Hi friends,
It's Monday, and many of us are looking for jobs and sending in job applications left, right and centre.As someone who subs, rewrites and redesigns CVs almost on a daily basis these days, I thought that I should provide a few tips:
1.Photos:
Many employers ask you to submit photos along with your CV. Even if they don't, many people remember faces more easily than they remember names. A photo makes your CV stand out.However, there is a HUGE catch.
A professional photo would be absolutely perfect.However, not everyone can afford them.If you have any photos that were taken of you at work, that is absolutely fine as long as the lighting is good, you look groomed and are appropriately dressed. It it's a photo of you that was taken on site or carrying out your normal duties, that is fantastic as long as it's good and your face is visible.For example, if you're a chef, you could submit a photo that shows you wearing your uniform and preparing a dish.If you're a journalist with extensive field reporting or photojournalism experience, by all means send a good photo of yourself that shows you using the tools of your trade, such as a camera slung around your neck with your sleeves rolled up , in the newsroom, interviewing someone, reporting on location, in studio etc, even if it was only taken with a cellphone.As long as it's a quality photo and your face is visible, it would be a good way to stand out.
DO NOT submit one of your Snapchat profile photos with filters such as bunny ears, bug eyes, floral crowns, halos and so forth!This is SERIOUS.You are looking for a JOB.Your career and future depend on your CV as well as your qualifications and experience.Just don't do it, not even if you're applying for a job within the creative industries.The person who will read your CV is most likely going to be an Human Resources Manager or Head of Department.They don't care if Snapchat filters are trendy.They want to know that you are SERIOUS and PROFESSIONAL.If you're trying to impress a company in the creative industries with a fresh, unusual and exciting CV, Snapchat photos with bunny ears and other filters will most likely work against you.Everybody's using them these days.Creativity means doing something differently to everybody else and coming up with something new, not following the crowds. Some ad agencies encourage applicants to submit creative-looking CVs. In that case, speak to someone who works or has worked there before and find out from them who placed the ad, what the're like and what type of presentation or photo would work best for them.For example, if you're a graphic designer, you can get creative with your CV layout etc. as long as it's legible and professional.It's a tricky one.There is a very fine line, but people need to bear in mind that even companies in the creative industries want candidates with professional-looking CVs, so it's best to stay the hell away from photos with Snapchat filters. long sleeved evening party wears
Another point regarding photos.Use your common sense. Would you trust an au pair to look after your children if she sends you a profile photo with a bottle of beer in her hand? DO NOT use a photo that shows you getting drunk at a bar or club, looking disheveled at a bachelor's party, smoking or engaging in any kind of irresponsible and unprofessional behaviour. Whoever is looking to hire you doesn't care about how "lit" your social life is. Also, make sure that you're wearing appropriate and professional clothing. No matter how many hours you spend at the gym and how good your body is, DO NOT send a profile photo of yourself in a bikini, swimming trunks or gym clothes unless you're applying for a job at the gym or at Pacha in Ibiza. You won't believe the kind of photos that some people have given me for their CV's.
Lastly, NEVER, EVER lie on your CV.People pick it up.I'm a writer and aspiring journalist, and have read countless job-hunting articles, websites and books ever since I was in high school.I have read almost every single article in the Talent 360/Workplace section of The Star since its inception.I have friends in human resources and recruitment whose brains I have picked on numerous occasions.It takes minutes to pick up on a lie.For example, if you've been working for a Mr.Smith at Suchacompany for 3 years, have seen him every day and have listed him as a reference, how is it possible that you can't tell me what his first name is? CV writers, sub-editors, aspiring journalists, HR managers and recruiters scrutinise EVERYTHING! You bet your hiney that we double, triple and quadruple check those references.Also, if there are medium to long gaps in your employment history,I believe that it is best to leave them as they are and ask a friend or former colleague in HR or recruitment about the best way to respond if an interviewer asks you about them.If you used them to study, volunteer or learn new skills, by all means provide the details and relevant references in your CV, but DO NOT lie about those, either, no matter how tempting it may be.
That's my rant for today. If you're looking for someone to do your CV,please DM me for more details.My rates are reasonable.