CV Preparation
Remember: Your CV is your personal advertisement/marketing pitch/sales tool and the first page must catch the attention of the reader.
The objective of your CV is to gain you an interview and to create a positive impression about you in the mind of the interviewer before you meet. Therefore it needs to be professional, business-like and easy to read. CV sections should be in this order: Personal Information, Personal Profile, Qualifications, Employment History and Interests.
Personal Information
Full name. Full address. Telephone numbers. E-mail address
Personal Profile
This should show your skills and attributes in strong, positive, relevant and expressive terms, explaining why you feel the role you are seeking is right for you and what are your career aspirations.
Qualifications
If educated to degree level (or have a higher qualification) it is only necessary to briefly list earlier academic qualifications with appropriate grades. This section should also include any professional qualifications and training.
Employment History
It is generally accepted practice to put your employment history in reverse chronological order. Give most space to your most recent job. It is only necessary to put the month and year of joining and leaving any employer. Your current position should be 'to date'. State your title, list specific responsibilities/involvement in each job and do not leave out any period of employment for whatever reason. If a completed job has been a contract or temporary work please show this. Restrict the length preferably to two pages, three at most. Make sure there are no gaps in the dates - if there are, give an explanation.
Ensure that you have relayed all important skills that often get taken for granted, i.e. additional languages.
Avoid photographs or personal mission statements.
Interests
References on application.
Interviewing Techniques
Remember that it is not just your experience and skill set that is being examined at an interview but also whether you will fit into the organisation’s culture/environment/team. Remember this also a chance for you to assess whether this is the company/vacancy for you. Give a firm handshake and an engaging smile and maintain eye contact throughout. Be to the point and answer each question succinctly. Do not overly criticise your current employer and do not reply to a question with monosyllabic 'yes/no' answers. Be positive and enthusiastic about the role for which you are being interviewed. Prepare your questions and review the company web page, ensuring that you have a good overview of the company business.
It is important to leave the interviewer with a positive impression - thank them for the opportunity to meet with them and for their time.
Call your recruitment consultant as soon as you can with honest feedback. The sooner you do this, the sooner your recruitment consultant can speak to the organisation. At all times stay in touch with your recruitment consultant who should relay positive or negative feedback. They will prepare you for the next meeting and give you help and advice at all stages. Use all their knowledge and experience to help you make the most of the recruitment process. Lastly, dress code should be smart and professional.
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