building your cv

The Search is On
Make Your CV Stand Out…
Believe it or not, recruiters will form their
first impression of you based on your CV. So
make sure it is typed, includes your contact
details, reflects your education & skills and
provides a summary of any work experience
you may have gathered in your free time. Keep
it brief and make it look professional.
Plan Your Work…Work Your Plan…
Make a list of contact people, telephone
numbers and email addresses of people that
will take you a step closer to getting that
position you’re seeking. Remember that your
job is to find a job, so wake up early, start
exploring the internet, scanning newspapers
and calling recruitment agencies.
Watch the Clock
Maximise the time you have available to you by
making it your full-time occupation to find
that job that’s going to take you a few steps
closer to your dreams. Treat every day like a
working day and don’t take unscheduled
breaks. Spending hours on Facebook or
watching TV will not find you your dream job,
so get productive and get working.
Get Computer wise
All employment unlimited branches provide free computer-based
assessments on more than 900 software
packages (ProveIt). We also offer the
opportunity to upskill on the popular software
packages including MS Word, MS Excel and MS
PowerPoint. So visit your nearest Employmentunlimited
to find out how you can get computer wise.
Shoot to Score
Target your efforts on the job categories &
industries you wish to work in and where you
can make good use of your expertise. It makes
no sense sending your CV to employers, or
recruitment agencies who cannot make use of
your unique skills set. This simply wastes
precious time which could have been used
focusing on the right job opportunities suited
to your personality & skills set.
Hit the Books
By studying further you’re positioning yourself
as a more valuable employee; a good place to
be when you’re on the hunt for the job you’ve
always imagined would one day be yours. Make
sure you select a degree, diploma or short
course that is in line with the career you wish
to pursue.
Work the Grapevine
Let as many of your friends, family and
acquaintances know that you’re in the job
market because it really is true that it’s not
what you know, but who you know. Employers
tend to trust referrals from existing members
of staff.
Broaden Your Horizons
Make sure you don’t have your blinkers on
because focusing on only one industry narrows
down the opportunities available to you. Many
jobs provide access to a wide range of exciting
sectors. Call centres is one such example,
because you can work in finance but you can
also service the telecommunications or
government industries by doing the same job.
Clock-Up Experience
Take any opportunities that will build your
knowledge of the working world. Work for a
charitable organisation or volunteer at the
church, you never know how these initiatives
might expand your knowledge of positions
available in the job market. Another positive
outcome is that this sort of pro-activeness
shows initiative to potential future employers.
Don’t Hold Out
Do what it takes to get your foot in the door
of the workplace and don’t be hasty in
declining a position that you don’t consider to
be perfect. No working experience is ever
wasted. You can always continue your search
for the perfect job while you boost your CV
and cover the bills at the same time.
Consider Going Flexi
Working flexi time is an excellent way to gain
entry into the workplace and acquire valuable
work experience while doing it. Remember that
you’ll need basic computer, telephone and
office administrative skills. Great
communication skills and a “can-do” attitude
are definitely great attributes to have.
Carpe Diem
Seize the day and be passionate because you
can only be great at your job when you love
what you do. So feel the love and be positive
about the work you do.
Take a Leap of Faith
If you see an opportunity put on your
entrepreneurial hat and take a leap of faith by
starting up your own business. This takes hard
work, dedication commitment & more often
than not, long hours. Sometimes the only way
to get a job is to create one and if done right
can be very rewarding, so think carefully about
starting a business.
Turn Your Interview into a Job Offer
Your plan has worked and you’re being given
an opportunity to meet with your potential
employer face-to-face. Make sure you clinch
the deal by remembering the basics that
follow:
1. Be Prepared
Good grooming, a great attitude,
enthusiasm about the job at hand and a
visible interest in the employer
interviewing you are the ingredients you
need to secure that letter of offer. Make
sure you know where you’re going so that
you can arrive at the interview calm and
unflustered. Plan to be in reception at
least 10 minutes before your meeting is
due to commence. The golden rule is
without a doubt: Never ever be late! This
will undo any good impressions your
potential employer may have formed
before meeting you.
2. Image is Everything
Look the part of a professional person
that knows how to conduct themselves in
the working world. Complete any
necessary forms neatly because your
handwriting conveys an important
message about who you are. Always
remember that first impressions last.
3. Be Your Best You
Be confident and proud of who you are.
Shake hands firmly and look your
potential employer directly in the eye.
Listen carefully and choose your words
wisely. Avoid controversial topics of
discussion and stick to the questions at
hand, answering them honestly and
openly.
4. Do Your Homework
Engage in as much preparation for the
interview as possible. Research the
company on the internet for interesting
facts and figures that might pertain to
your future position. Have a firm idea of
the salary you have in mind and always
have a spare copy of your CV with you.
Put in some time in front of the mirror
answering difficult questions about your
potential weaknesses and responding to
hypothetical situations that might arise.
This will ensure you won’t be caught off-
guard when it counts the most. Don’t just
be a job seeker, be a great job seeker
and the job of your dreams may just
come your way. Conduct yourself while
you’re on the search for a position, as
you would in the workplace and you’ll be
making a contribution in the world of
work sooner than you thought possible.