Writing a CV

You never get a second chance to make a first impression ...

A CV is one of your entry points into the jobs arena. It's your chance to sing
your own praises and make an employer sit up and take notice. So, it's worth
taking some time to perfect it.

What's more, your CV is the one part of the job-seeking process over which you
have total control. There's no pressure, so you can take your time to fine-tune
it.

But how do you decide which facts to include and which to leave out? How do
you sell yourself without coming across as a know-it-all?

Well, there are a few easy steps.
Content
Your aim is to convince the employer that you have the necessary experience,
knowledge and hunger to do the job. Many CVs do nothing more than provide a
stark list of job titles and duties; but all companies are results-orientated - so
you must emphasise what you've achieved within a role, show how you added
value to a company or how you made a difference.

Always be honest about your achievements and skills and make sure the
information is up to date - just one extra qualification or skill could make all the
difference between getting an interview or not.
Structure
Personal Details...
Start with your personal details (name, address, phone number, age and
nationality). Personal Profile . Give a short 3 or 4 line personal profile
summarising your skills, experience, knowledge - and career aspirations. It's
the perfect way to give the employer an overview of your suitability for the job.
Career History...
Employers are more interested in what you are doing now, or have done
recently. So if you are already in employment, focus on your career history first
and then move on to your academic qualifications. (If you are a college-leaver
or still in education, start with details of your education and academic
achievements.)

List all the jobs you have held chronologically, with the most recent first. For
each give your job title, the name of the company and the period of
employment. Follow this with a description of the role, your key responsibilities
and remember to highlight any achievements. For previous jobs keep the
details briefer - unless they were more significant in terms of the post you are
applying for.

Employers are suspicious, so don't leave gaps in your career history. If you took
a year out to travel, say so and make a virtue of it.

There's no reason to say why you are moving on. That will make a good topic of
conversation at the interview.
Qualifications & Education...
When it comes to qualifications and professional training, take the same
approach as with your employment history. Begin with your most recent
qualifications and work back; if you have a degree or higher qualification, there
may not be a need to include an extensive list of your junior educational
certificates.

And if you are in education at the moment, expand on areas of your studies
that might be relevant to the post you are applying for.
Interests...
Be truthful about your leisure interests. If you can tie them in with the job
selection criteria, for example, to show that you are a team player, then do so,
but never risk claiming something you can't back up at interview. The chances
are you'll be found out.

If you are just starting out in the job market, give any evidence you can to
demonstrate initiative or practical skills, for example, voluntary work, elected
office in a society, member of a sports team or contributor to a college
magazine.
Presentation and Layout
Put yourself in the employer's position. They're busy people - wading through
hundreds of CVs is a time-consuming process. Research shows that, on
average, managers spend less than two minutes - and often just 30 seconds -
examining each CV. So visual impressions count. A jumbled, poorly laid-out CV
is an open invitation to move to the next one; a well structured, clear and
concise CV encourages the employer to read on.
Key guidelines
2 sides is ideal - certainly no longer
Use subheadings (Career History etc.) wherever possible -
they help the reader quickly find information
Keep it well-spaced, so it's easy to read - don't try to
squash everything onto the page by using tiny typefaces
Use a simple, clear typeface - fancy fonts and gimmicky
design devices do nothing for clarity
Laser-print it on good quality white A4 paper - cheap
photocopying paper doesn't impress
Style & Tone
Again, don't make life hard for the employer. Write in a
precise, clear style and stick to the point - only include
relevant information.
Keep the language formal with short, crisp sentences -
your personality will come through at the interview stage
Use active keywords (created, devised, enjoyed, relished,
helped, negotiated, managed, liaised, motivated) which
have a positive impact
Avoid jargon and abbreviations - the employer may not be
aware of what they stand for
Accuracy
Take great care with spelling and grammar - the slightest error can result in
your CV being rejected. But don't just run the CV through the spellcheck - that
won't identify 'typos', discrepancies or grammatical inconsistencies.

Once you have checked the finished document, ask a friend to check again - a
fresh pair of eyes often spots a mistake you missed.
GOOD LUCK!
Interview Tips

Believe in yourself and shine at an interview...

Everyone approaches a job interview with some degree of apprehension. Nerves
are perfectly natural; the trick is not to let them weigh you down. The main
thing to remember is that the employer has asked to see you because they
think you are capable of doing the job. Their time is precious and they will be
hoping, just as fervently as you, that you are the perfect solution to the
vacancy.

At the interview, your main aim is to reinforce the excellent impression made
by your CV. You do not want to be stuck for words, so it is important to think
about what you are going to say, how you are going to say it and how you are
going to act, beforehand.

Here are a few proven strategies that will help you take control of the interview
and ensure that the whole process goes smoothly.

Do your homework...
Of course, your Manpower consultant will brief you fully about the company
and the position being offered. But it's always worth 'going that extra mile'
- you can never have too much information. Try logging on to the
company's website, get hold of company literature and find out about
competitors. If the opportunity to use this knowledge arises, you'll be able
to demonstrate an impressive level of interest in the organisation.
Making a good first impression...
Look smart and professional. When it comes to dressing to impress,
always err on the side of 'traditional' rather than 'trendy'.
Take a copy of your CV with you. Even the most efficient companies
can mislay or forget to bring a document.
Plan your route and allow plenty of extra time to get to the interview.
Be courteous, make good eye contact, smile and shake hands firmly.
Body language...
You may be superbly qualified for a job, but you must also look motivated
and interested. The way you act, your posture, gestures and facial
expressions, will reveal a lot about you.
Look the interviewer in the eye and don't be afraid to smile when it is
appropriate.
If you are being interviewed by more than one person, always look at
and address the person who posed the question, then glance at the
others when you have finished your answer.
Adopt a good posture. Don't cross your arms, fidget, tap your feet,
sprawl or lean forward anxiously.
Sounding positive...
You must be ready to expand on, not simply regurgitate, the information
presented on your CV and anticipate the route the interviewer might take.
No one fits a job perfectly so emphasise your most relevant skills and slant
answers to reassure the interviewer that any shortfall is not a problem.
Don't use tentative language. Phrases such as 'I feel I could', 'I think I
can'. 'Perhaps I would' - dilute the strength of your case. Don't confine
your answers to monosyllabic yes and no's which make the interview
more like an interrogation.
Be enthusiastic but don't constantly interrupt.
Practice makes perfect. Before the interview, test your fluency by
talking out loud or presenting to partners and friends.
Don't be evasive. Make a virtue of any career gaps on your CV.
Handling tough questions with confidence...
Employers will ask questions deliberately designed to see how you behave
and react in certain situations. Giving a positive, fluent answer isn't as
difficult as it might seem. With a little advance planning, it's perfectly
possible to anticipate common general enquiries and prepare a coherent,
effective response. In fact, you can turn these questions into an
opportunity to take the initiative and 'sell' the exact message you want.

Never answer a question you don't understand with a knee-jerk response.
Always seek clarification before answering and if you don't know an
answer, its much better to admit this than guess.
Be prepared for the following questions:
How would you describe yourself?
How would your manager describe you?
What is your career path for the future / where do you see yourself in 2
years time?
What motivates you to be successful?
How do you react when you are left to work without supervision?
Give me an example of when you feel you have coped extremely well
under pressure at work?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This final question is particularly tricky. Obviously, you can't claim to have
no weaknesses, but you don't want to stress anything too negative. The
best solution is to admit to one weakness and then turn it around and show
how you have constructively overcome it.
The interview is a two-way process...
At the end of the interview, the employer will usually ask if you have any
questions about the job or company, so always prepare a few in advance.
This is a good chance to clarify any points of doubt - after all, you need to
make sure that the job is exactly what you expected and what you want.

Suggested questions to ask:

What are the opportunities for career progression?

What are the training opportunities?

What are my precise responsibilities?

How much travel is involved?

What are the targets for the first 6 months?

How long will it take you to make a final recruitment decision?

Closing on a confident note...

Leave the employer with a good final impression. Smile, thank them for
their time, say you enjoyed discussing the job and that you look forward to
hearing from them soon. Don't add any afterthoughts as you leave the
room.

You are almost there...

Some people always seem to succeed at interviews. They're not lucky,
their secret is careful preparation. The better prepared you are, the more
confident you will be and the more success you will have. And remember,
when you go to an interview you have already beaten most candidates and
the employer wants you to succeed.

GOOD LUCK!