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GET A GREAT CV - GET A GREAT JOB!
Take a deep breath, grab a drink - coffee, tea, gin! maybe a biscuit (or two)? Now, are you sitting comfortably with no distractions? When you read your finished CV it should make you feel proud, confident, relaxed and happy, this is someone an employer is going to want to hire, so to help you get there, writing your CV should be a joyous task, celebrating all the best things about you! This is your moment to SHINE and it is always a good time to get your CV ready. Whether you are in work, actively looking for a job or even if you've just taken on a new role, keep your career profile updated. It's frustrating to see a job you want, and not be able to apply because you haven't updated your resume in years! My advice is to always update your CV at the start of each job / promotion you take, write about your new role while you are full of enthusiasm because it can be hard to reflect positively on a role once you have left it behind you. Your CV should be an ever-evolving record of your skills and achievements, reflecting who you are TODAY, not who you were when you first put it together. Don't wait to find the job you want before updating your CV, it will be a rush job! Do it now and take time to ask yourself these questions;
If it is time for an overhaul, there is plenty of free support out there to get your resume looking smart, professional and application ready! Here at Sunshine Recruitment Solutions we offer free CV advice and a free CV writing service - to use this service simply click the button below and attach your old CV (if you don't have a CV yet, don't worry, a quick phone-call to us 01983 215777 and we can get you started). There are also plenty of other great sites available for writing a CV like www.jobulo.com designed to help you with updating and improving your resume. So shop around to find support that suits you, but do look for services that are completely FREE!
TIP: DO NOT PAY FOR SOMEONE TO WRITE YOUR CV! You will be wasting money, as even a quick google search will find hundreds of sites offering free professional support, plus, if you are registered with a reputable recruitment consultancy, they will naturally support you with your CV for free to ensure your application is as strong as it can be. One question I am frequently asked is, "Can my CV be longer than 2 pages?". In my opinion there really are no hard and fast rules to follow on this. As a recruiter, I don't mind how long a CV is, so long as the content is relevant. I love a 4 page CV if it is filled with interesting , relevant information, but I do NOT love a 4 page CV that is repetitive and brimming with 'fillers' . If you have a wealth of experience, do it justice, and don't leave out important facts just to fit it on the page. When writing / updating your CV, try to stick with facts and figures in a clear and easy to navigate format and please please please, list your most recent role first and then work backwards, what you were doing 15 years ago is definitely less interesting for busy employers than what you were doing last month. If you want to elaborate on your key skills and make your application more personal, be sure to also have a cover letter, where you can showcase a bit more of your own personality. As a recruiter I personally think it's unrealistic for applicants to follow advice to 'rewrite' their whole CV for every job they want to apply for. It is time consuming and transparent, and can even make an employer think your CV is not genuine! Personalising your application is vital, but that is what your Cover Letter is for. TIP: USE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. Job applications are almost entirely viewed in digital format now, with online applications being the preferred method used by employers. However, lots of people still treat their CV as a paper based document not utilising the added value of digital platforms. You can add links to the websites of former employers directly into your work history, you can showcase projects you have worked on or link to a portfolio of your work. Plus you can use social media to your advantage, by linking to sites that accurately represent your professional self, if you have an up to date LinkedIn account I would strongly recommend adding the link to your CV and if you are a creative professional, Instagram can be a fantastic way to show employers what you can do. Remember; not all social media sites are relevant for your CV . I would steer clear of adding any personal accounts like Facebook or Twitter to your CV and if you are job-hunting, I would advise reviewing all your profile pictures and ensuring your personal accounts have been locked down, so you can control what information potential employers have access to. So if you are embarking on a CV update, get yourself the right tools, be creative with digital applications and if you need support get in touch! Good luck with the job hunting! Katy Harwood (DipRP, FIRP) Founder - Sunshine Recruitment Solutions 
For additional free support and advice you can call us for a confidential phone consultation - 01983 215777 |
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