| Interview Tips
Where do you start, a blank piece of paper has never looked so empty. Here’s what you do, take some post-it notes and brainstorm the following topics:
- What are my strengths?
- In which areas did I excel in my previous positions?
- In which working environment would I thrive?
- What are my weaknesses?
- What are my mid to long-term professional goals?
- Define what I do professionally.
- What personal attributes can I bring to a role?
Now you have started the process you need to get them into some order.
Your CV is a reflection of your professionalism. It needs to state that you are the right person for the job. You need to have one master copy of a CV and then should tailor subsequent CVs to bring out salient points in your work history that match the Person Specification and Job Specification of the role your are interested in.
A Good CV should contain the following:
- A 4-line summary or profile of you as a job seeker, what are your strengths and what do you excel at?
- A clear, un-cluttered layout (3 pages maximum)
- Job specific information (avoid jargon and include a synopsis of the company you worked for, don’t assume that people will recognise the company name.)
- Articulate, concise language- a maximum of 15 words per sentence.
- Specific and quantifiable achievements.
- No mistakes
Recruiters and employers look for the following attributes when filling a post. Include quantifiable examples of as many of these as possible in your CV.
- Competence and experience
- Relevant skills
- Strategic thinking
- Creativity and problem solving
- Leadership (how many people in your team, based in one place or in far-flung places?)
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Personal management skills
- Integrity
A Chronological CV is the most traditional; they list previous employers and job roles in detail and are suited to professionals who have a formal history of experience.
Functional or skills CVs are better suited to contractors, graduates, people who have taken time out. They are useful when making a complete career change.
- Personal details
- Name, contact details, nationality
- Profile
- A descriptive overview of your professional profile. List your key features, formal training and business acumen.
- Work experience in reverse chronological order
- Include dates, a brief summary of what the company did, size of turnover, and number of employees. Include projects worked on, responsibilities and key, quantifiable achievements.
- Education and Qualifications
- Most recent first (no need to include you GCSE results if you have subsequently gone on to achieve an MBA or similar.) Include PC skills and proficiencies
- References
There is nothing more unprofessional than grammar or spelling mistakes on your CV. Don’t rely on the spell-checker facility, print off a hard copy and circulate it around people you can trust who will read it through for you and highlight any errors.
