How To Job Hunt

Job Hunting can be a daunting prospect especially if you are unsure of what you want to do. If you are lucky enough to have a passion for something particular then this is always something you should strive for, at least initially. You may find later on that the bills don't pay themselves if your not lucky enough to find employment in your preferred field. 

In order to narrow down your target field and to help give you some direction here are some helpful tips I came across

Get Employers To Come To You
Getting headhunted is no longer the preserve of employees in senior management. When you post your CV online, you are immediately putting your details within reach of thousands of employers. This may save you the trouble of searching through job adverts.

Target The Right Companies
Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond or would you rather have the safety of a large organisation with job security and a clear career path? Knowing what you want allows you to narrow down your search and spend more time on applying for the roles you really want. 

Build A Network
Networking is getting to know people who can help you develop your career prospects. You don't need to be a big shot or the most outgoing person in the world to network effectively; just keep your ears open and listen for information that could work to your advantage. 

Keep Your Spirits Up
As time passes, the rejections mount up and the budgets get tighter, it's easy to become disheartened. However, this is exactly the time when you need to dust yourself off and put in more hard work than ever. One of the main attributes of a successful job seeker is persistence.

For more advice and help in creating your CV, contact us today for a free consultation

Cover Letter

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter can play a very important role in finding a job. A cover letter is a one page document that adds a personal touch to your job application. It can demonstrate to a potential employer that you are a serious and professional candidate.

What is the purpose of a Cover Letter?

A cover letter should not be the same as your CV. It should complement your CV. Your cover letter should add a personal touch to the data contained in your CV. A cover letter is the first written contact with potential employers and must generate a positive first impression.

How to structure a Cover Letter?

The Opening Paragraph – State the reason for writing and try and get the attention of your potential recruiter.Be specific about the role or type of work you are applying for and what attracts you to the company.

The Middle Paragraph – In this paragraph you introduce them to you the person. This is where you add a personal touch to your application. State a few relevant skills and achievements. Point out what it is that attracts you to the company and why you want to apply for the position. It is useful here to mention something in the companies recent past so that the reader knows you have researched the company.

The Closing Paragraph – Let them know that you are available for interview. Thank the reader for taking the time to review your application.

The Star Technique

During your interview you many be asked a number of competency based questions. The best way to answer these questions is with the STAR technique. This technique helps you to structure your answer properly and shows that you are capable of problem solving. 

STAR stands for the following:

• Situation
• Task
• Action
• Result

When using this method you need to describe the situation that occurred, what task you carried out, what action you took and the result or outcome. 

This is a very analytical method of answering questions and is a great opportunity for you to highlight skills and abilities you have included in your CV

Interview Tip's

For many people doing an interview can be a very stressful experience. Its important that you remember if you have been offered an interview then the organisation are already interested in your talents and abilities as described in your CV.  Here are some tips on how to best address the interview experience.

1. Make sure that you know, understand and are able to speak intelligently about the contents of your CV. Do not have something on your CV that you are unsure about as it may appear that you have made it up.

2. Research the company and the position you are applying for. Make sure when you are writing your CV cover letter that you personalize each cover letter for the individual organization.

3. Arrive early. Arriving early shows you are organized, reliable, eager and motivated. All things the interviewer will look for in a potential colleague.

4. Bring a copy of your CV. While it serves the purpose of showing your organization skills again, it also is good to have something to hold so you are not wondering what to do with your hands.

5. Dress accordingly. Generally as a rule you cannot overdress for an interview. Being smartly dressed shows that you care about making the right impression and therefore that you care about the position you are applying for.

For more helpful interview tip's on and help on how to write your CV please contact info@cvexpert.ie

The Importance of a well written CV.

Your CV is the first chance you get at making a good impression. If you do not take this chance you may never get another.

It can seem very daunting to start to write your CV and can be quite frustrating for some people as they are unsure what to include in it. 

As a standard rule your CV should be no longer than 2 or 3 pages long, depending on the position you are going for. 

It is important that you keep your CV up to date even if you are not currently planning on looking for a new career opportunity. As with most individuals your workload can be quite diverse and differ over a period of time even if you remain with the same employer. Fir this reason it is important that you continually make a list of your current job duties so you know what to include in your CV.

For more tips and advice on writing your perfect CV contact www.cvexperts.ie today for a free consultation.