Hints & Tips

CV Advice

CV Advice

Clarity is key here.  To help your CV stand out, keep it simple, straightforward and easy to read.  This means a clear font and format and clear direct language. Avoid borders, presentation folders, bindings, illustrations and photographs.  Two pages is the ideal length, with the most immediately important information on the front page.

The first page should include, along with relevant dates:

Name

Contact details

Nationality/visa information

Education and qualifications - most recent first

Key skills such as languages - and keep this succinct - we are not looking for an opinion piece

Current or most recent employment -

    Name of Organisation

     A brief description of the organisation - ie a couple of lines

    Job Title

    A brief description of the main purpose of the role (optional)

    Key Responsibilities

  •     List these as bullet points

    Key Achievements

  •     List these as bullet points

The second page should include, along with relevant dates:

Previous employment in reverse chronological order 

Additional relevant information which can include extra curricular activities, grades in musical instruments, memberships and interests.

On reading your CV we are looking for evidence, not opinion.  If you want to express the fact that you are a good communicator, allow this to be evident from your experience or interests.

If you are a recent graduate, with little experience, focus on extra curricular activities at university, organising events, student politics, student journalism, travel experience, drama and sporting achievements.  And include any vacation work experience and skills such as PowerPoint or Excel.

Use of language is important:

  • Active is more powerful than passive
  • Use positive verbs such as:  initiated, developed, organised, researched, identified
  • Avoid using the first person or third person

Accuracy is vital.  Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors are instantly off-putting.  Always ask someone else to proof-read your CV before you send it out.

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Interview Preparation

Find out as much as you can about the organisation, the job and the person interviewing you before you go.

Prepare your route in advance, to ensure you are punctual.

Wear clothes that help you feel confident and comfortable.  If necessary check out the culture and dress code first and choose between 'City suit smart' and 'Smart casual.'  It is a mistake to wear an outfit you feel awkward in, as this will show in your body language.

Prepare for questions and answers in advance, by looking at the job description (if there is one), identifying key competencies and preparing case studies in your mind to give examples of your experience.

Types of question include:

  • Direct questions, requiring incisive, accurate answers.  For example, 'Do you speak any languages fluently?' or 'Are you able to travel overseas once a month?'
  • Opinion questions, requiring rapport building answers.  For example, 'What do you think about David Cameron's arrival at Number 10?'
  • Open questions such as 'Tell me about what you enjoy most about your current role.'
  • Competency based questions.  These are based on the premise that future behaviour is best predicted by evidence of past behaviour.  To gain evidence of creativity, an interviewer might ask, 'Could you give me an example of when you have used your creativity to do something differently?'  The response requires an accurate, detailed and specific answer - and this is where your preparation will pay dividends.

And remember to ask your own questions, at an interview it is just as important for you to find out more about the job and organisation.

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CV Advice



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Communications Manager - Luxury - 3 months-permanent £35-42k

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or contact Rebecca Toll

What others are saying about JFL

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