Why do some people almost always get the job they want?

Because their CV wins them an interview and 99% don't!

A CV is often all a prospective employer has to judge you on, so creating the right first impression is absolutely vital. Whether you've set your sights on changing jobs, winning promotion, or simply regaining employment, your CV is the tool which will maximise your chances of getting the job you are aiming for.

We all know that CV writing is a controversial subject - part art, part science - and if you ask any two people their idea of the perfect CV, you are likely to get two different and rather subjective responses. However, we have put together a number of do's, don'ts and common pitfalls, which most personnel professionals would agree on. If you bear these in mind when preparing your CV, you stand a much better chance of surviving the 'CV cull'!

Length

Far too long - Probably the principal mistake people make when preparing their own CVs. We recommend keeping your CV brief and cutting out the waffle. Two pages is generally a maximum, and for those with little experience one page generally makes more sense. Also use techniques such as bullet pointing - these help make your CV easier to read.

Detail

Eliminate unnecessary detail. Take a look at each piece of information which could be included and think, 'Does this help your case?' If it doesn't then leave it out.

History

Concentrate on your recent history and summarise older information. Employers are usually most interested in your latest achievements and positions.

Interests & Activities

A common mistake is to write far too much in this section. With the CV trend moving increasingly towards the American résumé style, which precludes such a section, try to keep it to a minimum.

References

Details of referees should not be included on your CV. They clutter it up and, more importantly, you will find that your referees can get tired of being pestered unnecessarily by time-wasters.

Interview Technique - Coping with Job Interviews

Most people are nervous about attending job interviews – but nerves can be a useful tool for sharpening up your performance. However, if your nerves take over to the extent that they interfere with your ability to come across well at interview, it’s clear that you need to calm down. The key to preventing pre-interview jitters is preparation.

Organise Yourself

In most cases, you will be notified that you have got through to the interview stage a few days in advance. You can use this time to prepare – and the better prepared you are, the fewer your reasons to be nervous. Try to find out as much as you can about the employer. Reference libraries, your local careers centre and the Internet (if you have access) are all good sources of information. You should also read up on the type of work you are applying for. Go over the job description thoroughly and make a note of any questions you would like to ask at the interview.

Travel Arrangements

It is vital that you find out:

• Where the employer is based – it seems obvious but if you need to get the train, find out where the nearest railway station is
• When the interview is to be held – calculate how long it will take you to get there and make sure that you leave in plenty of time (particularly if you are relying on public transport)
• Where the interview is taking place – if the employer occupies a number of rooms in separate buildings, it is easy to end up in the wrong place
• What the name of your contact is
• Who will be interviewing you

Confidence

Confident people inspire confidence in others – if you appear confident that you are able to do the job, the employer is likely to believe that you can. Naturally it is important not to go to the other extreme and appear over confident, arrogant or pushy.

Expect the Unexpected

Bear in mind that interviews vary enormously. You may be asked to sit an aptitude test or prove that you have the necessary skills for the job – a typing test for example. The interview itself may be a quick, informal chat across a crowded office or it could involve a panel of interviewers all firing questions at you. There may even be group activities with other candidates designed to see how you perform in a team situation, or you may be called back for further interviews on another day. Often, candidates fail to perform to the best of their abilities because they were thrown into a situation they were not expecting. The answer: expect the unexpected. You cannot prepare for every eventuality but you can be aware that the format of the interview may come as a surprise to you. Have faith in your own skills and experience and allow the employer to see you at your best.

Interview Questions

Obviously, no one can know exactly what questions they will be asked at interview but there are certain topics that will almost certainly come up. Think through your answers to the following questions beforehand:

• Tell me about your work experience – what did you do, what did you enjoy, what were you good at, why did you leave each job.
• Why have you applied for this job?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• What can you, above all the other applicants, bring to this job?
• What did you do with your time when you were out of paid employment?

Look Good, Feel Good

Research has shown that your interviewer is likely to make up his or her mind about you within 30 seconds of having met you. Use this. Make sure that you have an outfit that is smart and presentable. It’s a good idea to try the whole thing on before the day of the interview to check that there are no drooping hems or buttons missing. It is also worthwhile polishing your shoes – details like this can make all the difference. And if you feel that you have made an effort and look good, you will appear to be more confident and relaxed.

The Big Day

Make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get ready and that you have all your exam certificates, records of achievement, testimonials and anything else relevant to the job with you. Also remember to take the letter inviting you to the interview and any maps that you might need. Leave in time to arrive about 10 minutes early for the interview – this will allow you to gather your thoughts, go to the loo, check your appearance, etc. When you arrive, give your name to the receptionist if there is one. Try to relax – everyone gets nervous before interviews. The chances are that you will feel more nervous than you look and anyway, most interviewers are trained to make allowances for the fact that you are likely to be on edge.

Safety

The majority of job interviews are straightforward in terms of personal safety but there are a few simple rules which should always be adhered to:

• Always tell a friend or relative where you are going and what time they can expect you back.
• Never agree to be interviewed in a car park or over a meal. The interview should be held at the organisation’s premises or in some other public or official place.
• Always arrange to have someone pick you up if the interview is taking place outside normal office hours. Never let the interviewer drive you home.

First Impressions

The following tips will help you make a positive impression:

• Shake hands firmly (but not to they extent that they require first aid) with all the interviewers when you first enter the room – and smile
• Maintain eye contact whilst answering all questions – and remember to speak up
• Don’t smoke unless you are offered a cigarette
• Try to avoid ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ answers to questions even if they seem appropriate – they tend to be conversation stoppers. Make sure that you answer questions fully without chattering on unnecessarily.
• Never lie at interview or say something that you cannot substantiate, but make sure that you present yourself in the best possible light
• When you are asked if you have any questions, use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm. Begin with questions about training, other people you will be working with, and the job specification. Save questions about pay and holidays until last.
• If you are not asked about something which you feel illustrates an important aspect of your ability to do the job, don’t be afraid to bring it up yourself at the end of the interview
• Make sure that you find out when you can expect to hear whether you have been successful – it could be anything from the same day (in which case, you may be asked to wait around for a decision) to a few days.
• Remember to thank the interviewers for their time before you leave.

The Wait

You should hear one way or the other within a week or so of the interview taking place, unless they have specified otherwise. If you do not hear within this time, telephone the organisation and enquire politely whether a decision has been reached. If you were not successful, try to treat the interview as a learning experience – nearly everybody gets a few setbacks when they are hunting for a new job. Think about why you were not selected and if there was anything that you could have done differently to improve your chances of getting the job. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It may simply have been that there was a better qualified or more suitable candidate and that given your experience and skills, you performed to the best of your abilities. Indeed, sometimes there is so little to choose between candidates that more than anything, success or failure at interview is down to luck. Above all else, remember: there is a job out there with your name on it and if employers haven’t recognised your star quality yet it’s up to you to dazzle them!

Interviews - Tough Questions

In any interview, it is very possible that you will be faced with having to answer questions requiring you to give what seems to be a negative response. The trick is to turn this potentially negative situation into one that is positive, something that can be quite difficult to achieve.

Often, an interviewer will deliberately try to expose you to this kind of question to see just how well you respond to such pressure. It is essential that you remain calm when the question is posed and do not appear flustered in any way. Examples of how to answer potentially negative questions are provided below:

What do you consider your weaknesses to be?

When asked this question, it is perhaps tempting to say "I have no weaknesses….." but this should really be avoided. An interviewer wants to know that you are able to look at yourself objectively and to criticise yourself where appropriate. However, it is important not to simply come up with a list of what you consider your weaknesses to be, but instead to try and reflect positively on these by outlining the active steps you are taking to overcome them. Another tip is to avoid saying that one of your weaknesses is to work too hard or to push yourself too hard. This answer is often considered to be a cliché and sounds almost like it came straight out of a poor book on interview techniques!

Why did you leave your previous position?

It is essential that you do not give a negative impression of your previous employer as this can be seen as indicative of disloyalty. The most positive answers to give here will be along the lines of:

• Seeking further advancement
• Wanting to diversify
• Hoping to achieve greater training opportunities
• Looking for a new challenge

However, in some circumstances, you may have actually been dismissed from your previous role and this is probably the hardest reason to put a positive slant on. Be honest when answering this question, acknowledge responsibility for the causes of your dismissal but say that you have learnt a great deal from the experience and know exactly how you should behave if similar circumstances occur in the future. Explain the reasons for your behaviour and how you now know that you were in the wrong.

An interviewer may often pose a scenario based question asking you to imagine yourself in a difficult or negative situation and ask how you would deal with it. Below is an example of such a scenario and a model answer that should impress an interviewer by showing your ability to prioritise and to 'fire-fight' and not to become easily flustered.

"You are a receptionist working on the front desk when all of a sudden a fax arrives, several phone lines start ringing, clients arrive at your desk and a courier delivers a package that requires your signature. How do you cope with this situation?"

"My first priority would be to answer the calls whilst simultaneously presenting the waiting clients and the courier with a friendly and professional smile. The calls can be answered and put straight through or be put on hold, allowing me to deal with the client and the courier thereafter. The people waiting in front of me are able to see just how busy I am, whereas those on the phone will simply feel ignored if their calls are not answered and may consider it unprofessional if their enquiries are not dealt with promptly. Having successfully prioritised the visitors and the calls, I will then be able to respond to the fax when there is more time."

How are you on punctuality? / What's your sickness record like?

It may well be tempting to give the interviewer a glowing record of your perfect timekeeping and your complete lack of illness over a given period of time. However, it is important to remember that the interviewer will most likely be seeking references from your former employers and these are just the kind of facts that they may well check up on. If you have been absent from work for significant illnesses, do not be embarrassed by this - the interviewer will understand that people do fall ill from time to time and as long as they are given no reason to suspect that the illness was contrived, you should have nothing at all to be ashamed about.

Punctuality is very important in any job as it demonstrates your commitment, dedication and loyalty to the company. If you have had a poor record of punctuality in the past, you must be sure not to try to hide this but to explain that, despite your track record, you are more than aware of the importance of punctuality in ensuring that all daily deadlines and workloads are achieved and that you are able to offer 100% commitment.

How would you explain gaps in your career?

A number of people have gaps in their career for reasons that include world travel, long-term sickness or simply inability to find a suitable position. Each of these can be explained in a positive or a negative way. Positive examples include:

• World Travel - Explain how the travel was self-funded enabling you to experience total independence and how you sought part-time and temporary employment in the countries that you visited if necessary. The experience provided you with an invaluable insight into different cultures and has enhanced your ability to integrate into a multi-cultural environment.
• Long-Term Sickness - As mentioned above, this is never something that should be discussed with any feeling of shame or embarrassment. Feel free to talk about your illness as openly as you like and explain that you used the time at home as productively as possible maintaining awareness of current affairs and reading literature relevant to your profession.
• General Unemployment - Sometimes, the right job is not available at the right time and there is nothing that you can do about this. Make sure that the interviewer understands that you were proactive in your job seeking during this time making use of the internet, local recruitment agencies and jobs papers to help find the most suitable job for you. Also, perhaps indicate that the reason it has taken you so long to find a job is that you are waiting for an appropriate position to come along rather than leaping into an unsuitable role simply to remain in employment.

Interviews - Presentations

It is becoming increasingly common for presentations to be delivered as part of the recruitment process, enabling employers to assess your talent for effective organisation, your communication skills, and your ability to collate and analyse information.

Usually, you will be given a specific topic for your presentation and allowed time in advance to prepare. You will also be given an indication of how long it should take to deliver and it is extremely important that you adhere to this as you will also be assessed on your ability to follow instructions. Sometimes, an employer may even surprise you on the day of your interview by asking you to deliver a short presentation and, if this is the case, it is important to remain calm. Remember that, as you have not been given the opportunity to prepare, it is most likely that you will only be expected to deliver a presentation on a subject you are already familiar with.

Visual Aids

Once you know the subject and the target audience, you can start to gather the information you need for the presentation. The most effective presentations have proven to be those which utilise visual aids so, as well as researching the information you actually need to talk about, it can be a good idea to obtain pictures, charts or diagrams to be presented as handouts, overhead projections or in the form of computer generated images. Visual aids must be clear, concise, easy to read and understand and of a high quality.

Practice Makes Perfect

Although it may be ideal to memorise your presentation, don't be afraid to also have cue cards or notes with you, to ensure your presentation is fluent. Employers do not like to see someone simply reading from a script, but equally they do not want someone standing in front of them who is lost for words. If you have been told in advance about your presentation, you should have plenty of time in which to practice. This gives you the chance to iron out any possible glitches and to decide how you will actually present yourself. It is also essential that you time your presentation to make sure it is neither too long nor too short.

Format

When finalising your presentation, make sure that it follows a clear format with an introduction of the topic to be discussed, the main content and a conclusion. A clearly defined structure not only makes the presentation easier to prepare but should also mean it will make more sense to your audience.

Delivery

When it comes to the actual delivery of the presentation, the key is to try really hard to overcome any nerves. This can lead you to speak too quickly, mumble and even fidget, all of which will give the audience a negative impression. Eye contact with your audience is important throughout the presentation, although this should not be over used as it can be unnerving. Avoid the use of unnatural hand movements but also try to be visually expressive where appropriate. Using a dull, monotonous voice will not impress the audience and can make the topic sound uninteresting. Make sure that any visual aids you are using are only visible at the relevant times.

Assessment Centres - How to succeed

Assessment Centres are becoming increasingly popular tools for recruiters to use and are considered by many to be the most reliable, objective and fair process of selecting suitable candidates for a role. Traditionally, Assessment Centres have formed the second stage of the interview process, but employers are now often using them as a first interview, enabling them to create a shortlist of the most suitable applicants.

Assessment Centres generally consist of a series of individual and group exercises and tasks specifically designed to gauge your actual ability to perform a job - rather than simply relying on what you say your capabilities are. As a result, the employer can make an informed judgement on your future job performance based on the personal and technical skills that you have demonstrated.

The programme of events is often very intensive and may require an overnight stay with the other candidates, so it is essential to create a positive impression for the duration of the programme. Although certain stages may appear to be informal, you are more than likely to be monitored throughout. The programme may include a social or informal gathering with other candidates, selectors, senior managers and employer representatives who have recently graduated from the Assessment Centre themselves. This is an invaluable opportunity for you to find out more about the company from people at different levels within the organisation. The potential employer may well be assessing your ability to entertain future clients so your behaviour should of course be impeccable.

In general, you should do your best to relax and enjoy the Assessment Centre as much as you can under the circumstances, whilst remembering that you may be under observation at all times, even in seemingly informal situations. Try to be yourself at all times and show the employer that you have confidence in yourself and in your ability to perform the job for which you are applying.

Group Activities

A number of the activities undertaken at an Assessment Centre will involve working in groups enabling the employer to assess your teamwork skills, your ability to listen to others and the way you react if your opinion is challenged. Group activities can include discussions (where you are assigned a particular subject and asked to form a conclusion as a group), and role play exercises involving each member of the group taking on a particular role and participating in discussions and negotiations to demonstrate their interaction and communication skills. Additionally, business scenarios can be simulated whereby the group has to perform certain tasks or challenges that may well arise in a normal business environment.

In-Tray

This is much more likely to be undertaken on an individual basis and involves dealing with a typical in-tray, consisting of various forms of correspondence and documentation. The task will be to ensure that appropriate action is taken to deal with each piece of information which can include drafting formal and informal written responses and preparing statistical reports. You may be assessed on how you prioritise the workload that you are faced with, how effectively you deal with each document, and how well you have read and understood the information. You may also be assessed on any notes you have made indicating further action that may be required, and on how much of the workload you are able to complete within the allowed timeframe.

Interviews

The interviews that take place at Assessment Centres may differ from normal interviews in that they may be more in-depth and may also involve facing a panel of interviewers rather than just one single interviewer. If this is the case, it is important to focus your attention on the specific interviewer posing the question whilst also ensuring that you include the other panel members in your glance to show that they too are included. As in any interview situation, it is always beneficial to have done your homework on the company and be prepared to provide evidence of your skills and knowledge.

Aptitude Tests

Aptitude tests are generally taken under examination conditions and are aimed at assessing your logical/analytical skills and your capacity for reasoning. Quite often, they will also be tailored towards the specific role for which you are applying so that the employer can get an idea of how you would perform in the role. It is essential to make sure you read and understand each question before attempting to answer it - don't be tempted to rush and risk making careless mistakes.

Presentations

Sometimes, you may be required to prepare and deliver a short presentation, although you should be given prior warning of this to enable you to carry out any necessary research and to practice your presentation.

Interviews - Body Language

If you've been selected for an interview then you have clearly impressed your prospective employer - your next challenge is to maintain their positive perception of you when they get to meet up in person. A good interviewer is carefully trained to make an informed assessment of a candidate based not only on what they say but also on how they present themselves. And body language may prove to be a key factor in their decision-making process. It is therefore essential to come across as confident, enthusiastic and capable of rising to the challenge, even if you really feel anxious and nervous and would rather be somewhere else!

Positive Actions

There are a variety of positive actions which can be used successfully in interview situations and these include:

• Firm, Friendly Handshake - not too hard as this implies arrogance and not too limp because it suggests weakness
• Eye Contact - this is essential when trying to convey trust and confidence but should not be overdone as this can create an uncomfortable atmosphere and suggest over familiarity
• Keep Your Chin Up (literally and metaphorically!) - smile with open lips and tilt your head slightly to show that you are attentive
• Palms Visible - this indicates openness and sincerity
• Touching Fingertips Together - this conveys a sense of authority

Negative Actions

Here are some obvious - and some not so obvious - examples of negative traits and how your body language can give them away:

• Defensiveness - crossing your arms
• Nervousness - locked ankles, fidgeting, playing with hair, biting nails
• Doubt - rubbing eyes or nose
• Arrogance/Over Confidence - brisk and erect walk, hands clasped behind head
• Boredom - feet tapping, looking down, slouching, head resting in hands
• Aggression - hands on hips and pointing with the index finger

Top Tips

Try turning the tables on the interviewer and assessing their own body language - perhaps even try imitating them to strengthen any possible connection between you. However, try not to copy negative body language and remember to be subtle about it! If the interviewer thinks that you are on their wavelength, they are likely to immediately become better disposed towards you. Also, their body language can give you a clear indication of what the interviewer thinks of what you are saying - if they are displaying signs of boredom, you should try to direct the subject away from your current line of thinking.

First impressions are vitally important and this applies not only to your body language but also to the way that you are dressed, etc. Interviewers can make decisions very quickly so make sure that you walk into that room as if you really want the job.

An interviewer is much more likely to look favourably on a candidate with whom they feel they have developed a rapport, so try to be friendly without being over-familiar. It is a fine line.

Covering Letters

The covering letter that you send out to a potential employer with your CV is arguably just as important as the CV itself. It is an ideal opportunity for you to expand upon the skills and experiences that are highlighted in your CV whilst also enabling you to express a bit of your personality. There are two main types of cover letter which can be used to accompany CVs - Advert Response and Speculative - and we will run through both in detail in the sections below.

In general, covering letters should be no longer than one page, unless you have been given clear instructions to the contrary. It is important that they be written concisely and articulately. Take your time over them; do not rush. It is also essential to check that there are no spelling or grammatical errors as this is very possibly the employer's first impression of you. Make sure it is a positive one. Presentation is clearly of the utmost important and, again unless specified, letters should always be typed and laser-printed onto high quality paper.

Advert Response

It is advisable to ensure that you do match any essential criteria specified in the job advert before you send in your application. For example, if a job advert specifies that the candidate must have ten years experience in marketing, and you have only two years experience, there is probably very little point in your applying for the position. However, there are some circumstances in which some degree of flexibility may apply. An example of this could be if the job requires an "excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite" and, although you have no practical experience it its application, you have recently completed the CLAIT qualification so do have a good theoretical knowledge.

Be sure to read the advert very carefully so that you can address the letter correctly and mark it for the attention of the relevant member of staff. You should also include the title of the post you are applying for and any reference numbers given - often, companies will be seeking candidates for a variety of positions and will want to see clearly which job is being applied for.

The first paragraph should be quite brief and simply detail where you saw the advert and on what date. In the main body of the letter you should then go on to highlight your skills and experience more fully. If certain criteria are mentioned in the advert, you should ideally try to explain exactly how you match these - with brief but relevant examples that demonstrate your suitability. Also, say why you want to work for that organisation in particular, referring to any research that you have carried out on the company to emphasise that you understand them and their line of business.

The final paragraph should conclude with any other information requested in the advert such as salary and availability for interview. And before you send it off, do read through the advert once more to ensure that you have fully satisfied their criteria, keeping an awareness of the specified closing date.

Speculative

The principal content of a speculative letter follows similar lines to the advert response type, but make sure once again to tailor the letter towards the organisation in question. The way you open and close the letter will of course also need to be different.

Even if you are not responding to an advert, you must try to address the letter to a specific person rather than just stating "Dear Sir/Madam". You may well need to contact the organisation by phone in advance to find out the name of an appropriate contact but it has been proven that letters addressed to a specific person do get better results. Once again, conduct some basic research into the company so that you can highlight the particular skills and qualifications you possess which are of relevance to the business.

Obviously, the closing paragraph should encourage future contact rather than demand it, as well as requesting for your details to be stored on file should a suitable vacancy not currently be available.

Job Hunting

If you can, cast your mind back to the dark days before the invention of the Internet. Searching for a new job was often a demoralising and thoroughly exhausting process back then, involving endless hours scanning jobs pages, charging around various recruitment agencies and posting off numerous CVs to potential employers.

All that has now changed, with potential employers and job seekers alike increasingly turning to the Internet to satisfy their recruitment needs. However, despite its increasing popularity, the Internet does have its disadvantages and the more traditional job seeking methods are still favoured by many people. Below is an objective look at a range of traditional and modern approaches to job hunting to demonstrate that, no matter what your personal preferences may be, there is a suitable job hunting method just for you.

Recruitment Agencies

Probably one of the most obvious benefits of going to visit your local recruitment agency is the opportunity for you to have a face-to-face meeting with an actual person - a person who is committed to helping you with your job search and who can provide you with practical advice and expertise. They should possess local knowledge and a good network of contacts across local businesses. Some recruitment agencies will specialise in particular industry sectors and will therefore be especially well placed to recommend you to the most appropriate potential employer.

Generally, the recruitment consultant you are assigned to will interview you in person, to ensure they have an accurate understanding of your career objectives. They will require an up-to-date CV from you and will both inform you of any current vacancies that match your requirements as well as store your details for future reference.

It is advisable to register with as many recruitment agencies as you can so that you are given the opportunity for maximum exposure in the area. Just be sure that two different agencies don't apply for the same job on your behalf - companies will not look favourably on this as it could lead to complications when they have to pay their finders fee!

Job Adverts

Available vacancies are published in the national papers as well as in local and regional press and industry-specific trade publications. There are even dedicated recruitment papers published on a regional basis, and you can subscribe to many of these. Trade publications are particularly useful because they also include articles on companies in your field of interest, which may highlight where possible expansions or recruitment drives are anticipated.

Newspapers are an extremely popular method of job hunting and, as a result, each advert is likely to create a massive response, so be prepared to apply for a number of adverts with a potentially poor response rate. Despite that, it is still an extremely popular job hunting method and one that is still used by many employers.

Speculative Contacts

Although generally having a low response rate, this method can be useful if your covering letter has been carefully written and phrased. Although they may have no appropriate vacancies at the time of your initial application, they may well do in the near future and, as long as your CV and covering letter are professionally prepared to have maximum impact, you should be remembered when a suitable position arises.

Networking, etc.

If you are able to build up a network of contacts within your industry sector, you will find that you are able to keep abreast of any organisational changes which may result in a vacancy becoming available. This first-hand information could enable you to contact a company before anybody else thinks of doing so, thus giving you a potential advantage.

Other traditional methods of job hunting include visiting your local Job Centre as well as attending careers fairs, which enable you to speak directly to representatives of companies in the area. Some fairs are industry-specific whilst others target just graduate or executive job hunters.

The Internet

The Internet has rapidly become an extremely popular resource for recruitment purposes and it is used extensively by employers and job seekers alike. Indeed, all of the traditional methods above-mentioned now provide online services as well, making it much easier for people relocating to a new area to find suitable vacancies.

There are a number of dedicated job sites available on the Internet, some of which specialise in particular industry sectors whilst others offer a more general service. Both recruitment agencies and employers use these sites to advertise their vacancies and they often include links for you to actually submit an application online.

And most high street recruitment agencies now have their own dedicated websites offering a wide range of services that complement the work carried out by their branch network, as well as enabling a job seeker to monitor their progress at their convenience.

CVs and Resumes Compared

Although a CV serves the same purpose as a resume, there are quite a number of differences between the two. In general, if you are applying for employment in the USA, the resume format is preferred, whereas the CV is the document of choice in the UK. Indeed, the CV is also the preferred format in many overseas destinations, so the majority of job hunters seeking employment internationally tend to have both a CV and a resume prepared.

One of the main differences between a CV and a resume is the length of each document - with the former tending to be longer and much more comprehensive, whilst the resume is brief and concise. Ideally, a CV should not exceed two pages, although it is accepted that certain people require a longer CV when they have had a particularly extensive career history, etc.. On the other hand, a resume preferably only amounts to one single page.

CVs and Detail

As a CV is a more detailed document than a resume, all the information should be presented in reverse chronological order so that the most recent, and often most relevant, information is presented first. Most CVs begin with a professional profile summarising an individual's key skills and personal traits. Where possible, and if space allows, a section outlining your objectives can be included and should ideally highlight the specific title of the job you wish to apply for.

Skills & Qualifications

The next section in the CV should normally cover your education and qualifications, although this section can be moved to further down the CV if the information contained here is not particularly important. The education section generally summarises lower level qualifications whilst elaborating further on higher qualifications, e.g. graduate and post-graduate. Where appropriate, I.T. proficiency and any languages spoken should follow this section with any major achievements being included therafter.

Career Summary / Work Experience

The career summary or work experience section is invariably the most detailed part of the CV, with each role undertaken being listed along with a description of key duties, responsibilities and achievements. Ideally, your most recent positions should carry more detailed job descriptions, and it is often the case that positions held ten or more years ago will have just one or two bullet points of information or, indeed, no description at all. This ensures that the most relevant information is given priority in the CV.

Other information for inclusion in CVs

The CV should finish with a summary of personal details and a list of any hobbies or interests. If the CV is to be used for overseas applications, it is also important to highlight your Visa status.

Curriculum Vitae

When a 'Curriculum Vitae' is specifically requested for an application in the US market, rather than a resume, it is generally expected to be a much more comprehensive document, even than the typical UK format. It is not unusual for such documents to be as long as 10 or even 20 pages and they are generally requested for academic or scientific based roles.

Resumes

As mentioned above, the resume is a far more concise document than a CV and the professional profile and objective sections that were important on the CV are often omitted completely. The education section tends to be the same as that of the CV but the rest of the document is very different. A resume focuses more on specific skills and capabilities, rather than the full details of job roles undertaken. As a result, the career summary is generally a simple list of job titles with key skills, achievements and capabilities included in a separate section.

It is important to keep the resume as concise as possible and certainly to keep it within the ideal one page format. There is no room for unnecessary detail - interests and hobbies don't need to be included - and every effort should be made to target specific roles or markets.

How to negotiate a better salary

Salary negotiations are often an important part of applying for a new job, and can be one of the most difficult stages to handle. However, if you make sure that you are fully prepared to deal with the matter, you should be able to ensure that the negotiations are concluded to your satisfaction.

Negotiating for a new job

Generally, the interviewer should be the one to bring up the issue of salary and, although they should dictate when the question is asked, you should make sure you have a full understanding of what the job entails before reaching an agreement. Indeed, it is often advisable to avoid salary negotiations altogether until a formal job offer has been received. Make sure that the interviewer is fully aware of your particular skills and experiences and that you detail exactly how you intend to add value to the role. Once the interviewer has made their offer, find out what else is included in the package. Bonus payments, share options, staff discounts and training opportunities can make a relatively low basic salary seem much more attractive.

Considering the offer

Make sure that you give a salary offer due consideration before deciding whether to accept or decline it. If you believe that the salary offer is too low, let the interviewer know that this is the reason why you want to take some time to think about it. They will often give you an indication as to whether or not there is any degree of flexibility in their offer. If you do decide to accept the offer, make sure that the full details are subsequently confirmed in writing. If, however, you choose to reject an offer, try to do this in a professional and amicable manner. Just because this particular offer was not acceptable, this does not necessarily mean that you may not consider employment with them in the future.

Negotiating within your current job

Sometimes, you may feel that your current job should command a higher salary and that the time is right for you to negotiate a pay rise. If so, similar basic rules apply as in the previously discussed interview scenario, including researching the market to get a realistic idea of the salary you should expect and also ensuring once again that your employer realises the value you are bringing to the role.

When you decide to broach the subject of a salary increase, schedule an official appointment rather than just casually slipping it into the conversation. In the meeting, concentrate on why you think your performance warrants a pay increase, instead of simply comparing your salary with the salary of your colleagues.

Of course, be careful not to react badly if your request is refused for the time being. Make sure you continue to perform well and perhaps even ask for advice as to how you might secure a pay rise at the next salary review.

Redundancy

Redundancy is undeniably a difficult experience, but it is important to remember that being made redundant does not reflect on one's personal ability to perform a job. Redundancy arises when a position, not an individual, becomes financially untenable - and it is becoming increasingly frequent across a variety of industry sectors as efforts are made to 'downsize'.

A background to redundancy

Employers downsize or 'reduce their headcount' for various reasons, including mergers/takeovers, increased operating costs, loss of business, new management, new technologies and reduced profit. There are two main types of redundancy - 'compulsory', whereby the specific positions simply cease to exist, and 'voluntary', where employees are given a choice whether or not to take redundancy, although they are not obliged to accept.

Knowing that redundancy is a commonplace occurrence does not make it any easier to cope with and it can often instil feelings of inadequacy, rejection, loss and humiliation. It can also leave you feeling vulnerable and fearful for your future security. However, there is no longer any stigma attached to being made redundant and it should not be spoken about with any sense of shame.

The way forward

Your CV is a vital first step and naturally we would strongly recommend that you have it professionally prepared by The CV Centre. You should also register with local recruitment agencies and maintain regular contact with them to ensure they fully understand your career objectives. The more information you provide them with, the greater the chance they have of finding an appropriate position for you. Be as proactive as possible in your job hunting - your ideal job will not come and present itself to you - you have to get out there and find it!

Money

When you are made redundant, it is often very easy to lose control of your finances. You should never assume that you will be able to walk straight into a new job no matter how skilled or qualified you may be. Any redundancy package that you receive, and any savings that you may need to rely on, should be budgeted carefully to ensure that you have enough money to survive the full duration of your redundancy - however long this may be. It might also be worthwhile investigating your eligibility for Jobseekers Allowance or other similar benefits.

The Future

Finally, just remember that every cloud has a silver lining. Try to manage your redundancy to your advantage. Many people find redundancy to be an important - and positive - turning point in their lives, giving them the opportunity to reassess their goals and achieve the future they desire.

Changing your job - or even your profession - can revitalise your life, giving it new momentum. It can also be a very daunting idea to cope with. But with some careful thought and consideration you could find yourself in a role which you find much more rewarding.

"Would it be better if..."

When considering any job or career change, it can be useful to spend some time at the very beginning in trying to determine exactly why you want a change. If you are not rigorous in finding out exactly what is motivating your desire for change, you run the risk of finding a new job with the same old problems you encountered in the one you left.

There could be very clear-cut reasons for seeking new employment, for example you may simply want to earn more, or to change your geographical location. However sometimes the reasons aren't so obvious. Maybe you feel jaded and fed up with your current position, but are not entirely sure why. Take a close look at your work-life to see which aspects you would like to change: is it the actual content of your job and if so why? Have you become so proficient at your job that it has become tedious? Alternatively, are you perhaps struggling with the workload or type of work you undertake? Is there an aspect of the workplace itself which you are finding difficult, perhaps the location, the hours you work, or even your relationship with your colleagues. Perhaps it is possible to gain promotion within your current organisation, to move to another department or area, or to receive more training to overcome difficulties in your current job. You may however decide that it is time to change career paths entirely and to look for a job within a different sector. Once you have a clear idea of why you want to change your job you can then select the positions you apply for much more carefully and, in turn, you should stand a better chance of finding a job which will meet your criteria.

Arm yourself!

If you have decided that a change in direction is for you, then the next stage is to make sure your applications are of the highest possible quality. In order to give yourself the best chance of obtaining the job you want, your CV and application form need to hit just the right note, to ensure that recruiters can clearly see you have the skills and experience they are looking for.

Returning to Work

There are a multitude of reasons as to why you may have taken a break in your career. You may have been dedicating your time to raising a family, have spent time travelling or studying, have had to take time out due to sickness or perhaps you were made redundant... Regardless of the original reason for taking a career break, the return to the workplace is never simple. However, you could also find that it is a means of reinvigorating your life, giving it new momentum.

Flexible Thinking

If you have been out of the workplace for a while, it can be easy to feel that you no longer have the skills an employer is looking for. So it can be beneficial to take a good look at the period you have spent out of the workplace, not only to consider which skills you might want to brush up on, but also to identify the skills and experiences you have gained during your 'time out'. Were you a member of any voluntary groups for example? If so, were you perhaps involved in organising events, even on a small scale, which may have provided you with skills (administrative, organisational, etc.) which could well be transferable to the workplace.

Research and Training

It can also be very worthwhile spending some time researching the area you are planning to work within before you begin to apply for positions. Do you intend to work in the same field as that which you were working in before your career break? If so, consider how it has changed - Are there new policy developments? Have procedures and equipment changed? If you are moving into a different field, consider which new skills you may need to learn. Armed with this knowledge you should find yourself in a much stronger position. You should find it easier to demonstrate to an employer that you are aware of the current state of play within your field and you will be able to decide whether it is necessary to update some of your skills.

If there have been advances in IT since you were last in the workplace, for example, you could perhaps take a short course to familiarise yourself with the new software packages which you deem to be important for your desired position. You may also find that some recruitment agencies will also be able to assist with training on the main software packages used in administrative positions. Some companies, especially those with bespoke software packages, may also provide in-house IT training to new employees, but you may feel more confident when you re-enter the workplace if you have already familiarised yourself with a variety of software packages.

The Employer's Point of View

It can also be a good idea to try to imagine your career path from your potential employer's point of view. Particularly as your potential employer may well want to know why you took a career break. It is usually useful therefore to make sure you have thought carefully about your career, your reasons for having taken time out and, probably more importantly, your reasons for wanting to re-enter the workplace and your career ambitions for the future. Don't forget that your period away from the workplace may also have given you skills and experiences which employees who have stayed continuously in the workplace may not have - and which might just be the very attributes your potential employer is looking for!

Selling Your Skills

If you have decided to take the plunge to re-enter the work place, you need to make sure that your CV and application forms are as effective as they can be in communicating your skills and experience to potential employers

How to Deal with Change at Work

Change in the workplace is inevitable for a variety of reasons. However, unless change is managed effectively, it can have a highly negative impact on all concerned. Some of the most common reasons for workplace change include:

• Technological developments
• Process or procedural improvements
• Market or economic developments
• Merger or acquisition
• Corporate restructuring

It is possible for potentially negative change to be handled effectively and indeed for there to be a positive outcome. However, it is more than likely that initial reactions may be in opposition to the proposals, whilst the workforce struggles to come to terms with the potential impact of the situation.

The effects of change

Understandably, different people will respond in different ways to workplace change, resulting in a range of mixed emotions amongst employees, one of which may be insecurity.

The introduction of new technology to replace previously manual processes, for example, can leave people fearing redundancy, believing that they are now surplus to requirements and no longer able to carry out their job to the satisfaction of their employers - even though this may not be the case.

A lack of good communication within the organisation during a period of change can leave employees with a poor understanding of circumstances and this in turn can lead to an unwillingness to embrace or accept the new situation.

All of these emotions can have a dramatic impact on the working environment and can manifest themselves in visible alterations in behaviour.

The successful implementation of change

However, there are ways of dealing with change, both from the perspective of the employer and the employee - ways designed to encourage a greater acceptance of change and to minimise the negative impact on the business.

It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that his/her team is provided with effective leadership and support throughout the period of change, and to monitor their patterns of behaviour. This will enable them to ensure they are displaying positive coping strategies. There are some key guidelines which can facilitate this, including:

• Being open and honest with the workforce from the outset, explaining exactly what is going to happen and how they, as individuals, will be affected
• Preparing a comprehensive plan to ensure the effective implementation of change in line with business objectives
• Encouraging the team to voice their own opinions and listening carefully to their discussions

There are now a number of professional training courses and academic qualifications available which are designed to enhance an individual's ability to manage workplace change. They can develop understanding of how change affects different people and the various techniques for coping with it. They also emphasise that the key to successful change is in developing an understanding of it and in adopting a flexible approach to its implementation.

Strategies for coping

There is a real danger that the threat of change in the workplace can lead to increased levels of stress, so it is essential for your health and well-being that you are able to cope effectively - and to see the change more as a new opportunity.

It is quite likely that you will not be the only one to be affected by the changing circumstances, so it is important to maintain strong relationships with your peers. This enables you to share information with each other and also to provide mutual support.

Try not to let your work concerns have too great an impact on your personal life. Talk to family and friends about the situation and allow them to help you through it.

Undertake any necessary or available training to ensure you are able to respond effectively to change. For example, if the change involves the introduction of new technology, take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with it.

Conclusion

It is important to remember that workplace change does not have to create stress and confusion, but can indeed be an opportunity to acquire new skills, achieve career progression and embrace a new way of working. As long as you remain flexible and responsive, you should be able to adapt to the new situation and ensure that you make the most of any new opportunities that are presented to you.

Professional Qualifications

An increasing number of industry sectors seek applications from people with professional qualifications, both as an alternative to formal academic qualifications, or in addition to them. Employers recognise professional qualifications as not only providing an individual with industry-specific skills, but also as a demonstration of their commitment to continuous learning and development. Skills acquired through many professional qualifications can also be transferred to other functional areas, making them a valuable tool to facilitate career development.

Time & Money

Certain industries have now made professional qualifications an essential requirement and many employers will provide full support, enabling these to be completed alongside normal work responsibilities. Studying for professional qualifications can be undertaken on a full or part-time basis and can even be completed via distance learning. Employers often allow time off for professional studies and may also assist with the payment of necessary fees. It is worth remembering, however, that if an employer is supporting you during your studies, this will probably mean that you will be tied into your employment with them for the duration of your studies.

Enhancing Your Employability

As well as improving your chances of securing internal promotions, professional qualifications can add considerable value to your CV when it comes to job hunting. They tend to indicate that a candidate has specific skills and experiences, rather than just academic and theoretical knowledge. Qualifications such as NVQs, for example, apply to a wide variety of industries and involve workplace assessments aimed at verifying your actual on-the-job competence. Other increasingly popular professional qualifications include the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and the RSA Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT) qualification.

Professional Memberships

Many industry sectors now offer people the opportunity to become a member of a professional organisation. With a number of levels achievable for membership status, the highest status can only be achieved once a candidate has demonstrated that they have completed appropriate training and spent a significant period of their working life within the industry sector. Training and employment history both need to be correctly logged and verified before accreditation can be awarded and, although this process obviously takes some considerable time, fast track options may be available in some industries. Becoming a member of a professional organisation provides external recognition and may also offer reassurance to customers that they are dealing with someone whose behaviour and conduct are regulated. There are usually specific guidelines which must be adhered to and, in some cases of extreme non-compliance, professional status can be withdrawn.

The Future

If you look through various job vacancies, you will often notice that essential requirements include specific professional qualifications. You may also see job adverts stating one of their requirements as "degree or equivalent", a clear sign that professional qualifications are starting to be recognised as being just as valuable as formal academic studies.