CV 4 Jobs

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.

CV Format is very vital when you are writing a CV for the Irish job market or any job market. If you ignore this element you will miss out on possible interviews. As outlined in a previous post there is a variety of popular formats but I advise jobseekers to take a fluid approach to CV format and not restrict to set formats.

CV Format – The Functional CV

Functional CV’s are common in the job market but not as popular as the chronological CV. Rather that list your work experience you would dissect your experience into functional exposure – like sales experience or IT experience. This type of CV is beneficial if you have gaps in employment or if you have changed jobs frequently after short periods of time. Functional CV’s are also beneficial if your recent work experience is not relevant to the role that you are applying for. The problem with Functional CV’s is that they can generate suspicion from the recruiter. It can also frustrate recruiters in that it is difficult to identify what you actually worked at. Having said this, these CV’s are necessary if you have some of the above outlined issues.

CV Format is only one ingredient for CV success.

As outlined in previous posts there is much more to CV writing than selecting a CV format. There are many areas to pay attention to including the basics like spelling & grammar but also key areas like CV layout and content. CV4jobs has free many posts with free advice on CV writing so feel free to browse the other posts for information to help you design a good CV. Read this useful article.

CV Services for jobseekers in Ireland

You will find many professional CV services in Ireland that can help you improve your application to interview ratio. Measurability offers professional CV services for professionals nationwide. Visit www.measurability.ie for more information about the CV Format and other services.

CV Format

CV format is very important when writing a CV for the Irish job market or in fact any job market. Ignore this element and it will cost you valuable interviews. There are a number of popular formats which I will discuss but my advice is that a CV is a fluid document so never take a strict approach to CV format.

CV Format – The chronological CV

This is perhaps the most popular CV in Ireland. This is because recruiters expect it and find it easy to read and get the information the need. Basically it is a CV style that lists most relevant work experience first and works backwards. This option is great if you have continuous work experience with little job hopping. It is also great when your most recent work experience or qualifications are relevant to the role that you are applying for. This CV format can cause problems when you are returning to work after a long period out, when you have gaps in employment, when you have switched jobs regularly or when the most recent work experience is not relevant to the role that you are applying for. In these cases you might consider another CV format. There are a number of other CV format styles that I will discuss in later posts including the Competency CV or Functional CV.

CV Format is just one element for CV success.

Selecting a CV style is just one aspect of CV design. There are many other important points including basics like spelling & grammar but also layout and content. This site has free advice on CV writing so feel free to browse for information to help you design an impact CV. Read this useful article.

CV Service in Ireland

There are many CV service providers in Ireland to help you on the road to career success. Measurability offer CV services for professionals across Ireland. Visit www.measurability.ie for more information about the services.

Many jobseekers are reactive when it comes to job hunting. When I say this I mean is that they rely on recruitment agencies or job board and sit back and wait for the interviews to roll in. Great if it is working (there are some great job boards in Ireland) but what if you are not experiencing positive results. You have a number of options;

1. Keep doing the same thing – BUT you will keep getting the same results!!
2. Try a different approach when dealing with agencies or search the job boards.
3. Try a proactive approach.

What is proactive job hunting?

There are a number of possible strategies available including speculative CV’s. Here are some tips if you are following this strategy.

Take a focused approach –target an industry sector or a geography region. Approaching this strategy in an ad hoc manner can prove fruitless.

Bypass HR – Sending a speculative CV to Human Resources can prove a waste of time. Although recruitment is managed by the department they may not be completely aware of what is happening in departments. For example the Finance Manager may know that an accountant has just handed in notice or that it has been agreed with the Directors to increase headcount and this information has not reached HR.

Focused cover letter – A generic cover letter will lose impact. Find out the name of the department manager and address it to him/her directly.

Follow Up – Follow up with the person you have sent the CV to. Prepare short sales pitch for the call.

This article was provide by Paul Mullan a CV expert in Ireland.