How To Write A CV
A CV is a short account about you, your work experience and qualifications. It should ideally be two sides of A4 giving a potential employer key facts about yourself. You would send a CV to an employer when applying for a job in writing.
Name
Personal Statement
I would describe myself as a team player as well as having the ability to work well in an autonomous manner. Fully flexible & proactive in all working aspects, I am willing to take on extra responsibilities with immediate effect. Keen to try anything new, never phased by new tasks/skills & I thrive on challenges. Adept at completing pre-planned & ad-hoc tasks, I always finish projects punctually & have proven experience in delivering results. A confident co-ordinator & organiser, accustomed to accepting responsibility & working under pressure to meet strict deadlines, against stringent time & budgetary constraints. I am a clear, concise & consistent communicator, happy to challenge ideas/working practices to ensure continual personal & business development.
Employment
Present employment first going back through chronological order
Education
Most recent education / degree etc first back through chronological order
Other Skills / Experiences
Computer literate: good knowledge of Word and Excel, as well as e-mail and the internet
Languages / Numeracy / Literacy etc
Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek – (Incorporate these into your skills & personal statement)
1. Communication skills (verbal and written)
2. Honesty/integrity
3. Teamwork skills (works well with others)
4. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
5. Motivation/initiative
6. Strong work ethic
7. Analytical skills
8. Flexibility/adaptability
9. Computer skills
10. Organizational skills
The best way to write about my experience?
Don't just write about what you did, write how it helped your employer. Why? A potential employer will think 'if you've achieved that for someone else, you could achieve it for me'. For example, rather than just saying 'I worked on spreadsheets', say 'I built spreadsheets that helped the team to identify cost savings to the business'. Think about time or costs saved, revenue generated etc.
Personal Details
Date of birth
Address & Contact details
Interview Hints and Tips
You never get a second chance to make a first impression so you must be careful and fully prepare yourself for your interview.
Although interviews can be daunting they can also be a rewarding experience. Remember the four P’s of interviewing:
1. Preparation
2. Practice
3. Personal Presentation
4. Pertinent Questions
Before The Interview
Be Prepared
Ensure you confirm the time, date and location of the interview. You may also need to know how many people will be interviewing you and their name/s.
If you are unsure of the location do a dummy run so that you can estimate how long it will take you to get there. This will also help you to decide if the travelling and cost of petrol is viable if accepting the job.
Look at the company’s website and learn all you can about them. For example find out what they do, their biggest clients / competitors etc. This is extremely important as it will show that you have taken the time to prepare yourself and are really interested in the company you may be joining.
Prepare any certificates, references etc before the day. Also take your interview letter if you have one with you.
Timing
Plan to get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time.
If you are there too early you could wait at a near by coffee shop. If you are going to be late make sure you have to company phone number so that you can advise them of any delays.
On arrival inform the receptionist of who you are, why you are there and who you are meeting with.
During the Interview
First Impressions
The way you dress is important. No matter what the job is you should look professional and smart.
Be friendly and polite to everyone that you meet at the organisation. This means everyone from the doorman to the receptionist to the Managing Director.
Body Language
A firm but friendly handshake while introducing yourself is a good way to break the ice.
Always try to maintain eye contact but without glaring. This will show confidence and trust.
The same can be said of fidgeting. Although the person/people interviewing will appreciate that you will be nervous too much fidgeting can make you seem untrustworthy and un-nerving.
You should stand or sit up straight. Show some enthusiasm and energy. A slouching posture looks tired and uncaring.
Gesturing or talking with your hands is very natural but keep it moderation. If you get carried away it will be distracting.
Know what you Can Offer
Make a list of your skills and traits that match the employers requirements. The closer your skills and traits are to the job specification the better chance you have of landing the job.
Talk about specific achievements
This may include :
Problems you have solved in your current or previous roles
How you have learned and improved from difficult situations
A particular you have implemented
Questions
There are a number of common interview questions which you may be asked. These include:
At the end of the interview
- What are your weaknesses?
- Why should we hire you?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What are your goals?
- Why did you or why are you leaving your job?
- What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?
- What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?
Ensure that you have a list of pertinent questions regarding the role and the company. This will be your chance to show that you have really researched both.
You may also want to find out how many people they have interviewed, when the last interview will be held.
Also ask when you will expect to be given feedback. If you haven’t heard from them by a specific date can you contact them?
Thank the interviewer/s for their time and shake their hand.
Telephone Interviews
Treat the phone interview seriously, just as you would a face-to-face interview. They can be tricky as you can’t read the interviewers non verbal cues like facial expressions or body language. But if you prepare yourself properly you will be fine.
Have your CV and cover letter in front of you
You’ll almost certainly be asked about some of the information which is on your CV therefore it is advisable to have it in front of you during the interview along with any other supporting documentation.
Make a cheat sheet
Make a few notes about the most critical points you want to make with your interviewer. Then touch on them during the interview even if only at the end of the interview.
Location and Phone
Make sure your phone is fully charge and make sure it wont cut out part way through the interview. You and the interviewer need to be able to hear each other clearly and understand what each other is saying. It would be advisable to use landline if possible.
Make sure you are in a quiet environment with no distractions or background noise.
Shower, groom and dress up ( at least a little bit)
This might seem like stupid advice but focusing on your appearance like you would in a normal interview will put you in the right frame of mind. You won’t do as well in your interview if you are lying in bed in your pyjamas.
Stand up, or at least sit up straight at a table or desk
Again this is more of a psychological aspect. Research has shown that you project yourself better and feel more knowledgeable and confident if in the correct pose.
Remember an interview is an opportunity for you to decide if the job and company is right for you as much as the other way around.
The above information provided by Taylor Daniels Recruitment.
