Tag: CV

7 Ways to Boost your Job Search!

Posted by Mary Cronin on January 13, 2016

Our economy is growing but yet finding the job you want, or in some cases any job remains a big challenge for most jobseekers. While it’s difficult to cover all aspects of job seeking in a blog article I will attempt to address some of the main points here.

Be proactive and make time

Job searching is hard work and requires a lot of your time. If you are unemployed then job searching effectively becomes your job until you find one. If you are working and interested in changing job the time aspect is challenging but in order to succeed you need to schedule time. If a good friend or colleague asked you to do something for them I’m sure you would make time and space for it – we often don’t do for us what we very willingly would do for others! Remind yourself how much you want it.

Treat it like a project, plan it like a project and execute it like a project

Rather than take an ad hoc approach it is best to plan your job search strategically. Think about what your top strengths are and the skills you prefer to use. What types of jobs correspond? Consider how flexible you can be in order to get what you want. Are you willing to move? Commute? Retrain?

Each week make a list of the tasks you need to do. List all the people you need to talk to and companies you need to contact. Keep a record of who you contacted and the dates so that you have this information for follow up calls. Keep a copy also of any applications you send out as your application can form the basis of your interview and you will need to review it when you get that interview!

The traditional method – applying to adverts

Searching through job adverts is the most common activity for jobseekers but yet it accounts for less success than other methods. When a job is advertised either locally or nationally you can expect strong competition. It is easy to find out about these jobs through newspapers, Internet, or recruitment agencies; therefore, it is highly likely all your competitors will be applying also. It is important to make sure you stand out from the crowd when applying to these positions by writing a good cover letter and a targeted CV. (See more here).

The hidden jobs market

Recent LinkedIn research has shown that the majority of jobs are still found by word of mouth. Up to 60% of jobs are not advertised but are filled internally or through referral. So how do we find these positions? This is where networking comes in. You need to let the right people know that you are looking, what you are looking for and what your key skills are.

Targeted approach

If you are applying to a particular industry make an exhaustive list of all the companies in this industry that interest you (I find Irish Times Top 1000 is a great website for this as you can search by industry (www. http://www.top1000.ie). Check out the company website’s to see if they are recruiting. Expand your network within your industry and join professional organisations if there are any. If there are industry-specific publications sign up if you can, as these will often contain details of opportunities. Don’t forget to check out small to medium business and start-ups as they often generate a lot of employment.

Social media

Employers are increasingly looking to social media to help with recruitment, particularly on platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter. If your industry has a presence on social media you need to be on it. Setup a detailed LinkedIn profile containing keywords relevant to your industry so that employers can find you. Connect with people and post articles or links to show your knowledge and area’s of interest. Use these platforms also to research companies so that you can pitch your application correctly. Be aware of your digital footprint, it’s more important than ever with social media becoming a larger player in the job searching/recruitment arena.

Think positive!

Crucial to the outcome is your thinking. Think positive! It really does matter. Your thinking can influence your job search. If you think you are unlikely to find a job this has an unconscious impact on how you conduct your job search and in turn on the outcome. The right job is out there for you, by putting in the work you will find it. Good luck!

Any questions? Contact me.

5 Ways Volunteering can help your Career!

Posted by Mary Cronin on December 15, 2015

Most people who volunteer do so without thinking about personal gain, however, it is worth being aware of the positive impact that volunteering can have on your job searching or career. I worked with volunteers for many years and found them to be a hardworking, dedicated and proactive cohort of people. They consistently represent the qualities that employers look for.

Volunteering can be particularly helpful for students, graduates or career changers. All sorts of skills are sought after in a volunteer capacity so regardless of your areas of interest you will find a volunteering opportunity to utilise your skills and build your experience. Here I’ll discuss the top 5 ways in which volunteering can positively impact on your career.

Career sampling

Wondering if a particular career or work environment would suit you? Getting involved as a volunteer will allow you to dip your toes in and see the reality of the job before you take the leap of leaving your current position. I have met more than a few people who changed their career direction after a volunteering experience. It is an excellent exercise in self-awareness that often results in enormous change.

Enriching your CV

Volunteering can greatly enhance your CV. This is particularly true if you are a graduate, on a career break or perhaps looking for a career move from profit to non-profit. A gap in your employment history can be presented more effectively on your CV if you have used the time to engage with volunteer work and build skills. Articulate your volunteering experience well on your CV, it is valid experience and the fact that it is unpaid does not make it less so.

Building skills

Volunteering offers the opportunity to build on your current skills and develop new ones. It can also help you to identify your key strengths, something you will be selling in your job searching. Many people choose to volunteer in a capacity that requires completely different skills to those they use in their current work life. Thus, they are building a whole new set of transferable skills that can allow them to access different career opportunities.

Expanding your Network

Yes, networking again! Career counsellors constantly talk about networking, but for good reason. It is one of the most important aspects of job searching or career change. However, we often get into a habit of only networking within our own industry. By volunteering you are not only meeting like-minded people but you are also expanding your network, often in a completely different industry.

Building confidence

It is normal to lack confidence when considering a new career or returning from a break. Volunteers often feel a great sense of accomplishment that can boost self-esteem and provide a renewed sense of confidence in their skills and abilities. Generally volunteers often feel more energised and fulfilled, all of which comes across when you meet perspective employers.

If you have further questions about this or other career related topics, don’t hesitate to contact me.

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5 Tips to get your CV on the yes pile!

Posted by Mary Cronin on November 7, 2015

Tired of sending applications and still not getting an interview? Here are some tips that might help.

When they pick up your CV employers only really want to know one thing – can you do the job they need done. Therefore, when writing a CV the needs of the employer should to be the focus – and all employers and job requirements are different.

Adapt the CV dependent on the job description

Many people make the mistake of sending out the same CV for every application. You do require a good CV to start with but it needs to be adjusted for each application. Go through each job description in detail underlining keywords and requirements. Note how your experience and qualifications match up and make sure your CV demonstrates this clearly. Do some research about the Company, it will give you additional information for pitching your CV.

Write an engaging Profile/Career Summary

The profile should summarise clearly your strengths, skills and experience and identify you as someone who can do the job. Use this space wisely, it could make the difference between the employer continuing to read or not. Draw attention to experience relevant to this particular job. For example if the job description mentions a required number of years experience, qualifications or skills and you have these attributes you need to state that here in a clear and concise way.

Don’t undersell yourself

When detailing your experience take care not to undersell yourself! In this section you want your experience to reflect the needs of the job description. Put the tasks or achievements most relevant to the role you are applying to at the top of any bulleted list. Where possible use ways to quantify your achievements, e.g. if working in sales “increased sales by 20% in first year” or management “led a team of 10 people”.

Address it to the correct person

No point in all that work if it doesn’t get in front of the right person. Never send a CV “To whom it concerns” or “HR Manager”. If replying to an advert make sure to use the name and title given, if none is given or if you are applying on spec ring the company and ask for the name and title of the person you should address your CV to.

Don’t forget the basics

Make sure there are no errors in spelling or grammar and that your contact details are correct. Check that employment dates match up and any gaps or career breaks are explained.

Need further help or advice?