CV Resume NFR Test - Is your Job Application Prepared
CV Writing and Resume Writing demands a lot of though and planning each time you find yourself acting searching for a new post. Are you actively searching for a new post?, you may have put together a great CV or Resume using many sample CV’s or sample Resume help and formats.
But it is worth understanding that CV or Resume Writing takes much more nowadays.
In the recruitment /HR industry, there is something that subconsciously goes through the mind of every Recruiter or Employer every time they have to go through a bulk of application to find the best candidates to shortlist.
That subconscious Test is called the NFR Test- The “Necessitate Further Reading” Test. More often than not CV and Resume can take hours to go through, with so many other job duties to deliver and very little time, Employers and Recruiters find themselves spending 10-20 seconds scanning through a CV or Resume to find key skills to suit a job criteria.
Each and every time when this happens unintentionally the NFR Test is applied.
To make sure your CV or Resume passes the dreaded NFR test in your job hunting efforts feel free to review and Implement the following 7 core Tips:
(1) Make sure Your CV or Resume is targeted and written for a specific vacancy always.
(2) Try and ensure the layout of your CV or Resume is clear, extremely easy to read and follow.
(3) Use bullet points to enforce core strong relevant skills and make sure they are up front and easy to find.
(4) Do not let your CV or Resume be clowned with gaps, unclear information missing dates, too many fonts, and the like.
(5) List most Relevant information first. Let the first and Second Pages of your CV / Resume always be the strongest and most relevant.
(6) Consider how you word and display your past Job Titles - Are they similar or do they reflect, the Job Titles/functions you are now pursuing? the closer they are the stronger the chances for your CV or Resume.
(7) Let your CV or Resume portrait the fact that you belong to a specific Job Industry, such applications always warrant a further read, as suppose to a CV or Resume that has experience in 6 industries in only a very short space of time.
Upper Class CV Writing & Resume Writing Ltd. - Ola Philip King is a professional CV Writing & Resume Writing Consultant and Recruiter she has helped many job seekers secure their dream post across diverse job sectors through her CV /Resume Writing Services and Recruitment activities. Free advice and Personal Assessments are available through her CV Writing & Resume Writing Services.
Tags: Curriculum Vitae Writing, cv writing, How to write a cv, resume writing, sample resumeHow to Write a Great English Resume
The idea of an English Resume is to sell yourself: An English Resume is seen as an opportunity to sell yourself and should emphasise your skills, experiences and achievements. You should include successes and wherever possible include facts and figures to support your claims. Do NOT include information that is negative.
Spelling and Grammar Check: Correct spelling and grammar are of absolute importance in an English Resume. Employers will NOT tolerate any mistakes. It is very important that a native English speaker checks your Resume before you send it to an English-speaking employer.
CVwriting.net can provide a full spelling and grammar check and suggest any changes to the content of your Resume in line with what employers expect.
Do not include a photo: Most English employers do NOT like to see a photo on the Resume and, in fact, including one could work against you. Only include a photo if it has been specifically requested for a particular job application.
English Language skills: This is a very important aspect of your Resume and your professional career. You must explain your knowledge of the English language under the ‘Skills’ heading. Describe your level of knowledge as one of the following:
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Why Do You Need A Web Resume
If you are serious about getting that “new job” you really should consider a Web Resume as a part of your overall job seeking strategy.
In this age of technology a Resume put together on an old typewriter and sent ’snail mail’ is not enough.
A Web Resume is simply a copy of your Resume produced on a web page that can be accessed via the Internet rather than held on your PC at home. It is an ideal addition to your job-hunting toolkit if you intend to spend any time away from your PC.
Imagine being away for the weekend, whether on a wild trip to New York or a cosy hotel in Paris. You pop into an Internet caf
Tags: curriculum vitae, cv example, cv template, cv writing, How to write a cv, sample cv, wri, write a cvCV Writing - Interview Guide
The interviewer hopes that YOU are the right person for the job. They are under pressure to fill the position so that they can get back to their own work. Therefore you are in a greater position of strength than you think. Concentrate on what you have to offer in the way of qualifications and experience instead of feeling intimidated.
An interviewer has 3 aims:
1) To learn if you are the right person for the job.
2) To assess your potential for promotion
3) To decide whether you will fit into the company environment.
The key to a successful interview is in preparation
Be prepared: For the types of questions you will be asked
Be prepared: To ask questions yourself
Be prepared: To research the company
Be prepared: To look the part
Be prepared: To turn up on time
Questions you may be asked
Example question: How would you describe yourself?
Your answer: Should describe attributes that will enhance your suitability for the position. Have some ready in advance.
Example question: What are your long-term goals?
Your answer: Should be career orientated. Make sure you have goals to discuss.
Example question: Why did you leave your last job?
Your answer: Could be more responsibility; better opportunity; increased income. Do not be detrimental to your previous employer. He could be the interviewer’s golfing partner.
Example question: Why do you want this job?
Your answer: Your answer should be: more responsibility or better opportunity or similar. Not: because it is closer to home or the gym.
Example question: What are your strengths?
Your answer: Should highlight accomplishments and experiences that relate to the position for which you are applying. Also give examples of situations where your strengths have been demonstrated.
Example question: What are your weaknesses?
Your answer: Should not be a list of deficiencies. Don’t mention anything that could make the interviewer question your ability to do the job, for example “I am always late for everything.” Instead, discuss a weakness that could also be a strength such as “I am a workaholic!”
More Examples of Interview Questions
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Describe your current / most recent position.
What made you want to make this change?
What do you most enjoy doing in your current /most recent position?
Describe your future ambitions.
How would you describe yourself?
Questions for you to ask
Asking questions at interview has a number of positive effects:
It helps you find out more about the company and the position.
It can be used to divert the interviewer away from a subject you may wish to avoid.
It can help build a rapport with the interviewer.
It demonstrates an interest in the job and the company.
The questions must be about the position and the company.
Avoid questions about salary, benefits and facilities until after you have been offered the job.
You should already have researched the company and it’s products and services. Your questions should demonstrate knowledge of the company’s history, successes and problems. If the interviewer is a representative of the personnel department the questions should relate to the company and be general. Specific questions relating to the position should be kept for the line manager who will have a more detailed knowledge.
Example questions relating to the position
What are the main responsibilities of the job?
What are the most difficult aspects of the job?
How did the vacancy arise?
What is the career path relating to this position?
How will my work be assessed?
Example questions relating to the company
What is the company hoping to achieve in the next 12 months?
What new products are the company planning to introduce in the future?
Are any major changes planned for the department/company?
Who are your biggest competitors?
Where to find company information
Information relating to companies, financial data, industries and business trends is available in business magazines which often publish on the World Wide Web and allow you to order
Annual Reports relating to specific companies.
Companies often have their own web site.
Newspapers - search on-line press reports including archived articles.
Local library
Presentation Tips
Obviously you should be clean and smart in appearance but you should also dress appropriately for the position, for example: a student placement that is more expensively dressed than the Managing Director may have a negative impact.
Clothes should be on the conservative side, which is more acceptable to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. After all, you are asking to be accepted into the company. Therefore always avoid extremes in hair, clothes, make-up and jewellery. Taking trouble over your appearance shows the employer that the job is important to you.
Travel tips
Arrive 15 minutes early.
Make sure you have the correct address and know how you will get there:
Parking? Public transport access?
Do a dummy run if you are not sure.
Make sure you have a mobile phone and a telephone number so that you can ring ahead if circumstances beyond your control are making you late.
Be polite to everyone you speak to, it could be the Managing Director’s cousin!
Have a copy of your CV with you.
Summary
You should show interest in all aspects of the job and the company especially if shown around the premises.
Do your homework on the company and the nature of its business.
Take care in how you dress for the interview. First impressions still count!
Some of the main influences on the interviewer are:
Your experience in other employment or life situations
Your personal presentation.
How your personality comes across in the interview
Your background and references
Your enthusiasm for both the job and the organisation.
Relevant qualifications for the position.
E & O E - Copyright 2005 CVwriting.net
CV Writing - How to Write a CV - We show you how to write a CV in minutes. Professional CV writing at a fraction of the price. Full instructions and helpful tips. Telephone support and Web CV options for your complete CV writing solution
Tags: create cv, curriculum vitae, cv template, cv writing, How to write a cv, Interview guideCV Writing - Write a Perfect CV
Your CV is a gateway to getting an interview for that ideal job. It is your
opportunity to provide a good first impression but you only have two sides of A4
paper in which to do it. It is not surprising then that most people have trouble
getting started.
Firstly, you need to know what the employer is thinking.
The employer suddenly has a vacancy. Filling the vacancy is going to take up
valuable time that he would rather spend doing his normal job.
He would love to find the perfect person immediately rather than plough
through hundreds of CV’s. It is often a dull, thankless task.
The employer has a job description in front of him. It includes experience or
qualifications that are essential for the job and some attributes that are
desirable but not absolutely necessary.
He starts going through the pile of CV’s on his desk. He scans each one for
about 30 seconds and makes a judgement.
He simply hasn’t got time to read the CV that is more than two pages and
all the relevant information is hidden in long paragraphs. - He files it in the
bin.
Fancy formatting, coloured text or multiple fonts do not impress him. Is this
person trying to hide their lack of experience for the job behind an artistic
CV? - He files it in the bin.
He notices spelling mistakes and poor punctuation. This person is just
sloppy! - He files the CV in the bin.
He breaths a sigh of relief, the pile on his desk is smaller already. He
makes another coffee and then starts reading.
This should tell you a few things about writing your CV.
Keep it concise and to the point. The employer needs to see your work
experience, skills and achievements in the first 30 seconds of scanning your CV.
He knows what he is looking for. You have what he is looking for. Don’t
distract him from your relevant skills by adding in lots of unnecessary
information.
Keep it simple. Plain formatting, simply laid out under headings. The
employer wants to see exactly when, where and what you have done. Fancy
formatting makes your CV difficult to read. It may make your CV stand out from
the rest but for the wrong reasons.
Keep checking your english. Good spelling, punctuation and grammar are
essential. It is the first step in your personal presentation to an employer. It
says a lot about you. Also, poor english distracts the employer from reading the
content of your CV.
Now the content:
Contact details should be displayed on the first page. When he decides to
invite you to interview you want him to see immediately how to contact you
before he changes his mind!
Personal details should be limited to those that are absolutely
necessary. Most employers expect to see your nationality and date of birth but
you can choose to leave these out if you think they may go against you.
Other personal details such as number of dependents, driving license and
marital status can be included if it is not going to make your CV too long by
including them. These can help employers to get a rounded picture of the person
they are going to interview. Do not include names and ages of children or name
of spouse. The employer is not interested at this stage.
Interests can be included but only in one or two lines. It may provide a
starting point at interview for general conversation before getting down to
serious questions about your work experience. It also gives a rounded picture of
you without taking up too much space on the CV.
Profile is positioned prominently in your CV and should be used to sell
yourself in one paragraph. It is an opportunity to sum up your skills,
experience and general suitability for the job for which you are applying.
Career History or Work Experience. The heading you use depends on the
length of time you have been in fulltime employment. If you have recently left
school or university you should use the heading ‘Work Experience’ and
include all placements, paid and unpaid work. If you have been in fulltime
employment for the last two jobs this should be under the heading of ‘Career
History’. Do not use both headings in the CV. Whichever heading you use you
must include dates, name and location of company and a brief description of what
your job entailed including all the positive contributions you made to the
company.
Education should be described in terms of selling yourself to the
employer. Include all relevant courses, dates passed and name of school or
college. But, leave out poor grades and failures. These will not help you get
invited for interview.
If you have a university degree you can leave out all of your lower
qualifications. Mature applicants may want to leave out ‘Education’
altogether, as your career history and skills are probably more important.
Skills can be described under three headings: Technical Skills,
Professional Courses and Additional Skills. Technical skills are those related
to a technical, mechanical or engineering job. You need to list your skills and
how recently you have used them e.g. Java Programming used in the last 3 years.
Professional Courses are those that you have attended specifically for a
particular job e.g. sales courses, hairdressing. Additional skills are anything
else that may be relevant e.g. languages, keyboard skills, health and safety
courses.
Finally: Make it easy for him!
Remember, the employer has very little time. He doesn’t know you yet and is
only interested in what you can offer him and his company.
Make it easy for him to:
Scan your CV,
Identify that you have the skills he is looking for.
Pick up the phone to invite you in for an interview.
E & O E - Copyright 2005 CVwriting.net
CV Writing - How to Write a CV - We show you how to write a CV in minutes. Professional CV writing at a fraction of the price. Full instructions and helpful tips. Telephone support and Web CV options for your complete CV writing solution
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