Why Your CV/Resume is Not Generating The Interview Offers You Want

If your current CV or resume is not generating the interview offers you want, it is time to start assessing it. Check to see that the following descriptors apply:

*Begins with a succinct, clearly stated career objective tailored to the particular job for which you are applying.

*Highlights how your skills and qualifications match the company's specific needs.

*Employs appropriate titles for previous jobs to demonstrate clearly that you are suitably qualified for the advertised position.

*Gives a concise description of your previous employers - their products, services, industry, etc. - and your role in the company.

*Uses PAR statements to describe your accomplishments. P identifies the 'problem' you faced; A describes the 'action' you took to solve the problem; R describes the 'result' of the action you took.

*Quantifies your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, etc.

*Makes effective use of the key words and phrases contained in the job advertisement to describe your skills and areas of expertise.

*Every sentence starts with an action word, for example: "increased production by 20% while saving £200,000 in operating costs" Examples of effective action words are: compiled, conducted, created, designed, developed, established, implemented, introduced, invented, maintained, negotiated, operated, organized, produced, and published.

*Explains how, in your previous jobs, you increased sales and profits, improved productivity, saved time and costs, and established good customer relationships.

*Provides evidence of the competencies most valued by employers, for example: your communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative, organisational ability, and teamwork.

*Includes any pertinent awards or honours you may have received.

*Provides your educational history and details of training related to the position you are seeking.

*Employment history is logical and consistent; and gaps of more than one year between your jobs are clearly explained.

*The layout is neat and uncluttered, with an easy-to-read sequence of sections and no large blocks of text.

*Contains no errors in spelling or grammar; and all unnecessary words have been eliminated.

*Hobbies and interests have been included only if they serve to reveal characteristics, skills or accomplishments that support your career objective.

Gerard McLoughlin, author of 'Four Minutes To Interview Success', has contributed career-related articles to hundreds of recruitment companies, websites and publications throughout the world, including: USA Today, JobBankUSA.com, US-Recruiters.com, etc.

To receive FREE career tips on a regular basis, sign up today for The Assignments Plus Newsletter.

---

Bringing Our Family to Work

Let's face it, most of us consider professional success and... Read More

No Degree, No Problem

According to a recent survey, 52% of job candidates polled... Read More

Successful Job Interview Tips

Congratulations! You've finally landed that job interview you've been waiting... Read More

Resume Tips To Take You From SAHM to WAHM

When looking for a telecommuting position, it is very important... Read More

Taking Job Loss Seriously

Anyone reading this article and hassuffered a job loss recently... Read More

Is it a Scam?

I wanted to quit my job. So I decided to... Read More

When The Going Gets Tough -- The Tough Keep Going

If you've been in a job search for more than... Read More

Ten Careers For High School Seniors Who Hate School

Let's face it?not everybody likes going to school and high... Read More

Active Listening Skill Tips for Interviews

During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you... Read More

If Youre Fired, Will Past Employers Keep Your Secret?

Despite what some job seekers think, it is not illegal... Read More

Free Resume Template: Beware!

Downloading a free resume template can be so alluring. No... Read More

Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want

Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More

What You Need To Know Before Committing To Vocational Retraining

You've thought a lot about the kind of work you... Read More

After Your Interview - What Must You Do Next?

Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through... Read More

Minding Your Own Business

Think you have gone as far as you can in... Read More

Workplace 911

I've watched a few episodes of Nanny 911 and with... Read More

Can You Actually Fail A Personality Quiz?

Q. I didn't get a job that I interviewed for.... Read More

Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss

For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More

Seriously Impress at Your Interview With These 7 Hot Tips

So you've managed to secure a job interview for a... Read More

Writing A Great Resume, Part 1

Need a great resume to land that great job coming... Read More

Employees, Get Used to Working under Surveillance

Let's face it. Monitoring employees' e-mail, tracking their Internet use,... Read More

Feng Shui Your Desk for Career Success

Have you used feng shui around your desk? It's a... Read More

Five Qualities Employers Want

More than ever, employers want employees who can produce results!... Read More

60 Hour Work Weeks - Can You and Your Career Survive Them

In the 80s while I was an account executive for... Read More

Resume Outline - Add Structure & Flow to Your Resume

Building your resume, based on a resume outline will give... Read More

How To Type A Resume For Employers

Learning how to type a resume may feel like a... Read More

Risk-taking - Get Your Feet Wet!

We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More

Job Interviews: Succeeding With Panel Interviews

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More

Auto-Disqualification - When Your Resume Never Reaches the Decision Maker

How would you know if your resume did or didn't... Read More

Great Interview Skills

Going for a job interview can be a harrowing experience.... Read More

Jobseekers! Look For Smoke, Not Fire

"If you always do what you've always done, you will... Read More

Kick-In-The-Pants Job Search

Believe it: three obstacles will hold you back from your... Read More

Career Success Through Self-Marketing

Marketing shouldn't be limited to advertising companies. Finding a job... Read More