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A CV should be presented to an agency
or employer with a covering letter or e-mail, which clearly
explains the purpose: It should be a well-presented source
of information about yourself - so aim to impress!
Covering letters should include: Why
you want to go to this particular firm, why you think you
would be good for them, which particular areas you are interested
in and why.
Try to end the letter memorably –
give them something to remember you by!
Different jobs require different skills,
and the way you write your CV can highlight the appropriate
areas, and make it easier for the recruiter to identify the
key points that he or she may be seeking.
Research shows that the average time
someone has to read a CV is 1.5 minutes – maximum impact
is essential so make it straightforward, uncomplicated, easy
to follow, uncluttered.
Try to keep the length of your CV to
around 2 pages.
Use good quality, white paper for a printed
CV.
Wherever possible, stay away from fancy
fonts and tables - fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman
are the normal standard.
Place your name at the top of your first
page, centred and in a slightly larger sized font. Use it
a proper header, which appears on each page.
To avoid wasting space, type your address
in a line below your name, with street name, town and so on
separated by commas.
Ensure you list all of your contact
details - preferably on the first page - so that you can be
easily contacted by the potential employer. All possible telephone
numbers should be given, i.e. home, mobile, work.
Give titles to the different sections
in your CV, ie Personal Details, Key Skills, Education etc
Consider providing a one line description
for each of the companies for which you have worked. It is
not necessary to include a lifetime’s list of employers
– the most recent, relevant will suffice.
Give dates of employment - it is only
necessary to quote the year.
Identify your principal responsibilities
and achievements for each employer, with a brief description
of the results that they brought about.
Salary levels and reasons for leaving
jobs are not essential on your CV.
State any qualifications gained and
the date you gained them, plus the name of the establishment,
in reverse chronological order.
If you are currently studying, put details
at the top of the list, together with the date you expect
to gain the qualification.
A-level/GCSE grades may be listed, but
it is not always essential.
Include a Training/Development section
that covers courses, training etc undertaken as part of employment.
Include the following details: date,
title, duration, training provider.
Add details of any general PC skills
e.g. MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes - you
can level achieved i.e. basic/intermediate/advanced.
Make sure you also add any specialised
systems that you have used e.g. HR or Payroll systems, accounting
packages e.g. SAGE
Hobbies and other interests are often
included - wherever possible, add details of interests that
show a range of activities.
Regarding referees, it is allowable
to write that "referees are available on request".
The difference between a hard copy CV
and one that is submitted via e-mail is that on line CV's
tend to be shorter. The standard is plain text format, as
it can be read by all computers.
Online recruitment companies often search
CVs by keywords. Aim to include words and phrases that are
relevant to your skill set, experience and industry sector.
Keep sentences and paragraphs short
and to the point - be brief!
Double check for spelling mistakes and
poor grammar as this can rule you out ofconsideration for
a job immediately!
Ensure the form is filled out legibly
– do not give the impression of shoddy work. It is always
the best policy to photocopy the form initially, and do a
‘practice’ form-filling exercise.
Fill in all the sections - don't omit
something because you feel it is irrelevant. The one item
you exclude might make the difference between being chosen
for interview, or not.
Be honest about your skills, background
and experience – dishonesty is usually uncovered!
Research the company, and gain some
background information.
Make a list of possible questions you
may be asked and prepare your answers. The interviewer will
refer to your application form/CV, so familiarise yourself
one more time with what you have written. Take a paper copy
of these with you for reference purposes.
Be on time, or even early.
First impressions count. Be well groomed
and pay attention to your clothing – dress appropriate
to the organisation.
Greet your interviewer(s) by name, with
a smile and a firm handshake
If asked if you would like a drink,
water is the safest choice (it doesn’t stain). It is
also useful in an interview - it gives you a few extra seconds
to think, and if you are nervous a few sips of water can give
you time to calm down.
Try to relax and keep the interview
conversational – don’t sound as if you’ve
rehearsed it (even though you have!).
Be able to talk through examples of
you work, and how they benefited your employers.
Prepare to also talk about achievements
- personal and work related, aspects of the job that appeals
to you most, and your strengths and weaknesses.
When answering questions, don’t
waffle. Be direct and to the point, but elaborate when necessary.
Make your answers relevant to the job
for which you are applying – interviewers want to know
to what extent your present skills and experience relate to
the job for which you are applying.
It is okay to pause before answering
a question, or ask for clarification if you don't understand
the question.
Do not be put off if you feel the interview
is not going well. Some companies use this technique to test
your reactions.
Be positive and never talk negatively
about your previous employer.
Be prepared to discuss the rate of pay
you are looking for, but wait for the interviewer to bring
up the subject of remuneration.
Do you have any questions? This is an
important stage of the interview. Chances are that they have
already decided whether they want you - but if they haven't,
your questions could make the difference. Don't waste this
opportunity: a reasonable set of questions concerning the
company, its operation, or future plans, demonstrates your
knowledge of the business and that you are interested in its
future success.
On leaving, shake hands firmly and thank
the interviewer(s) for their time.
Be confident, friendly,
above all be yourself…..and smile!
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