above your competitors.

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS? - FOLLOW THIS QUICK CHECK LIST!

• THINK FROM THE EMPLOYERS POINT OF VIEW - write your CV as if you were the Employer.


• INCLUDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND MAKE IT EASY TO FIND - on the front page make sure your name, address, email, all telephone numbers including mobile if applicable, are there. Include your availability, and any extra points that may give you the edge, for instance if you hold a clean licence or have your own car.


• USE A SUMMARY ON THE FIRST PAGE - tailor a summary of your experience and qualifications directly to the Employer demonstrating how you can do the job in relation to the needs in the job advertisement.


• USE THE FACTS TO SELL - support your summary statement with FACTS highlighting directly where you have obtained your experience or qualifications in accordance with what the Employer is looking for. Avoid using waffle and unnecessary words.


• CHECK YOUR HAVE ANSWERED EVERY QUESTION POSED BY THE JOB ADVERTISEMENT - do this in your summary on the FIRST PAGE. This will ensure you gain the maximum interest and attention from the Reader.


• REFLECT YOUR ATTITUDE - avoid writing personal profiles. Most Candidates say they are team players or ambitious. Go one stage further. You need to make yourself special and different by painting a picture on paper about yourself. Using FACTS again to support your application, in order to convince the reader. "I am ambitious and hardworking" is simply not convincing and does not focus on your strengths. Highlight your ambitions by demonstrating how your have done this either in your school life, work or personal life. Many Employers look for evidence of a Candidates personality and attributes, by their personal interests or achievements. Demonstrate this, but keep it short and factual, such as "I like to be successful in whatever I do as demonstrated when I was at school and became Captain of the Football Team".


• KEEP YOUR CV SHORT - trim down your CV to ideally two/three pages. Employers do not like to have to read through pages and avoid any areas that add nothing to your overall appeal.


• GIVE THE EMPLOYER MORE REASONS TO SAY YES THAN NO - have you demonstrated and highlighted enough what the job advertisement states that the Employer is looking for? Have you been convincing in your statements and supported your comments with enough FACTS?


• GIVE THE EMPLOYER SOME BACKGROUND - indicate on the CV where you have worked and use quick clear block format to highlight your responsibilities and duties. When writing your job history always remember to include the particular areas that the job advertisement have asked for.


• REASONS FOR LEAVING - be smart in informing your reasons for leaving jobs. Think from the Employers point of view and give honest and true answers without painting a negative picture of yourself.


• KEEP YOUR CV POSITIVE - ensure your CV reflects a positive attitude to your work. Does it reflect that you have a good reliable attitude towards your work? If you were the Employer would you want to interview this Candidate based on your CV?


• CHECK GRAMMAR AND SPELLING - either use your spell check or ask someone to proof read your CV before you send it for a position or post it on the Internet site.