Does your CV pass the seven second test

Does your CV pass the seven second test by Sandy Purewal What does your CV say about you? When it comes to applying for new roles, you don’t have long to impress. In fact, studies show that recruiters spend somewhere between five and seven seconds on average looking at a candidate’s CV. That’s less than the time it takes to boil a kettle (think about that the next time you make a cup of tea).So how can you ensure your application lands in the ‘yes’ pile with such little time to impress? Here’s our guide on passing the seven second CV test:Keep it shortCVs are never one-size-fits all.Most recruiters say two pages is spot on, but it all depends on how much information you have to share. However, any more than three will be a definite turn-off.The key is to ‘cut the fat’. Ask yourself the question, ‘is this sentence relevant to the role that I’m applying for?’ If you find yourself saying no, then it shouldn’t make the final cut.And when it comes to your qualifications be specific. Add start an d end dates, qualification types and grades. You don’t need to add all of your qualifications either. At least two or three will usually suffice. For example, if you have an MBA, a business degree, A Levels and GCSES, you may find that you can exclude GCSEs and A Levels from your CV.How to keep your CV short and sweetWhich parts of my education should I include in my CV?Capture the reader’s attentionNo matter what job you’re applying for, always tailor your CV to include relevant examples showing the recruiter that you’re right for the role.If you have a specific job in mind, then even better. Use your CV to match up with the job spec and show the recruiter that you’re a good match â€" not to mention dedicated enough to really work on your application.And if you find that your experience doesn’t exactly marry up with the job description, don’t panic. Take some time to think about transferrable skills and show that you’re willing, able and equipped to handle the dutie s at hand.CV advice: how to stand out from the crowdFollow a logical, easy to navigate layoutA good use of formatting is vital to a successful CV.Choose an easy-to-read structure, with clear headings, and highlight key points by using bullet points to display the information. Place emphasis on the information you want employers to see first, and always use a logical order throughout.For example, if you haven’t got a lot of previous experience, focus on your personal statement, qualifications and skills instead. If you have done a similar role, leave your education details to later on.This will allow recruiters to find what they’re looking for quickly, and help make the most of the precious seconds that a recruiter takes to comb through your CV.Don’t bury your key points in layers of waffle.CV layout dos and don’tsCV layout examples  Ditch the clichés Nothing’s more likely to make a recruiter switch off than a generic application.And, even though you might think phrases li ke ‘excellent team player’ and ‘good communication skills’ are essential, all they end up doing is make your CV look like everyone else’s â€" something which could have dire consequences when a recruiter scans your CV.Instead, keep things positive, and always back up your attributes with real examples. After all, ‘increased revenue by X’ sounds a lot better than simply saying you’re a hard worker.Recruiters are just as bored of reading the same old stock phrases as you are of writing them.What words should I use on my CVFive lines that are killing your CV    Need more CV advice?It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview. To find out how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, buy James Reed’s new book: The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview. Get an expert opinionIt can be difficult to spot the flaws in your own CV.So in stead of agonising over every little detail, save time by letting experts point out exactly where you might be going wrong.TopCV  work with a team of expert CV writers to help people get their applications to the top of recruiters’ inboxes. Simply upload your CV to their site, and you’ll receive an expert CV review and evaluation within 72 hours â€" free of charge.If you’re ready to put your CV to the test, share it with the expert reviewers at  TopCV and find out today.Free CV reviewStill searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

How To Speed Up Enhance Your Job Search

How To Speed Up Enhance Your Job Search Finding a job can be a full time job in itself. It is time-consuming and often hard work. Here are a few tips on where to use your energy and time and how to increase your probability of success. 1. Know what you want Spend some focussed time working out exactly what you want to do. Self-analysis work is key before you put your effort in. Knowing what you want and what you are good at and enjoy will save you time, ensure you come across as focussed and self assured and it will also be helpful when asking others as they will then know to think of you when a particular opportunity arises. An easy cost effective way to do this is to complete What to do next? by Charlotte Billington (available on Amazon). A practical exercise book you can complete in your own time. 2. Network Build your network, reach out to relevant people within your network, learn from your network, seek out others within your networks’ network that you could be introduced to/speak to. Ensure that you contact senior people too, they may be more likely to have hiring power. Once people are aware of your area/needs, doors should open. Speak to people who have done well in your chosen field. Most often, people who have done well in their area and enjoy it are very happy to talk to those who are equally passionate and considering entering their area. Learn from others, speak to them about how they did it or look at their bios. If you are considering a course/some development in your area of interest, get recommendations from people who know. 3. LinkedIn Use this to its full advantage. Whilst looking for a position, you could consider joining linked in premium facility which is free for the first 30 days or look into their job seeker app. LinkedIn is a hugely powerful tool when it comes to recruiting and job change â€" spend time on perfecting your profile. Recruiters, headhunters and decision makers are using it to recruit so you are missing a trick if you are not using it to its full. 4. Agencies Join them. Identify three or four recognized agencies, headhunters or search firms that recruit the types of positions that you are looking for at the correct level of seniority. A tip on finding them…. Ask your network, think of good agencies you have used in the past for recruiting and join them. Call a few of the companies you would like to work for and see if you can find out which agencies they use â€" then join them. Another key tip is to build a relationship with your key recruiter and their team. If they like you they will fight for you. The relationship with them is key! 5. Build your experience Once you have identified what you want build your experience in that area. This could be internally within your company, by volunteering outside of work or offering on projects. Also pick out and highlight the relevant experience that you have on your CV or LinkedIn profile. 6. Be visible Whether this is in person networking or at events and conferences or ‘on line’ joining in on discussions and in groups be visible and get out there! 7.  Work on presenting yourself Interview well, have an elevator pitch, look good in person and on paper. Make sure your online presence, CV and LinkedIn profiles are impressive. Spend time on this. 8.  Match Match your CV and LinkedIn profile as closely as you can to the job specifications that you are looking at. Pull out the key words and relevant experience that you have. 9. Research Once you have identified a position, research and do more research. Research the company hiring process, the person interviewing you, others who work there, the market, their presence within the market, any articles related to them. Go beyond with the research. 10. Follow up â€" Ask and re ask if you need to Reach out and ask others. Can you help them out too in some way? Don’t be afraid to ask and talk to people. Why not approach that person at that company you have always wanted to work for and send your CV. They can always say no but they may say yes! 11. Testimonials and recommendations Ask people to write these for you on LinkedIn. People generally have to be approached and asked to do this. If you can ask for a testimonials from a 360 perspective â€" a boss, a colleague, a client, customer etc. Have atleast six. 12. Courses Are there any courses you could complete whilst you are still working at your current company or relevant ones you could do alongside? 13. Keep up-to-date Join groups on linkedIn, sign up to blogs relevant to your field, prescribe for an industry relevant magazine, sign up to newsletters. Go to conferences and any relevant meet ups. Learn, read and absorb any relevant information. Sign up to google alerts. These alerts (based on single words or phrases) will generate news articles that contain them emailed directly to your in box every day and will flag newsworthy content. Perhaps sign up with three or four relevant words. Set up google alerts for the companies you are interested in and interviewing for. All of the above will result in you coming across more knowledgeable and up to date with market changes and they may flag information on openings competitors or help you think about the specific areas you are most interested in. Also keep up with current affairs â€" buy The Week or other publications that reduce news if you are time poor. Read a daily newspaper to keep you informed and up to date. 14. Keep going and try to keep positive You will be more attractive as a candidate and others will want to help you. If you feel you need it and require assistance to get from where you are to where you want to be hire a career coach. Similar to asking for personal training if you have fitness goals a career coach could provide the extra support you need. About the author: Charlotte Billington is a career coach who helps individuals  at a  crossroads. She has recently written a practical exercise book What to do Next?  (available on Amazon) that can assist and guide you through the process  of changing jobs,  understanding and maximising your own potential.

Motivation Yourself and Others By Smiling at Strangers

Motivation Yourself and Others By Smiling at Strangers This week I had three 5:30 am telecons, worked until 5 pm  and then spent the night at school working on group projects.   You have no idea how much I was looking forward to this fabulous weekend!  Lets just say that this  was my motto for the week.  This nonstop week also posed some interesting questions for me. Two random men on the street made me realize that I  look like I dread going to work which made me re-examine  if I am really being present. As I  walked into work on Tuesday, a man told me that I looked like it was Monday and that I should look happier because I am one day closer to Friday.   Thank you, sir. On Thursday as I was walking across the street  into work, a man yelled out from his truck Do you like your job?!   I yelled back SURE! and then thought about his question for the rest of the day.   These two interactions in the same week made me realize that I dont think I am taking my own advice.   I know I have a lot of stuff on my mind but I dont want someone who doesnt even know me to think I am unhappy.   I dont want their  first impression of me to be tired, stressed and overworked (even though I am)   Do you?!! [Related Post:  4 Ways to Create a Habitat for Happiness at Work] So what I learned this week is that it is not just important to be present, awake and alive at meetings with the boss and your co-workers but also strangers on the street.   Who knows, maybe you can make someone elses day. Take the Time To Smile at Strangers It Could Change Both Your Days! The blog thinksimplenow offers this advice about smiling at work, Living under a routine, we can easily be in a zombie-like state. We zip into work quickly following the same routines we’ve habituated. Our target is to get to work, and we can sometimes forget about the people around us. So, the challenge is to practice beaming with smile as you come into work. Smile genuinely with people you meet. Be completely pleased to see them. Make it a focus for the day, to bring more happiness into the lives of others. Ask them genuinely and infused with energy, “How are ya?” “How was your weekend?” Watch the smiles surface on their face. Another website I came across when I googled Smile at Strangers was the blog Living Life Out Loud where I found a  story of what happened when  the writer  smiled at a stranger. One day when I was waiting in line for my prescriptions at Walgreens, an older man was sitting in a chair by the line. I looked up and caught his eye and smiled. He smiled back and started talking to me. When I picked up my order, I started to leave and I stopped to just say goodbye. He thanked me for talking to him because he is used to being ignored in his old age. He said it made his day to know there were nice people out there. All I did was smile, and have small talk with him for at the most 2 minutes. Think about what your smile could do for someone… I think this story sums it up.   You never know who might need a little smile from you to brighten up their day!   Do you smile at strangers?