Help & Advice
CV Help
Your CV is probably the most important tool during your job hunt, so getting it right is absolutely essential. It is also one of the few aspects of the job search that you are in control of - your CV dictates whether or not you will be invited to interview so it must be able to sell both your skills and your experience. The sections below highlight what you should and shouldn't do when writing your CV, how to make your CV work for you and how to target it towards each different position that you apply for.
What should your CV include?
- Preparation
- Helpful Hints
- The First Page
- Pages Two/Three
- The 'Covering' Letter
Preparation
Think about your skills, competencies, qualifications and experience. What are your unique selling points and strengths?
If you are replying to a specific job advertisement review what key words and tasks were used in the advertisement. Which of these words applies to you? Use these words in your CV.
Helpful Hints
Remember that you want your CV to be read and responded to. Tempt the recipient. Include just enough information to stimulate interest, but not so much that you bore the reader. Three pages maximum is preferred. Every word must contribute to the overall message – so keep it brief and make sure that the contents are relevant to the job you are looking for now – not your last one.
Ensure your CV is well structured; this gives the impression that you think logically and makes it easier to review. A CV that is hard to read is often put aside and forgotten. When writing the CV remember self opinion is best avoided. Aim to include someone else's opinion (e.g. from last appraisal), facts or even evidence.
Pay close attention to reply instructions in advertisements (e.g. spelling of the contact’s name). Have someone check your spelling and grammar. Use white paper – never coloured as it does not photocopy well.
The First Page
This should contain your personal details (name, address, telephone numbers, education and qualifications) and a brief general overview of your skills, experience and the nature of work sought.
If you are seeking temporary or contract work do not forget to include availability and preferred locations.
Pages Two/Three
Here you should highlight your employment history in the past 5 years. Present this in reverse chronological order (i.e. last job first). If you have worked for only one company, break it down with an entry for each position or projects dealt with. For each position held describe the work undertaken, duties and responsibilities.
Do include achievements, not just tasks. If you can, quantify them in sales, financial or production terms.
List your hobbies and interest in no more than three lines if they are relevant. Any voluntary, charity or external posts you have e.g. school governor are worth including. Avoid listing anything too controversial.
It is recommended that two referees be given - including the referees' official titles, address and telephone numbers.
The 'Covering' Letter
CVs are seldom used alone, they should always be introduced by a letter or a telephone call. The letter should earn readership for the CV.
A good letter should be used to pick points which modesty or space prevented you putting in the CV (i.e. to highlight your key strengths relevant to that job). An introduction letter can save you from having to rewrite the CV each time you want to target your application to a specific advertisement or sector.
Nevertheless keep your CV up to date. Using an out of date CV looks lazy at the best and may exclude you from consideration.
How to make your interview a success
- Preparation
- On the day
- In Play
Preparation
Who are you?
Think about your skills, competencies, qualifications and experience.
How are you perceived?
Talk to friendly colleagues, present or recent, about their view of you as a team member, your strengths and of your CV as it shows these.
What is your objective?
What job function(s) can and should you do in what sector or environment? Take advice on this too.
Getting to an interview is not the objective, just part of it.
Who are targets?
Once you have been offered an interview, what do you need to know about the company?
Products, size, locations, style, reputation both as employees and suppliers, the sort of job they’d have for you.
When you apply for a job, which letter and CV are you using?
Do remember what you put in each so you don’t sound vague at the interview; all your good points ought to be in writing already; saving them for interview may mean no meeting!
Read a good book on body language, so you strengthen your good signals, curb the weak ones.
On the day
Personal
First impressions count. Are you well groomed with tidy hair, shoes and clothing?
Practice a good positive handshake; not too firm, not too weak.
Dress
Are you well - dressed, in a way that follows conventions in this job sector, at the conservative end of your own range? Ask the consultancy what the client’s dress code is.
Timing
Plan a reliable way of getting there which allows you to be a few minutes early (not too late or too early and probably not on time as this means late when you’ve been delayed in reception or walking round their buildings).
Last few minutes
Recheck your paperwork and your ‘script’ i.e. the smile, the first words (greetings and your name).
Be polite to support staff you meet. They count too – and may influence a decision in your favour.
In Play
Input/output
Try not to monopolise the meeting – let your interviewer talk. If they don’t tell you, find out what are the key parts of the candidate specification so you can show how you meet them.
Ask how the job contributes to the success, efficiency and profitability of the organisation.
Try to show, without being contrived, that you have done some research. Avoid too much self opinion, Don’t let nervousness put you off.
Never smoke, and it is probably safer not to accept tea or coffee as it can get in the way. If you are taking papers to the interview, put them in a suitable case or folder.
Keep your replies simple. Offer positive information – don’t give bad news unasked. Don’t harp on problems or criticise previous employers.
Make sure the employer knows the benefits of employing you.
Close
If there is time, ask them if there is anything more they need to know about you.
Start planning the letter you might send if you haven’t had time to get your best points across – or if something they’ve told you reminds you of your hidden depths.
Ask what happens next.
Follow up
If there is something else you want to mention send a brief letter. A good phone message will do – especially if the job involves lots of phone contact.