Archive for the 'Templates' Category
Friday, September 12th, 2008
What not to do when applying for a job!
There’s an excellent article on the Times Online, titled “What not to do when applying for a job.” It should cheer up anyone looking for a new career at the moment…
“Mistake a job offer for a prank. “I phoned an applicant and said ‘It’s Dan Hawes here, I’d like to talk to you about a job’. She thought it was a wind-up. I said ‘no, no – I’ve got your CV in front of me and you’re suitable for a job’. She said ‘stop taking the …’ I spent 20 minutes trying to convince her but she still thought it was someone playing a trick so I just left it.”
See the full article here, or “What not to do when motivating people!” here.
Points I’d also recommend:
- Don’t say you’re an expert - it back fires every time.
- Don’t lie - if you don’t know the answer in an interview, don’t try to ‘blag’ it.
- Spell checking - it takes one click and five minutes, it also stops you’re CV being the first in the Bin!
- Read the job advert - and don’t go off on a tangent in your covering letter!
- Don’t leave the “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet” in the sample CV template you downloaded.
Top tip of all - a generic, downloaded template looks exactly like it is - a generic downloaded template. Taking the time to personalise the CV and Covering letter to a job will make the world of difference.
Monday, June 16th, 2008
Simple E-mail Covering Letter.
Sometimes a full blown covering letter isn’t needed, especially when applying for a job online. It’s worth taking to opportunity to show you can still write clearly and concisely and to get a few points across!
Style
- Short, concise and to the point.
- Make each sentence or paragraph count, showing something different to the reader.
Content
- The text should firstly introduce yourself, and state which position is being applied for. It’s worth adding where you saw the position advertised, or how you heard about it. This is still important for electronic applications, as a website is likely to contain several different jobs.
- The next paragraphs should demonstrate understanding of the role applied for, and relate it to your current and past work and academic experience.
- Take the chance to explain any gaps or problems in your CV! If you were out of work for a while, it’s better to allay any doubts as to why now, before an employer reads the CV.
Example (for a Nordic Customer Services rep)
I am a graduate, fluent in English, Danish and with experience of Spanish. My work experience to date has been in an administrative and management capacity as well as other customer facing roles.
I have a strong interest in world culture and international law, developed through my previous studies and time spent in other cultures. I feel this coupled with my previous experience and skills in IT, administration and organisation would make me ideal for this role.
Regards,
Name here.