CV tips

 

General

  • Whether applying for your first role or with substantial work experience and accomplishments, it is your key personal sales and marketing document and passport to an interview.
  • Make it well-organised and packed with relevant information to match and support  your application.
  • If  applying with a covering e-mail, make it 'business like' – no 'text speak'!

Content

  • Content is more important than size.
  • Whilst a CV must always be truthful and accurate,
    avoid anything giving a negative impression.
  • Avoid a style that is too narrative, use bullet points
    to stress key areas.
  • Watch spelling, grammar, dates etc.

 

Structure

  • Start with 'Objective and Summary of Qualifications', i.e. a two/three line overview.
  • List key personal details: name, preferred locations, key educational achievements (perhaps on the last page if several years ago).
  • List key personal skills.
  • Show your career history - starting with the most recent position, work backwards, leave no gaps and include any periods of unemployment.
  • Include the job title, key technical skills (qualified by number of years and depth), key functions of each job and notable achievements.

    interview tips

     

    General

    • Research the organisation by checking their website.  Google recent news on them.  Be aware of their industry and its impact on the organisation.
    • Know your CV and think through your career and history.  What points do you want to make about yourself?
    • Prepare answers to predictable questions, such as 'tell me about yourself', and questions about your abilities, career history, personality and goals.

    Perfomance

    • If nerves make you speak quickly, use pauses to control your pace.  Pausing also gives you time to collect your thoughts and you will be less likely to lose track or for your mind to go blank.
    • Project yourself in a positive way as people make judgements from non verbal communication.  As well as the obvious smile on meeting and eye contact with the interviewer, good posture can help generate a confident attitude.

     

     

    • Focus on the questions and if you are not sure of the meaning, check with the interviewer, who will respond favourably to being engaged like this.
    • Build a relationship with the interviewer.
    • Imagine yourself in the interviewer's place and try to get a feel for what they need from you.
    • Use the interviewer's name.
    • Answer questions honestly, don't try to 'blag'. Show that you’re 'big' enough to be imperfect, but confident you can learn.
    • Answer questions fully, but don't ramble –
      keep it relevant.
    • Ask the interviewer how they think the interview has gone and what the next steps will be.