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.

I often wonder why Sales professionals are not better at CV writing as they normally have excellent written communication skills and they have a vast experience in the functions of Sales and Marketing. I do come across some good Sales CV’s but on the whole many of them fall short. So what are the common problems with Sales CV’s?

Sales CV’s that lack focus

Many CV’s I read do not take the reader into consideration. When I explain to a sales professional that CV’s and Interviews are no different to their day to day jobs the penny often drops. When writing a professional sales CV you must understand the customer (employer) and pitch your marketing material (CV) to outline how you meet their needs.

Sales CV’s that undersell

Again many sales CV’s I read do not sell the jobseeker. They lack impact and therefore do not stand out in the crowd. When writing a professional sales CV you must sell yourself. You must tell the recruiter what you did BUT you must also tell the reader how you did it. Professional Sales CV’s must incorporate achievements and tell a story otherwise they are just a to-do list.

Sales CV Writing Services in Ireland

There are many Sales CV writing services with vast experience writing professional sales CV’s for the Irish jobs market. These professionals can help all Sales professionals at all types of Sales roles including IT Sales, Area Sales Retail Sales, Sales Director, Financial Sales, Medical Sales, Sales Manager, Technical Sales, Insurance Sales, Sales Representative, Advertising Sales, Pharmaceutical Sales, Sales Territory Manager, Field Sales Executive, New Business Executive, Junior Sales, Graduate Sales Executive, Telesales, Regional Sales Manager and Area Sales Manager. These professionals work with jobseekers across Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Sligo and all other counties.

Do you want additional information about acquiring a professional Sales CV?

Measurability provides a professional CV writing service to jobseekers across Ireland. They service all roles, all levels of the organisation from Graduate to Executive across industry sectors and business functions.

Need a professional CV? Contact Measurability now!!

Measurability will help you

• set the right positive tone with your CV
• produce a strategically targeted CV
• project a professional image and confidence
• clearly outline achievements and results
• highlight experience qualifications and key skills

Professional CV Writing Service across Ireland – CV Advice & Preparation

It does not matter where you are based in Ireland – Measurability can help you. CV design is facilitated via phone and email so there is actually no need to meet. Measurability services 32 counties – Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Clare, Cork, Kerry Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Tyrone, Derry, Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh & Down.

Professional CV Writing Service for all Sectors

Measurability offers CV writing services for all industry sectors including Banking & Finance, IT, Construction, Pharmaceutical, Call Centre, Manufacturing, Medical Device, Software, Retail, Engineering, Public Sector and much more.

Career Coaching & Interview Coaching

Measurability also offers career coaching services, career tests and interview coaching services to jobseekers in Ireland.

We have posted quite a few CV and Interview articles on this site about CV writing, CV Templates, CV Format, CV Layout and Interview Preparation. What I have decided to do is pull the more popular articles onto one post to save you some time.

CV Service – CV Format & CV Layout – Golden Opportunity

I cannot emphasis enough the importance of a CV when job hunting. Get it wrong and you will miss out on important interviews. Most jobseekers have below standard CV’s and do not understand the basics of CV design. This is an opportunity for you. Get your CV right and you will increase the number of interview invites. Get your CV right and you will have employer’s eager with anticipation to meet you.

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For many more CV articles check out this site CV4Jobs.ie full of CV advice and help with CV Format, CV Layout & CV Templates.

Interview Preparation

When your CV does the job you are only half way there. Interviews are often more feared than death. Proper understanding and interview preparation can help your confidence and performance at interview. Here are some articles to help with your interview preparation.

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Career Coaching, CV writing or Interview Coaching services in Ireland

If you are looking for a CV service in Ireland or Career Coaching or Interview Coaching we have some services to help you. Service nationwide including counties – Cork, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Kerry, Tipperary, Tyrone, Clare, Antrim, Limerick, Roscommon, Down, Wexford, Meath, Londonderry, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Offaly, Cavan, Westmeath, Waterford, Sligo, Laois, Kildare, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Monaghan, Armagh, Longford, Dublin, Carlow and Louth.

Best of luck with your job hunting.

There is much more to CV writing than simply listing everything you can about your work experience, education, skills and hobbies. It requires a focused approach putting more emphasis on the recruiter than you. 95% of all CV’s fail because they lack focus.

CV Format & CV Layout TIPS

You must avoid using the first person pronoun – Start sentences with action verbs or power verbs instead of first person pronoun. Examples of power verbs include; managed, developed, created and organised.

Keep your sentences short - CV’s need short, crisp statements and don’t get carried away. Remember that statements do not have to be complete sentences.

Use plain English – Don’t believe the urban myth that bigger words create a bigger impression. I saw a cover letter the other day with the word “sterling” and not used in the currency context.

Use bullet points – Bullet points make it easier for the reader. Paragraphs can be daunting. There are pro’s and con’s for both but my research with clients concludes that bullet points come out on top.

General to Specific – Organise you information that it flows from general to specific points.

This CV advice was provided by Measurability. Measurability writes CV’s for jobseekers at all levels of the organisation and across industry sector. Measurability write CV’s for clients nationwide Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Waterford, Galway, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Leitrim, Kilkenny, Longford (and the other county I cannot seem to get – ha ha)