CV and Interview Specialist

Provider of bespoke CV writing services, interview preparation and career management. LinkedIn profile creation a speciality.

[cvandinterviewspecialist-blog]

The Value of Vocational and In-House Courses

Quite a loaded title you may think, but there are still people who feel there is little point using their time to gain vocational qualifications or attend in-house courses arranged by their employer.

In short, there is huge value in both.  Vocational courses for example, give people the chance to display and hone their skills and knowledge and drive this towards a recognised qualification - thus a markable achievement in their career.

For In-House courses, much the same applies.  Often overlooked as perhaps not the best use of time, they present an excellent opportunity to develop existing skills and learn new ones.

Today’s job market is such that it requires something different to set people apart from each other.  Vocational and In-House courses can do that as they encourage and display both your personal and your ‘on-the-job’ development.  For that reason alone, they are an important part of anyone’s CV.

If you would like a professionally written CV, please get in touch.

[cvandinterviewspecialist-blog]

Importance of a Well Written CV

With the announcement this week that UK unemployment fell by 45,000 to 2.63 million, I think it is fair to say cautiously that the job market is showing some small yet encouraging signs of recovery.  That said, there has been a steady rise in part-time working (up to nearly 8 million) and a worrying trend in the long-term jobless figure which shows 887,000 out of work for over a year.

There is fierce competition in the job market, probably more so now that there has been over the past 20 years, and fears of job insecurity as public sector cuts continue and inadvertently affect the private sector too.   

It therefore goes without saying, that having a fully prepared, up to date and well written CV is an essential part of anyone’s employment arsenal.  There really is little alternative.

CV writing is an art and requires particular skill in accurately describing achievements, abilities and potential in a way that neither under plays nor over sells.  Getting the balance just right is crucial. 

Whether you decide to have one professionally written or put one together yourself, a good CV remains your single best tool at selling yourself to any employer.

If you would like a professionally written CV, please get in touch.

[cvandinterviewspecialist-blog]

What Makes a Good CV?

As a CV Writer, I’m often asked the question ‘what makes a good CV?’

While this isn’t particularly difficult to answer in itself, it does require some additional thought as to the content, layout and intended audience for your CV. 

As a general rule, any CV should for example, lead with a profile that accurately captures your strengths, skills and experience.

Your career achievements to date should be listed in a chronological fashion.  More often than not, each role described should show some detail of your day-to-day activities but there are some instances where it is acceptable for this to be summarised.

If you have a background in sales, then your CV should show a general thrust of achieving and exceeding targets in those roles.  Conversely, if you have a background in customer service, then although targets may be crucial in your day-to-day work, responding to and solving customer queries should be prominent in the roles covered in your CV.

Imperative to any CV though, is one word – truth. 

Being 100% honest is crucial for any CV.  Be true to yourself.

*If you would like a professionally written CV, please get in touch*