Career Services from Measurability

JOB HUNTING TIPS

1. Set daily job search activity targets

These targets will help increase your motivation and help provide more direction. Invest more of your time on proactive job search strategies. You should spend at least 60% of your time networking and targeting companies speculatively.

2. Write a strong CV

A strong CV makes a significant difference, especially when you’re targeting highly competitive advertised jobs. You must excite the reader!! Identify and insert key achievements into your CV content. Tailor your CV content for specific roles. Get a killer CV with Professional CV Writing Service.

3. Become more active on Linkedin

You must create an impactful Linkedin profile. Then invest time into driving viewers to your profile. It is important to customise your Linkedin profile URL. Add this link to your email signature, business cards, CV, cover letter and Twitter profile. Connect with more people, engage more in Linkedin groups and post regular Linkedin status updates.

4. Become the king of networking

Networking is the key to successful job search. You must target worm leads, including friends, old work colleagues and family. You must target cold leads, by attending events and meeting new people. Remember, connecting with people isn’t enough. You must work hard to stay on the radar through subtle reminders.

5. Embrace riskier job search strategies

It’s important to record and review your job search activity. If your job search strategies are working, then stick with them. If your job search strategies aren’t working, then change them. Start taking a few risks and inject more creativity into your job applications. Need inspiration? You’ll find many amazing examples of creativity online.

6. Learn to sell yourself

Learn to sell yourself effectively. To do this, you must understand your key achievements, the value you can bring to an organisation and your unique selling points. Learn to sell yourself with Interview Coaching.

Findajob and iReach Market Research have launched a Quarterly Job Tracker to study emerging trends for employment and jobs in Ireland. The first survey results were released September 2012. There were some interesting findings from the 2,000 responses (adults in Ireland aged 18+ to 65+). I have picked out some of the findings that caught my eye.

CV WRITING – The survey found that 60% of job seekers adapt their CV to their current job search. This means that 40% do nothing to their CV.

NOTE: You must tailor your CV for each job application. This effort will give you the best possible chance to land an interview.

JOB SEARCH - The survey found that 74% of Job Seekers use online recruitment sites, 14% using Newsprint and 5% word-of-mouth.

NOTE: 70% of jobs are not advertised. Failure to use proactive job search strategies will mean failure to access the hidden job market. Spend more time using proactive job search strategies – social media, real world networking and speculative applications.

SOCIAL MEDIA – The survey found that 38% actively build professional contacts through LinkedIn. Of these 50% wanted to establish themselves in a professional light through the network. 50% use it to keep in touch with other professionals and networks. Only 4% of job hunters would consider Linkedin to search for jobs.

NOTE: Social Media tools can enhance your job search. Utilise key tools like Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook. Linkedin is a key tool to support your job search. You must create an impactful Linkedin profile. You must also increase your activity on the site to increase your visibility.

Measurability is a leading Career & Outplacement consultancy. Key services include CV writing, interview preparation, job search coaching, Linkedin training and career coaching.

Key sections to include in your CV

1. PERSONAL DETAILS

Your personal details will be located at the top of your CV. You should include your name, address, phone number and email address. Ensure the data is clear and accurate. Double check email addresses and phone numbers. Review your email address and ensure it is professional.

2. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

A professional summary, when delivered well, can excite the reader. Ideally, you should write four one line bullet points. You should amend your professional summary for each job application. It should communicate how you can add value and your suitability for the role. Deliver more impact by inserting some facts and achievements.

3. EDUCATION & TRAINING

Identify your key education and training. List this information in reverse chronological order, on the first page of your CV. Non-critical training can be listed under the “Additional Information” heading, on the second page of your CV. NB: If you don’t meet the minimum educational requirements, then move this section to the second page of your CV.

4. WORK HISTORY

List work experience in reverse chronological order. Include dates, company name and job title. Use bullet points to list duties and achievements. Deliver the content in short and snappy statements. There are exceptions to the reverse chronological rule, for example, if your most relevant work experience is earlier in your career. A “Relevant Work Experience” section allows you to bring this early career experience onto the first page.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This section captures other information that may add weight to your application – other training, skills and achievements. Locate this section towards the end of the second page of your CV.

6. INTERESTS

Some job seekers question the importance of including this section in a CV. I think you should! Most employers will review this section. It provides you with an opportunity to highlight relevant interests. It provides you with an opportunity to showcase key achievements outside of work.

7. REFERENCES

You can list referees at the end of your CV. Employers generally aren’t too interested in references during the CV sifting stage, so most times it is enough to state “References available on request”.

CV Templates Ireland

Creating an impactful CV is critical for job hunting success. It is important to use a strong CV template. I am a big fan of “Clean & Simple” CV templates. Below you will find 4 new CV templates. These cater for management, graduate, mid-level and junior roles.

Graduate CV Template

Junior CV Template

Mid-Level CV Template

Management CV Template

Feel free to use and share these templates. If you need help with writing impactful CV content, then contact Measurability for a quote.

CV Tips

How to create an impactful CV (part 3)

Some CV tips to help you create a strong CV. CV advice to help stand out in a crowded job market.

CV Writing Advice

How to create an impactful CV (part 3). Short video outlining key CV tips. CV advice from leading CV writer Paul Mullan.

CV Writing

How to create an impactful CV (part 2). Short video to help you build a stronger CV. Useful CV tips to help your CV stand out from the crowd. Useful CV advice to help you generate more interviews.

CV Writing(Part 1)

Here is a short video to help you write an strong CV. It examines the importance of creating impactful CV content! I hope you find the video useful.

Thanks Paul

Measurability provide a nationwide CV Writing Service – Antrim, Armagh, Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Derry, Donegal, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Tyrone, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow.

CAREER CHANGE STARTS HERE – Career Coaching Workshop

“There’s no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.” – Wayne Dyer

Many employees drift through their career working in jobs lacking fulfilment or any real satisfaction. Others believe that work is not for enjoyment therefore taking little action to find that dream job. As a result it is estimated that as many as 80% of employees are unhappy at work and on the wrong career road.

• Do you want to be inspired to take up the challenge of career change?
• Do you want your career to add to your life as opposed to take from it?
• Do you want to push yourself out of your comfort zone and adopt the strategy of measured risk?

 “Career Change Starts Here” workshop is your opportunity to learn essential career direction skills and to de-clutter your mind and focus.  It will help with career planning and motivate you to take action with insightful information on key career tools, job search strategies and winning CV writing.

WORKSHOP CONTENT

• Career clarity & career direction
• Career planning
• Expert advice to market yourself – CV’s & Cover Letters
• In-depth understanding of Job Search strategies

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group www.clearviewcoachgroup.com
and Paul Mullan of Measurability www.measurability.ie  are two of Irelands leading Career Coaches helping jobseekers across Ireland successfully navigate career hurdles.

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Davonport Hotel  Dublin 2.
Saturday 18th Oct 10.00 – 2.00pm.
Investment EUR195.00 (EUR165.00 before 3rd October)

BOOK NOW AS LIMITED AVAILABILITY!! info@measurability.ie

Most jobseekers do not realise that 99% of CV design is completed by phone and email. You do not actually have to meet the CV expert. In fact I will only meet clients for Career Assessment, Career Coaching or Interview Coaching. I find that meeting with individuals only adds time to the process – and time adds to the cost. I work with clients all over the country including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

I design CV’s for all levels of the organisation and all business functions. I design CV’s for Executives, Professional and Graduates. I have designed CV’s for sales, IT, production, engineering, materials, finance and management.

What does my CV look like?

I have worked in careers, HR and recruitment for 14 years. I have seen everything when it comes to CV’s and CV design – the good, the bad and the ugly. I am a career doctor with The Irish Independent and The Sunday Tribune and regularly write CV articles for a number of online sites including RecruitIreland. If you need an impact CV whay not check out my profile or read what other individuals had to say about my work.

Need more information?

I would be more than happy to provide more information about my CV service or my other services career coaching, career assessment and interview coaching. Feel free to contact me or visit my website for more information.