In today’s modern world more and more recruiters are relying on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to assist them with their recruitment. This ensures they filter out any waste before they even review a CV (and this is then where they spend 30-60 seconds actually reviewing your CV!). So before you even get to the recruiting individual, you need to get …
Should you have more than one version of your CV?
As a professional CV writer I am often asked by customers to prepare a general CV for them that will cover all their potential job requirements. This is not something I would recommend unless there is a substantial overlap in what the CV is being used for. Instead it is important to have various versions of your CV to ensure …
How to polish your LinkedIn Profile
In recent years LinkedIn has became a very popular way of job searching, headhunting and generally progressing your career. So having an effective profile is the key to enjoying career success through LinkedIn. With LinkedIn now being the world’s largest professional network with more than 546 million users across more than 200 different countries (source: LinkedIn 2018). So it will come …
Perfecting your Graduate CV
If you are in your penultimate year then you should be thinking about applying for summer internships and graduate positions to give you the best chance upon graduation. Competition is fierce and normal graduate recruitment windows are between September and January before you graduate. Even if you are approaching graduation this coming summer then if you have not already been …
Why volunteering will help your prospects and your CV
Many people who have been on maternity/paternity leave, been unwell or have enjoyed a career break are worried how this gap of unemployment might be interpreted by a potential employer. A great way to do this is take on some volunteering activities. There are many benefits to volunteering including the following: Improve your confidence: If you have been in the house …
The Hidden Job Market
So the New Year is here and you are up to date with the jobs that are being advertised (and hopefully you have your CV ready!). However, how active have you been exploring the hidden job market? According to Forbes and other publications around 80% of all jobs out there are never actually advertised, they are hidden. Although this figure …
New Year…New Challenge?
The New Year always conjures thoughts of a new start, new challenges, New Year resolutions, with one the most popular being to start looking for a new job or even a whole new career (based on a recent YouGov poll and probably our own anecdotal evidence). There are several reasons the New Year is a good time to start looking …
Your Personal Brand Image – Have you Googled yourself?
So you have a polished CV, you have a great cover letter and an effective LinkedIn profile with several recommendations. You now stand a good chance of securing a job interview for positions you have applied for? Not necessarily. Do you know everything that is out there about you? Research shows that around 80% of employers search your name before …
Formatting tips for an effective CV
There are many tips available on what to include and not to include in your CV. The main advice out there is not to let your CV exceed two pages although there are exceptions to this rule. Many people struggle to effectively showcase their experience within two pages as they feel they run out of room. I therefore thought it …
Should you use a Professional CV Writing Service?
We have been asked by many people who are genuinely unsure if they should engage with a CV writing service, why it could be beneficial and how to pick between them. Some of the questions we have had are as follows: What happens if I am not happy with it? Is it different from other CVs or do you just …