CV Tips

Have you ever submitted a CV for a job application but did not receive a call for an interview?

Such situations can leave you frustrated and wondering what went wrong. One should remember that your CV can be the first thing that an employer sees – it acts as a first impression your potential employer has of you, so make it best.

Here are some simple guidelines which will help you improve your chances of getting a call for an interview.

- Is the CV easy to read? BLACK ink should be used to print. Standard font like Arial or Trebuchet should be used and the font size should not be smaller than 9, but also not larger than 12

- Use a good quality sheet/paper when printing.

- Always run spell-check and correct any grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors before printing the CV.

- Employment history should be listed in a chronological order, most recent job first. State the company name, your job title, length of employment and responsibilities or duties.

- Concentrate on skills and achievement relevant to the position you are applying for.

- Keep your CV as short as possible not more than two pages. Make a statement that further information is available upon request.

- Be honest and do not profess the skills you do not possess. Do not exaggerate lengths of employment to cover up gaps.

- Tailor your cover letter not your CV to each job you're applying for, so that the employers like to see you have singled their job out particularly.

- Always make sure you follow any instructions. For example: If an employer requests a CV via mail, email etc. submit your CV as requested.

- In your cover letter make sure you mention the specific job you are submitting a CV for. Keep your cover letter short and to the point and state the position you are applying for and where you saw it. Make a statement such as “I have” and “I can” do things for the company.

Always make a closing statement wherein you thank the employer and the company for their time and saying you look forward to hearing from them.

Source: http://www.cv-blog.org/guidelines-for-your-cv-and-cover-letter/

Your first impression may be the last impression; this is especially true in CV writing and just as importantly writing your cover letter, as it is practically the first thing that one reads. Therefore, writing a good cover letter is as important as writing a good curriculum vitae (CV). So, even if you have one of the best resumes in the world, and lack a good cover letter chances are that your CV may be discarded by a potential employer, thus ruining your chances of getting an interview call for one of the dream jobs. In order to avoid such a situation, it is important to learn to write an effective cover letter for CV.

The first motive of sending a CV is to attract a prospective employer and by writing a good cover letter you will be doing it without putting in much of effort. Whether you have a CV that is professionally written or you have taken the help of a CV template to write one, it is important that your employer opens it and reads it and this where a cover letter plays its role. A well written and formatted cover letter will help in leaving a good impression on an employer.

Source: http://www.cv-blog.org/cv-cover-letters-for-a-long-lasting-impression-on-the-employers/

Getting a job of your choice is quite a difficult task especially in today's job market which is all flooded with new emerging applicants. Having suitable skills or experience is not enough; you need to have right job marketing approach. A perfect job application letter can be as important as a CV for a job seeker because it is your tool that obliges the employer to take notice and review your CV. Submitting just CV for job opening is highly unprofessional and can injure your chances of getting the interview even though you may be the most suitable candidate.

It is essential that you understand the importance of the job application letter. A customized, well structured letter introduces you to the potential employer, and communicates your suitability and skills for the vacancy. It not only introduces you to the employer but also leaves a first impression that is vital for your selection. It also helps you demonstrate and highlight your skills mentioned in your CV and allows a potential employer to have a fair look at your writing and communication skills.

A job application letter can be similar to a cover, when letter is being sent in response to an advertised job vacancy. You may also use cover letter templates that are widely available online to create and customize one for yourself. Writing a suitable job application letter can become much easier and efficient if you follow some basic rules which provide clarity and professionalism to your job application. Here are a few tips you must follow while working on a supporting letter:

- The job application letter must be addressed to the appropriate person by name such as a manager or the recruiter. Using generic lines looks unprofessional.

- Clearly state your application goal. It is important that you outline what you desire and what your strengths are, in order to present yourself as a confident professional.

- Customize your letter according to the position you are applying for. It reflects your suitability towards the position as well as your clarity of mind. Avoid using nonspecific statements.

- State why you should be chosen for the post and what can you contribute to the company. Do not give pompous statements.

- End the application by stating how you will follow up. It is important that you proofread your application before submission to avoid errors.

Writing a job application letter is a daunting job especially for a fresher but adequate practice, time and effort can help you master this skill.

Mike Kelley