Your CV

Is your CV too brief?
If your CV is only one page long with lots of space to spare, even if it is the first CV you have ever written, then you have not provided enough detail to interest the reader. Consider expanding on your skills, experience or personal profile.

Is your CV too long?
Avoid listing everything that you have ever done and creating a CV that stretches over several pages in length. Recruiters need to be able to quickly and clearly identify the relevant information in the shortest amount of time.

Is my CV applicable to the vacancy?
It is advisable to write a slightly different CV for each job application. Every employer and every vacancy is different; therefore, it pays to highlight the different skills according to the requirements of the particular job.

Is the layout of your CV clear and concise?
A cluttered CV with too much information or a complicated format will put prospective employers off. The employer needs to be able to pick out the relevant skills and experience within seconds.

USING RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

These days many employers use the services of recruitment agencies in order to handle their vacancies as opposed to advertising themselves. Choose the right agency to work with and they can be an effective method of getting the job that you really want.

How do I choose the right recruitment agency?
With so many recruitment agencies out there, it is important to choose one which understands and deals with the sector of industry that you would like to work in. Take time out to speak with one of their Consultants over the telephone with regards to your suitability to any of their current vacancies. A good firm should be able to advise you on the salary that you could expect to achieve with your experience and skills. It is wise to look for an agency that belongs to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), which means that they work to agreed quality standards in relation to how they treat their candidates.

Will the agency charge me?
It is illegal for a UK employment agency to charge you for finding you a job. It is the employer, not the employee that should be charged for such a service.

Will the agency send my details off to employers without asking me first?
No reputable employment agency should send your details off for a vacancy without having discussed the vacancy with you first.

Will the agency match my skills with a suitable opportunity?
Recruitment agencies make their money by placing people into vacancies... it's as simple as that. Don't let anyone try and talk you into a vacancy that is not suitable for you if you are already in a job. If you are out of work, then it is sometimes advisable to keep the money coming in and avoiding any gaps on your CV, however, try to avoid taking any position offered and getting stuck in a rut.

Do not expect the recruitment agency to write a CV for you. CVZest has established itself as the UK's leading online CV builder and provides the most cost effective and professional CV writing solution available.

USING ONLINE JOB SITES

Online recruitment is becoming the preferred method of job hunting for the majority of job seekers.

How many job sites are there?
Nowadays there are a large number of online job boards featuring thousands of vacancies. If you are seeking a more specialised job opportunity then you may want to use a specialist job board dedicated to that sector.

How do they work?
Job sites make their money by charging employers and recruitment agencies to feature job adverts on line. The more adverts they feature on their site then the more money they make. Jobseekers do not have to pay anything for to add their details to the sites or to search the jobs that they feature. Once you have searched the jobs featured on the job site, you can simply apply by forwarding your CV. Some sites feature an email alert function which keeps you posted when a job is listed that matches your requirements i.e. type of work, location, salary etc.

It is important to keep your CV up to date and ready to go in case the ideal job comes up as you don't want to miss out on the opportunity. When you post your CV online, this allows employers and recruitment agencies to locate your CV when they have a job that matches your profile.

Should I post my CV up to a site?
This will increase your chances of getting a job as employers and recruitment agencies can view your CV and get in touch if they have any vacancies that suit your requirements. Once you do upload your CV to a site, then it allows all subscribed employers and recruiters to view your details.

Do I need to get a professional looking CV for online applications?
Yes. There is no difference to applying for jobs offline and your CV should be tailored with the intention of getting you the interview. CVZest's online CV builder has proven to be effective for thousands of job seekers like yourself.