Career Tips

Sell yourself!

Fri, 09 Oct 2009

Ask any job hunter what makes them feel good and they'll all say 'being offered the job!' But achieving this step isn't always that easy.

Securing a job interview is dependent upon the power of your CV, but many job hunters let themselves down when it comes to their CV. They use woolly words, they merely list their duties (which anyone can do) and they fail to talk about how they can make a difference to the organisation. In short, they don't invest in their CV. And if you were the recruiter what would this tell you about the candidate?

In addition, candidates use the same format, style and tone of CV for years. While it may have won them an interview a few years ago it is no longer as effective in the current job market.

Are you selling yourself?
The crucial test is what employers think about your CV. If you are not selected for interview it is tempting to make up your own explanations. Do you put it down to your age, marital status, education work experience, job title, salary, race, sex or current company? But are these the real reasons? Probably not. It is true that these factors may play a part but the answer is usually much deeper than this.

Anyone, whatever their ability, can project themselves in a positive honest way that will win them the job. The secret is knowing how to sell yourself and convincing the employer that you should be invited to attend an interview.

To boost your chances of being invited for an interview, your CV needs to:

• Be targeted towards the job in question. Tailor the CV to position on offer; don't throw out a general all purpose CV.
• Show you are capable of doing the job. Demonstrate briefly and quickly your skills and capabilities. The employer doesn't want to plough through realms of paper in order to answer the question 'can this person do the job?'
• Show you have a personality. Convey what sort of person you are.
• Reflect your attitude. Keep the tone on a straightforward, positive and business-like level
• Be brief and to the point — only include relevant information. Your spouse's name does not reflect your ability to do the job. Keep personal details to a minimum. Never express in 10 words what can be said in four.
• Demonstrate that you believe in yourself. Advertise yourself — the whole person — rather than giving lots of long and boring lists of information.
• Focus on the employer not on you. Demonstrate your value and don't waffle about yourself.