Hunting for jobs nowadays is
a very competitive and sometimes cut-throat affair. Here are a
few tips to help you get the edge in searching out and
landing the job of your dreams.
The Curriculum Vitae
The CV is the first,
and at most times the most important part of applying for a job. Since
potential employers have to whittle down practically hundreds of
applications to a few valid ones, they will have to base their narrowing
down efforts using the CVs they have collected.
Studies have shown that about half of the
employers decide to accept or reject job applications based on the related
work experience listed in the CV. A third of the employers decide to
reject or accept these job applications based on the layout design of
these applications.
1. Make Your CV Stand Out
When preparing
your CV, make sure your CV stands out among the rest. It should be the
type that is appealing to the eyes, making the evaluating personnel want
to read the CV. Step two is for you to make sure your CV lists the related
work experience you have had in relation to the job you are applying
for.
2. Make Your CV Concise and
Relevant
Avoid making your CVs too long. It may make it irrelevant to
the evaluator. Remember that the employer is a person to whom time is
important. If your CV shows that you value his/her time while showing the
most relevant information in the least amount of time, you will have won
one important battle.
3. Always tailor your CV to the job.
You
may have had previous experience that may not be related to the job you
are applying for. Some people keep many different versions of their CV for
different job opening purposes. Make sure your CV is appropriate for the
job. A one-size-fits-all CV may not be the best way to go since the
employer will have the impression that your previous efforts have not been
focused enough to produce any specialization on your part.
4. Write about your achievements
You may
add your achievements, but make your statements factual and relevant. It
does not do harm to advertise yourself, but make your advertisement
matter-of-fact and not just hot air. You may want to skip on listing your
weak points as the CV is not the avenue for such discussions.
5. Polish Your CV
Your employer will know
if you have put enough time producing your CV. If he/she sees that you
have put sufficient and thorough effort into your CV, he/she will assume
that you will do the same in your work. This is a big plus for you. It is
not uncommon for some people to spend days or even weeks polishing and
buffing their CVs.