CV 4 Jobs

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Jobseekers are facing a tough job market in Ireland and need to ensure they are in tip top shape to ensure they maximise full opportunities. The basic foundations need to be set in that you need to know what you are looking for. Key tools like CV’s and cover letters need to be sharp and ready for action. Then interview techniques need to be fine tuned. Jobseekers can no longer enter the job market without thorough preparation. Once upon a time any old CV would get you interviews and below par interviews landed job offers. Well you can no longer expect this as the job-jobseeker ration has swung full circle.

CV Tips

The CV is certainly a key ingredient for any successful attack on the job market. There is much advice available but stick to the basics outlined in these 3 articles and you will have a solid foundation.

CV Tip 1 – Make sure your CV is visually attractive

CV Tip 2 – Help the reader find the information they need

CV Tip 3 – Focus on the content of your CV

Take these CV Tips on board and you will find an improvement in your application to interview ratio. Improve this ratio and you will increase your chances of landing a job.

It amazes me how many jobseekers have only one CV which they send to every position the see without any content or format changes. In reality what you are saying to the client that this is what I do and I don’t care what you are looking for. Jobseekers that follow this approach will have a lower CV-Interview ratio. Ultimately they will miss out on opportunities and possible job offers.

Jobseekers must realise that each employer is different and each job requirement is different no matter how small. Most employers have job vacancies to help them solve a problem and when reading your CV they don’t see this in a short space of time it will be filed in the bin. In reality it is the employer and their job specification that will dictate your CV content and format.

Yes it does take more effort to have an employer focused CV for each position. This may mean complete CV overhaul in some cases but it can also mean just tweaking the CV with minimal changes. As the saying goes “the harder I work the luckier I get” and you will find an increase in responses and CV success by this additional effort.

The employer decides if you will be called for interview. They have the power and your CV must make an immediate impact. You must realise that your CV should be designed with the employer’s need in mind. Best of luck in your job hunting.

Read a view on CV Templates & CV Examples many jobseekers use online.

I have just finished running two successful CV & Interview Workshops over the last week. One was for a group of individuals who had just lost their jobs and the other for a group of students seeking work placement. What struck me was the amount of misinformation feed to jobseekers about CV’s and Interviews. Some of this information is so out of date it is unreal. More worryingly is the source of this information.

Jobseekers beware!! There are many career experts and wannabes in the market place offering so-called expertise. Unfortunately most of their knowledge has been taken for a lecture hall or text book. It is not real world and many of these experts have not experienced real world recruitment or job hunting.

CV Services and Interview Coaching services should be treated like any other service – purchase with care!! I suggest you seek referrals or recommendations from friends or family. If this is not possible check the service out online etc …..

Happy job hunting

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

For more information visit CV Workshop Dublin

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.

Paul Mullan of Measurability & Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group will be running a Career Workshop in Dublin on 18th of October. This is an excellent opportunity to work with two of Irelands leading Career Coaches. The workshop will explore career change, career direction, essential marketing tools – CV & cover letter, motivation and key job search strategies. If you are changing career or need help chaning career this is a must attend workshop!!

For more information email info@measurability.ie or post a comment.

WORKSHOP CONTENT

Career clarity & career direction
Career planning
Market yourself – CV’s & Cover Letters
Job Search strategies

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Davonport Hotel Dublin 2.
Saturday 18th Oct 10.00 – 2.00pm.
Investment EUR195.00 (EUR165.00 before 3rd October)

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.