CV 4 Jobs

I have reviewed thousands of CV’s and applications over the years. In that time I have see some funny mistakes BUT can I remember them – NO!! Since it is friday I have nicked a few CV blunders from other sites to give you a laugh before the weekend.

* CV Under Work Experience: “Service for the elderly to check they are still alive or not.”

* CV Under Key Skills: “bleaching, windo cleaning, pot washing, mopping, e.t.c”

* CV Under Work Experience: “Career break in 2007 to renovate my horse”

* CV Under Work Experience: “1991 – 1998: Stewardess – Royal Air Force”

* CV Under Hobbies & Interests: “enjoy cooking Italians & Chinese”

* CV Under Work Experience: “Role involved…counselling clientele on accidental insurance policies available to them”

* CV Under Work Experience: “2002 Voluntary work for the summer taking care of the elderly & vegetable people”

* Cover Letter: Cover Letter: “I’m intrested to here more about that. I’m working today in a furniture factory as a drawer”

* Cover Letter: “Time is very valuable and it should be always used to achieve optimum results and I believe it should not be played around with”

* Cover Letter: “I am about to enrol on a Business Degree with Open University. I feel that this qualification will prove detrimental to me for future success.”

Have a good weekend

P.S – Any other funny additions please post

CV Preparation & CV Distribution

There are many great articles on this site telling you how to prepare an impact CV. There is excellent information about CV Layout, CV content, CV design and cover letters. There are occasions when I come across clients who spend that much time perfecting a CV that they neglect distributing the CV. Yes you need to spend time on your CV BUT remember if employers or recruiters do not see it you will not get a job.

Rather that focus on preparing a CV lets look at where you can locate suitable jobs to distribute your CV.

Recruitment Agencies – Probably the most popular job search tool as it takes the work out of job hunting for the jobseeker. Remember to identify agencies that tailor for your skill set and try if possible to meet the recruiter.

Online Job Boards – There are unlimited job boards in Ireland including EmployIreland, RecruitIreland and SalesJobs to name a few. My only advice here is to visit them regularly and not rely too much on job alerts.

Newspapers – There has been a sharp decline in newspaper job advertising and the fact that most newspaper groups own the online job boards would highlight this point. Certainly no harm to review the main job papers of which Thursday Irish Independent Jobs Supplement is still No.1.

Networking – This is a proactive approach to find potential jobs. Can be hard work but introduces you to valuable industry contacts and can unearth real job gems. When you consider that over 50% of jobs are never advertised it is strategies like networking that will help you access the hidden job pool.

Choosing a CV Writing Service

I review some really bad CV’s on a daily basis. A lot of the mistakes are quite basic. Interestingly I often deal with jobseekers who have already forked out good money on bad CV services. Ok – I don’t like people throwing money away but most of the time they are their own worst enemy.

We are getting ripped off in Ireland for groceries BUT we are creating this situation. We pay the prices and we are too lazy to shop around. Similarly many jobseekers run with the 1st CV service they see on the web without shopping around or checking out the provider. Below I will outline key criteria to consider.

CV Service – Considerations.

What qualifies the CV writer? – OK there is no official qualification for writing CV’s in Ireland BUT the background of the writer is important. Any CV provider who does not have a bio on their website – BEWARE!!. Typically a good background for CV writing is a vast experience in recruitment or HR. Basically somebody who has been heavily involved in recruitment, sifting CV’s or interviewing.

Reputation of CV Writer – Are they known in Ireland? Who refers them? I have references on my site (they are legitimate) BUT these can be made up. Does the CV writer have any industry or company references? Do they blog? Do they write for any online sites or newspapers?

Price of CV Writer – As we all know price can no give a true indication of service. A high price does not mean good service and visa versa. Ok we all have a budget BUT remember an IMPACT CV will help you secure that dream job.

And now for the sales pitch – CV Writing Service Ireland.

An impact CV is a key ingredient for success in the job market. Unfortunately most CV’s I review do not sell the owner and lack impact. Below I have outlined a number of excellent articles that can help you improve your CV preparation skills. Improve the quality of your CV and you will increase interview invitations. This will help you land your dream job.

Common CV mistakes – Avoid!!

As stated most CV’s I review are flawed. They fall down in many areas but there are common mistakes I see every day. Here are a couple of articles which will outline some of the most common CV mistakes you should avoid. Read CV Advice – mistakes and CV Preparation – mistakes.

CV preparation – CV Layout & CV Format

CV layout and CV format are very important for an impact CV. CV Format & CV Layout outlines some of the basic CV format and CV layout points to consider. Take these on board when writing your CV.

How many pages? – CV Writing

A common question I am asked by jobseekers is “how many pages for a CV?” CV Advice will answer this question.

CV Writing & Interview Coaching

Do you need professional CV writing support? Measurability CV Service offers a professional CV advice to jobseekers across Ireland. Need Interview coaching?

As much as I preach and offer CV advice about the subject I still come across jobseekers that are sending the exact same CV for all jobs without tweaking or amending it. They leave the CV Layout, CV Format & CV Content the same. If this is you – then your job hunting is flawed and you will miss out on important interviews. Jobseekers with a general CV that they send to all jobs are saying to the recruiters – I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU WANT!!

CV Advice – Employer focused CV

As soon as you accept that every job is different and each employer is different you will appreciate that your CV must also be different and amended for each job you apply for. This could be major overhaul BUT it could also be minor tweaking. If an employer does not see what they want to in a short space of time they will file your CV under “B” for BIN

CV Advice – No pain no gain

Yes this will make the application process that little bit more time consuming BUT who said job hunting was easy. When you begin tailoring your CV for particular jobs then you will start to see increases in positive results.

If you need help and CV advice a professional can help.