FREE CV, Resumes, and Interview articles....
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Article 1:
CV & Resume success strategies for College and University Graduates -
The "Job Specification" and "CV/ Resume" Similarity Factor:
If you are a fresh graduate, follow this advice, and you would stand a very high chance of securing job interviews much faster, suceeding where others simply fail. Firstly, always start with a job advertisement in mind, not the other way round. Many eager graduates, just out of University or College start with their CV / Resume, without reviewing any specific job adverts, more often than not, the drafted CV or Resume shows no similarity to the adverts they respond to, and hence yields very little results. My advise to graduates, based on my experience of recruiting for top companies, is start with a single job advertisement because employers are always looking for strong similarities between the content of your CV or Resume application and the content of what is specified in there advertised Job.
Once you have found an advert you want to respond write your CV or Resume to reflect the person and job specification outlined in the advert. This approach may seem time consuming and taskful, but it works!, The next question you may ask is, what should l include in my CV or Resume? l'm a fresh graduate, with no experience,... that's not a problem for many reputable organisations, in most cases they are simply looking for potential from graduates, not years of commercial experience. Basically what you need to do is go through the person specification and job responsbilites, think of where you have undertaken similar task while studying, through paid or unpaid work, during course modules or projects and articulate your abilities in line with what is required or specified in the job advert. This may seem difficult to accomplish but it is not, what you must remember is general CVs / Resume's to suit all jobs and adverts don't work, everything you write must be targeted and relevant to one particular post - sometimes this means you will have many versions/layouts and wordings of the same CV or Resume floating around on your hard drive, but dont worry it won't be for long -- because you have almost secured your dream job :)
For example if a company is looking for a SAS IT trainee programmer, if you have undertaken a project or module that used the SAS software, you need to highlight and mention this upfront in a visible place within your CV/Resume, rather than simply write you are an IT Graduate with a 2:1 Hon's Degree. The company is looking for someone who has used SAS, just listing your degree title and final results, without mentioning the software and modules covered, won't help....everything has to be explicit, targeted and detailed.
Recently, a client desperately wanted to secure an interview with a fortune 500 company she asked us for help. l thought of a unqiue way to get her CV noticed, so I extracted part of a written testimony about her from her previous employers key customer, and l place this within the top body of her CV, now that's not the conventional way of drafting a CV, but it worked, its different, its unqiue and it secured her an informal meeting with the targeted company.
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Article 2:
CV Writing & Resume Writing - 12 strong qualities to boost your success by a staggering 50%
CV and Resume Writing is a critical part of starting the Job hunting process. In today's competitive job market, where every candidate wants a recruiter or employer to give their CV the attention it deserves, if you want your application to be taken seriously and you want your CV/Resume to be separated from the bulk feel consider the following 12 qualities in your CV or Resume.
Your chances of securing interviews is likely to increase by up to 50% if you skillfully implement these points. A word of caution though, only incorporate these points, if you genuinely have them.
Industry Targeted/Job Specific Qualifications or Training - Recruiters and employers absolutely love this, candidates that do not require extra training but already have a catalogue of relevant job specific qualifications always stand out. If the candidate is a recent/ post graduate, and he/she a relevant Hon's degree/MBA or qualification in the job sector they are pursuing, this will also make their application stand out.
Training Courses and On-the-Job Training - Think back to the days of your intership or gap year work experience. Did your employer send you on job-related training?, if the answer is yes, then list all the courses on your CV or Resume. Potential employers like candidates that have been trained within a specific job function, its saves them time and also lots of money!
Final year Projects and Course Modules - If you are a fresh graduate, without career experience, you really need to fan into flame your course content and project work within the body of your CV or Resume, particualrly, if your course had any practical exposure or project works related to the job responsibilities you are pursuing. Please do not simply list BA Hons in Marketing, this rarely adds value to your application.
Evidence of adding to the bottom line of a company or business - If you can demonstrate this, and it is explicitly clear within your CV / Resume track record, you will stand out.
Track record that you have always met and exceeded your job targets or personal targets- If this is clearly shown and outlined, you will be a winner in the job hunting market. Use real life examples to demonstrate this point to shine well above the rest. This can apply to students or even season professionals. Once again, the secret is to demonstrate your point with examples, from work or even from your studies.
Figures, Figures, Figures! - Have you made money for past employers or companies?, sold products or services, won contract or tenders?, then state this clearly on your CV / Resume particularly if you are interested in the sales, marketing, retail, real-estate or similar sectors. Stating quantitative or qualitative figures explicitly can make you stand out above the rest.
Tailored Qualifications to targeted Job Advert - This point is specifically for fresh University and College graduates. Design and highlight the content of your CV or Resume in line with your course modules to reflect the job advert, this would make your application unique and attractive to potential employers.
Industry Awards- Prizes for work achievement - University / College prizes- Listing these (if you have any), always go a long way in proving you are different, dedicated and special! It's a door opener.
Staff Management Abilities - Skills and expertise related to dealing with people, including any experience of training, interviewing, company presentations, coaching, work delegation, appraisals etc. If you have these skills, summarize and list them for maximum results and effectiveness.
International, National or Local exposure - If you are going for a local Job in a particular area, a previous track record of working in that same area always appeal to employers and recruiters. Similarly if you have international exposure in a specific job market, for example the building and construction industry, this looks good too. This is valuable information which will make your application stand out.
Consistent track history with fewer employer's - Stable Job Seekers that have worked in the same company for a number of years, always get their CV / Resumes noticed, when they move back into the job hunting market - if you have stayed in one firm for over 3 years or for a longer period of time, then bring this to the fore front of your CV application. Recruiters and Employers see this as a major strength and they recognise and appreciate loyalty.
Accuracy and relevancy to job post advertised - This is critical, if you meet all or some of the above criteria then don't forget to reflect your experience and abilities in line with the post you are pursuing, all these qualities can make you an immediate winner.
Having read all the qualities above, if you still feel you want your CV / Resume written by a professional we certainly can. You will be totally amazed at our ability to articulate your experience and career record to get you an immediate interview offer.
Article 3 : 17 TOP INTERVIEW TIPS:
- Always dress smart and presentable.
- Always prepare for your interview.
- Comes across as willing and very keen.
- Always take with you anything that could support your application e.g qualifications, project work, training course certificates, show the interviewer ! even if they do not ask.
- Demonstrate your commitment to a long term career.
- Come across as warm and someone easy to work with.
- Give examples of past work areas where you have done similar work and performed identical responisibilities.
- Do discuss answers in full, not just YES or NO– discuss your abilities and what you have done.
- Check the organisation's website, to have a feel for the organisation's business environment.
- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate – all your past jobs, that are relevant to the opportunity, mention softwares you have used, your daily job functions and your capabilities.
- Once you answer all your questions in full and at length the interviewer would have a clearer picture of the kind of person you are.
- Never put a past employer down, don't talk negatively about a previous company or a previous Boss – never.
- Never talk about past interviews, or employment disappointments.
- Demonstrate your willingness to join the team, your team work ethics and managerial skills.
- Prepare in your mind possible answers, task examples and explanations, days before, so you are on top of things.
- Ask questions, to show you are interested in the company.
- Make sure you have a good night sleep the day before the interview.