Supercharge your job hunt: seven benefits of a great CV

Supercharge your job hunt: seven benefits of a great CV

by | Aug 19, 2013 | CV tips, Graduate CV tips, News, Working with a CV writer

Consider your CV not as an expense but as a means to raise your game, your profile, your confidence and your salary.

Here are seven reasons why investing your time, effort and hard-earned money in a great CV will pay dividends:

1.       A GREAT CV creates the right mindset

A professionally written CV really does put you in the right frame of mind for your job search.  If you look good on paper, you’ll feel good about yourself, about your skills, your experience and what you have achieved.  If your head is in the right place, and you feel confident and upbeat about your offering and your prospects, you’ll give out a positive vibe.  As they say, self-confidence will get you more dates than simply being attractive – self-confidence IS attractive.

2.       A GREAT CV reduces the legwork in your job search

A targeted, well-written and attractively presented CV will reduce the legwork in your job search.  You could continue to use your old CV, apply to hundreds of job adverts and, sure, at some point, you may get a response.  Maybe in a month, maybe in a year… who knows?  If you’d rather get results now and save yourself hours and hours of precious time, then a professionally written CV is worth the investment.

3.       A GREAT CV puffs up your chest with pride

Customers often say to me, ‘I didn’t realise how much I had actually achieved, until I saw it all written out on paper’.  Writing a great CV gives me a warm feeling but, more importantly, it gives the individual concerned pride in their accomplishments to date.  Week to week, year to year, there may be certain projects or challenges that give you a sense of achievement, but it’s not often you get to review all of your career highlights in one go.  It’s a revelation!

4.       A GREAT CV flexes your employability muscle

If you put forward the best possible representation of your professional self, you can truly test what the market thinks you are worth.  A confident summary will position you in the recruiter’s mind – if you recognise your own value, then others will consider you as someone who can command respect and a salary commensurate with what they know they can offer.   Test it out and see just how strong you are.

5.       A GREAT CV creates a buzz of excitement

A great CV can give impetus to your job search – you’ll be excited about it, you’ll want to share it and let people know what you have to offer.

If you have targeted your new CV to meet the requirements of a particular opportunity, your excitement will spread to your recruiter, who will be thrilled that you have made it easy for them to put forward a suitable candidate for their latest vacancy.

If you use your new CV as the basis to update your LinkedIn profile, your professional network will suddenly become aware of your skills and experience.  They may think they know you already, but a professionally written CV can uncover new insights and present you in a new light.  Once they are fully aware of what you have to offer, the next time a relevant opportunity arises, they are more likely to think of you.

6.       A GREAT CV offers a firm footing for the future

Whether you are just starting out or making a considered move from one role to another, your first step forward can be everything.  Get that first job right and everything can roll from there.  A new job can offer extensive learning opportunities (both on-the-job and through formal training), a chance to build and leverage a strong professional network and even develop prospects you never imagined you’d have.

A compelling CV is vital to secure that ideal job.  It’s worth the effort to write one as the rewards could be beyond your wildest imaginings.  If you put out a lacklustre CV, chances are that you’ll secure a lacklustre job.  You are worth more than that.  So go all out and choose the best version of your future with a first class CV.

7.       A GREAT CV increases confidence, helping you to stand tall

I’ve said it before, but this is worth repeating as it really is true, if you feel confident, you will stand straighter.  If you stand straighter, you’ll stand head and shoulders above other applicants.

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Giraffe CVs: The story behind the spots

Giraffe CVs: The story behind the spots

by | Jun 13, 2013 | News, Working with a CV writer

I’m Lis McGuire, founder of Giraffe CVs.  I’d like to share my personal story of how it all started.

The torch that lit the flame

A few years after leaving university, I worked for French Thornton, a niche London-based management consultancy.  The partners agreed to sponsor me to study for some marketing qualifications and, not long after I started my course, one of the founding partners gave me Charles Handy’s The New Alchemists as a Christmas gift.

Inside he wrote:

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I was inspired by his message, and though I didn’t think of starting my own business for another few years, you could say it was the torch that lit the flame.

 

My decision to set up on my own came once I had my first son.  At that time, I was working for CH2M Hill and commuting to Earls Court, London from Maidstone.  With a two-hour commute door-to-door, it just wasn’t feasible to continue, so I decided to leave my job and start up on my own.

 

I had written CVs throughout my working life: team CVs for consultancy staff; CVs for inclusion in $multi-million proposals; and CVs for friends who asked me for help.  Making this into my own business seemed a logical next step.

How did the name come about?

I’m often asked ‘Why Giraffe CVs?’  I always thought an animal name would work as animal names have character, are easy to remember and they encourage customers to connect.

Drawing inspiration from my son’s nursery wallpaper, I considered Lion CVs, Elephant CVs and Zebra CVs.  Though Zebra CVs nearly made the grade, I liked giraffes better and Giraffe CVs was born.

This turned out to be a great decision.  Many of my customers are drawn to the website because they love giraffes – giraffes have personality.  Every week, a new customer will ring me and the first thing they say will be ‘I need a new CV’ and the second will be ‘I love giraffes.’

In the early years, my marketing drew inspiration from the animal theme with messages including:

“Why let the monkeys get all the top jobs?”
“Are you missing out on the juicier leaves in the job market?”

Last year, I came up with a new strapline ‘Aim High, Stand Tall, Get Spotted’ which I feel encapsulates the purpose of my business whilst reflecting the qualities of the giraffe. 

Growing from small to tall

Starting small allowed me to build my brand on the merits of the service I delivered, and this has paid dividends over the years.  In fact, many customers from that first year of trading are still my customers now.

It is incredibly rewarding to witness the individual success of those who strive to improve their career prospects through hard work, training, seizing opportunities presented and, of course, a great CV.

Following my loyal customers’ progression has been a real pleasure, and each new promotion and career move has resulted in repeat business for Giraffe CVs.

Many are keen to recommend my services to friends and family members, and I recognise my duty to repay the recommendation by living up to expectations.