There are many reasons why you should consider putting together a Starter CV. Look at a CV as an historical document, outlining and presenting to another person your personal and work history i.e. education achievements, significant events, personal goals achieved. As you move from the educational system through to other stages of personal or professional development and/or the employment mainstream. Because it is your historical document a CV can be used for almost any purpose depending on your life decisions, and anywhere a summary history of what you have done is relevent and useful. For example, post graduate courses, temporary jobs, community or charity schemes you may want to take part in.

The key advice here is to think about what you want to achieve as a next step and mould your CV details appropriately.

Key pointers;

»  Presentation is important so do not underestimate it, format your CV document to show a formal professional structured style.

»  Make sure grammar and spellings are correct. The last thing you want is to fail because your CV is poorly written. Ensure punctuation is correct and sentences are not too long, or you continually start a sentence with 'And'....

»  Provide a brief introduction of yourself and try to bring out more of your personality. This is an opportunity to include [brief] details of what you have achieved.

»  All educational and work experience should be in reverse chronological date order, meaning the most recent details come first.

»  Personal details should be clear and correct at the top of the page. Name, no need to mention if you have middle names, address, complete in case correspondence may be sent to you. A correct telephone number should be given, avoid one which will not get to you most time as this can be very frustrating if someone wants to clarify any details and cannot get hold of you. If you don't mind including you age then do so, if you have an opinion against it then leave it out, your choice. Avoid unusual named email addresses, such as bloggerkingjohn@email address. Make sure it is sensible and is clearly identifiable as your name. The last thing you want to avoid before you start is an adverse first impression.

»  Be honest, life is easier that way and you will feel more confortable when questioned about any aspects of your CV history. As a Starter CV it would not be expected to have masses of background information, so do not pack it out with too many words, and avoid waffle.

»  If you have written your own CV then it makes perfect sense to ask a person you trust to review it. Another pair of eyes will more likely to provide valuable feedback which is important to shaping the final CV contant. Always see review comments as constructive, as all too often we these as criticism, which is missing the point. The more input into any work provdes a better published end result.

If you have been employed for some time then your first CV could be at a time when you have decided to make a career change. For the vast majority of people the only way to move in the employment is by a CV leading the way. Or you simply have a CV which is out of date and no longer is a true reflection of your work advancements and experience.

Leaving out specifics of formatting and presentation which will vary according to what emphasis is placed on each CV, the same fundimentals are the same as for the Starter CV. However, but with some very important additions;

»  It is important to think about how you have personally and professionally developed during your working life. All too often we forget the details and what we have achieved. Instances like this are when you have taken the initiative in solving a work related problem. Or possibly where you have provided the lead and colleagues have followed your guidance.  These instances may only have been one-off, and not part of your general work authority, but they are important because they demonstrate your ability of problem solving, but also the potential to take on more responsibility such as team leadership. So think hard about even the small details of your experience, because within them they contain much more value to you and future employers as examples of your future potential.

»  You must mention all training courses attended that have developed your skillset further, e.g. leadership/management training, finance or presentation courses?

»  Have you moved temporarily to another department on secondment and learned new skills? It is somewhat in our nature that we do not always understand what we do in the workplace. Situations can arise every day which we respond to naturally, but the question is do we understand what we have done in any given situation? The answer is generally no until we start to think about it.

»  Always make reference to your job title even if it is only a temporary position, such as interim Store Supervisor. This shows that the organisation clearly thought you were good enough to stand in, and is a good indicator that your career is on the rise showing your potential. mention them on your CV.

»  It is a good idea because you have some experience to project on your CV where you believe your work interests lie for further career development. After all you may have experiences of more than one job role therefore can lean towards a preference. For career changes or information for new employers this can be important.

»  Again get a review of your updated CV before submitting for any job role. It is surprising what a conversation can do with someone who understands about the image you are projecting to others through the presentation and content within your CV.

»   If you are called to an interview, be prepared to have all certificates mentioned in your CV. Gone are the days when your word is taken, with more employers wanting to see the original documents.

»   You will not need to include your references on your CV, but be prepared to take them with you for an interview. Like documentation more employers will seek out references before making any offer of the position. Also it is a good idea to prepare your referees beforehand of any potential contact.

The professional CV is different to that of the Intermediate CV content because of the nature of the type of work or specialism someone has undertaken during their working life. A career in medicine, legal or finance will be the type of professions this will apply to. It could be said that work is much more career based achievement at specific levels within a chosen profession.

Though one can quote particular formats for presenting a CV type, actually they are all more or less bespoke efforts and whatever presentation and headings used are very much dependant on detail and presentation required. For example an internal CV will be different to an external application. It would also depend on the career step, as mentioning transferable skills may be significant. As the saying goes it is 'horses for courses' and each CV written is a finely tuned historical document which is individually specific and mapped to the role applied for.

Almost certainly a Professional CV must be accompanied by a Profesional Profile or Cover Letter. Keeping the CV to 2/3 at the most pages will be difficult, but this can be mitigated if supplimented further. Whatever the final documents the profile, letter and CV must be so aligned and complimentary that they provide a distinguished and concise understanding of the candidate which reflects the essentials of the career based history, attitude and committment to achieving objectives.

Important tips;

»  Do not be modest in your achievements. The tone of the language you should use is what you have done to make the difference. Lead the sales team, project managed a major strategic project, developed processes to cut corporate debt. A professional CV should set to out from others that have simply performed their role to the job description.

»   Mention your achievements in monetary terms. If you have delivered a project which has brought £100,000 business benefit, then say so.  Employers and recruiters want to see what you have done and the scale in monetary terms because it shows your contribution directly to business benefit and profits.

»   Your achievements should be noted in terms of benefit realisation, i.e. your reorganisation of the sales terms and practices led to a 3 fold increase in sales performance, and therefore revenue to the business. Think about what you have done in terms of buisness benefit, to quality, and to performance.

»   It is always good to record your membership of any recognised organisations such as The Institute of Management, because it denotes a level of standing and recognition within your own professional organisation.

»   If you are called to an interview then be prepared to have all certificates mentioned in your CV. Gone are the days when your word is taken, with more employers wanting to see the original documents.

»   You will not need to include your references on your CV, but be prepared to take them with you for an interview. Like documentation more employers will seek out references before making any offer of the position. Also it is a good idea to prepare your referees beforehand of any potential contact.

Improving you chances of getting your CV noticed when applying on-line.

For those that subscribe to one or numerous recruitment web sites, it can be difficult not to believe that when you submit your CV it goes to the email address job-at-blackhole.com.

The difficulty here is lack of transparency of the recruitment process, between the candidate and final employer, due to the technology used, and in other cases the process itself. The internet has provided a very convenient way of communicating and means of applying for jobs on-line. But ironically it is the same technology though the use of automated email responses that is undermining the recruitment process. In many cases a candidate does not know which employer is offering the job role, and most email responses follow the line, 'thank you for applying.......if you do not hear from our representative within 10 days then assume the post has been filled'. Does this sound familiar?

The main flaws in the recruitment system cannot be rectified here but we can offer you some tips to improve your chances of getting you CV noticed.

» After submitting your CV on-line, wait 15 minutes and call the recruitment agency or other contact to ask if they have received it. This way you can ensure you CV is identified to them, rather then being just one of 250 email responses.  It may be the case that you can go through your C with them and find out more information about the position itself or company posting the role.

» Do not send your CV to every recruitment agency. There is not need, as most jobs are duplicated on all the major recruitment sites with differently worded role summaries. The last thing you want to happen is to apply for the same job, with multiple recruiters sending your details to the same employer. The best solution is to pick about 3 agencies that specifically recruit for the industry sector that applies to you, and only use these agencies for job roles.  You will also have more chance of getting to know key contacts within the agency that perhaps will see you differently and contact you as new roles are posted.

» Only apply for job roles that you are comfortable with that fits your CV details. We suggest an 80/20 split of 80% CV fit with 20% growth for career development. If you throw out your CV for everything you will devalue what you have done and because of the mismatch between the role and CV you will appear desperate and wasting time.

» Do not apply for job positions lower than your experience or skill-set on your CV, unless it is one that you and the employer understand that you can add significant value to the post and to their business. If this is not the case then working at a lower level will set your career back. It is always better to win the role you want as the next step to your career development, rather than take any job which you will not ultimately like, and you will not be able to achieve doing.

There are a whole multitude of ways to answer a question. Some are long and other short, complex or simple. What can seem perfectly sensible and logical however i.e. your response can become your worse nightmare. Those who have frozen during an interview with their brain locked in tense concentration which is going nowhere know only too well what a very dark place it is.

If you are fortunate enough to be asked for an interview, here are some pointers to help you avoid are feeling of hanging by your fingernails on the cliff edge;

» As with a key theme with earlier tips, preparation is everything. Look at the role, look at your CV and attempt to write down any obvious questions that you would possibly ask someone in the same position. It is a good idea to put yourself in the role of interviewer and from that perspective ask yourself, what questions would be obvious to you? The main aim is to match your CV with the role so much that you are able to see the interconnecting similarities between them. After all this is precisely why you feel you are right for the position. When you achieve this you will be able ask the obvious, start simply, and work your way to more complex questions.  For example,

'Why do you feel you are the right person for this position'?
'What experience can you bring to this role'?
'Can you provide examples of your work experience which matches what we are looking for'?

If you match your CV to the job role correctly them these types of questions should not present any issues to you, and go over them constantly because this will reinforce the similarities, and over time should

» It is very rare that the interviewers are out to make life difficult for you, but that said, they do have a right and will test you under pressure. But your response in preparation will make the difference to how you deal with that, which will in turn demonstrate your capability to forward plan for given scenarios.

» A good tip to remember is right from the start of entering the interview venue, speak to as many people as possible because the more you speak the more you will relax, and your brain and responses will become more communicative. That does not mean just talk for the sake of it, but when the opportunity arises with a Good Morning, Hello or where is the toilet please?

» If you have followed the advise above then you are already warmed up. Continue with smiling and greeting your interviewers with a handshake. This will be appreciated and will set a good tone for the interview.

» During the interview, make sure you sit comfortably. Do not crunch up your body language thinking you won't be seen. Relax and breath steady. After a short introduction by the Chair of the other interviewers, which you must smile and acknowledge warmly, the questions will start.

» Try to answer each question as directly as possible in the shortest time but not rushing. It may be tempting to want to make this first question last until the end of the interview, but you must avoid this at all costs. If you finish your answer, then be satisfies by that. If you need to elaborate further then you will be asked to.

» If you do not understand a question, ask the person to repeat it. NEVER start to answer a question you are unsure of. Sometimes even if you are sure, but there is the slightest doubt, do not take the chance. Your request will not be used against you, in fact it demonstrates common sense, as no one in their right mind would provide an answer to a question they did not know.

» Eye contact is good contact. Remember they want you just as much as you want them, you just have to demonstrate it that's all. Eye contact shows confidence, whoever asks the questions, face them full on, it also shows respect. By all means whilst you are replying look to others in the room but essentially your answer should be directed to the person who asked it.

» Just before you answer, there is nothing wrong in pausing for a few seconds. That is seconds, not minutes, in order to gather your thoughts and to structure the response you are about to give. Again if you have prepared you may of already captured this question or other variation which will provide a good start.

» If your mind tells you the answer appears to be going nowhere, then it probably is. If you are paying attention to the interviewers opposite then their facial expressions will be a telling you something. If this happens stop. Generally if the answer is going nowhere it is because you have forgotten the question. If this happens ask for a repeat of the question again and begin your response process again........do not continue!

» It is perfectly reasonable to ask that a question is clarified, if you do not understand it. This will give you more time which you should take advantage of to consider it further as it is being done so.

» After the questions to you, you will be invited to ask your own questions, which should be easy because of your preparation earlier. Now this is the easy part which you should take full advantage of. Always ask relevant questions, about the role, organisation or yourself in what further career opportunities there are within the role. Do not ask, when the next pay rise would be!

» When it is all over, before you leave the room, thank everyone for their time, as convention is that surely they will thank you.

Summary;

» Confidence & understanding is in the preparation

» Relaxed behaviour [but not to much] is in communicating verbally greeting, by eye contact and open body language.

» Authority can come from the presence you communicate to others in what you know and understand.

» Honesty is not being afraid of asking for help during the interview.

» Your worth will be demonstrated by speaking confidently as an equal within the recruitment process, and not as a victim of the process.

And finally, remember whoever you face for the interview, they have been there, and know what you are going through all too well. Take comfort in that.

A definition of stress, is the body's reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response.

This is certainly the case when candidates are seeking a new job or moving to new positions within their chosen career or profession. It is also about how people deal with changes to their life/work environment and circumstances which although can be intiated by them, they find themselves playing by rules they are not familiar with. This can cause stress or a feeling of trepidation, isolation and powerlessness because unfamilarity creates uncertainty.

This is the case when looking for a new job in particular. A person is moving out of their confort zone and entering an essentially unknown process environment that can be as vague and illogical even to those working within it.

The best way to counter stress is through knowledge and understanding which builds confidence. Confidence is what you are aiming for because it provides assurance and self-possession of the situation. You are taking control of the change confronting you.

Some way to achieve control and reduce stress;

»   Understand the process you have to operate in. Get to know the recruitment process, who is involved, if you can identify names then even better. Learn what is required, the inputs to the process and timescales. Finding a new job is more than simply posting a CV.

»  Understand what is required for you to play your part and always remember you are a valuable member of this process. A well preperred CV would be an obvious contribution, but is this all? Are recruiters expecting a Cover Letter, or other work history documentation as well as original copies of course, college, university certificates?

»  Be prepared, gather all evidence of work and learning history and read to familiarise yourself again as you may be asked questions on them. Remember just because you have documentation does not mean this is enough to present to others. They will expect that you know your own history without the paperwork, so gain the initiative that is in your power and prepare your case.

»  Make contact with as many in the recruitment process as possible. You will find them all human and in all cases very willing to help. Interaction with others removes any feelings of isolation as you are not the only one at the centre of this change. You can also gain more information about the role itself.

»  Contact with others within the recruitment process will improve your knowledge, and invariably you could pick up key tips helping you to make the difference.

» Be honest about the role you are applying for. It is not in anyones interest to throw a CV at a role which has no chance of succeeding to capture. Our rule is the 75/25, if you fulfill to 75% of the role then that leave 25% for your career growth. For the recruiter, if the 25% is filled with additonal experience you have outside the role but which can be used to bring a difference, that this may be all it takes to be successful.

»  Confidence should tell you that potential employers need you just as much as you want them. So if you make it to an interview then you must have something they want. On that basis there is no reason why an interview should be anything other than a fair exchange and interaction of people seeking the same outcome with equal measure. Do not feel inferior or unduely pressured, if you have prepared well then you have all the facts.

»   Be disappointed if you are unsuccessful but also understand that not everyone can win the position. You must look at your own preparation and performance on the day and ask yourself did you do your best? If you didn't then do better next time. If you did then most likely you were simply up against another candidate that had more or different work experience that more closely matched the role requirements. Do not disparage the successful candidate, because they are a reflection of you, and have worked just as hard.

»  There are no winners or losers in seeking employment and the recruitment process. The process can frustrate but it works. What can make the difference to you is how you fulfil your part.