What not to do on your CV

What not to do on your CV by Michael Cheary When it comes to your CV, every word counts.However, with competition for the top roles increasing, even the simplest mistake could be enough to make or break your application.To avoid getting into any bad habits, here are a few things you definitely shouldn’t do with your CV:Send the same CV every timeHere’s a very important and relevant fact: CVs are not one-size-fits-all.Whilst it may be tempting to start sending as many applications as possible (a.k.a. ‘the scattergun strategy’), this approach will not increase your chances of success. In fact, it could end up having the complete opposite effect.Without tailoring your CV and cover letter to the role in question, your application will be generic, and therefore not of value to the majority of hiring managers. Different recruiters want different things, and different roles require different skills. Without focussing on what they’re looking for, you’re missing out on the opportunity to sell yours elf.For the sake of taking a few minutes more, this is definitely an opportunity you should not be passing up.Write too muchWhen writing a CV, some candidates are tempted to include as much information as possible in an effort to impress.However, a well-written CV does not necessarily mean an overwritten CV. Remember: employers don’t have time to read through your life story. Keep it short, pertinent and to the point if you want your CV to be a success.Think carefully about whether each line is absolutely necessary. If it’s not relevant, it’s not going to help you get the job. And if it’s not going to help you get the job, all it’s doing is drawing attention away from what you really want them to read.Keep it to two pages (where possible) and cut down on the filler material.Use generic languageSocialising with friends. Team working. Other bland attributes.When you’re stressing to impress, CV clichés can be difficult to avoid. However, these stock phrases will only make you slip back into the crowd, not to mention strip your application of its individuality.The use of certain bland language could even be a particular bugbear for some hiring managers. In a recent survey, one in three recruiters called ‘socialising with friends’ their biggest pet-hate phrase.Add value to your application, and use adjectives and active verbs to help back up your achievements. ‘Successfully managed a team of X individuals’ not only sounds much better than ‘good team player’, it’s also far more likely to help get you hired.Lose structureNever underestimate the importance of presentation. It’s all very well getting all the words right, but if you haven’t displayed them in the right way a recruiter is unlikely to give your application the time it deserves.Keep it simple. Avoid using anything too complicated in an effort to impress. Pictures, tables, graphs may look pretty (depending on your affinity to Microsoft Excel) but should be approached with cauti on. Not only do they take up valuable room, they’re also rather unreliable. If the formatting isn’t pulled through properly, it could make your CV appear unprofessional â€" even if it’s not your fault.Choose a professional font, present things in a logical order, use bullet points where possible and embrace the white space.CV layout dos and don’tsGet sloppy with spellingOver 50% of recruiters highlight poor spelling and grammar as their number one reason to lose faith in an application.In fact, when it comes to making a tough decision over similarly qualified applicants, this could even end up being the direct reason for missing out on a role. Poor spelling makes you look unprofessional and unprepared two qualities not generally desired by hiring managers.No matter what stage of your career you’re in, never underestimate the importance of proofreading. Asking a close friend can also be a great way to catch any overlooked mistakes, and help take your application to the nex t level.Re-reading: it’s impotent.Forget your contact detailsSo you’ve written an engaging CV, put your personality across well and impressed the employer. Unfortunately, you haven’t included any way for them to contact you.As surprising as it seems, this does actually happen. Some candidates spend so much time perfecting the finer points of their application, they simply don’t take care of the basics.To avoid any potential missed opportunities, always check that you’ve put a relevant number or email address you often check on your CV (see underline). We’d even recommend making sure your details are the first thing you include. That way, a recruiter will know exactly how to contact you when they’ve made their choice.Other things to avoid on your CV: The date, the words ‘Curriculum Vitae’ (recruiters know what it is), physical characteristics, irrelevant work experience, emoticons.Need more CV advice?It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job ap plicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview. To find out how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, buy James Reed’s new book: The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview.Still searching for your perfect position? Have a look at all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the CVs

3 Variables to Implement and Succeed - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Variables to Implement and Succeed - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Upon hearing the question, how quickly will someone make money after experiencing your programs I was stunned. How could that possibly be quantifiable regardless of whose service it might be? Numerous possibilities play into the final answer. The following insights are worthy of serious consideration for anyone wanting to make their mark in business world. Motivation Remarks heard indicate the difficulty in answering that question: “The difference between us is, you are motivated”; “The learning curve is to steep, why begin?” and, “It’s not worth setting goals because everyone gives up”. You can teach yourself to be motivated. The other option is to sit back and feel sorry for yourself. So the next question becomes, which scenario do you prefer? Using a few sales techniques, you can quickly become motivated too: * Each evening create a list of 10 things you will complete the next day * On your list, include one person to call for a friendly conversation * As you complete tasks during the day, cross them off of your list * On your list, include one fun activity for the week * Use the fun activity as celebration for having achieved your goals This process allows you to quickly see items checked off as completed. Sticking to the plan, you will begin to feel motivation kick in to turn some of these tasks into long held ideas for projects. Using the same running task list strategy will see completion your projects in a more timely fashion. Celebration is a requirement to keep the motivation moving forward. Program Type Another factor comprising the answer is the complexity of the program. Was the reference being made to purchase of a digital book, a yearlong one-on-one coaching program, or something in-between? The person asking the question was assured that all content provided applies to entrepreneurial work as well as selling to Fortune 100 corporations. Business development, building relationships, and sales strategies apply to all programs, but need to be modified for one’s own clientele. Embracing Programs as Your Own It is impossible to predict how quickly someone will benefit from a product or service. A person may take all the training imaginable, but unless it is comprehended well, and adapted to one’s unique style and own program, the information will not be helpful. The final answer to the question of how quickly someone may make money from your program is in fact, one cannot predict. The outcome is dependent upon self-motivation and a dedication to trial and error. And it will only work if the information is adapted to one’s own unique style for their intended clientele. Sales Success Your sales success is dependent upon getting to the heart of the matter of what each of your clients truly needs, wants and deeply desires. This is true for any dollar amount involved. Last word of advice, decline to answer such questions, as you have no control over the outcome. Making false claims will hurt you and your business. You can only speak to how the information has served you well and that you do your best to teach others. This maintains an authentic personal brand. Doing your best, in every regard, is what leads to the Smooth Sale!

Making Work Work

Making Work Work Whether you’re currently working, or in an intense job search, being organized and feeling organized (which, by the way, are two different things) should become a priority for you. Julie Morgenstern is the founder and owner of Task Masters, an organizing firm based in New York City. She’s written a handful of New York Times best sellers, including Making Work Work: New Strategies for Surviving and Thriving at the Office. She offers case studies of her clients throughout the book, and it’s interesting to note that they’re all bright, successful, high-powered career people who just happen to have an organizing problem. If you hate to admit that you have a problem, Morgenstern eases you into thinking about organization differently. She starts out by asking you to rate yourself on a scale of “Breast Stroking” (good for you!) to “Treading Water” to “Drowning.” Then she asks the question that matters most to getting the help you need: Is it you, or is it them (your coworkers, bosses, or your company culture)? Morgenstern says it’s you if: you don’t plan well you’re unable to prioritize tasks you consistently can’t tell how long tasks will take to finish, or you are physically unorganized (you have a bad system or no system.) It might be “them” if: The company or your team is always in crisis mode The company is understaffed and there are simply not enough people to do the job Your coworkers aren’t pulling their weight You don’t have the information or resources you need to do the job, or You have an interruption rich environment. For the purpose of this post, let’s assume it’s you who is the problem. Morgenstern offers some quick tips to help people who have trouble planning. First, try jumpstarting your week by taking a few minutes to plan on the weekend. Just 30 minutes of quiet time before the week starts can get you organized for the week and really boost your productivity. Look over your planner to get a feel for what will be your busy times and more flexible times. Make a to-do list of your big projects and deadlines, and block out some time on the calendar to work without interruption on them. Make a list of short projects or calls that you can knock off when you have some down time â€" waiting for meetings to start, for example, or when a spot on your calendar opens up unexpectedly. Take a few minutes to list the calls you have to make, jot down notes for the call, and find the numbers. Carry this list, which can be paper or digitally stored in your phone or on your desktop, with you so you can go from zero to productive in mere seconds when you get the chance. If you have trouble managing your time, set an alert for 30 minutes before you have to leave for an appointment or for the day. Use those 30 minutes to finish what you’re working on and make notes about where to pick up when you return. You can’t start new projects or answer the phone; that’s what usually creates the schedule chaos and makes you late.  Let technology help you build discipline and control your work flow. Batch tasks together to avoid switching from one kind of task to another; the switching takes your brain time to achieve, and those few lost seconds add up to lost productivity. You also lose time on the back end, when you have to re-focus.  As you make call after call, or handle emails or file, you’ll get into a flow that will make you more efficient (and make the job easier) as you go along. Next post: Better prioritizing.

How to Reach Out to a Potential Employer on LinkedIn

How to Reach Out to a Potential Employer on LinkedIn With more than  500 million users worldwide, LinkedIn has established itself as the leading  professional social networking site on the web. LinkedIn’s strength lies in its capacity  for forging and promoting connections, making networking that much easier. From former coworkers to alumni from the same high school, users build their network through  connections, which can lead to insightful conversations about industries and companies, as well as interviews. In a competitive job market filled with multi-step online applications and automated emails, LinkedIn offers the chance for potentially beneficial human interaction. Here are five tips to help you make that initial contact with a potential employer: 1. Don’t be scared It may feel weird messaging a person you haven’t spoken to in a while or at all, especially when you  want to work at the same company. Yes, people may not always respond to your messages  or connection requests, but that should not deter you from reaching out and trying to benefit  from your connections. Remember: You have more to gain than lose! 2. Do make contact Connections are hands down the best way to land a job. If you see that one of your connections works or has worked at your dream company, ask him/her about it. Express interest in working for the company, and ask if your connection would be willing to tell you more about the company and share any advice for applying. As you learn about the  company through subsequent conversations, be sure to convey your interest and your  knowledge of the industry. If none of your connections work at the company, check to see if there’s a second-degree connection (your connection’s connection) who has a history with the company, and if there is, ask your connection to put you in touch. Again, express your interest in the company and your desire to speak to someone with inside knowledge to further your understanding. Lastly, in the event that your connections have no association with the company, you can  use the LinkedIn Alumni tool to locate any alumni who work there. 3. Don’t come across too strongly Never explicitly ask for a connection to help you get a job, especially not during the initial conversation. Conversations and messages with a connection are an opportunity to learn more about the company, so that you can present yourself as the most qualified candidate. Over the course of the conversation, you will probably gain a valuable contact who is willing to put you in touch with the right people, but do not try to force your connection’s hand too early. Keep your introductory message simple and brief; express your interest in the company without writing a manifesto. Sending out a message to a connection,  especially with whom you aren’t regularly in touch, can be uncomfortable, but as long as  your message is well written and well intentioned, you’ll be good to go. 4. Update your profile When applying for a job, your main objective is to make the potential employer see and understand how you are a perfect fit for the company. One of the easiest ways to convey this is by having your LinkedIn profile highlight the skills and qualifications the company celebrates. In order to uncover these desirable skills and traits the company values, scope out profiles of current employees and see how they describe their experience and skills. Using similar language and emphasis on your profile will help you come across as a more attractive and qualified candidate to your potential employer. 5. Don’t skip personalization Some people omit summaries in their LinkedIn profiles, which is silly because the summary section gives users the opportunity to express themselves in their own words and distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack. Summaries also allow users to  express their career objectives while painting a cohesive narrative with their job experience,  ultimately bringing life to a list of skills. In that same vein, including a picture can enhance your profile by adding a face to a page, but casual, unprofessional photos can serve as distractions. Choose a professional, flattering photo of yourself to accompany your profile. About the author: Mandy Fricke works in community relations for Earn MBA Degree. Outside of work Mandy enjoys biking, reading and traveling.

Should I Include My Writing Sample in My Resume?

Should I Include My Writing Sample in My Resume?If you're applying for a job, but have never been published before, then you're probably wondering if your for my writing sample should include the same header as my resume. There are many benefits to including a previous work history with you in your application.Your previous work history will help you gain an interview request if you have worked with several different companies. It will also show that you are serious about learning new skills to make you stand out from the rest of the applicants. You may also find a position that you have previously applied for, but didn't have a copy of your resume for.The last paragraph of your letter should include some sort of a personal anecdote. It will allow you to demonstrate that you are not only qualified for the position, but also that you can be counted on to produce quality work. Just don't use it for writing an email to a company.While your address information is very important, the reas on that you want to include the previous work history is because this will show you are dedicated to your job search. This shows that you want to take the time to do the proper research to help you land the job that you want. Also, remember that employers will be able to tell that you are serious about your career.For my writing sample, I use my work history to explain the experience that I have gained while working with several different companies. This is not something that is only related to the letter. This is something that is detailed and very professional looking.In the final paragraph of my writing sample, I use my previous work history to allow meto show that I am experienced and skilled at a specific skill set. I've been a technical writer for eight years. I've had four different companies hire me because of my technical writing skills.If you are applying for a sales position, or need to convey an enthusiasm for a certain job that is not readily apparent, the same thing th at I mentioned above should be included in your for my writing sample. It's important to capture the full enthusiasm in the letter, and show that you are interested in working in the job that you are applying for. You also need to communicate to the employer that you are passionate about your career.You can incorporate your previous work history into your letter without including your resume. Just be sure to use some form of a personal anecdote that illustrates your abilities in writing, as well as why you are most suited for the job that you are applying for. Again, just be sure that you show you are serious about your career and are confident about the career path that you want to pursue.

Are you giving them reasons to hire you - Hire Imaging

Are you giving them reasons to hire you - Hire Imaging In my last post, I shared what I believe to be an absolute truth in a job search. One has to sell oneself, no matter how uncomfortable that may be. It’s a crucial non-negotiable in your search. Forget about whatever definition you have of selling. Focus on what you want, why it’s good fit for you, where that might be and why they need you. I often coach my clients on using a three-step selling you process: Give them reasons to want you, tell them stories about yourself and cultivate your social skills. Job Search Sales Step #1: Give Them Reasons to Want You Let’s talk about this in the context of the interview, although it (and the other selling steps) hold true throughout your job search  with networking, informational interviews, job interviews, follow-up activities â€" all your interactions. The interview is not an interrogation room. The interviewer is not your opponent. Interviewers want you to succeed, to be the right fit for their company. It makes their job easier. This doesn’t mean they’re always friendly, or even clear about what they want. That’s usually because they themselves might not have perfected their own interviewing skills. But deep down, they want you to be the best candidate for the job, because if you are, their task of hiring for that role is accomplished. So, the first rule is to give them the whys and the wherefores to want you. Okay, you have a great resume. The interviewer has read it, along with your other qualifications essential to the job. But let’s assume that the other candidates who have made it this far have comparable qualifications. So it boils down to you asking yourself, “How can I differentiate myself from the pack of candidates?” As your interviewer, I am looking for something special about you. A reason to be interested in you. Your job is to help me discover it. Plant a seed of thought in my head. Give me something to chew on. Something beyond your “features” of degree, credentials, job history. Something besides a wishy-washy comment like “I love accounting!”  Grab my attention with something that speaks to the pain my company has and the need it has to fill. Tie something about you to your understanding of the job you’re vying for. Speak to me! Some of my clients have shared statements they’ve made that were game changers: “I know your major suppliers, and could get you great prices with the facility expansion project you’re planning.” “I’m a very patient person with difficult people. I could troubleshoot even the toughest issues at your call center.” “I’m always the data keeper. It’s part of my nature and I’ve done it in every position. I could get your information overload under control.” “With heavy competition for funding, I could use my grant writing to find dollars for your product research.” My clients had not pulled these statements out of thin air, nor were they being patronizing. The assertions were made after they as candidates, had analyzed the company and the job at hand. Say something that highlights a unique differentiator in you that perhaps the others cannot offer.   What could you tell the interviewer that will help him or her remember you? What if nothing is coming to mind? Or what if you don’t believe there is anything in your background especially relevant to the job? Try asking yourself this checklist of questions: What skills do I have that are similar to those required in the job? What personal traits  or qualities do I have that would be especially helpful in this job? What personal experiences have I had that connect with this job? What type of customer / colleague / supervisor / vendor, etc. have I worked well with before? Do I have knowledge of their competitors? Which types of projects and programs in that department am I  familiar with? Who might I know who would be useful contacts  for this work? Janet had wanted to work for XYZ Company for years. The company had a great reputation and was near her house. She wasn’t sure where she fit, however. Her degree was in Political Science, and XYZ was a technology manufacturing firm. She did some research (a skill perfected in college courses). Then Janet heard from a contact (and XYZ employee) that the reporting by the business analysts was not clear and often incomplete or inaccurate. When an opening arose for a management trainee, Janet landed an interview and made her pitch. “I have ace writing and research skills. If you’ll teach me the technical aspects of your products, I can produce reliable, top-notch reporting.” Janet was hired. She worked at XYZ for five years, moving from trainee to manager. Now having developed a great reputation with industry contacts, she was recruited by an XYZ vendor as a Vice President in technology product development. This is important. Against the competition for the trainee role, Janet was not the best qualified. In fact, she was perceived as not qualified for the most part. She got in the door because she got her resume to the right people (she was recommended by a current XYZ employee in a referral program). She walked out the door with an offer because she gave that hiring authority a reason to want her. Be ready to give your “reasons to want you” whenever opportunities surface. In my next post, I’ll share Job Search Sales Step #2: Tell Them Stories About YOU! Photo: Chris Owens

Visual and Audible Content for Job Search

Visual and Audible Content for Job Search This is a two-for-one post!  Learn why you should use visual and audible content to highlight your qualifications. Bonus: it includes a podcast with Chris Russell on CareerCloud radio (and me!). Heres my confession.  I used to think I was a resume-hater, but Ive come to realize, Im really a job posting-hater. Job descriptions stink  and as a result, your resume stinks!  (See this post by Lou Adler on LinkedIn and see why I say this.) So Id like to propose everyone stop playing the submit-your-resume game. (Not likely to happen. But if you will indulge me for just a few more seconds) Wouldnt you prefer to have a recruiter reach out to  you and ask about your qualifications and tell you about a job than crossing your fingers waiting for a response from submitting your online application? This can only happen if you are find-able online. Or, you have done a great job keeping in contact with your network! Recruiters have added additional resources to help them identify candidates. Only they know the key skills and experience they are looking for. Rather than create a job posting, opening the floodgates of unqualified candidates, it is safer and easier to mine  LinkedIn and other social networks to find people (either employed or unemployed, looking for a new job or not) with the right combination of skills and experience. Can you be found? What exactly will someone learn about you? Will you provide enough information and insight into your work ethic and personality so you get called? This is the first step. Create Visual Content Remember when you were a kid and you only wanted to read books that had pictures? Why was that? Maybe your reading skills werent so great. Maybe it was easier to look at pictures, or maybe it was more fun to look at pictures. Whatever the reason, visuals are still an important component, even as an adult. We are drawn to visuals. They shout from the page (paper or electronic). Some people like visuals better than others. Isnt it worth trying? The Infographic Resume (Thanks McGraw Hill Education) I recently wrote The Infographic Resume to help you  understand how visuals (infographics, pictures, etc) can supplement your career portfolio. Oh, and yes, you should have some form of online portfolio! Now Create Audible Content Im not ready to begin podcasting myself, but I know some pretty talented podcasters. I was fortunate enough to speak with Chris Russell of CareerCloud about the trends around visual resumes. (I think resume is a misleading term because in most cases you wont use your visual resume when you apply online for a job. It is an employer magnet, or supplement to your career materials). Heres Chriss great visual and link to the podcast! Kudos to Daniel Tewfik and Natalie Tarpinian who were featured in The Infographic Resume as well! And some people love podcastsisnt it worth including them (Im asking myself this question too!) Or you can listen  to the podcast right here. (on CareerCloud radio) Proactively Manage Your Online Visibility Jump on  this ASAP. Google yourself and see what comes up on page one. Ive written about this topica lot. See those posts here: Claim Your Digital Terrain Want some quick tips on creating a visual resume? Download this  free cheatsheet!