Careers and Jobs

CV Preparation – Preparation equals interviews

I keep banging on about how essential CV preparation is for career success. FACT: CV preparation will improve your chances of securing interviews. FACT: Cutting corners with your CV will equate to missed opportunities. I regularly meet jobseekers who will have every excuse for not preparing their CV properly. The usual suspects like time, money and know-how. Well let’s address these reasons.

CV Preparation – Know-How

I agree with this point in that most jobseeker do not understand CV writing or the principles behind and impact CV. There are many websites with unlimited information about designing a CV. Be careful though as much of this information serves the purpose of attracting you to the site and it is normally text book stuff and dated. I think we all know the type of information that should be on a CV such as personal details, education and work experience BUT it is CV Layout, CV Format and CV Content where jobseekers fall down. If you take one point away from this post it is to put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter when writing a CV. Identify what information they are looking for and ensure that this is evident on the 1st page of your CV. There is much more to CV preparation than this but you will find some good CV advice on this site.

How much time does it take for CV Preparation?

A skilled professional could probably knock up a CV in 2-3 hours BUT for an unskilled person it can take longer. Factors such as seniority and level of experience will impact this. Most time will be spent on CV preparation such as analysing the role you are applying for and what the client wants. Then identifying how you meet these requirements. You will then have to decide on how best to construct CV Layout and CV Format. Physically writing the CV will depend on your typing skills. Remember that one CV does not fit all jobs so preparation will be required for each job you apply for. Again once you understand the principle this should not be too time consuming.

CV Preparation – How much does it cost?

Really there are too options – “no frills” and professional. Many jobseekers prepare their own CV. The cost to them is time and effort. Once prepared they can seek feedback from a variety of free resources such as friends, family, HR professional, career guidance, FAS. Will this work? Absolutely!! Many jobseekers secure new employment through a self written CV. The other route is to source a CV expert and get professional CV support. The cost will depend on the service provider BUT it may not be as much as you think. Lets just say I went out on a night out in Dublin a few weeks back and I could have easily paid for CV preparation service.

One of the first questions I am asked when discussing CV services is “where are you based?”

The first question I would ask – “What do you charge?” OR “What is your experience?” not “where are you based? as I know that this is not important.

Looking for a CV service in Ireland

For those interested in a CV service in Ireland don’t limit yourself by geography. It does not matter where the CV service provider is based. The important thing is that you get an “IMPACT CV”. Phone and email communications is all that is needed. In fact I think that face to face meetings for CV design just adds time to the process and we all know what increased time means – increased cost. If you are based in Kerry you can still get your CV designed in Dublin and visa versa.

Looking for Career Coaching or Interview Coaching services in Ireland

Now if you are looking for Career Coaching or Interview Coaching then location is more important. To be honest I hate coaching over the phone and if I cannot meet a client I will pass them on to a partner in the region. So if you are based in Kerry then search for Career/Interview Coaches in the region. I might compile a list in a later post.

There are many providers in Ireland for CV, Interview Coaching & Career Coaching. It is important to shop around. Remember price should be a factor BUT not your key motivation. Check out the background, experience and views. I know some great people BUT I will only tell you about them if I cannot help you myself.

Need a CV Service in Ireland.

If you want an Interview Coach in Leinster (Louth, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, North Wicklow)

If you want a Career Coach in Leinster (Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kildare, North Wicklow)

If you want Career Assessments & Career Tests in Ireland.