Tips for your CV

Cover letter

Always attach a brief covering letter.
Ensure your letter is addressed to the person/consultant who has advertised the job.
Ensure it is relevant to the position you are applying for.

The length of your resume should be proportional to your work experience ie. graduates 1 - 2 pages, experienced candidates 5 pages maximum.
Make sure it is easy to read. Resumes presented in point form will be read before resumes containing long winded paragraphs!

List your current/most recent position first then work backwards in chronological order.
Include the dates of employment, employers name and company overview, position title, key responsibilities, key achievements and reason for leaving.
Give greater emphasis to the more recent and relevant roles. We recommend limiting details on work history to 10-15 years.

Use spell check but don't rely on it. It doesn't correct grammatical errors. Why not ask a friend to proof read it for you.
Ask yourself how your CV would compare if the reader is reviewing another 30 resumes.

The interview is an integral part of securing the right position so it is important to invest time into this process. The following points may help in securing your "dream job"!

Research the company you are applying to eg. check out their website, have some knowledge of the product or service they provide.

The first 90 seconds creates the "first impression". This impression will last so make sure you think about and plan the best way to make an impact.
Dress for success. Dress professionally, wear a neat suit.
Grooming is important. Hair should be freshly washed and minimise your jewellery. Your overall appearance must be clean and tidy.
Shake hands firmly - this tells the interviewer that you are confident.
Sit up straight in the chair - body language makes up 90% of any communication.
Be enthusiastic. It's not always the person with the best qualifications that gets the job it's more often the person that most wants the job that gets it.
Be organised - get there with plenty of time to spare.

Know your strengths - know why someone would employ you. Listing your strengths helps you feel positive about yourself and this will come across.
Know your weaknesses - be prepared for this question. It can catch you off guard. Although weaknesses should not be focussed on a potential employer will want the full picture in order to make an informed decision.
Answer the question the interviewer asks. Avoid long winded answers that are not relevant.
Don't be afraid of pausing and thinking about your answers.
Thank the interviewer for their time and shake their hand after the interview. If you're interested in the position, tell them.