Your CV should be full of confidence and packed with relevant experience. Make sure your CV is job specific, which may mean rewriting for each job application.
Presentation:
Your CV needs to be clear, concise and simple to understand. Stick to no more than two pages and use a sensible font and size, keeping it constant throughout. Highlight key headings and keep the layout simple.
Structure:
After your personal details, show your employment history, starting with the most recent and working back chronologically. Use short sentences and bullet-points. You can always expand on these in the interview. Always account for gaps. Travelling or taking a few months off is fine; you don’t need to hide or ignore it.
Content:
Pack your CV full of relevant achievements. Apply the ‘So what?’ rule to everything and consider all the points that you are listing.
Interview advice
The offer of an interview is one foot in the door. You now need to convince them that you’re the right person for the job, and this can be achieved through a few simple interview techniques.
Research:
Use the web, trade journals and the company’s own literature to gather as much information as possible. Pay close attention to their products and services, and read up on their history and recent press releases. Also, research the main competitors to show a genuine understanding of the marketplace.
First impressions:
It is said that an impression is made within three seconds of meeting someone. So use these seconds wisely. Smile, give a solid handshake and be confident but relaxed. And remember, it’s better to look too smart than not smart enough.
It’s all about me:
Employers want to know about you and what you have done, so use ‘I’ rather than ‘we’. Have answers to typical questions ready and rehearse saying them out loud.
Listen carefully:
Always think before you answer a question and don’t be afraid of silence – it’s better to think than to rush ahead. Avoid giving yes or no answers but focus on being concise.
Be positive:
Always remain positive about your reason for leaving your most recent position and/or being made redundant. Focus on external factors and never criticise previous organisations or employers.
Proof:
If you are using past projects to illustrate your skills and strengths, take along examples as proof.
Think smart:
You’ve done your research, so use it. Clever questions based on solid research will show you genuinely want the job. Remember, the interview is a two-way street; it’s your opportunity to find out about more about them and ask questions.
On a final note:
At this stage, find out what the next step will be and when. End with a positive statement about how much you’d love the job and why you would be perfect for it – but make sure it’s sincere.