Applicants Permanent_

CV - Curriculum Vitae_

- To increase your chances of getting the job you want you need to write a brief, clear outline of your education, employment, qualifications and experience.

- The ideal CV demonstrates that you are suitable for the job.

- It should be clear and concise and without any negative details.

- Everyone should have an up-to-date CV when applying for jobs.

- Have your CV with you when registering with A1 Staff Agency; it is a useful record of details and achievements when filling in application forms.

- Start by writing down all the details of your career, including job titles, starting and finishing date of each job.

- Do not leave any gaps even if you were unemployed. State what you were doing! Did you study or have a family during this time?

- Responsibilities: list all that you can think of, don't leave anything out - it may be relevant.

- Achievements: detail any promotions, increase in sales, setting up of departments/systems.

- List Skills, Education, and Training.

- Write everything down - if you don't use it in the CV it may be useful at the interview.

Now decide which of the points you have written down are most relevant to the jobs you are applying for.
For a job requiring specific skills it is better to send a CV with information relevant to that company. You are likely to have more success sending out a few CVs that are relevant than lots of general ones.
Your CV should be organised, easy to read and interesting. Use headings, short sentences and bullet points to make the information stand out.

The Standard Layout For A CV_

Personal details_

Make your name (in full) the heading on your CV - this will help your name stick in the interviewer's memory.

Full postal address with postcode.

Phone number with STD code (daytime and evening numbers if possible).

Date of birth.

Driving licence - if you have a full, clean driving licence say so.

Nationality.


Employment history_

List all employment, with the most recent job first, the dates started and finished, job title, employers name, industry, company size and key responsibilities.

You may, if you wish include a brief statement about your achievements and career aims. Some employers like this, but remember that if you include it, your CV may go to someone who does not.

Education, training and qualifications_

List all education from secondary school onwards.

Start with college or university, then schools.

Name schools and colleges with the location.

List exams passed, with the dates and results.

List any specialist training courses attended that are relevant to the job.

Additional information_

Skills - for example computer skills with the packages you can use, typing speed, and any languages, stating how well you can speak or write them.
Interests and hobbies - try to get across something of your personality, but keep it brief and factual.

Try to show hobbies that underline skills useful to the job - sports show health and fitness; chairman of a society shows leadership; secretary of a team shows organisation.

References_

Enclose them only if you are specifically asked to.

Avoid asking for a specific salary or giving details of your current salary - this may rule you out at the first stage, and can be discussed at the interview.

The presentation of your CV_

Employers are likely to receive many CVs so first impressions count.
Take the time to lay it out clearly and check for spelling mistakes and errors.

Read it through carefully and get someone else to read it too to check for errors.

Use a word processor - do pay someone to produce it professionally if you cannot do it yourself.

Do not make hand-written adjustments to a finished CV.

It should be in black on white paper, in case the employer wants to photocopy it.

Covering letters_

A CV should always be accompanied by a covering letter, even if the advertisement does not ask for one.

The letter should be a maximum of one page.

Note whether the advertisement asks for a hand-written letter; if not, word process the letter in the same style as your CV.

Address it to the relevant person making sure their name and the company name is spelt correctly.

State what job you are applying for and where it was advertised with a reference number if required.

Show in your comments that you have researched the company, product, market, etc.

Outline why you want the job and expand on any skills you have that are directly relevant to the job.

Be polite and confident using positive statements.

Include any relevant information that is not covered on your CV - do not duplicate information.

End by saying you look forward to seeing them in the near future.

Check there are no spelling mistakes and that the letter is clearly and logically presented.

Keep a copy for your reference.