Six ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd

Six ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd by Amber Rolfe Writing a CV and making it stand out are often two different things… Whether you’ve recently finished school or university, or you’re just started searching for a new position, making your CV unique is essential if you want to get invited to an interview. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to do it.We’ve already covered what a CV is and how to write a CV, but here are six of our top tips to help your CV stand out:     Pay attention to your personal statementYour personal statement is the first thing an employer sees when they open your CV, meaning that getting it right is absolutely vital if you want them to read on.Firstly, focus on covering who you are, what you can offer, and what your career goals are referring back to the job description to help you identify the specific skills the employer is looking for.Secondly, make it unique. Anyone can talk about what they can bring to the company using a variation of vague adjectives but you want to stan d out. This means placing an emphasis on your most impressive, interesting, and relevant skills and abilities.The key? Use examples to back up your claims, but don’t overdo it. Sum up the specific skills and experience that make you perfect for the position, but keep it as short and succinct as possible.Aim for around 150 words (or four or five lines), and you’ll be on the right track.How to write a personal statement Personal statement: Dos and don’ts Personal statement examples            Find your USPJob hunting is competitive.That means that for every application you submit, you could be up against numerous other candidates who have a similar skill set.Luckily, your USP can set you apart. Whether it’s that you have your own blog, you’ve taken part in extracurricular activities or volunteer work, or you use social media to network with others in your field, it’ll all help you to stand out from the crowd.Of course, these things should be relevant to the job and shoul d emphasise your ability to carry out the role effectively.For example, candidates who have a blog dedicated to their field of expertise should draw attention to their commercial awareness and extensive knowledge on their subject area alongside any other impressive achievements (e.g. having your work published and displayed at an event).You should also include links to portfolios, blogs, or anything else that not only demonstrates your skills, but also makes you unique.Five CV skills employers look for in every jobseeker            Make the most of keywordsOK, so we’re not saying you should include one in every sentence but we are saying that you should bear them in mind while writing your CV.This is because many employers use keywords to search for candidates, often basing them around the job title they’re hiring for, along with the requirements and duties involved with it. And if the recruiter uses an ATS, utilising keywords is even more important.So to ensure you’re ticki ng all the boxes, always check the job description and company website for specific words and phrases the employer might be looking for.This could range from making the most of synonyms so you can cover a range of different job titles (e.g. Retail Assistant, Sales Advisor, etc.), to being industry specific with your terminology and expanding on any qualifications you may have.Four ways to help recruiters find your CVATS: What you need to know            Use proactive descriptionsIt’s easy to say you’re good at something, but backing it up? That can be a bit trickier.To make sure you’re providing tangible examples for every skill you mention, always use the STAR model. Once you’ve identified the ‘Situation’, ‘Task’, ‘Action’ and ‘Result’, formulate this into a short key point, including how you achieved the result, and how your actions addressed the initial situation and task.This will help you to communicate key points clearly and concisely within the job det ails section of your CV.It’ll also mean you’re able to go beyond your past responsibilities, in order to cover results and achievements which, let’s face it, demonstrate what you’re capable of more effectively.For example, saying you ‘worked on social media’ doesnt really tell the employer much. But saying ‘increased social media engagement by 20% through the implementation of a new strategy’ is a much better way of quantifying your abilities.What words should I use on my CV?Five lines that are killing your CV     Tailor your CV to the jobYour CV is not a ‘one size fits all’ document.This means that sending the same one every time won’t be doing you any favours when it comes to impressing an employer.Instead, you should alter your CV in line with the role you’re applying for using the job description, company information, and any other details you find from industry research as a guide.Remember: a CV is all about selling yourself effectively, through emphas ising your skills and experience. If the ones you list aren’t relevant, the employer isn’t going to be able to see how you match up.Sure, it might take a bit more time, but it’s better to send off five carefully tailored CVs, than submit hundreds that don’t accurately represent your suitability.What recruiters really want in your CVEight myths about CVsDon’t forget the basicsLet’s face it, your CV won’t stand out if you don’t get the basics right.So in addition to the above points, it’s vital to write a CV that’s clear, concise, and to-the-point (no more than two pages). And, to ensure common grammar mistakes or typos aren’t holding you back, always read your CV thoroughly before submitting it.Finally, make sure your CV layout is easy-to-navigate, with your personal details, personal statement, work experience, achievements, education, and hobbies listed in a logical order.If you’re struggling to get started, try our free CV template.How to keep your CV short and sweet What not to do on your CVCV templates and tips    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. Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind 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 CVs

The Mentality of a Successful Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Mentality of a Successful Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Success is all in your head. If you want to control your ability to have a lucrative, fulfilling career, it’s imperative to control the way you think. Those who can’t control their emotions and inner monologue never reach their full potential. The long-term solution to sub-par success, lack, and limitation lies in our ability to turn our inner potential to reality. Among other things, this means not allowing outer circumstances to control our emotions. It means understanding that no amount of money or physical objects creates happiness or cultivates success. Rather, our recruitment experts have seen that a better career begins with self-improvement; self-improvement starts with a healthy thought process that promotes creativity and spurs action. Below, you’ll find three strategies to cultivate a mentality conducive to you achieving your goals, thus allowing you to cultivate a career based on leveraging the skills you possess and learning the ones you don’t. 1. Our mental conditions make us who we are. The more time you waste worrying, fretting and complaining, the worse off you will be. Just the minute you are aware of thinking a negative thought, immediately change it to a positive. If you start to think of failure, change that thinking to success. Often, people fail to live up to their potential because their failures are met with despair and they expect their rewards to come to them instead of actively pursuing those goals. 2. Focus on cultivating the right habits. Nobody but yourself is responsible for your habits. Throughout our career, you’ll develop both productive and destructive practices. The problem with destructive habits is that they are easy to form yet are hard to live with. Understand that as we become older, habits become more ingrained with whom we are as individuals and, thus more difficult to overcome. But regardless of our age, our methods and approaches can be altered. In order to overcome undesirable habits, it’s imperative to step back and analyze all of your actions from a neutral perspective. Determine which ones are preventing you from achieving your goals. After you define those goals, try to understand why you do them. Finally, make a commitment to overcome these efforts. Every time you don’t give into the temptation to repeat a destructive habit, you strengthen your resolve. 3. If you want to cultivate a mentality of success, it’s important to gain a basic understanding of who you are. Our self-image, which is the picture of ourselves that we hold in our minds, becomes the key to our lives. However, many times our beliefs and the way in which we see ourselves are entirely false. Our egos will often trick us into thinking and, thus acting in a way that is not in our best interest. For instance, if our thought patterns say, “I cannot achieve getting the promotion I want,” we subconsciously create conditions that correspond to these ideas. We begin to stop negative thought and behavioral patterns when we begin to accept and learn from the past rather than use it as a basis to negatively judge ourselves. The past should serve as a source of learning not self-judgement. In the End No one limits us but ourselves. In order to become a success, it’s imperative to avoid becoming the victim of negative ideas. Strive more to please yourself and worry less about pleasing others. By assuming our own identity, we are bound to make others angry or jealous, but most importantly we make ourselves happier and set up the circumstances conducive to a successful career.

How Your Job Could Be Making You Sick

How Your Job Could Be Making You Sick Careers, even ones that seem to be perfect, can sometimes take their toll on employees. Working in less-than-ideal conditions can lead to the physical illness of a worker, even if she doesn’t realize why she is sick. Unnoticed stress or additional strain can lead to various symptoms of illness, causing the employee’s performance to drop. It’s best to recognize these hidden factors and change them as quickly as possible in order for her to stay on top of her game and, most importantly, stay healthy. A bad boss When an employee’s boss is bad, that can make for not only poor physical health, but mental health as well. When the person who looks over completed work, assigns tasks, and runs the office is incompetent or unsupportive, then work becomes a chore instead of something to be enjoyed. When a worker has to remain in control and polite every day, she runs the risk of developing cardiovascular problems and high levels of emotional and physical stress. In the long run, continuing in a career where faking it is a daily task may not be the most ideal environment for an employee’s physical well being.

How Do American Workers Waste Time and Money

How Do American Workers Waste Time and Money American workers waste approximately 2.09 hours each day â€" and thats not including scheduled lunch breaks. So wheres that time going, and how much is it costing? Theres nothing wrong with taking a break or two from the work each day, but it turns out were all wasting much more time that was previously thought. According to a survey by America Online and Survey.com, American workers are wasting 2.09 hours per 8 hour workday, and that doesnt include lunch or scheduled break time. Whos wasting the most time, and what are they doing? A new infographic by OnlineCollegeCourses reveals a few interesting stats: 44.7% of workers waste time by surfing the Internet for personal use 23.4% socialize with co-workers 6.8% even conduct their own business in office hours 3.9% are spaced out 3.1% waste time by running errands off-site 2.3% make personal phone calls 1.3% apply for other jobs 1% arrive late in the mornings 1% plan their personal events. Related: How Much Time Employees Waste on Social Media (Infographic).

How to Start Your Building and Construction Career in 2018 - CareerMetis.com

How to Start Your Building and Construction Career in 2018 Source â€" Pixabay.comOne of the broadest and fastest growing industries around, building and construction careers are in high demand.With dedicated pathways to become a builder, you can also specialise in many types of jobs in construction, including:CarpentryStonemasonryPlasteringChip boardingBricklaying or tiling.Depending on your career ambitions, your existing skills, and your natural talents, there could be multiple career pathways for you to choose from.evalNo matter which of the many careers in the construction industry you choose, you’ll soon realise that every role in building and construction is integral to the industry.Many trades are dependent on each other, which is clearest on building sites â€" certain jobs must be completed before the next team moves in.We will never stop creating and adapting new buildings, and there will always be a need for professionals when demolishing, extending or renovating.As the industry continues to expandto meet new demands, you can pla y a central part. Technological evolution is further cause to be involved, as environmentally-friendly construction methods are developed and refined at a faster rate than ever before.Regardless of whether you find yourself in residential, commercial or industrial sectors, your skills are essential to the everyday operation of the world we live in.The process for launching construction careers is simple, but it is worth doing your research to ensure you get the best out of the early stages in your career.1. Identify Your OpportunitiesevalFirstly, identify your end goal â€" if you can.evalPart of identifying opportunities includes taking those you might not normally have considered, but those that provide experience or insight or access to a network that you may not otherwise have.If you know you want to have a construction career more generally, but not the specific area, use your own network â€" your friends and family â€" to see if they know anyone that could give you some insight .As well as their own day-to-day activities, they’ll be able to give you an indication of the stresses, soft skills, working environments and industry issues you will face and work around.Additionally, they will be able to give you insight to the trades they work closely with, and whether one of these will be more suited to you.evalFrom here, you’ll have a better understanding of industry expectations and how your innate skills and interests correlate with a proposed career path.Depending on the types of jobs in construction you think you might enjoy, use your connections to identify your next steps and how they learned the trade, and where they source staff or upskill themselves.This will be a better source of understanding for your next steps and planning your training than anyone else.If you have decided on a specific career direction, ask your family member or friend to put you in touch with others in the industry about their path, and which institutes or training organisati ons they recommend for career starters.2. Learn from a MentorOnce you have started a course or decided on an apprenticeship, make a point of maintaining your relationships with friends or family in your professional network.If they are experienced and interested in your success, they may agree or offer to mentor you at the start of your construction career.As you will be starting in the most junior of positions within a trade or business, it is important to understand when your superiors are following the law, and when they are not.This is difficult to understand when you have limited experience, so having a mentor to guide you through an unusual circumstance or request will ensure your wellbeing is prioritised.They will also be available to advise you on whether the skills you are learning are relevant, appropriate for your stage of learning, and will allow you to develop and contribute to industry down the line.evalBy aligning yourself with a mentor who you trust and respect, youâ €™ll give yourself the best chance of making the most of your time and propelling your career forward.Ideally, they’ll be able to secure you training, or put you in touch with a colleague or professional they trust, so that the chances of a better learning experience are higher.3. Take on an ApprenticeshipApprenticeships remain the standard when it comes to starting a career in the construction industry.Regularly offered as part of trades courses, they can be the best insight available into your future career.You’ll be working onsite alongside qualified tradespeople and will gain an insight into daily life, regulations to adhere to, and common problems and solutions.evalYou’ll also be trained in using power tools, and develop skills in communication, teamwork, time management and how to manage internal politics of all businessesIf you are unsure of where to find an apprenticeship, you can do so through a course, or alternatively through a government website.3. Further Study to Boost Your CareerIf you are thinking of a higher salary in the long-term, or want the flexibility of fewer working hours, or even options to work from home, consider further study.With various courses available, you can either undertake a a building and construction course online with fewer units to boost your CV, or perhaps even a Certificate IV in Building and Construction.University level study is an additional option if you want to extend your knowledge in business or construction management.With experience and qualifications behind you, you’ll not only be more comfortable charging more for your services, but you’ll be able to manage your expectations of what a fair salary looks like for yourself and potential employees, and what a fair cost means for your clients.The more you specialise in industry, the more valuable you become.At this point, the types of jobs in construction you’ll be undertaking will be more unique, and further study can support access to clients requi ring a finer approach. Your expertise, particularly for a growing industry niche, will mean that you can charge even more for a specialist product.If unsure about further study, consider testing the waters with a building and construction course online. This way, you can manage the study load at your own pace, and get a taste for the value longer, more time intensive courses may provide.By investing in all of these tips, you’ll be ready to start your career in the construction industry and help it grow from day one.

Herb Kelleher I think people should have fun at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Herb Kelleher I think people should have fun at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I stumbled on this interview with Herb Kelleher, former CEO of Southwest Airlines and it is all kinds of awesome. From the interview: Well, I think people should have fun at work. It should be an enjoyable part of their life. They should gain psychic satisfaction from it. I think most of us enjoy fun, and why not at work as well as at play? And so we?ve always encouraged people to be themselves, not to be robotic, not to be automatons. We don?t expect you to surrender your natural personality when you join Southwest Airlines. We want you to have some fun, we want you to have psychic satisfaction from your job. It?s not just about money, it?s also how you feel about what youre doing. We want people to be recognized, participated, diligent and creative. And you can?t ask people to be someone other than themselves and have that kind of creativity and dedication and participation. So, we liberate people at work. Go see?the whole thing. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

The Right Resume Tips

The Right Resume TipsResume tips are best for those who haven't already exhausted all the skills and know-how that they have. You might have tried to do the resume job once, only to be disappointed in the end because you could not make a good impression on your interviewer.These resume tips will give you more confidence in doing this task alone. First, try to make a list of every skill and knowledge that you possess. This will prevent you from wasting your valuable time reviewing resume after resume that you don't even need.Second, take note of the skills that you possess that may help you get a job. These skills can be those you learned while learning a subject or some skills you acquired when you were a student. It is very possible that you learned these skills during college.Once you have identified those skills, it is time to organize them in a way that you will be able to tell your interviewer what the purpose of them are. It is important to go over this part of the resume proce ss several times to make sure that you remember everything. Make a list of the skills and knowledge that you have acquired.One easy way to organize these skills and knowledge is to use the categories. Take for example, you will be looking for an IT specialist. If you had a computer science major, then you will go with the information in the fields of math, science, English, and so on. You can further group these skills with the things that they help you with such as helping students learn and therefore, the specific field of computer science.The next step is to see which skills are important to the specific position that you are applying for. To do this, look at the job description. Determine which skills will help you with this job.After you have done this, you need to make sure that the skills that you are going to use are those that are relevant to the job. You need to also know if there are other skills that would be equally important to your potential employer. A good example i s that a surgeon will need the skills of operating room personnel. It is important to identify the specific skills and knowledge that are important to your new employer.Using these resume tips will help you make your resume more impressive. You can have more success in your career by making sure that you have the right skills and knowledge to get that job.