Totaljobs.com > Careers advice > CVs and applications

CV templates

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:56:54 +0100

We know writing a CV can be a confusing task. But our free templates are designed to take the pain out of writing your job application.

Our free templates will help you write a professional CV whatever your circumstances. So whether you’re unemployed, a recent graduate, looking for your first job or looking to climb the career ladder, we’ve got templates specifically designed for you.

Unemployed

Although you haven’t found the right job yet, don’t get disheartened, work on your CV instead. Employers won’t reject you because you’re unemployed, it’s how you market yourself that counts. Use this template if:

You’re currently unemployed
You’ve recently become unemployed
You’ve been made redundant

Get your job search off to the perfect start with our CV for unemployed people.

Download the unemployed CV template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

Unemployed (with CV gaps)

Most employers understand that sometimes we can’t help but have CV gaps – as long as you’re up front and honest about it and showcase what you’ve been doing in your spare time you won’t automatically be rejected. Use this template if:

You’ve been unemployed for several months
You’ve been on a career break

Get your job search off to the perfect start with our CV for unemployed people.

Download the unemployed (with CV gaps) template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

Graduate (no experience)

Congratulations! You’ve finally graduated and now you’re ready to get out there and apply for your first graduate level job. But how do you showcase your new qualifications? Use this template if:

You’ve graduated from university
You’re about to graduate
You’re a graduate with not much work experience

Get your job search off to the perfect start with our CV for graduates.

Download the graduate CV template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

First job (non graduate)

So university wasn’t for you, and you’re looking for your first job. If you’ve decided to go straight from school or college into a job then it’s important to get your CV right. Use this template if:

You’re about to leave secondary school
You don’t want to go to university
You’ve already left school
You’ve got GCSEs/A Levels
You’ve got no qualifications

Get your job search off to the perfect start with this first job CV.

Download the first job CV template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

Career changer

Changing careers can be a brave step, especially if you’re looking for work in a completely different industry. So how do you showcase your transferable skills and prove to employers you’re suitable for a new role? Use this template if:

You’re looking to change careers in the industry you currently work in
You want to change industries
You’re looking for more experience in a new role

Get your job search off to the perfect start with our CV for career changers.

Download the career change CV template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

Career ladder climber

If you’ve been in the same job for a while, you’re probably looking to move up in your career and into a more senior role. But how do you show employers you’re ready for a promotion? Use this template if:

You want to be internally promoted
You want a more senior role in another company
You’re looking for more experience

Get your job search off to the perfect start with our CV for career ladder climbers.

Download the career climber CV template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

Career break

You’ve taken some time off, but now you’re ready to return to the world of work. It’s time to show employers what you’ve learnt while you’ve been away. Use this template if:

You’ve been out of work for several months
You’re returning to work after looking after your family
You’ve been on maternity/paternity and don’t want to return to your old job
You’ve been away travelling for several months
You’ve been off work ill for several months

Get your job search off to the perfect start with our CV for returning to work.

Download the returning to work CV template

Get your job search off to the perfect start...

Write the perfect CV

Write the best CV possible with help from the Fuller CV

Get a free consultation now

After you’ve written your CV, remember to update it whenever you learn a new skill, earn a qualification or start a new job.

Ready to work on your cover letter? We've got templates and simple guides to help you write the perfect job application.

How to change your career

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:55:11 Z

You’ve made the decision to make a change in your career and move on from your current role.

Whether this is a change in career direction, seeking progression from your current role or looking for a new challenge that utilises your skills, the job market is an increasingly competitive one.

So how do you make sure you maximise the opportunities that are out there?

Increase your online presence

Firstly, make sure you have a CV that is easily searchable. Recruiters, whether agency or in-house teams, make use of job board CV databases and LinkedIn to find candidates. This may be done ahead of a role being advertised so let them find you before you find them! This applies to both your CV and your LinkedIn profile. Use the space available to you to maximise your chances for success.

Those recruiters using such tools for sourcing candidates will conduct searches based on key words. This means the recruiter will use what is known as a Boolean search string, for example “HR” or “Human Resources” and “EMEA” to seek out HR Specialists to cover a specific region or country. Seeking candidates based on specific systems or techniques such as “Oracle R12” or “SAP” for specific finance systems expertise or “Agile”, “Prince II” and “Six Sigma” for Project Manager or Business Analyst type roles are also other good examples.

If you are an IT Specialist, make sure your technical skills and certifications are clearly defined on your CV or profile.

Getting noticed on LinkedIn

To maximise your presence on LinkedIn searches, make sure you select your correct industry sector and location. Profiles that show location as “United Kingdom” will not appear in most searches as these are typically done using a post code and radius to enable targeted searches relevant to a particular location. Likewise, if you are, for example, a finance professional working in and keen to stay in the hi-tech sector, make sure your industry sector on your profile is relevant to your sector rather than profession as searches are more typically made using this to narrow down and identify profiles from a particular background.

Register your CV

Register your CV on job boards, not just to be found by recruiters as indicated above but also to set up alerts so that you are quickly informed when a new vacancy is posted that may be relevant to your profile. Make sure you set up your preferences so that the vacancies that best match your profile and aspirations are sent to you.

If you register your CV on a company careers site, most corporates with an applicant tracking system (the system your application will be stored on once you apply for a role or register your profile to receive job alerts), will also use similar techniques to the above to find you. And so they should, you have indicated interest in a company by applying to them previously or registering your profile in the hope that a more suitable role will arise and their searching capabilities will be similar to those mentioned in this article. So, think about the target organisations you would like to work for and visit their corporate careers websites and get your CV and profile added.

So, don’t forget, as well as applying to roles, increase your chances of more interviews, particularly ahead of a vacancy being advertised, by helping recruiters and employers find you.

Thanks to Fuller CV for providing us with this article. If you're having problems writing your CV, their team of experts are ready to help you .

Where do recruiters find candidates?

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:49:33 Z

Advertising might still be the dominant method for bringing employers and jobseekers together, but it’s slowly being eroded by both old and new methods of filling job vacancies.

So it’s handy to be familiar with all available paths to employment, and surprisingly not all of them are digital.

Personal recommendation

Long before there were job ads, agencies or recruitment websites, people got jobs because someone they knew told someone else they were ok.

It’s estimated between 20 and 40% of new appointments are made as a result of a word in someone’s ear. Even if you don’t have a famous dad, and didn’t go to Harrow or Oxford, you can still build up your own networks.

Keep up with friends and ex-colleagues and even ex-bosses as they move jobs, have drinks with them, befriend them on social media, join professional forums, contribute to discussions and blogs. Soon your name will start attracting employers and head-hunters.

CV databases

These are very much like dating sites, except they’re all about finding jobs rather than love. You upload your CV (nearly always for free), and potential employers subscribe so they can sift through thousands of potential candidates, and narrow down their options to a handful of interviewees.

There are CV databases for specific professions, regionalised databases and of course, national/international jobs. You’d be crazy not to use this easy and effective method of putting yourself onto the job market.

Be sure to make your CV work harder for you by emphasising key-words – name your main skills, with every variation and acronym included. Also, don’t forget to update your CV regularly.

Social media

Remember how Facebook and Twitter started off as a leisure thing? Now that most corporations and even government departments have their own online presence, it’s clear these networking sites with its billion plus members is just too big not to be a happy hunting ground for recruiters.

These platforms can also be used to check out your social activity before they offer you an interview or a job. One quick Google search will tell them all they need to know.

So, when in jobseeker mode, the main advice is keep a clean profile on any social media, and big-up anything that might seem a positive for the job you’re after. If you’re applying to be a North Sea diver for an oil company, post those scuba-diving pictures now! If you’re really worried about a potential employer seeing your immature wall posts and photos, it’s always best set your account to private.

Linked in

This social media is meant to be professional from the start, and you’d be foolish to ignore this too. As with all web-based networks, recruitment managers are all too well aware of how easy it is to enhance your own reality in this virtual cattle-market.

But the advice has to be, sign up, link up, join the relevant groups, and see what comes through. If nothing else, you can be sure your biggest rivals are already there.

Job fairs

Another old-established but still prominent part of the recruitment scene, especially good for lining newly-qualified candidates up with that vital first job. Whether it’s the blue-chip corporate cherry pickers hitting the Oxbridge/redbrick university circuit, or the open-to-all job fairs at major exhibition centres, these have survived threatened extinction and appear to be flourishing.

Even one of the most cutting edge professions – London’s web developers and social media entrepreneurs – have their own job fair, the Silicon Milkroundabout, where hot start-up ventures can meet developers and designers.

So go to the relevant job fairs, and when you go, think, act and dress as though you’re going to a job interview. Be prepared and fully armed with CVs and questions, you never know who you might meet.

Smartphone apps

If we are to believe it, these are the future of recruitment. An extension of social media, these hand-held devices look to be taking over , with one major online recruitment outfit claiming nearly 30% of its audience arrived via mobile by mid-2012, more than double the figure of a year before.

Recruitment agencies are falling over each other to devise or appropriate the best apps. The idea being you’ll be able to upload your CV, link it to your Linked-in profile, modify it, attach images and manage interview appointments, all with a few taps of your iPhone screen. Advice – if you don’t have one, get a Smartphone.

Internships

This least digital path to a job is also one of the most rewarding in terms of experience (but not, of course, money). Finding a good work placement at the earliest possible stage is solid gold in terms of enhancing your employability.

It’s no surprise that a disproportionate number of internships turn into full time jobs after qualification. If they know you, like you, trust you, why would they not favour you for a job above a similarly qualified stranger?

Our tip: if you’re lucky enough to get on the placement of your dreams, work your heart out while you’re there, and put everything else on the back burner.

Answering competency questions

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:26:42 Z

Competency questions are used by recruiters to get a fuller picture of your potential as an employee. Not just something to think about if you get asked for an interview, competency questions are increasingly being included in the initial written application too.

Only prepared for them in an interview situation? Here’s how to answer them on paper.

Q: Tell us about a time when you used your initiative

Answering this question is all about showing how you’ve responded in a particular context, so employers can imagine how you might operate in their workplace. For this question, the most important component is the outcome, or the result. It’s no use showing initiative if it doesn’t have a good effect – otherwise you might come across as a meddler.

This is a classic question when you can respond with the STAR (situation, time, action and result) technique. So to answer it properly, you need to use four sentences to describe each of those components.

Q: What appeals to you about this position?

When answering this you should mention the good reputation of the organisation and positive attributes that you are keen to be a part of.

You also need to be very familiar with the job description and show how it meets your own career aspirations. “I’m excited by the job description and feel it suits my current skill set and will challenge me going forward”, and “it’s an environment which ticks the boxes I am looking for’ are good example answers.

Q: What are your long term career aspirations?

This is quite a tricky one and the key is to show some ambition and hunger – but not arrogance.

Unless you have a burning ambition you’d like to share, it’s fair enough to state that you haven’t thought long term, but within the next 5 years, you would like to achieve ‘a, b and c.’

Avoid vague answers such as: “I would like to grow with the responsibility given’ but instead research career routes and name a role you aspire to do.

Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Candidates stumble on this question when they too obviously try to turn a weakness into a strength. Answers to avoid are: “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m a perfectionist”. Instead, reveal a genuine weakness - but don’t go overboard and make yourself look bad. Show your awareness by telling them how you’d manage this weakness in the workplace.

Pick strengths that are going to be relevant to the job or to the interviewer. Take your time so it’s not obvious you’ve prepared your answer beforehand.

And some trickier ones...

Q: In adversity, how do you cope?

This cunning one was devised by a business psychologist and the wording could potentially open up a can of worms.

Whether you choose to write about a disappointment, a disagreement, or a decision that didn’t go your way, employers will be looking at your coping mechanisms and at how robust you are. Make sure you include what you learnt from it, and how you built on the experience.

Q: Name five adjectives that describe you

This is trying to pin down various facets of your personality that don’t otherwise surface in the application.

Keep them positive and relate them back to the job description. ‘Creative’ is admirable, but perhaps less so if the job in question involves following a process to the last letter. ‘Independent’, may also be fine if you are going to be working alone out in the field but might create some doubts if you need to operate in a closely-knit team.

Strange answers on application forms

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:25:44 Z

Application forms can be tricky things to fill out, so employers understand that the odd mistake will be made, but some errors can’t be glanced over.

Check out these application form howlers by mischievous or misguided jobseekers that definitely didn’t get the job, and make sure you NEVER make the same mistakes. We just wish we were making some of these up…

No common sense

Some application form questions can be difficult to answer, especially if it means glancing back over your work history, but some questions require nothing more than common sense rather than answers which are cynical, combative or just plain clueless.

There are some well-documented gaffes out there for even the easiest of questions– many are misunderstandings, some are rude and others are frankly disturbing. Enjoy the following:

What is your best asset? - My boobs
Size of current employer? - About 5’10”
Reason for leaving last job – My boss was a W*****r
What do you think sets you apart from other candidates? I don’t know, I’ve never met them
Sign here – Aries
Education – Not much
Skills - Excellent memory skills, good analytical skills, memory skills
Criminal record? Yes, but I’m not in jail at the moment
Achievements - Received a plague (sic) for salesman of the year
Current responsibilities - In charge of sock (sic) control (obviously should be “stock” control)

Others are cringe-worthy, especially when someone sabotages their own chances through a breathtaking lack of sense. Take, for instance, the application for a job that stipulated the need for people skills where the candidate cited his hobbies as “watching television, computer, chess, stamp-collecting (especially first-day covers) and walking my dogs.”

Trying to be “wacky”

Of course you want to make your CV unique so it stands out from the crowd, but make sure you’re memorable for the right reasons. Make it too whacky and your application will be forwarded round the office for a chuckle rather than an interview.

Recent examples include citing experience as being “master of time and the universe” or putting down God as a reference. Others simply tried too hard to be creative – the line “Like one of your coffees, I am designed to be opened, savored and enjoyed”.

And it’s not just what you say that can raise eyebrows, but how you want to be contacted for an interview. Email addresses can also be an eye-opener for potential employers, and reveal a tad too much and you’re potentially denigrating your otherwise sparkling application to the shredder. After all, who wants to type in a job offer to drunkasaskunk@xxxx.co.uk or fatbastard@xxxx.com? The nanny who applied for jobs from her sexykitten@xxx.co.uk email account probably didn’t inspire much confidence either.

Lies, lies lies

Lying on your application form is a big no-no, not only will you get caught out in the end, but you’ll blow your chances of ever being considered for a position at that company (as well as with any clients they deal with) again.

Mindbogglingly, it seems some less-than-honest candidates still have no idea that their ploys can be rumbled. Emma Kelleher, managing director at Caterek has had some fairly silly excuses for not attending interview, including: “My parrot died,” and “I've had an injury at work and have hurt my left eye,” although apparently when the candidate did come into the office for interview they had a patch on their right eye.

When employers turn a blind eye

You wouldn’t blame an employer if they didn't tolerate a failure to declare criminal convictions or visa issues. Similarly, anyone looking for a grammatically hot sub-editor probably won’t consider someone who can’t even spell their own hobbits correctly – sorry, I meant hobbies. But while some mistakes simply can’t be forgiven, there are others that can be overlooked.

Of course, it depends on what sector you want a career in. Kelleher, for instance, who works in the hospitality sector, reckons spelling is not such a big deal for employer’s looking to recruit a chef or waiter: “It’s not important even if it’s prepared on a computer as not everyone is proficient in using a computer correctly, but they may have other skills and a reliable, strong work history,” she argues.

Then again, even in catering there are times when spellings can cause alarm. For instance the application to a Chinese restaurant where the candidate described his skills as “severing customers”, the PR application that boasted of “a long-term interest in pubic relations”, or the role working with teenagers where the candidate boasted of being “experienced in marital arts” spring to mind.

When application forms are to blame

Employers can make silly mistakes too though, and some send out confusing application forms or ask pointless questions.

Kelleher reckons any employers that add an “Any other comments” box on any application form is just asking for trouble as it opens up the opportunity for bizarre comments. Equally, there are some questions that are simply ambiguous and almost beg the responses they get:

Available to work – Obviously
Strengths – Quads, biceps
Weaknesses – My heart

Want to know more CV mistakes? Get your CV sorted by NOT following these examples.

Application form checklist

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:23:50 Z

Application forms allow an employer to learn more about you than with a short, two-page CV. Also, if you take the time to fill one out in detail, it demonstrates commitment and interest. Helpfully most forms are now available online, so you can save and change your answers until you are ready to hit 'send'.

Our quick checklist will help give your form maximum impact!

	If you're filling in a paper copy, photocopy the form first to allow for a practice run. Be sure to use the right coloured pen - sometimes forms will specify blue or black ink.

	Read the instructions carefully and make sure you fully understand each question. Careless mistakes could cost you an interview. Or save yourself the hassle with our sample application form questions and answers

	Where a question has several parts, be sure to answer every bit.

	If there’s a word limit, stick to it. Too few words and you won’t be giving them enough information, too many and they won’t bother to read it.

	Only discuss achievements that are relevant to the job.

	Write legibly if you can't type the information into the form. If your handwriting is bad it may be better to write your answers in capital letters.

	Beware smudges! It makes for messy photocopies at the other end.

	Read your completed form carefully, checking for grammar and spelling errors and, if possible, get a friend to give you a second opinion.

	Be honest. Many employers use information service companies to check information provided on application forms.

	Keep a copy of your completed form for your own records. You don’t want to forget what you’ve written if you get to the interview stage.

How to write a winning application form

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:21:24 Z

They may seem pointless, but application forms are definitely worth your time and attention if you want to get it right.

No clue where to start? Don't worry, here’s how to fill in a stellar application and land that job.

Research the company

Before even putting pen to paper, carefully research the organisation, the industry and the role to determine:

The skills they are seeking
What skills you have which are relevant to the job
What attracts you to the role

Don’t know where to start your research? Instructions to candidates, information about vacant positions and application procedures are usually in the ‘About us’ or ‘Careers’ section of company websites.

Education and qualifications

Most application forms ask you to list your qualifications and education, but sometimes they won’t give you a great deal of space to write them in. If there is limited space you may be able to:

Summarise key results or module titles
Add a separate sheet
Insert details into the additional information box

For non-UK qualifications, you may need to state their UK equivalent. This is usually done by providing details of how many UCAS points they equate to. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has information on the comparability of international qualifications.

Employment history

List your jobs in reverse chronological order. Include the following:

Your job title
The name of the organisation
The name of the town (plus the country if it is overseas)

If the application form is to be used in conjunction with a Criminal Records Bureau check (CRB), you need to list the month as well as the year.

There may also be a box to describe the responsibilities and achievements of previous roles that relate to the skills required for the advertised job. You can aggregate or prioritise some experiences if space is limited.

Interests and achievements

It’s time for the difficult part, the hobbies. Pay close attention to what skills the job ad is looking for, and try to relate your hobbies and activities to them if you can.

Describing your hobbies in a way that shows you are a sociable person also helps too, as it shows you can work well with others. And it's easy to do, “I am a member of a book club, rather than “I am a book worm”, for instance.

Personal statement

Provided with some white space, it can be tempting to go on - and on - but stick to the space provided or the word count given.

Don’t write a highly detailed chronological version of your career to date, (remember, you can elaborate in the interview), just pick out examples of skills or achievements that are relevant to the job. Less is more with personal statements, so stick to delivering the main, relevant messages.

Although don’t make claims you can’t prove. If you make an assertion, always back it up with evidence, such as “customer satisfaction ratings increased by 15% under my management.”

If the application ends up looking a bit too long and you just can’t edit it anymore, use subheads to flag things up and to make it easier to read.

References

At least one of your two referees should be work-related, including your current line manager, and if you’re a recent graduate one should be an academic at university - most people use their personal tutor. Remember:

Always seek their permission
Provide their full name and title, postal address, email address and phone number
Share your career aspirations and achievements with your referees
Keep them informed about the jobs you are going for

Checklist

Print the form and check your work before sending it out. Keep a copy.
Carefully check your spelling and grammar, poor English is a common reason for applications being rejected.
Use short sentences and paragraphs, which are easy to follow.
Use one idea or paragraph and state the key information in the first sentence.
Avoid jargon.
Use active verbs.
Do not repeat yourself.
Re- read over the job advert to ensure the information you include on the form is relevant.
Ask a critical friend to read through it

With thanks to Prospects and Directgov

Why application forms?

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:20:19 Z

Application forms are an essential part of the job search if you work in certain sectors. Unfortunately, these forms are generally comprehensive and your heart may sink when faced with one, because they can appear pretty impersonal.

But don’t worry, there’s a technique for ensuring that your application form gets noticed by potential employers (for the right reasons), despite their formulaic nature.

Who uses them?

Employers use them most prolifically in the public sector where it’s not about paper-pushing but ensuring there is a systematic way of comparing candidates. Anyone applying for jobs in local or central government schools should expect to fill in an application form for every job applied for. The military is also fond of rigorous application forms that put candidates through their paces before they get anywhere near the assault course part of the assessment.

Additionally, many large commercial companies use standard job application forms because they can be processed much quicker than CVs, which tend to arrive in many formats. If a company is hiring candidates in batches, such as for a graduate programme, it may design an application form for this task with very specific questions. It’s also not unusual for a company to ask you to complete an application form, in addition to a CV.

Why do they use them?

As well relying on application forms to prove they’re using taxpayers’ money effectively in recruitment matters, some employers use them to find out information that otherwise wouldn’t be readily volunteered in a CV.

So schools - and all other organisations that deal with young or vulnerable people - will ask about previous criminal convictions and require a very full employment history to check there are no gaps where an applicant may have been lurking in prison.

Employers also use application forms to assess motivation and make a first pass at essential skills, including spelling, grammar and punctuation (hence why spell checking your application before you click send is so important).

What do they cover?

Despite the wide number of variations of format, depending on employer and the sector, application forms usually cover the same ground:

Your personal details
Your employment history
Your educational history
Reasons why you’re a suitable candidate for the role
References

Filling these forms out properly is just a case of being accurate, honest and legible. One handy tip for you, always use black ink, even if not requested to do so, as it photocopies better.

What else?

Many application forms will want to dig deeper into your psyche and merits. It may ask a list of specific competency questions or ask you to write a personal statement, explaining your suitability for the job.

Don’t be worried about writing a personal statement, it’s *the* place to express your individual style and creativity.

So next time you are faced with an application form and are tempted to skip it, download immediately. Remember, applications forms are as good as any CV in providing an opportunity to impress an employer with your personal motivations and individual style. Best of all, they do it in a way that employers like!

Cover letter tips

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:17:54 Z

It’s all very well having a great CV but it won’t count for much if your cover letter isn’t equally dazzling. A great covering letter should demonstrate your understanding of the role, the company how your skills and abilities match the job perfectly.

Confused? Don’t be. We share a few of our simple rules.

Don't forget to check out our FREE cover letter templates!

Don't send a CV in without a cover letter - you're more likely to succeed if you include one!

FREE cover letter template

5 golden cover letter rules

There are five golden rules to writing an attention-grabbing cover letter:

Write individual cover letters for every job you apply for. Even if the basics are the same you need to tailor it to each role to succeed.
Remind the recruiter what they're looking for
Tell them you are what they're looking for (and explain how you fit the job description)
Demonstrate why you are the best choice with examples
Keep it simple

Employers will decide if you’re suitable or not in a matter of seconds. They will use your cover letter to make sure you tick-off the job description must-haves and only move onto your CV for more details if you do.

Interpret the job ad

Before you even begin to think about your cover letter, you first need to study and understand the job ad you’re interested in. It may help to print a copy off and highlight all the most important points.

Check out our job ads and get practising!

Things to look out for:
What does the job involve? Could you actually DO the job? If so, how can you prove this based on your past experience and qualifications?

NOTE: you don’t always need direct experience… If this is your first job or you’re changing careers then use experience from your life, school or different roles to demonstrate transferable skills.

Next think about what they want from a candidate. Do you fit their requirements? In the old days you could apply for jobs if you didn’t have exactly the right set of skills but now there's so much competition for jobs that if the skills requirements are beyond you then you’ll struggle to get an interview. Think hard before spending a lot of time on putting together a job application for a long shot.

Now write a quick list of examples showing how you fit each of their requirements… This is what you’ll base your cover letter on.

Cover letter layout

Cover letters should follow a simple layout and be structured like a professional letter, although the age of the email has softened some of the hard-and-fast rules of letter writing (including your address and their address at the top, for example, isn’t necessary).

The key points to remember, are:

Try and find out a contact name so you can personalise your letter or email.
Use the first paragraph to briefly explain why you’re writing to them.
Over the next paragraph or two outline your qualifications and match them to the job spec.
Use bullet points to get maximum impact with as few words as possible.
Be specific – if you can include a figure or two, so much the better.
Be enthusiastic and show them you’ve done your research on the company.
In the final paragraph, point the addressee to the CV you have attached or enclosed for further details, and thank that person for his time and consideration.
It’s a good idea to sign off with a positive statement to prompt the recruiter to take action. Be assertive and never apologetic.

Keeping your cover letter short (about 250-300 words long), specific and upbeat will increase your chances of success.

10 CV mistakes to avoid

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:08:49 Z

So, you’ve found a job that you really want to apply for. You KNOW you’ll be perfect for it and you’ve spent all day putting together a CV and cover letter. But before you press 'send', STOP!

Take a moment to read our guide to common – and easy – application mistakes that can make the difference between getting a job interview and having your CV put straight on the ‘no’ pile...

1. Mr Jones? Oh, sorry, Mr James…

It may seem obvious but make sure that you have spelt the name of the person you’re sending the application to correctly – on the email and on your cover letter… and that you have their title correct. Mr Smith doesn’t want to be called Mr Jones, after all. Then, just to be on the safe side, double-check the company and product names that your spellchecker wouldn’t have caught.

2. Check it

Speaking of which, spell check. Spell check right now!

3. Right application, wrong company

If you’re sending out lots of applications at once double and triple check that the right CV is going to the right job. Every CV should be different – slightly tweaked to make sure it fits each job advert. If you send the wrong CV to the wrong job then you can really harm your chances…

Improve your chances with our Free CV templates

4. Get attached

Attach your attachments! It does not look good if two minutes after you press send you email them again with a bashful 'and this time with attachments'. This is especially true if you’ve listed attention to detail as one of your attributes.

And then don't make these other email mistakes!

5. Ready, set, format!

Make sure the format of your CV is easy to open for all computers – or at least most of them. There are so many different versions of Word now that some machines can’t access the files attached – it’s best to save your CV as a standard .doc file that any computer can open. Also, be careful with too much formatting – if it’s a highly designed CV for a creative role then a PDF file is a safer option.

6. Judge a book by its title

Your CV should have your name, in bold and clearly laid out, at the top of the document. You don’t need to write 'CV' at the top or even 'Curriculum Vitae' (shudder). You want them to remember your name!

7. Think about it

Make sure the email you’re sending the application from isn’t a cutesy personal email address. Beerlover69@hotmail.com isn’t likely to be taken seriously. This is also true of the email address you have added to your CV as a point of contact.

8. Once more for luck...

Spell check again!

9. ...But remember

Spell checkers aren't infallible. Go through it yourself and look for grammatical errors; if you’re not confident in editing your own work then get a friend or family member to go over it for you. You can always bribe them with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Lucky them.

10. And, finally

Now, take a breath. Have one more read through – yes, AGAIN! – and if you’re sure everything is 100% correct press send...

Funny CV mistakes: bloopers and mix-ups

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:06:32 Z

We’ve all been there. Hit ‘send’ on an email only to have that gut-wrenching moment of ‘nooooooooo, what have I done!?’ when you realise that you’ve just made a horrible - horrible - mistake.

And this is made all the worse when you’re talking about something as important as applying for a job. These guys REALLY weren’t thinking when they emailed over their CVs…

Funny CV typos

We weren't joking when we said check your CV before sending it! These are taken from real CV situations documented across various social media sites and forums. And they are far too easy to do!

“I have had sex jobs so far…” – Um, we hope you meant six!
“I enjoy cooking Italians and Chinese” – Hmm, did they not object?
“I speak fluent English and Spinach” – Popeye would be proud

In all seriousness, though, typos can really affect your chances of success – almost all employers will bin a CV with typos, even if they are amusing. And be sure to check our easy email mistakes to be sure you’re not shooting yourself in the foot!

OTT aims and objectives

We all like to boast about why we’d be good at a job and explain our ambitions… Sometimes, though, it goes a BIT too far. OK, way too far!

“I have guts, drive, ambition and heart, which is probably more than a lot of the drones that you have working for you.” – Good one, insult all of their staff! Arrogant, much?
“I noticed a typo on your website and I can tell you that would NOT happen if I worked for you. I’ll tell you what it is if you invite me in for an interview.” – Threats and insults usually won’t get you a foot in the door
“I want to play a major part in watching a company advance.” – but you won’t actually contribute to it yourself?

Getting across your ambition without sounding like a bit of an idiot can be tough, but it’s not impossible. you just need to know how to market yourself

I’m bad, I’m bad, you know it

It’s one of the biggest CV mistakes going. Never EVER tell your potential employer how bad you are. Ever!

“I am very bad about time and don’t mind admitting it. Having to arrive at a certain hour doesn’t make sense to me. What does make sense is that I do the job.” – Nice in theory but in reality you can’t be waltzing in and out of a job whenever you fancy it
“Student today. Vice president tomarrow.” – Now there’s nothing wrong with having ambition. But there’s ambition and just plain stupidity. This is most definitely the latter!
“My plan is to become Overlord of the Galaxy!” – No. Just, no.

Yup, painful. Oh but it doesn’t stop there – oh, no… The stupidity continues into the interviews with Interview mistakes: funny, sad and just plain bad

Get your CV in order

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:02:29 Z

Your CV is your opportunity to sell yourself to a new employer, so it’s important you make it work for you.

They can be very different depending on the job you’re chasing, but there’s some basic advice that can be applied to most people.

1. Layout

Advice for the length of your CV ranges from 1-2 pages. One thing’s for sure, it’s definitely not a good idea to go on for reams and reams. When an employer has hundreds to go through, they’re not going to take the time to read your 10 page CV which lists in minute detail everything you’ve ever done.

If you’re looking at jobs in the creative industries, a one page CV with an interesting design is likely to have more impact than a bog standard Word document.

In general, try to avoid a cluttered page, with very long sentences and no discernible order.

2. Language

This is another area which should be tailored to the specific industry you’re applying to. For instance, you’re likely to use much more formal language when chasing a job as a lawyer than you would applying for a job as a photographer.

Don’t be afraid to throw in some specific lingo related to the job industry, but don’t make your entire CV a page of jargon. When making claims on your CV, such as “boosted sales figures” make sure you quantify such statements, how much did you boost sales by?

Put the most important elements required by the job at the top of the CV, such as work experience. This is usually followed by your education, but if you need a specific qualification for the job you’re after, you might consider placing it nearer the top. The same can be said if it’s your first job after graduating from university.

3. Work experience

If you’ve got a lot of work experience, think about which of it is most relevant to the job you’re applying for. For these roles, include more details and achievements and list them towards the top of your CV, you can place any extra work under “other work” nearer the bottom of your CV – it’s important not to leave any gaps.

Where possible, list your responsibilities and duties for each post, and explain what you learned when doing each role. If you’re looking for your first job, list any internships or voluntary work you may have completed and explain how this helped you develop. If you’re a bit short on work experience, talk about projects, groups or associations you were involved with at school, college and university.

4. Hobbies and interests

Most people put these right at the bottom of the CV, but they are a great way to show off your individuality and other skills that might not be obvious from your work experience and qualifications.

Try to avoid the clichéd, hobbies, such as “watching television” – who doesn’t enjoy watching television? Instead, include things which show that you’re a more rounded individual – such as a hobby you’re particularly passionate about, whether that’s fishing, rock climbing, photography, crafting or cooking.

Maybe you’re a member of a club or organisation, that shows dedication, loyalty and team work, so include things like that too.

If you’re still not sure where to start, we have a complete range of CV templates to get you started. So, whether you’re currently unemployed, a recent graduate, looking for a career change or just want to move up the ladder, we’ve got advice for everyone.

When you’ve finished your CV, don’t forget to upload it to Total Jobs. By doing this you get a wide range of benefits including Instant Job Match, application tracker and one click applications.

Your CV questions answered

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:59:05 Z

Recently, we asked the experts at Fuller CV to answer your CV-based queries. In the end, we had so many questions (over 1,200) that we simply couldn't get through them in the time we had.

So we thought we'd pull all of the most commonly-asked questions into one page and provide a CV FAQ, complete with answers from Fuller CV.

Q: How far back should you go with experience?

We would normally suggest that you go back around 10 years maximum within your career history unless you have some fantastic RELEVANT achievements that are worth highlighting from your earlier career.

Q: Should I include a photo?

If you are just applying for positions within the UK then a photo is not required. If you are applying for positions outside of the UK then depending on which countries you are applying within you may need to include a photo.

Q: How do I put my personality across on paper?

Remember that this is a business document and therefore your audience will be looking at how you have added value in your previous positions - not what your personality is like. I would suggest you can personalise your profile and your interest sections but recruiters are looking at what makes you better on paper than your competition.

Q: How long should my CV be?

Your CV should only ever be a maximum of 2 full pages.

Should I downplay qualifications or experience to avoid appearing overqualified?

No, we would suggest that you apply for positions that are relevant for your qualifications and experience and not to downgrade your expectations. You don’t want to seem to look like a “desperate Dan” or that you will be too senior for the jobs you are applying for as you will not get interviews with this approach.

Q: Should I include all my past jobs or just ones relevant to this role?

You should include all of your past jobs as recruiters hate to see gaps in employment. If you are going for different positions then make sure you reflect achievements relating to the types of positions you are applying for and highlight your transferable skills.

Q: How do I explain gaps in my CV?

Be honest, recruiters will not contact you if they can’t see clearly what you have been up to. If you have been looking for work or on maternity etc. then it is worth mentioning any additional training courses or voluntary work you might have undertaken.

Q: How do I stand out?

Sell yourself well. If you can show qualified and quantified achievements in all your previous positions of employment then you will stand out.

Q: What is the best CV format?

You should always have a two-page document that is clear and concise. Avoid tables within your CV as these do not always work well with CV parsing software that job boards use.

Q: What do I do if I don’t have experience?

You need to show the reader how good you have been in everything you have done so include academic achievements, work experience and extracurricular activities with specific achievements. Recruiters will always put forward candidates that sell themselves well, even if they don’t necessarily have all the relevant experience.

Q: What do I do if I’ve worked in lots of different jobs and industries?

We would normally produce a skills-based CV so that you avoid showing that you have had lots of different positions on page one and just highlight what you have been good at in some of the jobs you have had.

Q: Should I lie on my CV and if so how much?

You should never lie on your CV; just make sure you have all of your best bits out on show in your CV.

Q: Should I tailor my CV to every job?

No, we always suggest that you tailor your covering letter specifically to each role and show relevant achievements to make you stand out.

Q: Should I mention hobbies and interests?

Yes, definitely mention your hobbies and interests if you have space to show them on a two-page document.

Q: Should I use a specific font?

We would normally suggest something that looks professional like Arial.

And don't forget, you can get expert CV help from The Fuller CV at any time.

What to do with a bad reference

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:55:00 Z

Not every boss will have nice things to say about you, and when potential employers contact them for a reference they won’t always want to give glowing accounts of your time there.

So what happens if you get a bad reference?

Can my employer give me a bad reference?

Yes and no. Many people mistakenly believe that your boss can’t give you a bad reference by law, but that’s not entirely true…

References just have to be accurate and truthful. So for example, if you were disciplined at your last job for misconduct, they could mention it on your reference as long as it was properly investigated at the time. As long as it's not misleading, they aren't doing anything wrong by giving you a bad reference.

However, some employers are scared to give bad references because anything considered to be not 100% accurate could be grounds for legal action, so will often just give the basic facts about your employment with them rather than focusing on character references.

What can I do if a previous employer provides a bad reference?

If you think the statements made in the reference are untrue and believe that it then unfairly harmed your future work prospects you may be able to sue for ‘negligent misstatement’. To do so, you must show that:

The information in the reference is misleading
Providing this misleading information has had a negative effect on your future employment
Your employer was negligent in providing a reference.

Alternatively, if you think there is an element of discrimination involved, you can bring your former employer to an employment tribunal. Either way, it's time to seek legal help.

What if my employer refuses to give a reference?

If an employer refuses to give you a reference then it may ring warning bells in the ears of your new boss, especially if they gave you a conditional offer on the basis of hearing a good reference. However, some companies are increasingly refusing to give references because they’re worried about legal action so it's not an uncommon situation.

However, if you’ve provided a list of references who all say good things about you which satisfies the company, then they may not argue about one being refused.

How do I make sure my reference will be good?

You can’t 100% be sure but if you have a positive relationship with your company or boss and are leaving on good terms then you can ask them to make sure. They don’t have to legally tell you but they can choose to if they want to put your mind at rest.

How to get a reference

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:44:28 Z

It’s not just qualifications and work experience that new employers want to look at, they also want to know about what you’re like as an employee.

While they could just ask you in person, they know you’ll neglect any weaknesses which could lose you the job, so they’ll ask you for references instead.

What are references?

References are the names and contact details of people who know you. They allow your future employer to check you’ve not only worked where you said you did, but that you’re also a good employee too.

The number of references you’ll be expected to provide will differ with every company, but it’s always good to have at least two.

Who do I approach for references?

While you might want to ask your parents or your best friend, your first port of call for references should always be previous employers, preferably your last one. If you’ve got several previous employers to choose from, pick one that’s in a similar sector to the one you’re applying for.

If you’ve only had one or two employers, pick someone who has dealt with you in a professional working environment (e.g.: former clients, ex-colleagues) as well as a personal reference.

If this is your first job, you’ll need to provide two personal references instead. Try and pick someone who can give an unbiased character reference, such as previous teachers or lecturers who can vouch for your school work and your general attitude. Steer clear of family members if you can as some employers want personal references to be unrelated.

How do I get in touch with them?

So you’ve decided who you want as a reference, but how do you ask them?

It’s always best if you drop a potential reference an email first, and only phone them as a follow up if they don’t get back to you. Not everyone will have time or even want to give you a reference, so an email gives them some time to mull it over first.

But if you’re feeling confident and believe they won’t say no, then give them a call. Although you should only really take this approach if you know them really well, had a good working relationship or just need an answer quickly.

However you choose to ask them, remember your manners. Being rude when you’re asking for something that could land you a job probably isn’t the best idea.

When should I ask them?

It’s always good to ask for someone to be your reference as soon as possible, preferably while you’re still on the job hunt.The more notice you give people the better, as not only will you avoid rushing around at the last minute, but your references will also have more time to prepare their statement.

If you do ask them way in advance, contact them again when you’ve got an interview to warn them they may be contacted for a reference.

Whenever you ask them, make sure you get their permission first before you start listing their contact details. Don’t assume you’ll get a reference as employers have no legal obligation if they don’t want to. Even if they do reluctantly decide to give you a reference there’s still no rule about how long or detailed it has to be.

What should I put on my CV?

So you’ve got your references, how do you show them off? Not on your CV that’s for sure. At the end of your CV just put, “references available on request”.

Then put all your references on a separate page ready to send off to employers when they ask for it.

Remember to always ask your references how they’d prefer to be contacted as everyone will want to give their statement differently. Some won’t want you giving out their phone number, while others will want their email address to remain private instead.

Although it’s always nice to get a good reference not everyone will want to provide one. So what happens if you get a bad reference?

Cover letter templates

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:33:56 Z

Cover letters are as important to your job application as your CV and yet they are often rushed out as an afterthought. This is your chance to show recruiters why you’d be good at the job and get them interested. Get it wrong, and that perfectly crafted CV you spent so long on could have been a complete waste of time…

So whatever your current work situation and experience, we have a cover letter template to suit you…

Think carefully about what you write

A properly crafted cover letter should take up to an hour to write, if you quickly stick some thoughts down on an email and attach your CV then you'll be at a big disadvantage. This is your chance to market yourself and it's important that you present your personality and career in the right way...

This is why we've devised different cover letter templates depending on where you are in your career right now. We're all different, after all. And don't forget to check out our cover letter check list to make sure you've really nailed it!

Unemployed

If you’re unemployed and you’re worried about gaps on your CV then a cover letter is your perfect opportunity to explain why you’ve found yourself in this situation (it’s nothing to be ashamed of, after all) and explain what you’ve been doing in your spare time to make you perfect for the job…

Find out how to write an unemployed cover letter

Download the template now

Graduate (no experience)

The graduate job market is tough at the moment and you need to do everything you can to stand out from the crowd. Although your CV may not be that different to a couple of hundred of your graduate friends, your cover letter gives you the opportunity to explain what makes you special – make the most of it!

Download the template now

Find out how to write a graduate cover letter

First job (non graduate)

It can be tough to convince an employer to give you a chance when you’re completely untested in the world of work. Your cover letter is a chance to show off your motivation and passion and you could really catch someone’s eye if you do it the right way.

Download the template now

Find out how to write a first job cover letter

Career changer

To someone changing careers a cover letter is your opportunity to explain why you’re changing jobs and convince them to give you a chance. You should already have work experience from another industry – put a spin on that experience and it shouldn’t matter that you're starting out in an unfamiliar role.

Download the template now

Find out how to write a career changer cover letter

Career ladder climber

You’re in a good position for job hunting – you don’t NEED a job, you’re just looking for a promotion or some extra cash. Sell yourself right in your cover letter and this should be a walk in the park…

Download the template now

Find out how to write a career ladder climber cover letter

Career break (returning mums/dads, back from travelling etc…)

So you have taken time out of your career but now you want – or need – to get back into the world of work. Explain your reasoning behind wanting to return to work and you could be at a huge advantage.

Download the template now

Find out how to write a career break cover letter

How to market yourself

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:05:51 Z

There’s much more to the job seeking process than making sure your CV is as good as possible. So how can you ensure your job search is successful?

We all know the things we’re supposed to do to help us get a job: have a great CV, include the right buzzwords in our covering letters, use the right body language in interviews etc. But none of this is much use if it isn’t under-pinned with the right mindset.

Promotion and marketing

Go into a job interview over-confident or under-confident and you’re never going to cut the mustard in the eyes of your potential employer, no matter how good all your initial approach work has been.

Preparing for job interviews (and even job searches) means learning how to properly market yourself to potential new employers. It’s crucial you believe in your skills and abilities so you can effectively present yourself in the best light during the interview. So you need to approach selling yourself like any good marketer or sales person would approach selling their product.

Questions, questions

We’ve set out some basic questions you can ask yourself. This will help you understand how to effectively market yourself.

What are you trying to achieve?

Consider what it is you’re actually trying to achieve. Obviously the final aim is to get a job, but how do you get there? Well, confidence is the key, but don’t overdo it. Of course your product may not be perfect, but no product is. You need to learn to look past any weaknesses for now. To develop the right job interview mindset, focus on your strengths. Think about what makes you unique, in terms of your qualities and accomplishments.

It may sound a little new-agey for some, but visualising yourself in a role – whether it’s a store manager or a chief financial officer – can really help you to focus on what you can bring to the position or contribute to the job. However small you start with this process, it’s an essential part of building your confidence so you can move forward in your job search.

Make sure you’re realistic with this one though. Imagining yourself in a position is not about taking flights of fantasy, it’s about helping you to focus on your personal merits and why you’re the ideal candidate. You need to be able to close the deal, but you’re never going to do that unless your objectives are built on solid foundations of realistic expectation.

What are you trying to sell?

This pretty much carries on from the above question, but takes things a bit further. Look at yourself honestly and ask why you want the job or the move that you’re focusing on. This is a very useful question to ask yourself, as there’s a very strong likelihood you’ll be asked the same thing if you get as far as the interview.

There are, of course, no right or wrong answers here, but you still need to be prepared. This will help focus your attention on projecting yourself in the right way, and when it comes down to it, being able to answer that question effectively.

Who’s your audience?

You now know who you are and what you’re trying to achieve, the next step is to understand the people you’re actually talking to. We all know about tailoring our CVs, covering letters and interview answers to the recruiter in question, but to do this we need to really understand what they are looking for.

This means doing your research. Obviously the job spec will hold a lot of these answers for you, but you can take this a step further by researching the company, putting yourself in their position and considering what they would want to hear.

You need to present your skills and experience (and search objectives if you’re applying to a recruiter) in the best possible light. These should be carefully thought out in advance and must be realistic. If you’re applying for a job in an industry you have no experience in, you’ll need to explain how your skills are transferable. If you’re working with a recruiter you might consider asking their opinion as to the feasibility of your goals.

How can you be more proactive?

The great thing about this process is it can also be effectively applied to making your job searching much more proactive. If you know the job you want, the strengths you can bring to that position, as well as understanding the people you are talking to, you’re perfectly placed to push yourself to companies before they even know they need you.

To do this, target a few companies you feel could benefit from your skills and send out applications to them. As with any sort of cold call like this you need to follow your application up with a phone call. But be prepared, this can be a tough process, but it’s incredibly rewarding if you’re successful.

To make the process as potentially rewarding as you can, keep an eye on the jobs market. Applying to a company that’s actively recruiting – even if it is in different areas – is reducing the chances of you being flatly turned down.

How to: make a video CV

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:37:07 Z

Video CVs – or VCVs – are a bit like Marmite in the recruitment world; people either love or hate them. Whichever camp you fall into, they’ve cornered a niche in the world of recruitment in recent years, and while they’re not suitable for every job, for areas of work where personality counts, a VCV is worth considering.

Interested? We spill the beans...

When to use a VCV

In careers where you are judged on how you come across – sales, PR and marketing roles for example – few application methods can beat the video CV. You might mention your great presentation skills, enthusiasm for the role and friendly personality on a paper CV, but a VCV really shows off those skills. Video applications can also be helpful in the digital sector: if you’re applying for a job in new media, what better way to show off your knowledge than by engaging with the tools that you talk about?

The cons

Before rushing off to set up a pop-up Hollywood film set in your garage, there are some downsides to video CVs that you should consider. Even though they’ve been around for a number of years, few recruiters expect a VCV, and there’s a danger they might not watch it from beginning to end. After all, it takes more effort to engage for a full 2-3 minutes watching a computer screen than it does to cast an eye over a paper CV. It’s also pretty difficult to get your career and education history across in such a short amount of time on screen, and do it in an engaging way that’s shows off a sparkling personality as opposed to a misplaced arrogance.

However the biggest gripe about VCV is on the grounds of discrimination. Some HR specialists go pale at the thought of them as they open the floodgates to the potential for all sorts of trouble.

The DIY VCV

If you fancy having a go at creating your own video application, there are some things to think about before you begin. Just like the no-more-than-two-sides-of-A4 rule when it comes to paper CVs, the golden rule of the VCV is no more than 2 - 3 minutes max. Other things to consider include:

Content: Develop your VCV like a story, with a structured beginning, middle and end. Script it before you begin, but don’t just read staccato from an autocue. Don’t forget to introduce yourself properly at the start of the video and explain why you’ve produced the clip. Leave contact details at the end of the video, too – email address, phone number, and any professional social media sites you have.
Practicalities: Before you send off your application to an employer, try to get objective, honest feedback from a friend, family member or colleague. Label any CDs or DVDs you send out clearly with your contact details; it’s a good idea to enclose a paper CV too, should anyone want your details for quick reference.
Technical considerations: However you decide to produce your video, make sure the video is clear, well lit and in focus. While a shaky mobile phone recording might not be the best production method, you don’t need to pay through the nose for swish video editing software. Free software can do just the job these days, from Microsoft Movie Maker on Windows, to Apple iMovie on Macs. There’s also Wax and Zwei-Stein, which you can download free.

Make the move from paper

With a well thought through approach and a bit of creative flair, there’s no doubt a video CV can enhance your job application in ways that would be impossible for the humble paper CV. If it suits the role you’re applying for, why not break free from the limitations of Microsoft Word and try the multimedia CV?

How to stand out from the competition

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:37:07 Z

There are so many jobseekers around at the moment that it can pay to work on a strategy that will make you look special in the eyes of an employer. But where should you start…?

Do you dare to be different? Well if not, now’s the time to start, because there’s so much competition in the job market right now you need to really stand out to stand a chance of landing your dream role. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Write a flawless CV

This may sound obvious, but have you read through your CV recently? If not do it now. Find any spelling mistakes? If not, bravo; if so, told you so! But don’t just go through your CV with a fine-toothed comb hunting down all the grammatical errors and spelling bloopers, make sure it’s honed to perfection in terms of being bang up to date, concise, sharp and makes the most of what you’ve got. Spending time perfecting your CV will help you stand out head and shoulders above the majority that don’t bother.

2. Tailor your applications to specific job specifications

And while your honing your CV, leave some space so that you can add details that are relevant to the specific job you are applying for. For example, if you’re going for a customer services position, make sure your CV contains information about your people skills, from being a good communicator, to stating your natural tolerance, patience and that you love helping people. Simple, but effective. Do this for each job you apply for and you’ll give yourself a head start.

3. Look for jobs in unusual places

Jobseekers can place themselves above the rest by looking for jobs in different ways. For example, rather than just using the internet, you could look for work by networking. This could include talking to employers directly, meeting up with people you know who work in any job sectors that interest you, and by attending careers fairs. This will also help you discover more about the role you’re after, and help you make sure that it’s right for you.

4. Use social networks

These days, many employers use social networks to find their next star employees – and that’s especially the case for technology-centric positions. Therefore, it can be a great idea for jobseekers to treat their social media profiles as resumés and use them to highlight career accomplishments.

LinkedIn is the obvious choice, and this social network is also great for seeking out people in the sector you want to work in and making a connection. You should also search out and join any groups that relate to the position you’re chasing, as they can contain some great contacts that could prove to be the route to a new career.

5. Get well briefed on the business

The recession has changed companies and most are now leaner and meaner than they have ever been. So when they take on a new employee, they want to make sure they are getting full value for money and that the new member of staff is totally committed to their role.

You can prove you can hit the ground running by doing your homework on the company whose vacancy you’re applying for. Show you know all about them, and ask some pertinent questions that also illustrate this and you are likely to be ahead of the pack.

6. Go video

Everyone says video is the future so why not make a statement by filming yourself running through your CV? Okay, this approach isn’t for the faint hearted and it needs to look decent, but if you have the confidence, a video CV illustrates initiative, creativity, originality and (if you do it right) communication skills, all of which will be up there in an employer’s list of the top traits they are looking for in candidates.

The good news is that smartphone video cameras are so good these days that they’ll do fine for shooting your CV. Plus for around £100 you can get something called a Phocus (check Amazon), which you slot your iPhone into, screw on an wide angled lens and fix to a tripod for a steady position. The tripod doesn’t come with the Phocus, but you can pick lightweight ones up quite cheaply. And you’ll then have your own cool video blog kit once you’ve shot your CV!

CV checklist

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:37:06 Z

Even if you’re someone who’s confident in putting together a job application, it’s still incredibly easy to miss something – something that could make the difference between getting a job or not. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen we’ve put together a quick CV checklist to help you to make sure you’ve not missed anything.

If you can tick off all of these points then you’re good to go!

	Personal details	Have you included the right personal details? Check and double check your contact details are correct and leave out anything you’ve not comfortable disclosing, such as age or gender. However, if you are British, you may want to include this as it shows you’re able to legally work in the UK. The same is true if you’re not British but have all the appropriate paperwork to allow you to legally seek work.

	Skills	Have you included soft and hard skills? As well as your experience with advanced computer software or additional qualifications you also want to highlight those all-important transferable skills. What are transferable skills?

	References	It's not necessary to note the details of your referees on your CV, but you should state that details of references are available on request. It’s always best to show that you have (good) references ready should you get the job.

	Presentation	Ideally, a CV shouldn’t be longer than two sides, although if you’re more senior this can be increased to 3 pages as long as it’s all relevant. It should look clean and tidy with no frills or fancy attachments, and all of your information should be clearly laid out. See our downloadable CV templates for how to present your CV.

	Spell check	We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again. Spell check your CV! And it’s not even enough to just spell check it with a computer programme – you need to ensure that the grammar is also correct. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself then get a friend to help you out. And make sure you don't miss our 10 CV mistakes to avoid.

	Make the most of our CV tools	Before you press ‘send’, give yourself the best shot at landing the job with our comprehensive free CV advice. From funny CV bloopers to free CV downloads, make sure that your CV is in the best possible shape.

10 steps to a successful CV

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:37:06 Z

Writing a good CV can be one of the toughest challenges of job hunting. Most employers spend just a few seconds scanning each CV before sticking it in the 'Yes' or 'No' pile. Harsh.

But never fear! We've compiled our Top 10 hints on how to show the world 'this is me!' and get that all-important interview.

1. Keep it real!

Usually a CV should be no more than two pages – and that's two pages of A4 paper! Employers spend, an average, just 8 seconds looking at any one CV, and a surefire way of landing yourself on the no pile is to send them your entire life story. Keep it punchy, to the point, and save those niggly little details for the interview.

If you want examples then check out our free CV templates

2. Tailor it

We've all done it. Whizzed the same CV out to lots of employers to save time... Stop! Take the time to change your CV for each role that you apply for. Research the company and use the job advert to work out EXACTLY what skills you should point out to them. They will appreciate the obvious effort.

3. Include a personal statement

Don’t just assume an employer will see how your experience relates to their job. Instead, use a short personal statement to explain why you are the best person for the job. This should be reflected in your cover letter as well see our tips to the perfect cover letter

4. Don't leave gaps

We are a cynical bunch and leaving obvious gaps on your CV immediately makes employers suspicious – and they won't give you the benefit of the doubt. If you’ve been out of work it can be a worry but just put a positive spin on it. Did you do a course, volunteer work or develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork or project management? If so, shout about it!
For more information, check out our CV template for the currently unemployed

5. Keep it current

You should keep your CV up-to-date whether you’re looking for a job or not. Every time something significant occurs in your career, record it so you don't later forget something that could be important.

6. The error of your ways

Employers DO look for mistakes on CVs and if they find them, it makes you look really bad. David Hipkin, head of recruitment and resourcing at Reed Business Information, warns, 'With most employers experiencing massive volumes of applicants right now, giving them the excuse to dismiss your application because of avoidable errors is not going to help you secure an interview.' If you're unsure then use a spellchecker and ask someone else to double-check what you've written. And don't ignore the most common CV mistakes

7. Tell the truth

Everyone lies on their CV, right? NO! Stop! Blatant lies on your CV can land you in a whole heap of trouble when it comes to employers checking your background and references. The last thing you want is to start work and then lose your new job for lying. You also may get caught out at the interview stage when you suddenly can't answer questions on what you claim to know. And that can be VERY awkward!

8. The maths

This may sound dull but by backing up your achievements with numbers it makes selling yourself much easier. When writing your work history, don’t just say that you increased sales; tell them you increased sales by 70% over a six month period. Get it? Big numbers are especially good (although don't forget point 7 of our list!).

9. Make it look good

We live in a world where image is everything, and that also goes for your CV. Take some time to pretty it up... Use bullet points and keep sentences short. Use the graphic design trick of leaving plenty of white space around text and between categories to make the layout easy on the eye. Alternatively, get creative with your job application!

10. Make it keyword friendly

If you’ve uploaded your CV to a job site so recruiters can find you, keywords are very important. Job titles and job buzzwords will help a search engine pick out your CV from the pile. Confused? Don't be. A marketing candidate might mention SEO (Search Engine Optimization), direct marketing and digital marketing among their experience and skills, for example... If you're not sure, have a search online and see what words are commonly mentioned when you input your job title.

The art of writing a good CV

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:37:05 Z

Ok, you’ve checked out our advice on how to structure your CV, the next step is making sure you use the right words and information to present your skills clearly and positively.

Recruiters are looking for confident candidates who provide facts and figures to support their successes rather than vague generalisations.

For instance, it’s no good casually mentioning you have a proven track-record in generating business. What would really impress the recruiter is learning how much business you delivered and in what time-frame.

Similarly, it’s best to steer clear of meaningless jargon, such as “hardworking”, “teamplayer” and “pro-active” as every Tom, Dick and Harry that applies for a job has exactly those qualities, too. It’ll make the recruiter’s day if instead you give hard evidence that illustrates why you are all those things – and more.

In short, if you can discipline yourself to make use of active, upbeat language in presenting your achievements you’re well on the way to beating the rest of the pack to an interview. Here are a few pointers...

Be positive – avoid using negative words

Don’t say...

Hate/abandoned/avoided/argued/tried

Do say...

Overcame/reorganised/accomplished/persuaded/delivered

Never generalise

Don’t say...

Proven track-record at increasing profits

Do say...

Generated an increase in profit of 20%

Use active sentences

Don’t say...

A database was created

Do say...

Created a database

Use high-impact words

Don’t say...

Exposed to/helped/participated in/etc

Do say...

Activated/implemented/motivated/exceeded/etc

Never simply list your job-spec, be assertive about what you do

Don’t say...

Responsible for managing the restaurant and generating turnover

Do say...

Managed a 100-seat restaurant, generating £2,000 turnover a week

Present any negative experiences in a positive way

Don’t say...

Even though I failed to meet my target, I learned about ...

Do say...

The experience taught me a lot about people management

Be confident about your abilities

Don’t say...

Some of my managers have told me I have good customer-facing skills

Do say...

I have good customer-facing skills, developed through...

But be warned

Selling yourself is one thing, using so many positive adjectives that your skills sound unbelievable is another. And always tailor your CV to be relevant to the job you’re applying for, mirroring the keywords used in the job advertisement.

Get creative with your job application

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:49:07 Z

Looking for inspiration on how to create a knock-their-socks-off application? Forget the two sides of A4 approach and think laterally.

New, accessible technology and tough competition has led to ever more inventive applications. Welcome to the new age of job applications.

The humble CV has come a long way from the confines of Microsoft Word, with infographic CVs and video applications now popular. And once past the CV hurdle, there’s the interview. Where once the telephone interview was considered a bit out there, today you might find yourself Skyping with your interview panel, answering those age-old interview questions over cyberspace.

Whatever the medium, the good news is that pretty much the same job application rules apply. Paper, screen or otherwise, it’s all a matter of selling yourself.

The video application

Presenting yourself on screen might seem hellish for some people, but for people working in careers where presentation and client relationship skills count, a video application will showcase your personality so much more than a traditional paper application. Say you’re applying for a sales job and claim you’re a whizz at presenting, a video CV will really help to show off your presentation patter.

And you don’t need the lighting of a Hollywood film set to produce the desired effect, with just a camcorder, basic editing software and a well-thought-through script, you can produce a professional-looking clip. Take inspiration from PR specialist Graeme Anthony, who in 2009 became a bit of a web sensation with his take on the video CV.

The infographic CV

A favourite of designers and digital creatives, the infographic CV is a visual representation of your life and career to date. For anyone applying for a design role or a job where an appreciation of aesthetics and information presentation counts, this is definitely one not to miss – plus they’re pretty fun to produce.

Get inspired from US multimedia journalist Chris Spurlock's CV, which went viral earlier in the year and landed him a job as an infographics editor at AOL.

The Skype interview

Once you’ve got your foot in the door with your CV, the interview is the obvious next step. Forget face to face, these days it's screen to screen in online interviews. Skype interviews are growing in popularity with recruiters, and the widespread and easily available technology makes hefty cost and time savings. And they’re useful for applicants, too, allowing you to slot an interview into your day without taking too much time out.

The downside of the online interview is that you should really take the time to familiarise yourself with the technology before you attempt to impress. But it’s easy enough: simply download and install, practise making video calls to friends, think about your setting, the lighting and the position of your webcam, and you’re good to go. The only tricky bit should be answering the actual interview questions.

Pimp your CV

If you want to get really creative, how about a 3D CV, a T-shirt CV, a fabric application or comic strip CV. Who knew writing a CV could be so much fun?

Of course, these ideas should be taken with a pinch of salt. Not all recruiters expect – or want – a high-polished show reel in place of the bog standard CV, and if you’re applying for a job in a bank, a comic strip CV might not be the best medium in which to send your application.

Whether you’re a fan or not, these new-fangled job applications can teach us all a lesson or two in how to stand out from the crowd. Job applications don't have to be dull – the next time you apply for a job, make your CV work for you.

Easy email mistakes

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:49:07 Z

Emails have made our lives so much easier; however, the effortless exchange of electronic words is both a blessing and a curse and career jeopardising mistakes are now just a click away.

Have you ever accidentally sent an email halfway through your first draft? If you’re using email to apply for jobs, failing to pay close attention to detail could cost you the interview.

	Have you got the email address right? If not, the message could bounce back and end up in your junk mail. It’s best to cut and paste the contact from the job ad.

	If you’re sending out a lot of emails make sure you’ve got the right name, for the right company, for the right address.

	Remember to attach your CV (and any other files you’re required to send).

	Make sure attached files are saved in a format the recipient can open. For instance, you might have created your CV on a Mac which could cause problems for PC users.

	Provide a helpful subject line – the job reference number, for instance.

	Emails from an unknown sender can be blocked as spam. If you don’t get an email confirmation, wait a few days and then call to make sure your application arrived.

	You should be using a professional email address, not something you set up as a student and should now be thoroughly ashamed of. We're talking to you beerlover69@gmail.com!

	Read your completed email carefully, checking for grammar and spelling errors and, if possible, get a friend to give you a second opinion.

	Finally, check and check AGAIN for spelling and grammatical errors – obvious, but crucial.