Applying for a job part 1 - Stand out
When you send your CV off to a potential employer, remember that you won't be the
only one. Hundreds of other people could be applying for the job as well.
So what are you going to do to make you stand out from the crowd? Why should an employer
take a chance on you instead of someone else?
Your CV is your first real chance to sell yourself to a potential employer. Most employers
will scan through a CV in about 30 seconds so you need to grab their attention from
the start - and make them want to invite you for an interview.
There are five main areas to consider when writing your CV:
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Make sure your CV looks the part. Your CV should look clean and tidy
- don't scrawl it out on a piece of A4 paper. If you haven't got access to a PC or
printer, ask a friend or use your local library. Use a good quality paper and steer
clear of fancy borders and front covers.
-
Watch out for silly spelling and grammar mistakes. They make you
look lazy and show employers that you don't really care. It's not difficult to do
a spell check on your PC and if you're really stuck then don't just guess, reach for
a dictionary. Get a friend to read through your CV for you - a second opinion is always
useful.
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Make sure your CV is well organised. When you list your previous
jobs, make sure the dates are correct and try not to leave any gaps. If you took time
out to go travelling then say so - employers won't mark you down just because you've
tried something new.
-
Don't waffle. Remember that employers don't have time to read every
word of your CV. Long paragraphs and sentences put people off, so try bullet-points
to break up text. Make sure your CV is no longer than two pages long - employers don't
want your life history, they just want to see that you've got what it takes to do
the job.
-
Don't list any failures. Employers have enough trouble finding someone
who is right for the job - they don't need help finding reasons not to employ you.
If you have to include a mistake from your past, make sure you show the employer that
you learnt something from the experience.
Go to Part 2 - Keep it simple
Information provided on these pages is intended for general information
purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice.
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