Five ways to refresh your CV

Five ways to refresh your CV by Michael Cheary Still using the same old CV? It may be time to change that…Keeping your CV up-to-date means more than adding a few new roles to your employment history every time you look for something new. Even if you think your application is flawless, struggling to hear back from recruiters might be a clear indication that something’s going seriously wrong.To help keep the odds in your favour, here are five ways you could refresh your CV right now:Freshen up your formatFirst things first: when it comes to your CV, formatting is everything.In fact, 50% of recruiters we surveyed suggested that a logical order for presentation was the most important thing they consider when reading one. And contrary to popular belief, there’s no one-size-fits all format that works in all situations â€" so feel free to experiment with structure.As a general rule, we’d always recommend starting with the things you most want recruiters to see. Going for a Graduate role? Focus on your d egree. More of an experience-based positon? Lead with your recent employment history, or even a relevant key skills section, to help draw a recruiter’s attentionAnd don’t include anything simply because you think you should. We’re looking at you, hobbies and interests section.Revamp the designOnce you’ve figured out your formatting, it’s time to think about design.If you’ve been using the same CV for a while, it stands to reason that it might be looking a little outdated.The good thing is, it actually won’t take all that much effort to get things back on track. In fact, there are a wide range of CV templates out there which will help you create something more contemporary.What recruiters really want is something that’s professional-looking, and easy to read â€" not a document that could be more comfortably considered as retro. So lose the boxes, funky colours and pictures, and keep it clean.Because Clipart is so 1995…Use the job descriptionIn reality, refreshing yo ur CV should never be a one-time thing.To maximise your chances, every document you send over should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. And, as time-consuming as it may seem, it only takes a few tweaks to make a real difference. It’s just about utilising the job advert.Almost without fail, a recruiter has provided you with all the attributes you need to sell yourself to the role. By adding a few of these to your skills section, or quantifying them in your personal statement, you’ll be able to make yourself come across as the perfect fit for any position.So tailor your CV to every role. Every time. No exceptions.Trim the fatOne of the most common CV myths is that you need to include absolutely everything you’ve ever done in order to impress.But at it’s best, your CV should be a powerful sales pitch, which provides an employer with all the right information they need to invite you to an interview to learn more. It’s shouldn’t be your life story.If you have an ex tensive employment history, only include career highlights, or positions that are relevant to the role you’re applying for. And instead of listing all of your day-to-day duties, bullet point a few achievements which help illustrate your attributes.Ideally, your CV should be no more than two pages. If you need more space, add links to online portfolios or blogs where they can learn more.Start from scratchIf all else fails, it’s time for the ultimate refresh.Whilst it might seem like a pain to go back to the drawing board, starting over allows you to breathe new life into what your writing, not to mention remove any preciousness when it comes to what you’ve written.To make your new attempts most effective, always avoid re-reading your old CV before you start. And don’t be afraid to try a few different versions to find one you’re truly comfortable with.It might take some time to get it right, but it really will be worth it in the long run. It certainly beats sending something that isn’t working, simply because it’s the easier.Remember: when it comes to finding your dream job, laziness is never an option.Need more CV advice?It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’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

Resume Writing For A Job Interview - Using Best Resume Writing Strategies

Resume Writing For A Job Interview - Using Best Resume Writing StrategiesResume writing for a job interview is a skill that you must learn in order to get the job you want. One way to do this is to hire a professional who can help you create your resume.You will need to work with a resume writer who understands the business world. It is not a subject that is discussed in schools. You need to be smart about the resume that you create, so that you can win the job that you are after.Before hiring a resume writer to write your resume, try and find out what they have done for other people that have applied for the position you want. This can give you an idea of what they have done for others. If you find them using writing samples that aren't written by them, then you should move on to someone else.Resume writing for a job interview on their resume should follow the guidelines on the Resume Writing For A Job Interview On Their Own Resume By Failing To Do So Of course it goes without sayin g that you should be using a template when creating your own resume. Using a template as a base is a good idea because you have already done the hard work of thinking about what skills you would like to include on your resume. You just need to add your strengths and your accomplishments.You can also ask a friend or family member if they have used the same Resume Writing For A Job Interview On Their Own Resume By Failing To Do So To see what sort of format the person used. This is useful if you find yourself unsure of how to create your own resume, because they can show you what the format should be.Refrain from putting too much information on the cover page. Try and use only the basic information required and then fill the rest of the page with relevant information.Another thing to consider when writing your resume is to make sure that you understand the objective of your resume before you begin. You will need to be clear on this to be able to write it. This will ensure that your re sume has a direction and is designed correctly.Resume writing for a job interview is a skill that takes time to master. It requires patience, but it is well worth the time that you put into it.

Top 5 Things to Check Before Applying on a Company Website

Top 5 Things to Check Before Applying on a Company Website These days, even browsing through online job opportunities can be a stressful experience. This is because we live in an era of information. The process of applying for a job is a mosaic of actions and knowledge. Thankfully, the era of information also implies that you, as a future employee, have access to a lot of information about the company you are applying to as well. Online job applications can be a tricky thing. Here are some things you really need to know before deciding to send in your application on a company website for a position that might not even be your dream job. The Top 5 Things to Check Before Applying on a Company Website 1. Spend Some Time Researching The Company Website It’s Captain Obvious speaking over here, but the first thing you need to know is exactly what you’re signing up for. The main benefit of visiting a company website is that you can discover what the companys services, products, mission, and goals are through a simple click. Even if it seems like, on the surface, it’s pretty obvious what the company is all about, there’s always the possibility of there being some in-depth explanations that might turn out to be different from what you expected. Furthermore, any well-established company will have a Career page. Even though you found the job posting outside of the company website on an external recruiting platform, with all their conditions outlined in great detail, you should still spend some time researching the companys job application process. Some companies even offer candidates the possibility to apply directly on the company website. Doing your research will show that you are actually committed to working with them. 2. Place The Company Side-by-Side with Competition By nature, we strongly aspire for the best. In this case, it would be in our best interest to make sure that the company you are applying to can offer you the most benefits as opposed to other competitors performing in the same field or a similar one. You should do some extensive research to uncover other company names. Do your research and check out competitors websites and establish which one is the best choice for you. Look for the obvious things, such as salary, schedule, or location, all of which greatly factor into the comfort and productivity of an employee. If you’re certain that there aren’t better alternatives, then you can go all-in with your resume and walk into the interview with conviction and confidence. 3. Research the Culture Office Environment Putting salary and location aside, there is something else that is vital to any future employees, though it can often be a bit tricky to find information on it. What’s the mentality of the company? Is the company full of conventional, sober, rule-following corporate employees? Or are the employees and managers open-minded and creative? Do they tend to make the workplace feel like a gathering of friends? This is information that can be discovered through different sources online. You can research on  forums or websites where employees gather to talk about and rate their workplace  like glassdoor.com. You can also directly ask an employee if you know one. However, it’s more recommended to do it the first way, as you can also uncover information on the management and conditions. 4. Find Out the Direction The Company is Headed What is your future in this company? You can find out what the companys goals are by finding the page on their website that refers to its mission. Next, you should research all factors that weigh in on the success or failure of a business. Is the company talked about in the news or social media? If yes, see what kind of information can you dig up. Is the company prospering? Is the company going through a period of decline? It’s important to know how stable the company and, by association, how stable your position is. Reputation doesn’t only affect the company, but it will follow you, as an employee, too. 5. Measure the Size of the Company Last but not least, how big is the company? A company website conveys statistics and employee numbers. If it’s a small firm, there are higher chances of finding out who is in charge and who some of the employees are. If it’s a big firm, access to the primary CEO is difficult to impossible. Is it international? Are there several offices all around the world? Now that you’ve made sure that you have all the right answers, you can confidently continue with your application. It’s important to know that your future employer has serious intentions and can provide you with a stable position. Whether you’re a fan of sober or fun environments, of big or small companies, you simply need to be certain that you’ll find these factors in your desired workplace. Related Post: How to Make the Most of Your Job Search While You Commute

How Listening to Your Mom Teaches You About Management

How Listening to Your Mom Teaches You About Management Always listen to your mother, the adage goes, because sooner or later you’ll realize she was right all along. Sometimes it’s hard to take mom’s advice. It might seem counterintuitive, overly protective, or just not practical, but there are a number of reasons that taking a mother’s word for it might make you look pretty good when working with coworkers. Of course, mothers don’t have the answers to everything, and everyone’s mother is different, but there are many pieces of “traditional” motherly advice that can be very handy when considering your management style. Financial advice In many homes in the US, moms are the money managers. A study by American Express shows that moms handle household budgets around 70% of the time. Because of this, they know how to stretch a dollar to feed a whole family and have a real grasp on prioritizing what is important to spend on and what can go by the wayside. There are so many mothers who follow this mindset that there are a plethora of blogs and resources, filled with tips from mothers to mothers about personal finance. By adapting financial processes from your mother’s habits of closely looking at pricing and instilling them at work, you will find ways to cut corners that you never thought possible, all while making the troops happy. Responsibility is yours Among the top pieces of motherly advice (as referenced in this Huffington Post article) is to make sure you have your own money. You can act like a good mother to your employees by giving them control of a reasonable budget and watching from afar to make sure they use it wisely. If you micromanage, you can easily undermine confidence within your workforce. But giving allowances and letting people work within a budget is a great way to breed responsibility and allow for innovation. Spending and earning How many times have you heard from your mother “Don’t spend more than you earn.” But how do you accomplish this? Spend time (like your mother did) carefully arranging a budget. Then talk through budgets with everyone relevant. Transparency here is key, people need to know what they should and shouldn’t spend and why. In this, leading by example is always the best way to get the point across. Call once in a while Creating good morale among your co-workers is imperative. Just like with mom, encourage your employees to communicate with you. This means having an open door policy and making sure your employees understand that they can always come to you. In addition, you may want to create opportunities to “check in” from time to time. These can be at company functions or set weekly meetings, but everyone wants to know that they can be heard and some people will need to be invited to the table as well. Plan for anything Moms know that some days plans can undoubtedly go out the window. After juggling six different crises before lunch, the best mothers still keep it together. Make sure you are flexible when plans change. It will make you a better manager in the long run. Give yourself a break Sometimes, when things seem dire, it’s time to step back. Engaging head-on with chaos can breed more chaos. When asked for funny parenting tips, mother and author Paige Kellerman said “Its ok to justify not meeting any of your goals, with, ‘At least I remembered to feed the kids.’” Some days the small victories have to be enough. The story that mothers know best might not always be true, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use motherly advice that makes sense to the fullest. Want more advice from moms on how to foster a successful life? Check out the infographic below from credit.com, with quotes from famous mothers like Michelle Obama on what they do to get ahead in the world. Courtesy of  Credit.com

How to Write Professional Resume Writing Services

How to Write Professional Resume Writing ServicesIf you are looking for the best professional resume writing services in Dubai, this article will give you an insight on what to look for and avoid when you hire one. With an organized resume, you can help yourself to land the job of your dreams. It is also a very important step in landing a good paying job in Dubai.A professional resume gives you an opportunity to show how you have developed over the years, in particular your experience. One important thing to note in this area is that while a company can review the quality of your work, they may not be as interested as the employer in your CV. Therefore, do a little bit of research into the employer's needs before you write your resume.One of the first things you should consider when you are writing your resume is that the details that you put in it should be straight forward. This means that if your CV includes information such as 'Resume is available' it would be more appealing if y ou did not include that same information in it. If your CV includes a history of work experience, but does not include any education details, then there is a problem. The employer would take you less seriously if they were not impressed with your educational background.Your resume should be clear and concise. At a minimum you should have a heading at the top of your resume. It is a good idea to include your contact number, and in most cases your full name on the first line. You should not put too much unnecessary information in your resume.Another important part of your resume is to list all your qualifications. In order to get a fair assessment of your skills, try to list down all the skills you possess in your letter of application. The next section of your resume should contain your skills and responsibilities that you feel are important for the position you are applying for. It is also a good idea to mention any relevant experience you have had in the past.In addition to includi ng your contact information, you should make sure that you use the right spelling and grammar. Try to maintain the style that you prefer. Even if you are hiring a writing service, they may be able to advise you on how to write your resume so that it matches the employer's taste.Make sure that you include all relevant experiences in the paragraphs where you state your qualifications. When you are hired for a position, it is expected that you have been working in the industry for a period of time. The company you are hired by may require some information on how long you have been employed, what types of jobs you have held and what jobs you have been involved in prior to your current employment.Remember that the ultimate goal of every employer is to have a good candidate. As mentioned above, a professional resume writing service is only as good as the presentation that you provide them.

Satire In The Workplace [From Dilbert to Sarah Cooper]

Satire In The Workplace [From Dilbert to Sarah Cooper] Sometimes youve got to laugh. When you take a step back and realize how much this stuff really doesnt matter.  Well be dead at the end anyway.  So why does  everyone have to get so wrapped up in things?  Why is everyone trying so hard to look good?  Does it really matter that much? I think that is why you find Millennials (and retiring Boomers) checking out alternative work scenarios.  Recognizing that all work and no play (or dull work, stressful work, work with strings attached) really is a recipe for an early death (or you wish you were dead). So lighten up a little.  Have a little fun. Share a little joy.  Dont make things so unbearable by thinking that the only solution is perfection.  People are not and never will be perfect.  We dont all get to hire only A players on our team.  So yes, things will go wrong.  Projects will not align with the perfect (this task takes 37 minutes to complete) timeline.  People get sick, get bogged down, get distracted by others fire drills.  You name it. So recognize that and move on. So that is what I was thinking as I came across this Medium post and video about Sarah  Cooper (I was thinking Sarah Silvermanis comedy a Sarah Thing???)  She worked at the Google God.  Part of the self-important crowd.  Where everyone is trying to outdo each other. She took a slightly different approach.  She realized the absurdity of it all and found a way to have fun while letting others think she was incredibly important.  Check out both the video and post below.  I think youll get a good chuckle out of them and see plenty of parallels in your work life. 10 Tricks to Appear Smart During Meetings Are you tired of running on the treadmill?  Before you chuck it all and buy a food truck, contact me.  Like Sarah  I can give you an outside view of your situation and help you separate fact from fictionto get you on the right track.

Holiday Gift Guide for the Cubicle Chic - Cubicle Chic

Holiday Gift Guide for the Cubicle Chic - Cubicle Chic Holiday Gift Guide for the Cubicle Chic Uncategorized November 18, 2015 0 CommentsTis the season to shop till you drop!! Gift Guides are floating around everywhere and I had to create a special Cubicle Chic edition for my dear beloved readers!I don’t know if this list is more like my personal holiday gift WISHLIST or a true Gift Guide. I mean the line is seriously so blurry…so who cares. It’s everything a girl who works (or lives) in a cubicle will ever need to thrive! All the items are clickable and will take you straight to where you can buy it.  I know..it’s awesome!!Lastly, just a heads up, I will be having a series of Holiday Party Dresses coming up. As per usual, it’s for the cubicle chic, i.e. girls who work in corporate offices… so of course, they are COMPANY holiday party or CORPORATE holiday party specific. Stay tuned!!  2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Cubicle Chic by mycubiclechic featuring Nearly Natural  Casetify ipad case casetify.comCasetify iphone case casetify.comHappy Plugs tech accessory happyplu gs.comBan do drinkware nordstrom.comKate Spade home decor bloomingdales.comHenri Bendel vanilla candle henribendel.comKate Spade Desktop Calendar katespade.comNearly Natural floral decor nearlynatural.comBan.do Bando 2016 Classic 17-Month Agenda Day Planner â€" I Am Very Busy jet.comCoffee mug modcloth.comKate Spade colored magnet $37  â€"  amara.comLEXON solar calculator $41  â€"  selfridges.comStreamline NYC dorm decor modcloth.comCats You’ve Gato a Call Phone Stand modcloth.comBamboo Desktop Message Board paper-source.com