by Lis McGuire | Feb 9, 2015 | CV tips, Graduate CV tips, News
Behind the marketing message of your CV, there is always an element of a timeline, requiring you to remember and present a series of dates. Dates can make or break a CV, and further or diminish your suitability as judged by a recruiter. Here are some handy dos and don’ts of presenting dates on your CV.
Your date of birth
Don’t include your age or date of birth on your CV. It is not necessary, and including it could indicate to recruiters that you are out of touch with current requirements.
Don’t include an email address which clearly incorporates your year of birth – see above.
Dates within your profile
If you have an extensive history within a particular type of role or industry, do indicate the number of years you have worked in this field. A great place to include this information on your CV is in your profile, at the top of page one. Examples include ‘seven years’ experience at C-Level’ or ‘over 20 years’ learning and development experience’.
Dates within your career history
Don’t feel obliged to list your entire career history, outlining what you have done for the past 10 to 15 years is perfectly acceptable. It is better to show experience as relevant for a particular opportunity, than to outline all roles held since year dot of your career.
Do list your experience in reverse chronological order within each section, so that your current or most recent role is presented first. You can still split your experience into Relevant Experience and Other Experience, with relevant experience appearing first on your CV, but make sure that each section uses the reverse chronological format.
Do make sure that the dates in your career history stack up, ideally showing a seamless transition from one role or experience to another.
Recognising that not every jobseeker has a continuous career history, do explain any gaps in your career history in a clear and concise way. Using years rather than months and years is a good way to deflect attention from short gaps in employment, though if you have a gap-free career history, I’d personally opt for the month and year approach.
Do list dates consistently throughout your career history. If you indicate January 2003 – March 2005 as the dates you undertook one particular role, follow this format (full month name and year) throughout your career history. I tend to abbreviate dates within the career history to give the first three letters of the month name and the year, for example Jan. 2003 – Mar. 2005.
Don’t be tempted to fudge the dates. It might present a temporary solution, but truly it is not worth fudging your employment dates.
Do list your current role as <<insert date>> – Present. Writing Oct. 2003 – Jan. 2015 would suggest that you have completed this period of employment.
If you are not currently employed, and have only recently finished your last employed role, do indicate the month and year your employment finished. For example, listing Oct. 2003 – Dec. 2014 would clearly show that you have only recently finished your last employed role, whereas 2003 – 2014 leaves the reader unsure as to whether your role finished in January 2014 or December 2014, and if you have been unemployed since, this could make quite a difference to how you are perceived.
Do give the date (month and year, or just year) of a promotion to show career progression.
Don’t be afraid to group short-term contracts and projects of a similar nature under one date period. You may wish to indicate the duration of short-term contracts or projects undertaken, for example, ‘Delivered a six-month project to relocate the fish finger production facility, driving monthly production savings of £200k’.
Dates of education and professional training
Do list your education and professional training in reverse chronological order. You may wish to consider breaking the information up into two separate sections, depending on how many qualifications and courses you are listing.
Don’t always detail secondary school education. If you are a graduate with several years’ experience under your belt, or you have further tertiary education to list on your CV, there is no real need to list your A Level or GCSE qualifications, as these will have been prerequisite to your university education. Similarly, I often see non-graduate C-level executives wondering about whether to list A Levels or O Levels. In fact, this could then draw unnecessary attention to a missing degree, when the experience gained since school or university is far more relevant and compelling.
Do include the date of your degree if you are a recent graduate. If you gained your degree ten, twenty, or thirty years ago, then you can opt to list your degree without the date you acquired it.
Don’t include and list dates for every professional training course you have ever completed. Instead, think about what the reader will want and expect to see, and remove anything that represents white noise. As a general rule of thumb, do make sure you are consistent, so if you list the date you completed one course, follow suit for others.
Do show that your certifications are current. Some certifications expire after a number of years, so make it clear that yours are current by indicating the date of attainment and re-certification.
by Lis McGuire | Feb 2, 2015 | Uncategorized
Once your CV is finally ready, in all of its beautiful glory, there is one more immediate action you can take to optimise its success. I’m talking about the way you name and save your CV file.
The filename is a prime piece of CV real estate that is often overlooked by jobseekers. It’s one of the first things a recruiter will see, so it’s worth giving it due attention and respect. Read on to discover how.
An unoriginal or ambiguous filename won’t do your CV justice
First and foremost, avoid naming your CV ‘CV.doc’. This scarily original tactic will be used by countless other jobseekers, and once the file is outside the confines of your PC, there will be no immediate way to differentiate it from the files of the other applicants who have followed suit.
Other examples of ambiguous filenames include just initials and filenames which use complex naming conventions only recognised and understood by the creator. Sure, the recruiter may end up renaming your CV, but imagine how arduous (and therefore unlikely) that task could become once magnified to take into account all applications.
Examples of what NOT to do:
CV.doc
CV1763a3ss.doc
Using your name as your CV filename
The CV filename is actually a great way that candidates can position themselves in recruiters’ and employers’ minds.
Using your name within your CV filename will help the reader(s) to identify your document at a glance. Recruiters will know whose CV they are looking at straight away and every time they come across the file henceforth. Your CV will also be easier to locate at a later stage.
Best practice examples:
JohnSmithCV.doc
John_Smith_CV.doc
John-Smith-CV.doc
Your filename as a personal branding opportunity
Even if your CV filename isn’t a variation of CV.doc, chances are that you are not using this piece of CV real estate to its full potential.
Without going overboard, or coming across as an egomaniac, you can go one step further and use your CV filename to position yourself in the reader’s mind. Consider adding a keyword or two to describe your role or USP. Check out our recent blog on using keywords in your CV to ensure you select the right words for your specific target.
Best practice examples:
John-Smith-CV-CFO.doc
John-Smith-CV-Marketing-Manager.doc
John-Smith-CV-Procurement-Lead.doc
Examples we are not so sure about:
John-Smith-CV-the-BEST.doc
John-Smith-has-annihilated-all-sales-targets-since-2010.doc
John-Smith-CV-you-know-you-want-me.doc
Adding the date or year to your CV filename
People often add the year or date to their CV filename because they have a ton of CV versions on their PC, and it enables them to quickly identify the version they need. Adding the date or year won’t earn you any brownie points, as a recruiter will expect your CV to be bang up to date anyway. Worse still would be sending a file named along the lines of CV2009.doc – a clear indication that you haven’t updated your CV this year, or even this decade.
Examples of what NOT to do:
John-Smith-CV-2009.doc
Indicating version numbers on your CV filename
Using version numbers whilst preparing your CV is good practice. However, once you are ready to send your CV to a recruiter, I’d advise renaming your file in line with the guidelines above. Avoid using terms like ‘revised’, ‘final’, or ‘updated’. They don’t add any value once the CV has left your computer.
Examples of what NOT to do:
CVv9_2009.pdf
Smith20081201.doc
Using your CV filename to show your commitment to your target company
You could add your target company name to your filename to send a message about your commitment to this role. If you do this, remember to change it for future applications!
Best practice examples:
John-Smith-CV-CFO-GiraffeCVs.doc
John-Smith-CV-Marketing- GiraffeCVs.doc
Filename best practice
Try to keep it brief. Many computer systems only show the first 24 characters including spaces.
Use your name first in the filename, this is the most important information you need the recruiter to see.
Capitalise letters to separate words or use spaces, dashes (-), or underscores (_) to achieve the same effect.
Don’t use forward or back slashes (/ or \) or full stops (.)
A note about file compatibility
Before sending your CV, check if the job advert or employer careers site specifies the file format you should use. If not, .doc and .pdf are good choices.
By saving your CV as a Microsoft Office Word 97-2003 and pdf file, you can help to ensure that the reader can open it, and see it as you do, regardless of what version of Word they have.
If you create, save, and send your CV in the latest version of Microsoft Word (.docx), and your target audience is using a previous version, it could throw out your lovely formatting and make your carefully presented CV look a complete mess.
PDFs show your document exactly as you created them. However, sending your CV as a .pdf alone may not get it through the applicant tracking system. If in doubt, send your CV as a .doc and a .pdf.
What to do when you are sending more than one document
If you’re sending more than one document, for example, a cover letter or a publications list, make sure the files follow the same naming conventions. Also, make sure you save and send all files in the same format. Use the same version of Word to create each file, and if you create a pdf for one, do the same for all. This consistent approach demonstrates attention to detail.
Examples:
JohnSmithCV.doc
JohnSmithCoverLetter.doc
OR
John_Smith_CV.doc
John_Smith_CoverLetter.doc
OR
John-Smith-CV.doc
John-Smith-CoverLetter.doc
by Lis McGuire | Jan 19, 2015 | Graduate CV tips, News
An internship is a much-coveted, experience-gathering, employability-boosting, and CV-enhancing work placement which can hold equal appeal for participants and recruiters alike.
They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from a few weeks to a year or more, with some paid and some unpaid. Regardless of format and remuneration, one thing is for sure: internships are hot currency in today’s graduate job market.
Read our 15 top internship tips on how to make the most of this experience and optimise the impact it has on your professional development and future career.
#1 Show up, physically and mentally.
Dressed well, on time, with a smile, and a trunk full of work ethic. As an intern, you must be ready and prepared to learn.
#2 Be prepared to take baby steps.
Accept that you WILL be asked to do tasks that you feel overqualified for and realise that, in doing them, you will gain a valuable insight into what makes your placement company tick, from the ground up. Carry out these tasks well and with a smile and, before you know it, you will be asked to perform tasks which have a little more meat on their bones.
#3 Stop, collaborate and listen.
Channel Spongebob and soak up everything you can. Open your ears and try to hear what is really going on all around you. You may not see the value in what you hear immediately, but there will indubitably be some golden nuggets to pick up which you can mull over and learn from.
#4 Read up.
Complement your real time insight gained on the job with research into the company’s vision, mission, press releases, collaborations, industry challenges etc. This will give you a better handle on what is going on and enable you to understand day-to-day office life in a wider context.
#5 Ask.
If you are unsure on a system, process, or task then ask those around you for practical advice. Pick an appropriate time (i.e. not an hour before a client presentation or when a proposal is due to fly out the door) and ask for the information you need. This demonstrates willingness to learn and can appeal to and flatter the ‘inner expert’ in the person you consult.
#6 Be proactive.
Step up and show willingness to assist before being asked to help.
#7 Take advantage of what is on offer.
I don’t mean empty the office fridge or take advantage of your work colleagues’ kindness, just make the absolute most of the learning opportunity you have been given.
#8 Reach out but don’t kiss ass.
Don’t assume the person you need to impress is at the top. Impress at all levels, connect with colleagues, and build a network. If it feels right, you could invite your new contacts to connect with you on LinkedIn.
#9 Only compete with yourself.
Internships should be considered as a personal learning experience, not a competition or continuous battle for one-upmanship with fellow interns. Remember that we are all on our own journey, so rather than trying to compete with your peers, compete with yourself. Ask yourself what YOU could do better, how YOU can be getting more out of the opportunity, and go for it.
#10 Be yourself.
You are the only you and whilst you are there to learn, realise the value of what you personally can bring to your own experience and those around you. Whether it’s a positive mental attitude, bags of energy, or an ability to see problems differently, bring it to your internship and make it work for you and the team.
#11 Take your passion and make it happen.
Your internship might be hard work at times, but remember why you are doing it, keep your end goal in mind, and see it through. Envisage your bright and beautiful future. It is waiting for you.
#12 Give something back.
Consider making your internship more of a two-way street by meeting with the company’s social media or marketing team. Offer to guest blog on your internship experience for the company website, feature as an interviewee in the company newsletter, or tweet on the progress of your internship. This can be good PR for your placement company and boost your chances of getting your name known and remembered for the right reasons.
#13 Don’t burn out.
As an intern, you should be prepared to work hard, but remember that work should ultimately be something you enjoy. It’s not worth winning at any cost.
#14 Show gratitude.
Whilst you are there, show you are thankful for the opportunity by making the most of it. When your internship has finished, say thank you to those who hired you and those who helped you. Manners cost nothing.
#15 Take time to reflect.
How you present your internship on your CV is as important as how you perform during the internship. Every few days, take some time to reflect and recap on what you have learned and how you have contributed, then note it down to build your CV.
Giraffe CVs help would-be interns to secure a coveted internship by delivering compelling, interview-winning CVs. We also help those with an internship under their belts to present it on their CV for maximum effect.
by Lis McGuire | Jan 13, 2015 | Career change tips, Job search advice, Job transition advice, News
When you CTRL ALT DEL your computer, it’s usually because something just isn’t working and you need to shut down the offending task so that you can get back to business as usual.
Do you ever wish you could CTRL ALT DEL your career? You’re not alone. Sometimes we hit a point where we feel frozen – the human equivalent of ‘Not responding’ – or a particular aspect of our job stops running smoothly. If your career is suddenly at a standstill or you want to find a direction that’s a better fit, then it’s time to press CTRL ALT DEL and reboot your professional operating system.
Reboot or reset
If you’ve ever called a PC helpline or spoken to someone techy about your computer problems, the first question they’ll ask is ‘Have you rebooted your PC?’ It’s amazing how many idiosyncrasies and niggling problems can be sorted out just by switching a computer off and then turning it back on again.
In many ways, we humans are the same. We get overloaded with information and data, processing everything until we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, we need to switch off and reset too.
Before you begin your job search, it’s important to take a step back. Book some time off work if you can, switch off from the stress of projects and deadlines for a while. Then, away from the hustle and bustle of the office, earmark some time to think about your current job.
How do you feel about it when you’ve had some downtime? Are there aspects of your job that you could change or improve without needing to leave? Is there someone at work that you can talk to about how you feel? Do you have a sinking heart feeling about going back to work or does it still make you feel challenged and excited once you’ve had the opportunity to reboot?
Identify the problem
If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you feel the time has come to move on to pastures new. Before you start your job search, it’s important to identify what isn’t working for you in your current role, as well as what’s working well, because that will help to define the deal breakers when applying for any future position.
What do you like about your current job and what gets you down? What are you looking for in your next job? Do you want a similar role, more responsibility, or do you want to move into a different role or industry, capitalising on your transferable skills?
By assessing what works for you and what doesn’t – a bit like running a scan to pinpoint the problems – you can come up with a plan of action for your job search.
Defrag your CV
Your next step is to dig out your CV. When was the last time you refreshed it? Does it include your latest skills, experience, and achievements?
As well as updating the information included in your CV, it’s also important to check it over for flabby bits that need trimming. Are there sections that would flow more smoothly if they were pulled together? Is there duplicate information? Are you wasting valuable space with unnecessary information such as ‘References available on request’ or too much detail about irrelevant hobbies? Now is the time to make sure all your information is in the right place.
Although you can create a generic CV as a starting point, it’s important to adapt it to complement the job for which you’re applying. Reflect the language used in the job description and show how you fulfil the essential and desirable attributes of the ideal candidate.
Upgrade
Is there anything blocking you from the next step in your career? Perhaps not having a particular skillset or a lack of experience in a specific area is making you feel like there’s a firewall preventing you from accessing your dream job?
If so, now might be the time for an upgrade. Is there training you can take to improve your management skills? Would working with a mentor help you tackle the challenges of a leadership role? Do you need to learn new computer skills or get more hands-on experience?
If you don’t have the time or resources to upgrade, don’t panic! There may be a workaround. You can still be a successful applicant by demonstrating how you’ve been able to learn a similar computer program quickly, or that you have the transferable skills that will enable you to succeed in your new role. You can use your CV to show how you’ve risen to challenges in the past, or how you’ve grabbed every opportunity to learn and grow in your career.
Call an expert
Sometimes pressing CTRL ALT DEL is just the start and even after a reboot, refresh, or defrag, you need to call in a professional.
Having an expert review your CV may make all the difference to getting your career and job search unfrozen and back on track. A professional CV writer will be able to look at your career history objectively, highlighting your achievements and reframing skills you take for granted so that they leap off the page to prospective employers.
A professional eye can be a great time saver too. Instead of you spending hours trying to make your CV work, an expert CV writer knows what works and what doesn’t and can give your CV that all-important refresh in half the time.
If you think your CV would benefit from an expert eye, why not try our free CV review service for starters?
by Lis McGuire | Jan 5, 2015 | Job search advice, Job transition advice, News
This week, I’m pleased to introduce a guest blog by Ashleigh Harman at Portfolio Payroll, a recruitment agency who specialise in recruiting qualified professionals into the payroll industry.
Portfolio Payroll have put together some tips on how to build a successful job seeking campaign around your CV, in order to help you land your dream role.
Building a successful job seeking campaign
It is important to approach your job seeking efforts in the same way you would a marketing campaign for a brand. Here you should think of yourself as the product and your CV is the vital document explaining the qualities and benefits of the product or service. Like any marketing campaign, content which is influenced by the product should then be created and used to leverage existing contacts as well as attract new ones.
Follow the below tips to building a job seeking campaign that allows you to portray your personal brand using stand-out content.
How important is my digital persona?
A survey by ExecuNet recently revealed that over 77% of recruiters use search engines to research candidates. Whilst this can seem daunting it actually provides job seekers with a perfect opportunity to tell potential employers a little more about themselves.
Whilst you are putting efforts into building a positive and professional online profile, it is vital to ensure that existing online content baring your name is appropriate to be seen by prospective employers. Ensure that you have set the appropriate social profiles to private and any content including blog posts, pictures and videos that may not be appropriate have been removed.
Creating an online profile
Creating an online profile does not have to be difficult; you could start by creating a simple website that enhances the information on your CV. Let recruiters and potential employers find out more about you as an employee by providing references and examples of your work alongside details of your qualifications and past experience.
Although job advertisements highlight the required skills and experience a role requires, employers are also looking for a personality that is the right fit for their company.
Starting a blog is a brilliant way to give your online profile a personal voice. Getting your blog started on a dedicated blogging platform can be a simple half an hour task. Professional bloggers recommend writing and sharing at least one high quality post a week, choosing topics and news stories specific to your industry. Blogging allows you to take an active role in commenting on the industry thus proving your knowledge of working practises and your dedication to your career.
Approaching employers
When you have your heart set on working for a particular company, applying for a vacancy can be incredibly nerve wracking. However, by taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that particular employers already know your name.
Build a working knowledge of the way different companies operate – this will help you formulate an appropriate approach for contacting individual businesses when looking for an available position.
Send a hard copy of your CV to the company you wish to work for – include a cover letter explaining what it is you admire about their company and why you wish to work for them. Remember, companies enjoy flattery as much as people do.
Follow the company on social media- this will allow you to keep up to date with what they are doing.
Occasionally like, comment or share their posts – this will help your name to be remembered around the office, so when you make your application to a vacancy they can see that you already have an active interest in the company.
Utilising social media
LinkedIn should by now play a vital role in your job seeking campaign. This tool is used prolifically by recruiters and is a popular option for employers looking to find out more about candidates. To ensure you are fully utilising your LinkedIn profile follow the below steps.
Fill in all vital information in your profile, this is a perfect opportunity to expand on the information on your CV.
Upload examples of your work to complement your experience and prove your skills.
Ask past employers and people that you have worked with to leave recommendations and endorsements on your profile.
The importance of building a professional profile
Creating an engaging and informative CV will always be the most important part of any job seeking campaign, as it is not only a standard format across industries but it is but is also the best way for you to quickly communicate your skills and experience. However, with such high competition for job vacancies, building a professional public profile online has become an increasingly important component to the job hunt.
Building a profile and feeding it into your job seeking campaign will not only demonstrate to prospective employers that you are capable of completing a range of the tasks detailed on your CV, but it will also provide the employer with a better understanding of your personality and how you would fit into and benefit their business.
Ashleigh Harman is a Digital Content Writer for Portfolio Payroll, a recruitment agency who specialise in recruiting qualified professionals into the payroll industry.
