by Lis McGuire | Apr 7, 2014 | LinkedIn tips, News
Have you noticed that right at the top of your LinkedIn profile, next to your headshot, there’s a 120-character headline? No? You’re not alone. If you’re like the majority of LinkedIn users, you will have simply let the site populate your headline with the default information of your current job title and employer.
But it’s time to make a change because you could be missing out on one of the most simple and effective ways to stand out on LinkedIn.
The great news is that your LinkedIn headline is quick and easy to change.
Why your LinkedIn headline matters
If you Google yourself (or if anyone else Googles you), the chances are that your LinkedIn profile will be high up in the search engine results. Your headline could make all the difference as to whether someone clicks through to your profile.
When it comes to sales pieces, eight out of ten people read the headline; only two out of ten read the rest of the copy. Your LinkedIn profile is very much a sales piece in that it markets who you are and what your value proposition is to potential employers or customers. Your headline is a one-time only chance to grab attention, spark curiosity, promote your brand statement, communicate your core marketing message and showcase your expertise. And you have just 120 characters to get it right (no pressure!).
If you leave your LinkedIn headline as your job title and current employer, the chances are that you won’t entice anyone to read beyond it to find out more about you.
Crafting a compelling LinkedIn headline
It’s worth spending some time on your LinkedIn headline to get it right, simply because it’s arguably the most powerful part of the page with its sole purpose of acting as a hook to keep people reading.
Think about the following points before you start writing:
Who is your target audience?
What are they most likely to care about?
What is your speciality?
What is your value proposition? In other words, what do you bring to your employers or clients?
What keywords will people use to find you?
How can you show your creativity?
Ask yourself ‘so what?’ about every word you include in your LinkedIn headline. Why does that word or benefit matter to someone who might be looking for your skillset? If you can’t answer ‘so what?’ with a good reason, then that word needs to go.
What LinkedIn headlines make the best impression?
There are some fabulous examples of well-crafted headlines on LinkedIn. Broadly speaking, effective headlines are those that:
Highlight your expert status, e.g. Web copywriter loved by humans & search engines. Page 1 on Google & 500%+ web traffic increase in past 12 months.
Demonstrate your niche, e.g. Speech & Language Therapist| Specialising in aphasia & swallowing in young stroke survivors
Talk straight to the customer, e.g. Need an interview-winning CV? A professional CV writer securing interviews for professionals of all levels
Showcase your creativity or add a dash of humour, e.g. Award-winning children’s book illustrator who creates unique, quirky characters (& completely unbeatable at Pictionary)
So, hands up, is your LinkedIn headline your job title and current employer or have you grabbed the opportunity to stand out from the crowd with both hands? Why not share your headline in the Comments section below?
by Lis McGuire | Apr 1, 2014 | CV tips, News
You don’t have to be the Naked CV Writer or a Domestic CV Goddess to cook up a tasty interview-winning CV, here’s a foolproof recipe to feed one or more talent-hungry recruiters.
We are often asked about the ingredients for our interview-winning CVs and thought this tasty recipe would be an ideal way to share our perfect ingredients and tried-and-tested method for CV success.
Take your ingredients, mix them together and… Voila! You’re ready to serve up a finely balanced and effective CV!
Please feel free to use this infographic on your own website or blog using the embed code below.
by Lis McGuire | Mar 28, 2014 | Career change tips, Cover letter tips, CV tips, Job transition advice, News
This morning I received a little tweet from @GuardianCareers that resulted in a huge smile:
Guardian Careers tweet about Giraffe CVs
Giraffe CVs have been recommended by Guardian Careers as one of their top 10 experts on Twitter to help you get ahead with your career. Having searched for advisors who are ‘leading the careers conversation and who dish out top advice’, Guardian Careers named Giraffe CVs along with nine other careers experts who made the grade. Read the full article here.
We are truly delighted to be featured on the Guardian website. What a fantastic start to the weekend!
by Lis McGuire | Jan 21, 2014 | Interview Advice, News
This week concludes our three-part blog series: smart tips for interview success. Our third and final blog in the series focuses on what you can do AFTER your interview to position yourself for success.
In case you missed parts 1 and 2 in the series, you can link to them here:
Smart tips for interview success: Part 1 – Before the interview
Smart tips for interview success: Part 2 – At the interview
PART 3: AFTER THE INTERVIEW
How and when should candidates follow up after a job interview?
“Ideally, make sure that you check with the interviewer when they will let you know. This will give you a good indicator of if and when you may need to follow up. 1 – 2 weeks after the interview is usually a good ball park figure. Personally I would prefer an email or letter as the method of correspondence. A phone call can catch an employer off guard or at a bad time, whereas an email or letter can be dealt with at their own convenience.”
Leo Woodhead, Careers Advisor. Contact via Twitter @thecareersblog
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“The follow up to the interview can vary depending on the format of the organisation. If arranged via an agency, the candidate should phone their contact after the interview confirming the interview has taken place and give honest and professional feedback on how they feel about the job and the interview. The agency will contact the company and have a similar conversation with the interviewer and should then feed this information back to the candidate.
Interviews that have taken place following a direct application are dependent on the information the interviewer has given the candidate. If they had said a timeframe for the interview process and getting back to candidates, then this should be respected.
If no time frame has been given, I would suggest around a week, before giving a follow up call to the company.
If a candidate learns they have been unsuccessful in landing the job, it is perfectly acceptable for them to make a follow up call or send an e-mail requesting feedback on their interview.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
Does sending a ‘thank you’ letter give candidates an edge over their competitors?
“Sending a well worded and friendly ‘thank you’ letter can help to remind an interviewer of who you are. They might even have a closer look at your CV or have a little look over their interview notes again. All this puts you at the forefront of their mind and helps you to stand out from the crowd. If it’s well received it can help to show you’re professional side. Employers need professionals that can help their business run smoothly. Making that extra effort shows that you know how to communicate in a business setting and that can make a real difference when it comes to their final decision!”
Leo Woodhead, Careers Advisor. Contact via Twitter @thecareersblog
Don’t call us, we’ll call you. How long should a candidate leave it before following up after an interview?
“If you have the interviewer’s email address I think it is always a nice touch to email them after the interview to thank them for their time and to confirm that you are still very interested in the role. Keep your email short but sweet, there is no need to go over every point from the interview. If you haven’t received any feedback within three to four days I would recommend calling to see if there is any further progress with your application.”
Vicky Pachner, Director, Reem Recruitment. Contact via Facebook.
What is a reasonable timeframe for a candidate to take to consider a job offer?
“This is very much dependent on how you came across the vacancy. If this was your dream job; and you worked hard to secure the interview opportunity, it shouldn’t take you very long at all to decide whether you want to take the job or not.
If the role involves wider changes (e.g. a relocation, or extensive travel) to your lifestyle, you may need to have a conversation about it with your family.
However, this information is unlikely to surface for the first time at interview, and very likely to have been talked about in principle at an earlier stage in the process.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t take too long. If you’ve followed our earlier advice about never walking out of the door scratching your head, you should be able to reliably follow your ‘gut’ instinct. Never make the mistake of assuming you’re the only option on the table (you’re NEVER the only option, and you can rest assured they’ll be keeping other candidates warm in the meantime) so give yourself a maximum thinking time of 24 hours before responding with your answer. A night to sleep on it usually brings a huge deal of clarity anyway.”
Tim Burns, Managing Director, GPRS Recruitment. Contact via Twitter @gprsrecruitment
What kind of references should a candidate to be ready to provide?
“You should be able to provide at least five years of employment references, if you are a graduate, and haven’t been working for that long, then provide personal references. These should be given by tutors or professionals you have a strong association with, not family or friends. It doesn’t matter if your professional references aren’t in the same field as the jobs you may be applying for. They are there to guide prospective employers on your working capabilities including timekeeping, ability to handle pressure and performance.”
GradQuiz Contact via Twitter @GradQuiz
by Lis McGuire | Jan 14, 2014 | Interview Advice, News
Following on from last week’s blog, this week we continue Giraffe CVs’ three-part blog series: smart tips for interview success. This week’s blog, part two in the series, focuses on what you can do during your interview to position yourself for success.
We consulted with a number of recruitment and employability experts; asking them for inside advice and interview tips to help you succeed during your interview. We hope you enjoy their answers.
PART 2: AT THE INTERVIEW
First impressions count. What makes a candidate tick your boxes when they enter the interview room?
“The first impression should be of someone who is smart and appropriately dressed. They walk in with confidence, have a firm handshake and make good eye contact.
All of these things go towards making a good initial impression.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
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“Wearing a smart outfit, making eye contact, and smiling. It is important to show some enthusiasm – meaning that you want to be there and are interested in the job. I have heard about people who have turned up to the job interview, not showing interest and not presenting their best self.
Remember to be yourself, as the interviewer will want to know about the person with whom they will be interacting and find out if they will fit with the team.”
Sophia Husbands, GoGetterMe. Contact via Facebook or Twitter @GoGetterMe
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“This is so important. I can’t tell you how much it frustrates me and my clients when candidates turn up not suitably dressed. Unless you have being advised otherwise, you need to dress formally. I would always recommend wearing a matching jacket and trousers/skirt. Make sure everything is perfect: your tie is straight, your shirt is ironed and your shoes are clean. These may seem like minor details but they can tell an employer a lot about you.
Make sure you are prepared as soon as you walk into the building or office. Know who you are there to meet and greet everyone you meet with a friendly attitude. Although you may not be interviewing with those people, your interview begins as soon as you walk in the building. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and thank them for taking the time to see you.”
Vicky Pachner, Director, Reem Recruitment Contact via Facebook.
How can the interviewee ensure their interview is a two-way process?
“The most important thing is to have some questions of your own. Not having any questions at all makes you either seem uninterested in the process or so desperate for the job that you’re too nervous to ‘rock the boat’! An interview is an opportunity for both parties to see if the company and position will work for them.
Focus on questions that show you are interested in both your own development and the future of the company.
Avoid asking any questions that you could easily find an answer to in the job spec or company website and stay away from the usual clangers of asking about benefits or holidays.”
Leo Woodhead, Careers Advisor. Contact via Twitter @thecareersblog
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“During a job interview you will more than likely be given a number of chances to ask some questions, so it’s a great idea to have some prepared in advance. This is a great way of making an interview a two-way process. Here are some examples:
What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
What kind of work can I expect to be doing in the first year?
What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
What percentage of routine, detailed work will I encounter?
How much opportunity will I have for decision making in my first assignment?
How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured?”
More questions are detailed on StudentVine/GradQuiz Contact via Twitter @GradQuiz
What are the key non-verbal actions and characteristics to be mindful of?
“Interviews can be very stressful and the trick is to come across as calm. Walk confidently into the interview room, with your head held high and make eye contact with all of the interviewers taking part and give a firm handshake.
Sit down in a position that is most likely to be comfortable for a long period of time to ensure you do not have to keep repositioning yourself, but do not slouch! Keep hands folded together in your lap and do not fidget.
If you are being interviewed by a panel, try to respond directly to the individual that asked a specific question, but intermittently also look across to the other interviewers to maintain a sense of inclusion and conversation.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
Are there any ‘bad’ questions an interviewee can ask?
“There are guaranteed ways to annoy an interviewer, and asking silly questions is one of them! Some of the worst are asking what exactly the job you are being interviewed is. This shows a lack of initiative and that you haven’t researched the position prior to the interview – a big no-no!
Another deal-breaker question is asking how many days holiday you will get. While it’s a perfectly reasonable question, it’s not really one for an initial interview! It suggests you’re more concerned with benefits than the job itself.”
Bubble Jobs Contact via Twitter @BubbleJobs
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“Candidates need to know exactly what they are applying for and should not ask questions with answers that should be blatantly obvious to them.
Asking about money can also send out the wrong sign and should never be asked at the start of an interview!”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
How should you conduct yourself during a Skype interview?
“Being part of Skype interview can be quite daunting, but they are growing in popularity so it’s important to be prepared!
Don’t be too casual – even though you’re at home, you should make sure you’re dressed smart and act as if you were in a real-life interview room.
Also, make sure the room you’re being interviewed in is clean – no interviewer would be impressed with seeing a pile of dirty washing in the corner!
Finally, be natural, but take advantage of the set up and hide some post-it notes around your screen to give you a quick reminder when you’re struggling to answer a question.”
Bubble Jobs Contact via Twitter @BubbleJobs
What should a candidate be aware of when taking part in a telephone interview?
“Telephone interviews do not just happen, just as with a one to one interview you will know the time and date, so ensure that you are somewhere quiet where people know not to interrupt you.
Get yourself in the right mind set to take the call and stand and smile throughout the course of the conversation. This might sound strange, however human communication, according to some researchers consists of more than 50-70% non-verbal signs such as facial expressions etc. By having a phone conversation these communication tools are not available to you. Therefore standing and smiling whilst talking will help in you sounding positive.
Have a pen and piece of paper available to you and note the name of the company and interviewer together with the job title at the top, especially if you are applying for a number of vacancies.
Have a copy of your CV and the job description, if you have one, to hand that you can also refer to if required.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
How can interviewees demonstrate they are keen and have the right skills for the position?
“If they have done their homework properly leading up to the interview, candidates will be well equipped to demonstrate their abilities. When answering questions they should give examples of work/projects that they have undertaken that have given them the relevant skill set to deal with the role they are applying for.
Using the vacancy description as a basis for responding to questions can also help the candidate include details that although not specifically mentioned in a question, are relevant to the role and desirable to the potential employer.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
What advice could you offer a candidate on how they can close an interview?
“‘Closing’ an interview can be interpreted a number of ways.
It could literally mean, drawing it to a close; a nice, punchy finish.
It might also mean ‘closing’ in the sales-sense; your final chance to sell yourself; the elevator pitch.
Or, it could mean a clear statement of your intentions / feelings in light of everything you’ve discussed at the interview.
However you choose to interpret the concept, we have one, universally applicable piece of advice: Don’t walk out of the door scratching your head. Make sure you know exactly where you stand!
If you’re wildly enthusiastic, tell them so. If you need more information before you make a decision about whether they’re right for you or not (and remember, interviews may look like a one-way street but you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you) –then say so. If you’re not sure what they’re thinking about you – ask. Ask if there’s any other information they need to know in order to ascertain whether you’re suitable. Or, if you’re feeling confident, ask the interviewers if there are any areas in which other candidates have demonstrated particular strength, and in which they would find a cross-candidate comparison useful. They might not be able to give much away verbally, but body language is very telling. Read between the lines.”
Tim Burns, Managing Director, GPRS Recruitment. Contact via Twitter @gprsrecruitment
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“Candidates should ensure that you have a few relevant questions of their own to ask at the end of the interview, which demonstrate an interest in the organisation or industry sector. However, these should be kept relatively succinct as often interviewers will be conducting more than one interview after another.
Thank the interviewer for their time and confirm your interest in the position and give a firm handshake.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
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“I would say that they should thank the interviewer and also before the close, ask the interviewer if there was any area(s) where they needed further clarification. Often, if you are asked a question more than once, it is because the interviewer may not have found the insight they were looking for.”
Sophia Husbands, GoGetterMe. Contact via Facebook or Twitter @GoGetterMe
by Lis McGuire | Jan 6, 2014 | Interview Advice, News
Once your professional and compelling CV has worked its magic, and the recruiter has called you up, the next stage is the much anticipated and often dreaded interview process.
Preparing for, participating in and reflecting on the interview process raises a number of common questions and concerns. To address these much deliberated issues Giraffe CVs are proud to launch a three-part blog series: Smart tips for interview success.
PART 1: BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
This week’s blog, part one in the series, focuses on what you can do before the interview to position yourself for success. Giraffe CVs consulted with a number of recruitment and employability experts; asking them for inside advice and interview tips to help you proactively and properly prepare for your interview. I hope you enjoy their answers.
Are there any ways an interviewee can position themself in a positive way before the interview date?
“If done carefully the subtle use of social media to interact with a company’s social media executive can help to position you in a positive light. The important thing here is that whichever social media platform you’re using, it must sing from the same hymn sheet as your CV.
If it doesn’t keep your settings to private and step away from the keyboard as you will do more damage than good. However, if you have developed an online brand that shows you in a positive light, keep a look out for opportunities to add to a company’s conversation with useful insights or ideas, just be sure to remember that less is often more!”
Leo Woodhead, Careers Advisor. Contact via Twitter @thecareersblog
How can a candidate best prepare for an interview?
“Prepare three or four stories from your experience to illustrate why you can do the job. Know them inside out and draw on different aspects depending on the questions asked. The key is being relevant, so check carefully against the job requirements. Practice, practice, practice (find a friend to help). Learn some relaxation techniques if nerves are a problem. Do your research on the employer – and that means more than repeating back what is on their website. Find an excuse to ring up the employer before the interview so they remember you.”
David Shindler, Learning to Leap. Contact via Twitter @David_Shindler
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“Once you have been accepted for an interview, you know that the interviewer knows your skill set and is aware of any “gaps” you may have. Now is the time to go the extra mile to stand out from the other candidates.
Research the company, find out exactly what they do, how many offices they have etc. Basically, any information that you can use in an interview to demonstrate that you have taken an interest in and time to find out about your potential new employer.
Find out exactly where the interview is taking place and, depending on the location, it may be even worth trying out the route prior to the date. There is nothing worse than getting lost and arriving late and rushed to an interview.
Go back over your CV, especially if you have a couple of different versions depending on which type of vacancy you are applying for.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
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“Do research. If you don’t, you may as well kiss goodbye to that job. You would be amazed at the number of people who do this. Be up to speed with the latest facts and figures about the business, but also about the industry and wider trends that affect the business. Be confident that if you were given a copy of the Financial Times, you could easily choose two or three articles that relate to the organisation/industry you are interviewing for and explain what impact it might have on the organisation.
Form your own opinions. This conveys a sense of self-awareness. Someone who can think on their own. Make sure the opinions you form aren’t too radical for the business you are interviewing with. Especially if it is a conservative business. But if it’s a creative job, then let your imagination fly.”
Answer from Charlie Reeve, Head of Graduate Recruitment and Development at Arriva via StudentVine’s Inside Track Series. Contact via Twitter @GradQuiz
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“It is always a good start to find out about the company. Know what industry it is in.
Check out the latest media reports on the company, as this gives the impression that you are interested in the company.”
Sophia Husbands, GoGetterMe. Contact via Facebook or Twitter @GoGetterMe
How much should a candidate try to find out about their target employer?
“It’s not enough anymore to simply regurgitate what you can remember of the employer’s website when the opportunity arises at interview. It’s boring to the interviewer (they’ve already heard it 10 times that day) and it shows little initiative or originality.
Whilst to some extent, the appropriate depth of research is dependent on the level of position (i.e. research for an interview for an entry-level or transactional role, e.g. a sales assistant will be much less intense than research for a senior management or leadership position) good core information includes understanding the organisation’s mission, vision, and values, as well as factual information, including age, size (both in staff numbers and annual turnover), locations, history, partnerships, and recent news.
Role-specific information is often the most neglected area of employer research, but it’s one of the easiest ways to demonstrate capability, interest and passion. An accountant, for example, should seek out financial information that is relative to their role. A marketer should seek out information on target markets and product range, as well as making themselves familiar with social channels. In general, a good ratio of ‘generic’ and ‘role-specific’ information is 75%: 25% respectively.”
Tim Burns, Managing Director, GPRS Recruitment. Contact via Twitter @gprsrecruitment
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“An employer wants to know that you are interested in their company and industry. What are the employer’s strengths in their field or business area? What are they known for?
Sources include networking (online and face-to-face), online research (Google them), industry/professional forums and journals, newspapers especially business sections (printed or online), people you know who work there, have worked there or other people you know who have these connections. Speak to their customers or users and competitors.
What are their visible signs of success? What awards have they won recently? Visit their offices and look for plaques on the wall in reception, client or customer testimonies, share price and published performance indicators.”
David Shindler, Learning to Leap. Contact via Twitter @David_Shindler
How much should a candidate try to find out about their interviewer(s)?
“It is always good to try and find out as much as you can about an interviewer as again there may be something that drops into the conversation that will help you stand out from the crowd. Professional Social Media sites, such as LinkedIn, are a good tool for this.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
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“Just as the interviewer looks at your profile, an interview is two-way street. It is a good idea to find out about the interviewer’s interviewing style, for example whether they prefer competency-based style interviews, or tend to adopt a less formal approach to find out how you would fit into their team. One method of finding out is by viewing their profile on LinkedIn.”
Sophia Husbands, GoGetterMe. Contact via Facebook or Twitter @GoGetterMe
Should a candidate try to pre-empt questions and prepare specific answers?
“It is always good to anticipate the types of questions you may be asked and for some roles it’s easy to know what the interviewer is likely to be looking for. So definitely plan some general responses. However, do not become so focused on using your pre-prepared responses that you do not really listen to the question the interviewer is actually asking.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
Is there such a thing as over-preparing for an interview?
“Only if by doing so you become confused or overwhelmed with information. We all learn in different ways so find what works for you. Prepare so you peak at the right time. You will always face the unexpected and that means responding to unforeseen questions in the moment. Get used to thinking on your feet by seeking opportunities to be tested when unprepared. Employers want to know if you can handle uncertainty because that’s what happens in the workplace. Trust yourself and be yourself – you will know more than you think you do.”
David Shindler, Learning to Leap. Contact via Twitter @David_Shindler
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“I do not believe that you can be too prepared for an interview. What I do think can be the case, is that the candidate is so keen to show their knowledge that it detracts from the interview. Candidates need to keep in mind that an interview should be seen more as a conversation and is as much about them learning about the company and the role as it is for the interviewer to get to know the candidate.”
Pamela Hopkinson, Jobs in Food Manufacturing. Contact via Twitter @JobsinFoodMfr
Our three-part blog series, smart tips for interview success, will continue next Tuesday with part two: at the interview.
