Jobs and Careers - South East (2) 2012 - (Page 12)

editorial Tips for a top CV Streamline and check The very first thing to consider is that your search for a new job won’t be easy. Unless you are lucky enough to be headhunted, you are likely to be in this for the long haul, with numerous rejections and knocks before you clinch a new role. Making sure your CV is up to scratch, then, will give you a good head-start, when it comes to being shortlisted by prospective employers. As Hayley Taylor, The Fairy Jobmother says: "This is a document that enables you to sell yourself to a prospective employer, it is not about fancy boxes and margins, it’s about content... Make it too elaborate, long and difficult to read and the employer will become confused, distraction and boredom will ensue and it will land on the 'no' pile." Remember that employers, on average, look at your CV for a mere 60 seconds when making that initial cut – so the layout needs to be clear and concise, showcasing only the key credentials. 1 2 3 4 5 Target your CV for every job you apply for. The best way to achieve this is to always refer back to the job advertisement that you’re responding to and make sure that you fulfil each of the criteria listed. Think about things you’ve done in the past that may be relevant to this new role – there might well be a forgotten work placement or achievement that could help your CV shine. If you’re lacking experience, put the emphasis on your skills. You want your CV to ooze at-aglance greatness; so open with a paragraph outlining the specific skills you have that make you perfect for the job. This is the ideal place to talk up deal-clinchers like IT and language skills. Keep your CV to two pages at the absolute most. Three is overkill, while one will struggle to contain the must-haves for any CV while remaining at a readable font size (no smaller than 11 point). Put a positive spin on everything you’ve done, however insignificant it may seem to you, eg. work experience placements taught you to manage your time effectively, or presentations at university helped you work as part of a team. Pretty much everything can be turned into CV-speak for 'this person is the ideal candidate for the job' – it’s just a matter of identifying your strengths and playing them up. Still struggling? Then maybe it’s time you called in the experts. CV-writing pros can whip yours into shape from as little as £10 a pop. Go online to find someone who can help – or why not contact your local Jobcentre Plus or careers service and see if they can lend you a hand? 11 Employers, on average, look at your CV for a mere 60 seconds

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers - South East (2) 2012

THE FAIRY JOBMOTHER
SURVEY YOUR CV
RETURN TO EARN
AIM HIGH
ROUND THE HOUSES
SPOTLIGHT
CHARITABLE BUSINESS
SOURCING COURSES
CARING & SHARING
10 CARE FACTS
EMPLOYER EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND CREATIVITY
A GUIDE TO THE SOUTH EAST
USEFUL CONTACTS

Jobs and Careers - South East (2) 2012