Are you a recent graduate applying for jobs?
 
Is your CV a worker bee opening doors that will get you through to part 2 of the recruiting process or is it a sluggish sloth that is going to secure your place in the reject pile?
 
It makes sense to know how to optimise your CV for the job it has to do, so here are 5 tips to help you create a fit for purpose CV.
 
1️⃣ Know who or what is reading your CV.
👉Your CV could be screened by a computer programme, usually an ATS (applicant tracking system) which is programmed to identify and ingest keywords from your CV that make your application relevant.
👉 It may be screened by an experienced and possibly weary human who needs to quickly ascertain if you are a yes or no to invite for interview.   
👉 Therefore make sure your CV makes a good first impression by presenting it in a professional way. Keep it clean and concise.
👉 Resist the temptation to make it look pretty with unusual fonts, layouts and formatting as this can prevent it from being ‘read’ by ATS.

2️⃣ Remember your CV is the sales document for brand YOU.
👉 Don’t just list previous responsibilities, list your achievements and the benefit of ‘you’ to the employer.
👉 Bring your CV to life with dynamic language that shows you are proactive.
👉Make it clear that how you have made a difference in previous roles, including volunteering or positions of responsibility at university. And yes, that part time job in a pub or charity shop counts even if you are applying for engineering roles!

3️⃣ Identify and use the keywords for the role you want.
👉This is not rocket science, it is like SEO where the words help content to be found, or in this case seen.  The keywords will be in the job description, so reflect them in your CV. 
👉 But be smart! Use the keywords in context of what you have done so far in employment, volunteering or studying, how you describe yourself in the Profile or in the Key Skills section and don’t overuse them or use them where they are not relevant to you.

4️⃣ Tailor your CV for each application.
👉 Interrogate the job advert and be clear who they are looking for and therefore what you need to say in your CV in order to have an impact.
👉 Emphasise the skills the recruiter/hiring manager is looking for by editing the master version of your CV to make more appropriate for that role.
👉 Avoid embellishing the truth, you will be found out!
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5️⃣ Check your spelling, punctuation and grammar – TWICE!
👉 Use spellcheckers (set to British English).
👉 Silly mistakes in a CV which includes phrases like “detail orientated”, “excellent written communication skills” and “accurate” just look ridiculous.
👉 Ask a trusted person to read the CV for errors, omissions and typos.
 
Good luck! 

Graduation is almost here!    

But when the excitement of the day, the gown and recognition of your hard work is done, it is time to reflect on your next step, which at some point will involve getting a job.  Question is, how do you prepare for this mammoth task?  Yes, you have the qualifications and enthusiasm but have you ever thought about truly getting your ducks in a line so you are ready for the process of getting the job you want?

Here are 5 top tips to help you prepare:

1.  Do your homework

• Research companies and different types of roles to find out what interests you.
• Identify industries that align with your values and or skills.
• Think about the practicalities of remote, hybrid, or on-site roles and what works best for you.

2.  Tailor your CV and cover letter because generic CVs get ignored

• That means you should customise your CV and letter for each job using keywords from the posting.
• Highlight relevant coursework, internships or projects.
• Make sure the CV and letter are clean, professional and error-free.

3.  Build and use your network because many jobs aren't posted publicly  

• Get proactive on LinkedIn to connect with everyone you know, alumni and industry professionals.
• Attend career fairs, meetups and informational interviews.
• Use your university’s career services. 
• Think about who you know as this can make all the difference.  

4.  Understand the hiring process

• Applying is the easy bit, so you need to be familiar with what may happen next, be it phone or online screening, assessments and multiple interviews.
• Be prepared for time delays because hiring can take weeks. Silence can be frustrating but it pays to be persistent and resilient.
• Follow up professionally after applying or interviewing.

5.  Clean up your online presence

• Employers will Google you, so your digital footprint is part of making a good first impression.
• Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date; there’s nothing unprofessional on your social media and your email and voicemail are professional.

This type of preparation will make sure you conserve your energy for the potential long haul and avoid doing a scatter gun approach without a sense of purpose.

​Understanding ATS and how it works can significantly impact the success of failure of your job application, as many companies rely on this software to filter out unqualified candidates before a human ever reviews the application.

ATS, or an Applicant Tracking System, is a type of software used by companies and recruiters to speed up the hiring process through partial automation.  It helps them to manage large volumes of job applications by scanning, sorting and filtering CVs based on specific criteria such as keywords, skills and qualifications.

​A skills-based CV (also known as a functional CV) is a type of CV that emphasises your skills and abilities rather than focusing primarily on the chronology of your work history. This format is particularly useful for job seekers who want to showcase transferable skills or competencies that are relevant to the position they are applying for, rather than drawing attention to a chronological career path.

In North America February 2nd is known as Groundhog Day, when, according to the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition the groundhog is said to come out of its hole at the end of hibernation. If the weather is sunny and it sees its shadow it goes back into its hole, which foretells six weeks more of winter weather.

​The alternative dictionary definition of Groundhog Day is “a situation in which a series of unwelcome or tedious events appear to be recurring in exactly the same way.” And for anyone who has seen the eponymous film with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, Groundhog Day specifically symbolises getting stuck in a relentless repetition of the same day until such time as you make the right decisions and find your purpose.