Constructing Cvs for graduate jobs, a few good tips.
Always begin with things most likely to sell you. It's surprising how few people actually consider this. A manager who is recruiting for graduate jobs may only give your CV 30 seconds initially to decide whether to give it an extra 2 minutes to decide whether or not they actually want to interview you. If the first 20 seconds is taken up reading your name, address, telephone numbers and other 'factual' stuff, they may become bored an unimpressed before finding something which may set you apart. try to begin with some relevant experience. Something which shows that you have the competencies for the role they are looking. Don't embellish achievements. Although this is very tempting when your not sat facing your potential employer, and it may actually increase your chances of gaining an interview, you'll pay for this face to face if the interviewer knows his stuff. Trained interviewers are will drilled on asking for evidence of achievements and also on how to spot someone spinning a yarn. If you've 'hammed it up' just to get the interview be prepared to leave with egg on your face. Achievements which are accurate and you can show evidence for will leave you looking both honest and professional in an interview face to face. Photos are not a good idea ! This appears to be something favoured by other countries, but it's not something generally sought by Uk employers. It doesn't show anything that indicates whether or not you can do a given job, and in some cases may lead to incorrect and negative perceptions. If you are applying to graduate jobs in the UK, unless they ask otherwise, leave it off. Don't ever mix up fonts or sizes. This can happen very easily if you are evolving your Cv over time, adding to it as your experience broadens. Rather like the CV with spelling mistakes it can display someone with a lack of care and attention to something which is really quite important. you're likely to loose out before the interview stage if this is you. Not too short and not too long. An American CV is one page. In the UK this would be regarded as too short. An executive with 20 years experience may stretch to 5 or 6 pages. For graduate jobs, I would recommend 2 to 3 pages of A4 for a CV. Either of the first two at this stage in your career is likely to count you out before they even read it. It's a life long document, that if it's done very well, will serve you throughout your career in developing form initial graduate jobs into future career roles. My advice is that if you are not confident, seek advice an help from a specialist.
About the Author: John Bult runs internet job sites for Graduate jobs in the UK
More articles by john@ukcareers.co.uk
Print Article | Download PDF | 23 views | May 27 2008
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