- Eliminate typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Ask someone you trust to proof read your CV.
- Make a good first impression. You have a limited amount of initial interest time, use it wisely.
- Keep it brief. Few people have time to read a 20-page resume, be efficient with your information. A three to four page resume is often sufficient.
- Focus your resume on your most recent experience; keep it brief for anything over 10-15 years.
- Quantify experience and achievements with facts and figures to show how you performed against specific targets, timelines or KPI’s.
- Give the employer a chance to see your written communication skills in terms of being organised, logical and concise
- Use simple language; do not try to impress employers with elaborate vocabulary.
Be honest, nothing turns an interview sour more quickly than the uncovering of exaggeration or the stretching of the truth on resumes. - Be balanced, neat and structured. Make it appealing to the eye.
- This is your opportunity to sell yourself. Emphasise previous wins, promotions and rare skill sets, make yourself very difficult to disregard.
COVERING LETTER & CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Covering letters are an effective introductory tool whereby you can outline your suitability for a specific role
- This should be kept short and precise; anything away from this will detract from the CV and candidature
REFERENCES & REFEREES
- Compile a list of three referees, include their name, position, telephone number and indicate what your association or relationship is
- Inform your referees of the particular position you have applied for and its requirements and to expect someone to contact them.