Your CV works for you 24 hours a day. It has the ability to both open and close doors for you. It is worth spending time on it to do it properly. Here are some tips to give you a better chance of getting to the interview stage:

1) Keep it simple. The best CVs are often the simplest looking. Lots of borders, pictures and colours detract from the information about you. It’s you that the agency or interviewer wants to know about, not the flowery bits on the side.

2) Keep it short. As a general rule, 2-4 pages is good, 5-6 pages is tending towards being too long, anything longer than that is too long. The interviewer sees many CVs in a day. He/she is trained to pick up key information quickly. A CV that is too long indicates that the candidate does not have the ability to separate key information from other, less important, information.

3) Decide on a layout. There are 2 common CV formats that are widely accepted – the chronological and functional layout. We prefer the chronological CV layout, with elements of the functional layout added to it. The chronological layout is good for someone with a consistent work track record and, as a guideline, the CV would flow as follows: personal details, secondary education, tertiary education, work history (starting from most recent job), computer skills, hobbies and interests. A functional résumé focuses attention on your accomplishments and is often used more successfully if you are trying to change careers or industries. The mix we recommend would be to include your key accomplishments in the chronological CV.

4) Write the CV in your own words. Make sure you know what is being said and how it is being said. You may be challenged on your CV in the interview, so you need to know the full meaning of what has been written. If your CV has been written by someone else, ensure that you work closely with this person to fully understand the content so as to avoid any embarrassing situations in an interview.

5) Give examples of achievement. If you have key examples that need to be communicated in the CV, do so. It may be a leadership position at school, or being on a certain committee, or a specific sports achievement, or a work achievement. Communicate this in the CV. For example, recommended and managed the implementation of a new integrated business system. The project was completed on time and within our R1 million budget and has led directly to a 10% increase in revenue for the division in the past 4 months.

6) Tell the truth. The market is small, and word gets around quickly. Always tell the truth in your CV, otherwise there is a good chance you will live to regret it. Agencies and employers are very aware of lies in CVs (articles written indicate that close to 50% of all CVs do not communicate the full truth), so they will probe deeply for this. The truth may not make your career, but not telling the truth could ruin it.

7) Know your audience. Your CV is your first interaction with an agency or client who could make a difference to your life. These people receive hundreds of CVs on a daily basis. Your CV should answer the question: “Why should I hire you?” Communicate the information necessary, customise where appropriate (putting more emphasis where needed, not distorting the truth!). You could include a short motivation letter as to why you feel you have the skills for the role.

8) Language. The language you use should be specific, clear, succinct, positive, and exciting. No need to over-elaborate. Get to the point – that is what the reader wants.

9) Ask others to view the CV. Many heads are better than one. Sometimes one can get too close to one’s work and not see the wood for the trees. If uncertain, ask someone to view or give advice or to read in an objective way. They will soon tell you what’s missing.

10) Read points 1 to 9 again. It’s that important. You can’t afford to mess up your first non-verbal impression with your agency or client.

Interview Tips 

Interview time is make or break. The client is looking for an ideal candidate for their organisation. How can you be that ideal candidate from the many they see?

1) Preparation. The work you do before can set you up for a great day. Research the company, the interviewer, the market. The better you are prepared the calmer you will be, the better you will come across, and the more positive the interview is likely to be.

2) Look sharp. Know the company culture and what to wear. An interview is not the place to make a fashion statement. What you wear should not distract from your ability to get the job done. Use common sense. Rule of thumb, if unsure, rather dress more professionally than not. You may get away with casual dress in a more creative industry, like the ad industry for example, but it won’t go down well in financial services. If you look good, you will feel good too. If you feel good, others will respond to you accordingly.

3) You only get 1 chance to make a 1st impression! It’s that simple. Your interview can be won or lost in the first minute. By the time the interviewer walks toward you, an opinion is already being formed. Be ready to meet your interviewer with confidence, a firm handshake and good eye contact.

4) Body language clues. Your non-verbal clues may offer the interviewer more than you realise, and are sometimes considered more important than what you say. The way you sit, move your hands, touch your face, offer eye contact, and shake hands are all critical. Experts estimate that words express only 30% to 35% of what people actually communicate; facial expressions and body movements and actions convey the rest.

5) Be “in the moment”. Be focused, be in the “zone”. This is your time to impress, so you can’t afford to be distracted by other things like family, car or money worries. Leave those behind whilst you’re in the interview. Your interviewer will quickly pick up if you’re not 100% there in mind.

6) Read the mood. Use your perception to read the mood in the interview. If the interviewer is formal, then you probably should be, too. If the interviewer is casual, then you have more scope to be casual, but never try to be too relaxed as there is a good chance you may lose your professionalism.

7) Listen. This is a skill that many think they have, but very few do! It is a much-neglected skill. Listening won’t necessarily get you the job, but not listening will lose you the job. By listening you will be better positioned to answer what the interviewer is actually looking for.

8) Keep your answers short and to the point. It is important to keep your answers succinct and focused on answering the questions as directly as possible. By giving long-winded answers, you run the risk of your answers losing impact and causing the interviewer to lose interest in the conversation.

9) Be positive. People are attracted to positive people. Positivity often is linked to good energy, initiative, “can do” attitudes, team players. If there is any opportunity to show you’re a positive person, do it. It might be in a small thing like complimenting them on the view of the interview room or the friendliness of the staff. The interview is not the time to badmouth your previous employers.

10) Tell the truth. The market is small, and word gets around quickly. Always tell the truth. The risk of not doing so is not worth it and will catch up with you when you least expect or need it. If you are not certain of the answer to a technical question, best practice is to let your interviewers know that you are not certain of the answer before you attempt an answer.

11) Ask questions. It is important to ask one or two well-researched questions. It not only shows that you have done your homework on the company, but also indicates interest, and offers you the opportunity to learn more about the company. Many people don’t ask questions and waste an invaluable opportunity to interact further.

Please feel free to speak to us about anything you may need help with.

GOOD LUCK!

In such a tough environment it has become harder than ever before to land that all-important interview so when you do, you want to be sure you make no mistakes.

The key to being successful at anything in life is to put in the effort and hard work. If you haven’t prepared yourself properly for an interview, then any experienced interviewer will catch you out sooner rather than later.

However, there are a number of ways to make sure that you are properly geared up for that all important interview.

1) Get yourself in the right frame of mind.

You want to be in the best possible shape when you arrive for an interview. A positive mental attitude is the key – think back to any previous successes you have had, in any walk of life but particularly job related. Visualising these will automatically put you in a good frame of mind. Also, make sure you know exactly where you are going when you set out and that you leave yourself plenty of time when you get there. Turning up late or flustered puts you in a slightly panicky mindset and this is the last thing you want.

2) Make sure you look the part

It goes without saying that you don’t want to turn up for the interview looking scruffy; first impressions are everything. Everything about you is a shop window and as an interviewer I will be scrutinising every aspect. For example if your shoes are dirty or your appearance is messy that is an instant mark against you. It may sound silly but it tells me you lack attention to detail.

3) Match yourself to the job spec

Prospective employers will want to know that you have properly understood what it is they are looking for in a candidate. Make sure that you have fully understood the role you are applying for by studying the job specification and whether your skills and experience would make you a suitable candidate. I have had candidates in the past who spent a great deal of time talking about big corporate deals they have closed, when in actual fact the job spec states we would like someone with a totally different skill set. Had they explained why their skill set was suited to the exact role, they would have had a far better chance.

4) Ask for advice

When in doubt ask for advice from someone who might be able to help you. If you know someone who has worked for the company you have applied for, then talk to them and find out about the company culture and the person interviewing you. Something like LinkedIn can also be a big help here. Failing that, do you know somebody who works in a similar role for another organisation?

5) Do your homework

Thanks to the internet it has never been easier to do some research on the organisation you are hoping to work for. Any interviewer is immediately going to dismiss a candidate who turns up not knowing his or her stuff, so it would be foolish to not do your homework. Some general facts about the company, for example an award they may have recently won, is good to drop into the conversation before the interview has started. After that, you should know more specific details about the job you are going for. If you are applying for a finance position, you should have a good grasp of their latest accounts, or if you are applying for a sales role, looking at recent deals the company has made is a must.

6) Have some questions up your sleeve

At some stage in the interview you are going to be asked if you have any questions. This can often make or break your chances. This is where you need to take control and ask the interviewer almost as many questions as they asked you. Take every chance to drill down the role and the company. Generic questions like “what are the hours” won’t tell you anything of significance – what you really want is information such as what a typical day consists of and what are your key performance indicators. Challenging the interviewer like this immediately tells them you are a proactive person, and they will be sure to remember you when the interviews are all done.

7) Be confident but not cocky

It is important to be confident about yourself and your abilities, without going over the top. Employers want people who are lively and full of self-belief, but they also want someone who will work well alongside their existing team. Be careful not to cross the fine line between confidence and arrogance, as the latter is something managers rarely look for in new hires.

Job offers can sometimes be like buses and come along in pairs. When people are trying to find a new job then they will go through the process of updating their CV and checking all the usual places for possible openings. That kind of approach is bound to attract interest. And of course, if you are good at what you do then word will get around and you could find yourself with more than one offer on the table.

If you are in the position of having to make a choice between job opportunities then it should be viewed in a positive way. The key is to make the most of that situation.

Of course, the temptation will always be to go down the route of making a decision based on the money on offer. There is nothing wrong with that and if one firm is offering substantially more than the other then it can be an indication that they are the ones with the ambition, drive and financial clout.

But money should not always be the sole driver in the decision making process. Choosing a new job and a new employer is also about your long-term goals, and just as importantly, your personal happiness. Remember you could be handsomely rewarded but be stuck in a job with no prospects, and this isn’t a situation you want to be in.

I would always advise people to take a step back before making a decision so you have a chance to think logically – and crucially, so you can find out as much as you can about the companies involved.

You need to see if a company matches your ambitions and principles and whether it is the kind of business you want entrust your future career with. Try and talk to people in the business and check out your prospective employers on the internet. You may even want to speak to recruitment consultants in that sector – often they will know all about what different companies are like. Knowledge will give you the power to make the right choices.

Company culture is one of the most important factors to take into account. Unlike your salary, this is not something which can be negotiated – it is already set in stone. Think about when you went in for your interviews, or if you were shown around the office. Which company made you feel more comfortable? Which one had an environment where you would enjoy your work and flourish?

Remember to also consider your personal situation. You might have an incredibly tempting job offer but you need to take into account the impact it is likely to have on your loved ones and your personal life, in terms of the demands and possible commute. We all have to make sacrifices but there is a crucial work-life balance to be struck.

Most people have a long-term career plan, and you would want a role which corresponds with this. You need to make sure that there will be a chance to build on your skills and to develop in the role. Successful people should always be looking to keep moving forward; there is no point in taking a job which will be a dead end.

If you feel you are being rushed into a decision, this may make your mind up for you. A good company will realise that moving jobs can be a major life-changing decision and give you time to consider your options. If they want you badly enough, they will be prepared to wait.

Along with family and friends, our working life is one of the most important things in most of our lives. As well as needing to pay the bills, the reality is we probably spend far more of our time with our work colleagues than with our loved ones.

Fortunately I have always been one of those people who has never had any problem when it comes to motivating myself and throughout my career I have always relished the challenges that come with creating and growing various businesses.

But not everyone is cut from the same cloth and there a large number of people out there who go to work simply for the financial rewards. However I have long held the belief that if you want to get the most out of your career on a personal level it has to about so much more than money.

Of course, if you are successful in any walk of life then the rewards will come sooner or later, but true success can be measured in lots of different ways. There is the enjoyment we get from the working environment – this is related to the culture of the company and the people around you. Then there is the satisfaction that comes with taking responsibility or doing a task to the best of your ability.

If you want a truly fulfilling career then it should always be about personal growth and development rather than just remuneration and there are different ways to achieve that goal.

Some people crave the kind of stability that comes with working for a large organisation or business – they can offer fulfilment in terms of a career structure and organised training schemes.

On the other hand smaller firms will give people the chance to take on more responsibility and to play a direct role in the development and growth of a business.

I also believe people should always undertake regular health checks of their career. If you are not hitting your personal targets then take a look at what you have been doing and see what action should be taken to improve the situation.

You should also ask yourself if you are happy and content in your current role. If you are discontented then look around at the options available and take some decisive action to change your current situation, even if it means having to move on to pastures new.

The key to true fulfilment in work is to ensure that you are always setting targets – both in your current job and your overall career plans. You should also constantly be looking for fresh challenges that are going to expand you on both a personal and a professional level.

Depending on your situation, this could mean more responsibility, a move to another role, or a move to another company. Either way, allowing yourself to go stale is never a positive career move.

When it comes to recruiting people the most important thing to remember is to always match the skills of candidates with the particular demands of the role. I have never believed there is any point in trying to fix square pegs into round holes. That’s why the best qualifications do not ensure that individuals will always land the role.

And from a candidate’s point of view, when you are looking for a new role you should always consider whether your experience and skills sit well alongside the post you are applying for.

As well as considering the role it is also important to look at the nature of the firm because in some cases the operation simply might not be the right fit for you.

That is certainly the case between opting to join a large established organisation or a company that is still at the very beginning of its journey.

The benefits of working for a large and well known company are obvious; you know what you are going to get when you walk through the door for the first time.

Larger and well run companies will have established structures and working practices already in place. That means that there will be a well-defined career structure along with all the usual benefits such as training and pension schemes.

There are also certain companies that come with a reputation and brand. Having a good job with a well-known and highly respected organisation can be a fantastic calling card when it comes to future career prospects.

The benefits of working for a smaller business can be harder to spot on first glance. There will always be an element of risk as the same levels of security do not exist when it comes to working for a business which is still in the process of establishing itself in the market-place.

But in the professional world I believe there is no more exciting place to be than at a new and rapidly developing firm. There’s a real sense of energy and the atmosphere can be so vibrant.

When it comes to individuals who are looking for a new challenge, that can offer a unique opportunity. Smaller operations demand people who are willing to be flexible and are able to take on a number of different challenges.

Even more importantly, when you are a part of a small team it gives you an opportunity to be much closer to the decision making process. For smaller units to work everyone has to play a part and there is simply no room for people who are not willing to pull their weight or take on extra responsibility.

There are no easy answers and it really is down to what suits each individual. There is nothing wrong with seeking stability but I believe there is also a lot to be said for the buzz and experiences you get with a growing, evolving business.

The subject of money is always a difficult one to broach with your boss but there is a professional way to approach such a sensitive and potentially difficult situation.

The main things you need to ask yourself is are your efforts are being properly rewarded and has your salary kept pace with the current market rate?

It is all too easy for an employer to take staff for granted and to overlook them, and often the best chance to get the right deal is when you are taking on a new role or have been given a promotion.

People who have been in the same role for several years need to make sure that their level of pay reflects the contribution they make to the firm. Sometimes it is the longest serving members of staff who may be taken for granted, and their loyalty to the firm can stop them from pushing for a pay rise.

As an individual I have always reviewed my progress on a regular basis and I would recommend that everyone should carry out a career health check at least once every 12 months.

Once you have carried out your own personal check-up there is no point in sitting in silence if you believe that your efforts are not being properly rewarded. The best time to raise the question with your boss is away from the office but in a formal setting such as a one-to-one or in your annual appraisal.

If your firm is not in the habit of holding regular appraisals then you should ask your line manager for an opportunity to sit down and talk about how they see your current performance and career progression.

I would never advise people to go in all guns blazing; it would be unprofessional to walk straight into a situation and start talking about money from the outset. It is far better to ask your manager for their opinion on how you are performing and what attributes you bring to the business.

If they tell you that you are a valuable member of staff, then that is the time to introduce the tricky subject of remuneration.

But you should also be aware that there is a risk attached to this strategy and you need to be confident you are performing up to the required level. If you ask for an honest opinion of your performance you might not get the answer you are expecting. As a manager I expect every single staff member’s contribution to be clearly measurable, so I can see exactly how much value they are adding.

If there is a big difference in the way you and your manager view your performance, then the time has come to make some difficult choices.

Either you can make a decision to stick with what you have got and aim to improve. But if you genuinely believe that you are being undervalued then time has probably come to move to pastures new.

It is worth remembering that if you pose the question, then you might get a lot more than you bargained for.