CV 4 Jobs

A CV is a key tool for job hunting and it is a key requirement when applying for most jobs. It is essential to have an impact CV and this will improve your performance on the job market. I have worked with all types of jobseekers and all types of CV’s in my time tweaking some and transforming others from frogs into princesses. However a professional can only do so much with your CV without blatant lies.

So what do you do when your CV is not getting you interviews?

Hide the CV!!

Quite often I meet individuals who are totally different than the image their CV gives with positive attitude and personality that cannot be caught on paper. The problem is that they keep relying on their CV’s and struggle in the job market. What do they do? Normally keep sending CV’s and become deflated with the rejection.

If your CV is not working try calling the employer directly. Have your sales pitch ready and use the opportunity to get you point across. Remember you are your CV and not the piece of paper. You will get knock backs from some clients when you call BUT others will entertain you. Good luck.

For more CV advice check out this post.

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.

I was asked an interesting question today – “Is there any difference in CV Layout, CV Format or CV Templates for the various counties in the South of Ireland?” I will quickly answer this question and then give some general information on CV Templates, CV Formats and CV Layout in Ireland.

Answer – There are 26 counties in Republic of Ireland and from experience the same CV principles apply to all 26. In fact the same principles will apply to most countries. Can anyone name the 26 counties? Answer at the bottom of the post BUT I am sure you all got it.

CV Template in Ireland

There are many CV templates used in Ireland varying from simple to fancy. Personally I sway towards simple. Whatever CV Template you use it should contain the following – Personal Details, Education & Training, Work Experience and Hobbies & Interests. The order of these will depend on the role and your background. Other topics can include Value Statements, Key Skills, Additional Information and References.

CV Format in Ireland

The most popular format in Ireland in Chronological CV. Most recruiters expect this type of CV and can access information easily. There are other formats that can be used in certain situations. This post will provide more information on CV Format.

CV Layout in Ireland

CV Layout is equally important in a CV. Ensure that you have a focused CV and this will ultimately dictate your Layout. Do you want to know how to focus your CV?

Here are list of counties promised – Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Clare, Cork, Kerry Limerick, Tipperary & Waterford

Cover Letter Tips — CV Writing Tips & Help

I hope you find the FREE CV advice on this site useful.

For those new to the site it has information on CV writing, CV format, CV layout, CV mistakes, CV lies and much much more.

A CV is a key ingredient for success in the job market and you must get it right to make an impact and get the opportunity to interview.

If want more advice or a professional CV service visit this site.

I was very impressed by this CV and I would certainly call this jobseeker for Interview.

Enjoy

They Lack focus – Jobseekers write CV’s without considering the employer or hiring manager. If you have one CV that you send to every job you are say to the employer this is what I have got and I don’t care what you want. You must think about the employer, identify what it is they want and the put together your CV.

They lack evidence – Jobseekers do not outline achievements on CV’s. OK they tell what they have done BUT not how they did it. You must provide successes and achievements to support you CV. This will help bring your CV to life.

Want an impact CV? Check out this site.

CV’s have arrived in many size shapes and formats over the years. There are the detailed CV’s and then the one page summary, the plain white to the coloured paper, with picture and without. I have loved some CV’s, liked others and detested the rest. The question keeps arising – what is the best template or design to use.

CV Doctor.

My philosophy is similar to the “house doctor”. The House Doctor is a show on TV where a property expert gives advice to house owners who are trying to sell their property. Every week the formula is the same – de-clutter, neutral colours and simple is best. I (lets call me the CV Doctor) have a similar approach – the Magnolia sells houses approach to CV’s. White paper, black text, clear headers and matching font and format throughout. You might say this is boring and you are probably right BUT at the end of the day a hiring manager is normally only interested in the content and not your graphic skills. As long as the information is there and it is easily accessible this is what counts.

The Wizard CV.

The only time I ever recommend something flash is if your CV is not getting you results. We will talk about how to get more creative in a later post.

I have viewed four CV’s today and all four are littered with spelling and grammar mistakes. When I coach 1-1 or workshops on CV writing I often forget to mention spelling & grammar as this is very basic stuff. Unfortunately this basic stuff will cost you valuable interviews. Spelling & Grammar mistakes send out the wrong signals and I know many hiring managers who refuse to bring those guilty applicants to interview.

We are all human and we are all prone to making mistakes BUT please do not make Spelling & Grammar mistakes on your CV.

How can you overcome this potential problem?

1. Get someone else to script and type your CV – a professional or a friend.
2. Microsoft Word – Tools – Spelling & Grammar
3. Proof read your CV or get someone else proof read your CV.
4. Then trust and verify – proof read it again.

I will be posting other interesting CV, Interviews and career information over the coming weeks.

p.s I hope there are no Spelling & Grammar mistakes in this post. If so remember the saying “do as I say and not as I do”.