How to write a CV

Each section of your CV – the work history, achievements, level of education, skills and so on – should stand out on its own merits. However, using a CV profile, personal profile, career objective summary or a competency statement is an effective way of ensuring that the purpose of your CV is absolutely clear to the reader from its very beginning.
When prepared correctly, a personal profile adds real value to a CV. Conversely, when it is inadequately planned and poorly written it can instantly disqualify you.
So how you go about ensuring your CV hits home?
First of all, it is helpful to understand the terminology. A personal profile can indeed be called precisely that and you can create a section at the very head of your CV which is entitled 'Profile'. Please note that calling it 'Personal Profile' is superfluous and unnecessary. In this profile you would display some or all of the following elements:
- A brief prose summary of your career, with particular emphasis on your current activities.
- A list of competency statements. A competency statement is a short description of your experience with a particular skill or employment function - e.g. sales knowledge, financial knowledge, technical knowledge, organizational skills, motivational skills, leadership qualities, etc. Save details for the CV by keeping the competency statements as brief as possible.
- A career objective statement - i.e. what you want to do and how your previous work experience or education prepared you for it. The career objective statement can be as precise or as general as you like and it will usually depend on the type of position you are applying for.
Any or all of the three elements above could be combined under a general profile header. Alternatively, you could split them up into discrete sections. In either case, remember to save the detail for later inclusion in your CV.
The key to making a personal summary work lies in closely analyzing an employer's requirements and mapping out your experience, skills and objectives onto these as precisely as possible. Using responsive language - i.e. feeding back to employers the same language and terms they themselves used - is one of the most important ingredients in constructing a winning CV profile.
For more information on how to write a CV and CV profile preferred by 93% of recruits and Employers, visit the CV Profile specialists. Read more...

I Just Finished an Interview – Now What? Best Post-interview Strategies

You worked hard to get an interview, you researched the company and you presented yourself well to the hiring manager. You left the interview feeling confident. Now what?

There are important professional steps you need to take whether you left the interview feeling like this would be the right next step in your career or not. If you want the position, you need to make sure the hiring manager knows you do and is strongly considering your qualifications and potential contribution. If you don’t feel this is the right position for you, make sure you have appropriate closure with the company to keep your professional reputation intact. Following are important steps you need to take if you do want the position:

Follow-up Steps
Interview Assessment

• The interview assessment is your analysis of how the interview went.
• Right after the interview, grab a pen and pad and write down what you think went well, and what you think needed some more clarification while it’s fresh in your mind
• Write down things you wish you had said, or questions you may have that you didn’t ask.
• You’ll need this information for your follow up correspondence.

If you are working with a recruiter call them soon after your interview:

• Report how the interview went while it’s fresh in your head
• If you want the job , your recruiter can help position you as the leading candidate, so they need to know what you think impressed the hiring manager during the interview. For example, if the hiring manager was interested in hearing more about your writing skills, furnish samples to your recruiter so they can provide themto the interviewer as a follow-up reinforcement.
• If you don’t want the job, the recruiter can help you bring the opportunity to closure and consider you for other positions.

Thank you note
It’s pretty standard knowledge that a thank you note is a vital part of the interviewing process, but what is unclear is what should be in the note. Merely thanking someone for interviewing you does nothing more than show that you are polite. What you want to do is reinforce why they need to hire you.

First things first, make sure you have the correct spelling and title for everyone you met with. It is acceptable to send your letter via email for quickest delivery or you can mail it as long as you send it right away so they receive it before they have made a decision. Make sure you either type the letter with a handwritten signature or that you have clear handwriting and that the stationary is professional with a matching envelope.

Here’s how to do it:

• Send a letter for each person you met during your interview.
• Personalize and customize each letter to relate to that particular interview.
• Express interest in the position – enthusiasm and passion for the position is a strong selling point. The assumption is that since they brought you in for the interview, you have the qualifications on paper. The interview is to gauge your personality fit with the company and just as important, your passion and excitement for the position. That is what makes you stand out from other candidates.
• Reinforce what you can contribute to the company. Remember that the interviewer wants to know what you can do for them. Discussing quantifiable results you have produced for previous employers gives them a greater ability to project your potential contribution than just a solid employment track record and great personality.
• Highlight additional information regarding a question you feel you didn’t answer strongly enough. It’s okay to say "upon further reflection…" or "In thinking back on the interview, I’d like to provide clarification on…." It shows that you are reflective and thorough.
• Always close the letter with the next step in mind such as "I look forward to the next step in the process, let me know if I can provide additional information about me that will help move the process forward."
• Don’t forget to include your contact information.
• Keep the letter concise and use bullet points where appropriate.
• If you were referred to the company by someone you networked with, also send a thank you letter to them to let them know about the interview. They may even follow up on your behalf with the interviewer.

Follow up call

• Assuming at the end of the interview you asked when you can expect to hear something, you will know that if you haven’t heard anything by then, it’s an appropriate time to follow up.
• If you are working with a recruiter, check with them to see if they or you should make a follow up call if you haven’t heard back yet.
• If you are independently interviewing, and you don’t have an expectation of when you should hear back, place the follow up call to ask where in the process they are haven’t heard back a week after your last contact. At that time, you should have something specific to say. Ask if they need to know any additional information to help with the decision-making process and reiterate your interest.

Getting the interview was an accomplishment. Presenting yourself as a strong candidate at the interview was another. The last thing you want to do is drop the ball before closing the deal. Follow up on every interview with as much professionalism as you showed to get the interview and you are sure to impress.

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How To Impress The Recruitment Agency And How To Deal With Interviews

When you've finished refining your CV for a particular role and you’ve composed an introductory letter or email to the firm or recruitment agency, read it back to yourself and ask "Would I want to meet/interview me?" What stands out as good or bad? What catches your attention and makes you want to read more? Is it relevant to the role(s) you are interested in? Ask an impartial friend to do the same.

Once you’re happy with this, send an email and follow up with a call. If this is to an agency, always clearly state which job you’re interested in or which types of jobs, if you’re not applying for a specific one.

Think about how you come across in person. There’s been research that states that interview decisions are made within the first two to thirty seconds. The rest of the interview is just somebody justifying their initial decision. So it’s a "gut feel" decision that may occur even before you shake hands. This applies when meeting recruiters too as they will be recommending you. For interviews, it’s all about preparation. Learn about your client/recruiter – how they communicate, how they dress, how they look. When you talk to them, watch their body movements. What’s the tone they use? What’s the speed they use to talk? You can also do that with their written communication – their website, annual reports, and press releases. The key to all this is communicating to your audience, so that it seems like you already work there.

Be honest, be yourself, but be specific about your experience and use examples. If you have experience in Further Education or Youth jobs and it’s directly related to the one you are applying for, demonstrate that with specific experience. Don’t talk too much and ensure you take time to listen and don’t interrupt! Show them you’ve done your research and why you are a good match for each other. Practice any potentially tough questions that may come up, as well as having some to ask them in return. Think about asking more interesting questions as opposed to self-serving ones such as ‘What’s the holiday allowance?’

Keep in regular contact with any agencies you are working with – make it easy for them to reach you, ensure they have all the information they need and that it is up to date. Ask an agency for feedback on your CV and also your approach and take on board their comments. This helps you and builds rapport with them. Also, be specific about your needs, be approachable and available and respond quickly. However, try to avoid the stalking routine of calling or emailing every hour! That isn’t helpful or welcome. Read more...

Gain the Know-How You Need to Do the Work-At-Home Job Search Successfully

Researching for legitimate work from home or what is most commonly known as "telecommuting positions", can be a difficult task and may open up some risk factors you are unaware of. To be successful at this you should know a few things up-front, as well as bona fide resources online that have more of a potential to start you off on the right foot, and in the right direction.

Telecommuting positions are projects such as freelance writing, "genuine" data entry assignments (not survey taking), full time or part time independent contractual work in many different fields, web design and/or content management

, customer service with inbound or outbound calling (most popular), sales and even employment

with health insurance, dental coverage (NOT discount benefits), and even 401K, that the work can be performed from your home office.

This can also be described as a non-traditional type of work (NOT multi-level marketing, network marketing or direct sales = you pay to join a company to work), meaning you won’t be required to work at the companies location or office. You’ll be given the opportunity to work from your home instead.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what this article is about we can now get into "how-to" search for authentic jobs online, all while avoiding scams, bait and switch offers, misleading MLM advertisements … etc.

Searching the Internet for legitimate work at home jobs (telecommuting position):

One of my most favorite authors and Information providers on the subject is Rat Race Rebellion. From this resource many people have learned how to do some pretty basic searches on Google for work at home jobs. They call it "Google Your Way to Telework Job Leads" on their website.

They offer very basic keyword phrases including the quotations that offer decent results on Google. What others have learned from this section of their site and also implementing their own creativity is you can find a variety of opportunities online once you know what to look for.

Using quotations in your search on Google will provide specific feedback on that keyword phrase alone. So for instance if you were searching for medical transcription work at home jobs you might consider searching with quotations.

For example:

"medical transcriptionist needed"
"seeking experienced medical transcribers"

These search results and providing the quotes before and after your keyword phrase will bring up all of those words in that order on each result, thus providing you with a much more narrowed result that may be more specific to what you are searching for.

Go give it a try on Google and see what I mean. Then come back and continue reading.

Now you aren’t only limited to Google.com. Try the following websites for even better results that are pulled from all over the Internet and job related only.

• Indeed.com
• SimplyHired.com

How to Identify Those Red Flags:

The most popular misrepresentation of a classified ad I’ve seen showering down on the Internet is an ad from a health benefits (non-insurance) MLM company affiliates.

The ad reads that they are looking for a Regional Sales Director, a Health Benefits Specialist, and I’ve even seen "Professional Recruiters Needed" title to the advertisement.

The title "implies" legitimacy and professionalism when rightfully it’s a ploy to get you to read on.

The creator of the advertisement means to draw you in with stating they offer you health benefits, daily pay and bonuses, which sounds good, but what they don’t tell you when you sign up for the "telephone interview" is that you will have to pay to join this multi-level marketing business.

To some that is viewed as a bait and switch and often not appreciated once the applicant finds out they must pay to join this business.

Now I’m not saying whatsoever that the MLM industry isn’t worth getting into, but I am saying that you need to be aware of what you are applying for and what it is you truly are willing to do to earn money from home.

Most don’t appreciate ads that subtly imply they are an employer.

For the MLM or direct sales industry it is always strongly suggested to gain some sales experience or outside training before committing to any monthly expenses in this field.

More advice:

If the advertisement doesn’t offer direct contact information, such as an email address (@companyname.com, not @gmail.com or yahoo.com) or preferably a website or contact number it may not be worth handing out your personal resume with your contact information.

If you choose to apply to such an ad that offers no or little contact information, just reply asking for additional information "before" you hand over your private details.

In addition you can often find reasonably level headed discussion on work at home leads by visiting the popular wahm.com forum.

The bottom line is your research into a company should be the first on your mind. Although more and more companies and individuals are hiring people to work from home and the industry itself is becoming more recognized as a legitimate way of earning money, it’s always a good idea to keep your wits about you before you apply and accept a job offer from a stranger or unknown company.

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Improve Surfing Balance With an Indoor Board

Have you ever wanted to know what it was like to surf, but didn't have a beach near you? Now there is actually a way for you to do this. What you need, basically, is a cylinder and a board. You place the cylinder on the ground, put the board on the cylinder, and then get on the board and balance yourself in mid air. It sounds a little crazy, maybe even a little too simple, but there's actually a product available for this, and it's called an Indo Board. By standing on this board and balancing yourself in the air, you can learn to balance yourself just like you would need to do on a skate board or a surf board. You can use one of these indoor balance boards to improve your current skating, your current surfing, or to prepare to learn one or the other.

Balance Boards Offer Tons of New Tricks

However, people who have an indoor balance board are discovering that while it does enhance their skating and surfing, it's also a fun sport all on its own. There are many videos online that show people of all ages doing all kinds of tricks on their indoor board. From hanging ten, walking from one end to the other, to ollying, or popping the board up in the air and then landing on it - still balanced on the cylinder - there are many tricks that can be learned.

Improve Skating and Surfing Balance

The indoor balance board is great for everyone who wants to have some fun on a board, whether you already skate or surf, or if you just want to find out if you have what it takes to get started in those sports. With this board, you can now learn to balance a skate board or surf board without getting scraped up on pavement and without even getting wet. The indoor board can be mastered right in your own living room, and it's a lot of fun to play with even on those days when the surf is flat or when it's too rainy to skate. Read more...