|
Recent articles
Career aspirations - be more flexible
Unemployment statistics this week reached a record 2.4 million in the UK and are projected to rise to 3 million next year. If you are one of those unlucky statistics it is all the more important to ensure that you find work as soon as possible in order to maintain not only your income but also your skills level. The government is maintaining the recession is now coming to an end "as the rate of job losses is falling" yet as we know with these statistics published this week it is going take years for a reversal of the employment graph.
It is very important that unemployed jobseekers become more flexible toward their career and salary expectations and if necessary think of even relocating in order to find work. It is also important that if at all possible you maintain your work experience by accepting temporary roles in the meantime. If you cannot find permanent or temporary work why not broaden or increase your skills through further education or a course or even maintain the skills by accepting voluntary work.
If at all possible it is advisable that your CV does not have unemployment gaps.
It is also imperative that you check and double check your CV as this is the essential key for you to be invited for interview and therefore find work. If you need assistance with your CV or a second opinion why not use a professional CV writing service.
top
Is your CV letting you down?
If you are applying for jobs but not getting interviews it could be because your CV is letting you down.
Your CV is the key to attracting the recruiters attention and selling your suitability for that perfect next job and this is a guide on designing a CV to give you best possible chance in reaching the next stage of the process, the interview. Do not forget a well-designed CV is essential to the job search process and should mirror the job for which you are applying as closely as possible and should be designed with your personality and industry in mind.
Structure of the CV Decide what type of job you will be applying for and include this in the first line of the profile section of your CV to give the reader an idea of your area of expertise. The covering letter or email is the best place to personalize your objective for each vacancy. There is nothing wrong with using an objective statement on a CV, however, don't let it limit your job choices. As an alternative, you can alter individual CVs with personalized statements that reflect each job title.
Personal details Since your CV is an advertisement for you and your skills, you should think about the design of it from the readers standpoint. Your name should be the first thing a reader sees and remembers. To accomplish that, there is really only one rule to remember: Your name should be easy to read and it should stand out above the rest of the text. People must be able to locate you, but your address and phone number are some of the least important marketing details on your CV. Some managers spend only a few seconds reading a CV and might get through only the first third of it, if you are lucky. The reader's eyes should be drawn immediately to the things that will motivate him or her to read on.
You should make the address section part of the overall design, much as you did with your name, but keep it in an easy-to-find location. This can be done by placing the contact details at the top of the page, under your name. You should always include your e-mail address and mobile phone number. The same goes for your website address if you have a CV online.
It is a good idea to also add your marital status. Your age is no longer legally required but if you choose to add it, put your age, preferable to date of birth, as the reader has not got to work it out.
Education and qualifications Under the profile, list any education or training that might be relevant. If you are a recent school/college leaver or graduate and have little relevant experience, then your education section should be placed under your personal details. As you gain more experience, you could gain more qualifications and your formative education can usually be omitted. If you participated in college activities or received honours or completed any notable projects that relate directly to your target vacancy, list them. Showing school education and activities on a CV is only appropriate when you are under 22 and have no education or training beyond school/university. Once you have completed either university/college courses or specialized technical training, drop this information altogether. Continuing education shows that you care about life-long learning and self-development, so think about any relevant training since your formal education was completed. Always look at your CV from the perspective of a potential employer. Don't waste space by listing training that is not directly or indirectly related to your target job.
Career history Starting with your present position, list the title of every job you have held on a separate sheet of paper, along with the name of the company, and the city or coutry if abroad, and the years you worked there. You can list years only (1998 to present) or months and years (May 1998 to present). People who are detail oriented are usually more comfortable with a full accounting of their time. Listing years alone covers some gaps if you have worked in a position for less than a full year while the time period spans more than one calendar year. For instance, if you worked from September 1996 through May 1997, saying 1996-1997 certainly looks better. From the perspective of recruiters and hiring managers, most don't care whether you list the months and years or list the years only. However, regardless of which method you choose, be consistent throughout your CV, especially within sections. For instance, don't use months some of the time and years alone within the same section. Consistency of style is important on a CV, since it is that consistency that makes your CV neat, clean, and easy to read. The description of each job should paint a picture, first of the work environment, ie. what the company does, if not obvious from it's name, the size of the department in which you worked and who you were responsible for and to whom. Secondly you should state the principle responsibilities and duties of the role. These responsibilities should match the vacancy as closely as possible in the order of their importance. Lastly it is often important, if possible, to mention personal achievements within the role ie. If a salesman, always over achieved sales targets, mentioning percentages and amounts of money. If an accountant the amount of money that has been saved due to your efforts etc. If there are a number of these achievements to be included, these can be listed to give them greater impact and reduce the possibility of rambling.
Other information There are very few times when personal information is appropriate on a CV. Usually such facts only take up valuable white space, especially details such as age, sex, race, health, or marital status, and other information that potential employers are not allowed to ask anyway. There are exceptions to every rule in the CV business, however! Here are some of them:
* International CVs often require age/date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, and a photograph. * Students, or those who have recently left college or graduated, often have difficulty time coming up with enough paid experience to demonstrate their qualifications. But, if they have held leadership positions in campus organizations or have supervised groups of people and organized activities on a volunteer basis, then an "Interests and/or Achievements" section could strengthen those qualifications. * A list of sporting achievements gives a sense of leadership and success or a list of sporting interests would be helpful for a person looking for a sports marketing position! * If you are looking for a job in sales where you would need to travel a great deal, mention you have a driving licence, or if overseas where relocating an entire family becomes expensive, showing that you are unmarried and willing to travel could be helpful.
And the list goes on. It is important to use your judgment, since only you know best what qualifications are important in your field.
I hope you are pleased with your new CV and it has the desired results in getting you those all important invitations for interview leading to your ideal job offer.
top
The perfect job interview
There is no such thing as the perfect interview however there is nothing like preparation to make sure you make the best possible impression on the day.
Look up where the interview will take place and do your homework to ensure that you arrive with a good 10-15 minutes in hand, prior to the interview. If you are early, explore the surrounding area as it best not to arrive too early, just as it is imperative to be late.
Unless you are 100% certain that it will be a casual interview ensure that you are wearing a conservative, suit and tie for men, or blouse and skirt (but not too revealing) for women. There would be nothing worse than turning up in jeans believing it was a casual interview only to be introduced to the Chairman and main decision maker who is wearing a bow tie and three piece suit. A bit implausible I agree but I hope I made the point.
Also make sure you make eye contact, speak clearly, smile (no-one wants to work with a misery!) and have a firm, assertive handshake, although not a bone crusher. Use the interviewers name so he knows that you remember it but don't be repetitive.
It is also very important to prepare a list of intelligent. Do not prepare to grill the interviewer but make sure you something about the organisation and ask questions which let the interviewer know about the organisation and have taken interest. Do not ask questions to which there are one-word answers. People like talking about themselves and their firm so let them do so and never ask about holiday allowance, sickness, maternity, paternity benefit or of course salary (unless of course they introduce the topic).
If you feel nervous about the whole interview experience it is important to remember that an interview is also a two-way selection. The organisation and the future work colleagues must impress you as much as you must impress them.
Good luck with your next interview and hope you have found this article useful.
top
Prepare for job applications
To prepare effectively for your own own personal job applications you must become more aware of what will make you stand out from the crowd, to be seen as that exceptional candidate.
The following advice will help you to present yourself well to a potential employer.
* Spellcheck and proofread your CV before submitting it (included in all Word Processing software so there is no excuse!
* Employer demands are more specific than they were so you need to have relevant or industry experience and be able to add value to a business from day one.
* Employers recruiting sales people will want to see proof of billings and earnings, so ensure you have your P60s, any revenue figures, client and even if necessary testimonials etc.
* Provide references, especially if glowing, as early in the recruitment process as you can.
* If you have frequently moved jobs you are likely to struggle to secure your ideal job as employers will not accept "job hoppers".
* Be realistic in your salary expectations and perhaps be prepared to prepared to accept a drop in pay or benefits to secure your ideal job.
* Do not search for a new job because the going gets tough. Work smarter (as well as harder), think outside the box, differentiate yourself from your colleagues and demonstrate your resilience.
top
Article database
How to resign - Your resignation letter
Even if you are overjoyed at the prospect of leaving the firm, avoid the temptation to criticise your boss. You never know when you may meet them or your former colleagues again. Don't forget you will need a reference, so always leave on good terms.
There is no blueprint to follow when it comes to writing the letter of resignation as its content will very much depend on your personal circumstances. Start the letter by getting straight to the point - don't waffle around the subject - let them know the reason for writing and what you have decided.
Depending on the size of the company you will need to include your name, department and position and over the next couple of paragraphs, briefly explain what you are planning to do and the reasons behind your decision.
Things to include in your letter:
Your reasons for resigning
When you would like to leave
Any outstanding holiday, bonus pay etc.
Even if you are leaving after a series of furious rows you don't need to be abusive - in this way you are leaving the door open should your boss want to try to broker a compromise.
At the end of the letter flag up the terms of your contract and the date you are expecting to leave. Also mention the amount of holiday time you are owed and whether you would prefer the money or the time off. If you want to leave before the end of your notice period, this is where you should ask if it is possible. Always finish your letter by wishing your employer and the company all the very best for the future.
top
What is your vocation?
Not many people know what they want to do later in life let alone from childhood.
There are very few of us that can fulfill their childhood dream of being a premiership footballer, architect or prime minister as there are few us born as Wayne Rooney, Norman Foster (no relation) or, heaven forbid, Gordon Brown.
Yet it is important not to loose sight of your ideals when searching for your next job, even if you are desperate. As a general rule people are always best at doing things they enjoy.
If you have no idea what you would like to do why not write a list of what you like and dislike in two columns on a piece of paper. Include all aspects of any previous work you have undertaken including interaction with people face to face and / or on the telephone from a service or persuasive perspective, mathematical calculations, etc. Then prepare another list including the type of work environment you enjoy ie. large or small company environment, etc. At the end of this exercise look at a number of random job specifications and using your previous experience and your lists you should be able to identify jobs which fit your broad job ideal spectrum.
If you are looking to change your career it is best to incorporate some of your existing skills into the role within your new career category. In this way you can offer your expertise to date to an employer and at the same time ease your way into your new chosen career, gaining valuable experience all the while until you complete the transition.
If you are applying for numerous jobs, which you would really like, but not getting any interviews, have a look at the way you are applying for jobs or your CV. Personalise your application letters and get a second opinion regarding your CV or have it rewritten by a professional CV writing service.
Best of luck with your search for your ideal career.
top
|
